Good leadership?

Whether I like it or not, part of my calling as to ministry is a call to lead. Wherever I go, I will be the leader of the community I serve. As I work through these placements, the importance of good leadership is evident.

But what is a good leader? Is it someone who dictates to others? Or who bends to the whim and criticism of those in the community.? I would say no to both of these questions, but realise there are times when I will need to take a stand or listen to others' views. It's a fine line and I know I'll not always get it right.

Those leaders I have encountered, but in and out of church leadership, which I have respected the most have an ability to allow the communities to have a voice and to air their views openly and honestly. Thus, when decisions are made, even when they go in a different direction from that some would like, are supported as people feel they have been heard. One leader in particular I am thinking of really welcomes those who openly question decisions, as he sees them as those who hold the whole community accountable.

The other aspect of leadership I admire is the willingness to muck in where necessary - to do the dirty jobs or help out someone who's busting a gut and toiling to get what needs done finished. Those leaders I saw very much as 'the boss', but they were compassionate to the needs and abilities of those they led. For most, their actions won their respect and a willingness on behalf of those they led to go the extra mile for them. They led by example, didn't ask anything they wouldn't do themselves and were, in many ways, leading in a service-like way (sounds familiar).

Ultimately, with these leaders I am thinking of (and have worked with), they made tough decisions, challenged and provoked, to get the best from their team. Sometimes, the team didn't like it. But through feeling they had been listened to and knowing the leader would muck in when necessary, the team bust a gut for them. The team also know their leader would fight for them against those outwith the team, gaining the leader's respect. The team also knew those good leaders would defend their actions and those of the team, not allowing public criticism of any member of the team.

So, that's not much for me to live up to, especially when leading a church community. Pointing people to God should be easy, but if it were would there be a need for ministers to lead and shepherd their congregations? And it's getting people to come with me where I led them. That requires a lot of trust on both sides, especially if the terrain is dangerous or difficult. But I suppose that's about going a route which is best for the needs and abilities of the congregation - not all can climb mountains, but they could take the low road around the mountain to reach the same destination. The latter takes longer, but would that matter? I don't think so. More important is getting everyone safely to the destination. Perhaps that's what good leadership is, for me at least.

A Legacy?

The other day my supervisor, quite out of the blue, asked me what I felt I'd learnt from this placement. At the time, and on reflection, I'd say learning I have the ability to co-ordinate and manage a project, while allowing others to get on with it.

The following day I bumped into him while out and about (aka pastoral visiting). He was with a colleague and was waxing lyrical about this project I was co-ordinating, especially as I'd been happy letting others get on with in, rather than feeling I had to be there all the time and micro-managing it (just to make it clear, the people haven't been left in the lurch either - I'd briefed them before each session and thanked them, while getting feedback, post-session). He also talked of that being my 'legacy' to the congregation.

I suppose I must be doing okay if it's being shared outside the congregation. I know it's not perfect, but it's the first time for all of us involved. That said, it's going well and the issues (which are really minor and have only manifested themselves because the project is running) will feed into the future of the scheme, in what ever form that will take.

There are, of course, many other things I have learnt, but this has been an important lesson. It's funny, though I've worked hard on it, it doesn't feel like hard work! I also don't feel I've changed how I am or do things, so looks like this is a gift I didn't even know I had, or that I have used in a different way in the past. It's pretty cool to know that, though I am always mindful that this gift is from God and I do what I do in his strength, not mine.

Children in church

At a meeting the other day, the issue of children (or lack of) in church was brought up. Comments made were along the lines of such-and such a church has their Sunday School as a Wednesday after-school club. (Yes, I too thought that sounded wrong. Sunday School - every Wednesday at 4pm!). Apparently it suits the children and parents better than the more traditional time of during the Sunday service at 11am.

At the end of the meeting, I was discussing this matter with a couple of people I was sitting with. I brought up my concerns about the children being separated from the adults to this extent. I wondered how the children would be brought into the church family - like any family it needs a wide range of ages and experiences. I was told the problem with churches is members expect children to sit and be quiet. I think I can see their problem.

