What kind of leaders are we forming, and what kinds of cultures are we creating around us?
These aren't abstract questions. For too many churches, the gap between the values we preach and the environments we build has caused real harm to real people. If you've ever sensed that something is off in your ministry culture, or wondered whether the way you lead is truly shaped by the gospel, this evening is for you.
About the Event
Join us for an evening with Laura Barringer, co-author (with Scot McKnight) of A Church Called Tov and Pivot, for an honest and hopeful conversation about what it takes to build ministry cultures that are genuinely healthy—for leaders and the communities they serve.
Laura writes and speaks from hard-won experience. Her journey through the leadership crisis at Willow Creek Community Church became the crucible for deep reflection on why church cultures go wrong, and what it looks like when they go right. That reflection became Tov.
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What We'll Explore
Tov, the Hebrew word for goodness, isn't just a concept. It's rooted in the very character of God, expressed through compassion and generosity, and it's meant to shape everything about how we lead and live together.
On June 15, Laura will guide us through:
- What a Tov culture looks like — and the practical traits that define it: empathy, truth-telling, justice, and servant leadership
- What erodes it — the toxic patterns of narcissism, fear, and power protection that can quietly take hold in any ministry
- Jesus as the model — how his compassion consistently moved toward action and restoration, and what that means for the leaders we're becoming
- A challenge for the road ahead — because healthy ministry cultures begin with honest, courageous self-examination
Who Should Attend?
This evening is for pastors, ministry leaders, and laypeople who want to lead well, protect the people in their care, and build communities where the goodness of God is actually felt. Whether you're navigating challenges in your own context or simply hungry to grow, you'll leave with both a clearer vision and a personal challenge.
Meet the Speaker
Laura Barringer is a veteran public school educator, writer, and speaker, and she is coauthor of the award-winning A Church Called Tov and Pivot: The Priorities, Practices and Powers That Can Transform Your Church Into a Tov Culture. Her work explores the formation of church culture through the lens of tov—the biblical vision of goodness that resists abuse and cultivates healing, truth, and grace. In addition to her work with adult audiences, Laura coauthored the children’s version of The Jesus Creed and developed a companion teacher’s guide, reflecting her longstanding commitment to spiritual formation in both classroom and church settings. She is a practicing fellow with Baylor University’s Center for School Leadership. A graduate of Wheaton College, Laura lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband, Mark, and their research beagles.