As the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences commence on “A Journey toward Revival," leaders from Pen-Del joined in holy conferencing on May 20. In a Circle of Hope, these Leaders explored a series of questions on the state of the church and how it is living into all that God has called us to be. The questions are shared here. Congregations and small groups are encouraged to use these questions for reflection, discernment and creating a vision for the future as they form disciples of Jesus Christ who love boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.

Questions for The Circle of Hope 

Spiritual Foundation and Identity

1. Where is God already moving among us, and how are we being invited to join in? (John 5:19; Luke 10:2)
2. Are we being faithful to Christ’s call, or merely functional for the sake of institutional preservation? (Revelation 2:4–5; Matthew 16:25)
3. How does our theology of resurrection shape our willingness to let go of what must die for new life to emerge? (Romans 6:4; John 12:24)
4. Is our worship leading people into genuine encounter with the living God, or simply through a familiar routine? (Isaiah 29:13; John 4:23–24) 

Mission and Community Impact

1. What would our community lose if our church disappeared tomorrow, and what does that say about our current witness? (Matthew 5:13–16; Acts 2:42–47)
2. Are we making disciples of Jesus or just maintaining members of an institution? (Matthew 28:19–20; Ephesians 4:11–13)
3. Who is missing from our congregations, and what does that reveal about our understanding of the kingdom of God? (Luke 14:13–14; Galatians 3:28) 

Leadership and Courage

1. What are we afraid to say, change, or confront, and how is fear shaping our leadership/discipleship more than faith? (2 Timothy 1:7; Joshua 1:9)
2. When was the last time we truly risked something because we believed God was calling us to it? (Hebrews 11:1; Mark 10:28–30)
3. How are we preparing the next generation, not just to inherit the church, but to reimagine it? (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17) 

Vision and Accountability

1. How are we nurturing revival in the hearts of our people, not just the programs of our church? (Psalm 85:6; Ezekiel 36:26)
2. How do our current strategies reflect our eschatological hope rather than just present-day anxieties? (Philippians 3:13–14; 1 Peter 1:3–5)
3. Are we willing to be held accountable not just for success, but for faithfulness and fruitfulness? (John 15:5–8; Matthew 25:21)