Everyone who has been trained as a United Methodist transitional specialist has learned about managing their anxiety in a stressful situation. The congregational systems consultant, Peter Steinke, said In his book, Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times, "To be a nonanxious presence means to acknowledge anxiety, but not let it be the driver of behavior." He also noted that "Of Jesus himself, it was said; 'When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten' (1 Peter 2:23)."

In this fourth episode of our podcast, Host Bill Kemp finds inspiration from a cat in a box and the eighth chapter of Luke to share a brief, yet powerful, message about becoming a nonanxious presence. It is central to the work of leading a congregation through these anxious times of change and stress.