The Ministry of Letting Go

Michael’s daughter, Joey, getting another National Park Junior Ranger Badge for her growing collection.

The Ministry of Letting Go emerged from my recent sabbatical—a season of rest, reflection, and relearning what leadership looks like when it is rooted in trust rather than control. Written alongside my daughter, Joey, this reflection explores the intersection of parenting, ministry, and community life through a moment we shared on Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor.

What began as a simple drawing exercise became a theological epiphany: a reminder that spiritual formation does not happen through management, but through presence; not by imposing vision, but by making space for others to discover their own. This reflection has shaped how I understand leadership, discipleship, and the work of building communities grounded in mutual trust and shared imagination. 

Format: PDF reflection
Context: Sabbatical writing · Place-based theology · Parenting & ministry
Source: Streams of Connection Newsletter (Living Water Association)