7 Principles for Living Bravely: Ageless Wisdom and Comforting Faith for Weathering Life’s Most Difficult Times by Denise L. Eger & Neil G. Thomas

These 7 spiritual principles helped us lead our congregations through a pandemic. OPINION DENISE L. EGER AND NEIL G. THOMAS  |  APRIL 13, 2023 A rabbi and a pastor sit down to write a book. It sounds like the setup to a punchline, but it actually holds deep meaning for both of us. Ministering to a congregation is a unique privilege few get the chance to experience. Through highs and lows, through good times and bad, rabbis and pastors serve as guides for their flocks, partners in celebration, and sources of wisdom when questions are raised, or hope begins to fade. The work of a rabbi or a pastor is a joy to perform, but it never has been simple or straightforward. Throw a pandemic into the mix and suddenly you, the faith leader, the one who’s supposed to have a plan and an answer in difficult times, quickly becomes the one in desperate need of a guide. COVID-19 struck our houses of worship with little warning. We shut the doors of our synagogue and church, we stopped going out to resta