Now, don't get me wrong, having after-school clubs to lead children into a relationship with God is a good thing. I am not knocking that for a second. But, where it's happening because churches rigidly stick to service at 11am on Sunday mornings, where earlier may be better for all or, worse, members of congregations only like having children in church if they sit there and be quiet, then we have a problem.

From my own (admittedly limited) experience, churches where children are made welcome and are regarded as much part of the current church as the 97 year old (usually by the 97 year old), the children want to be there. They bring their friends. Children who want to find out about God bring their parents and their parents become members and the church grows.

I don't know what those type of churches do right. They don't know themselves. I think it's welcoming all - young and old. Showing God's love in action. Teaching about God's love and grace.

The churches I know of for which lack of children and young people is an issue and regarded as an issue talk about children being their future. I know, in my younger days that annoyed me. My own home church didn't have that attitude, but I heard it time and time again. Nothing has changed. It puts enormous pressure on children and they have enough as it is. Besides, they are NOT the churches future. They are the churches present. They may become the church in the future. Who knows? Only God. It's his church and he wants a church family where all are welcome and loved to share community, fellowship and worship together. Old and young. Rich and poor. That's the model we should be striving for.

I know there are no easy solutions. There never has been and never will be. I do firmly believe people begin attend a church which they see as being for them. If it excludes children to a Wednesday afternoon, they won't get young families attending Sunday worship. If it only likes children who sit very quiet and don't make a noise (do any children do that - I mean really), they will not get young families.

This is where leadership comes in. Yes, the minister (oh, I'm putting myself under pressure here!). In any organisation, the dynamic can change with a change of leadership and the feel of an organisation comes from the leadership. And so it is with the church. Does the minister expect children to be like mice? Does the minister engage with the children and their parents? Does the minister preach and lead worship to show how important making a church family is to God? I suspect when they do, children will come. Their parents will feel comfortable going. When the children become teenagers, with all the pressure they are under, they will not drift away.

I pray I can be this type of minister. Guided by the holy spirit to create a church family which reflects all in the parish I eventually serve. Oh, I do like to set myself challenges. Or, should I say God does?

Written for me?

This Lent, I have been using as my daily devotional reading "Lent for everyone, Matthew, Year A" by Tom Wright. Each day has a bible reading for that day in Lent, followed by a commentary and short prayer. It's easy to read, in terms of language and explanation, so I would agree with the "For Everyone" tag.

I know there's a couple of weeks still to go. Of course, there's Holy week next week, but the book continues on beyond Easter Sunday for a week.

I am enjoying the style of the book and the discipline of having daily devotional reading for Lent. In some ways, I feel I am following those first disciples to the cross. Wondering what Jesus is going to do next and how his Messianic purpose fits into the prophesies.


Of course, unlike the first followers, I know what happens. I wonder what it really must have been like for them. Watching Jesus - the Messiah - act so un-Messiah-like (so far as some would, then, have believed). Then, once Jesus was taken by the authorities, fear for my life as they would be looking for me next, so they could truly put this seditious uprising down. No wonder they hid and denied they had even known Jesus.

But, I'm getting ahead of myself. I began posting about this Lenten reading, not as a book review, but the readings/reflections from yesterday (Matthew 24:45-51) and today (Matthew 25:14-30) really resonated with me. In both both cases the master trusts his servants while away. In the first, to have things ready for his return; in the second, to invest their talents wisely.

In  the reflection of these readings, Tom Wright argues church leaders should look at them as warnings. Firstly, to actually follow Jesus' teaching and prepare for his return. Secondly, to use the skills they have been given wisely and for God's greater glory. Err, as a (God willing) future Church of Scotland minister, that means me!

Whether I like it or not, I will be a leader. Of a congregation - of a worshiping body of God's people. Through that leadership I need to do what Jesus taught his disciples and encourage the congregation to do likewise. By so doing, prepare for his return. So, not pressure at all. Nothing major...

I suppose, though, I have also been trusted with talents. Skills and gifts God has given me to do what he needs me to do. I need to invest and nurture them wisely. As I have already discovered, God has given me talents I wasn't even aware I possessed, only following by his call have I actually started to discover them. Perhaps that is where the good investment comes in? By investing my talents who knows how many more I will give back to God when he asks me to give an account of myself? I pray I am worthy of his trust.