In an interview with Faith and
Leadership, Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, the Episcopal Bishop of Texas, made this
comment:
“So as judicatory heads or diocesan ministers, we have to
cast a vision for the things that we think are needed for the future clergy,
which is a capacity to fail and pick themselves up and do the work, the ability
to be adaptive in circumstances, the ability to preach, to talk to and
captivate people.”
He also said, “We need vision
people; we need people who can communicate well; we need people who are using
social media and are digital immigrants at the very least, and are digital
natives at the very best.”
These are interesting comments that reflect the reality
of contemporary parish leadership. I
would insist, however, that these are skills not just for future clergy but for
those who are presently in congregational leadership. I believe that anyone can learn these skills.
First, leaders can learn how to cast a vision based upon
the adaptive leadership model. As a
resource, I recommend Shift: Three Big Moves for the 21st Century Church by my colleague Mark Tidsworth.
If the church is to continue to be effective today, leaders and
participants must ground themselves in the reality of their context and stop
hoping that 1950 is coming back. It’s
not and we need to work with what we have right now. Is change easy? No, but declining participation and
irrelevance should motivate the church to adapt its methodologies for effective
mission.
Second, the ability to communicate has become even more important
for ministry leaders. This takes not
only the form of preaching but writing.
The pastor of a congregation is called upon each week to “bring a word
from the Lord.” This is a humbling and
challenging task, one which requires time and effort. Coaches, peer groups, and conferences provide
the resources to do this effectively. The
Mercer Preaching Consultation this October in Chattanooga with Brian McLaren is such an
event.
Third, many of us struggle with social media. This is not simply from lack of skill but the
continuing evolution of the field. New
platforms are emerging and old ones continue to update the user
experience. If we want to communicate with
a majority of our congregation--people of all ages--we need to invest in social
media and use it. This requires both an
investment of time and energy and the empowerment of younger staff members to
apply their knowledge in this area to help other staff members become more
proficient.
For older readers, let me share a word of
encouragement. Most of us have
experienced considerable change in the course of our ministries. Many started out with typewriters chalkboards,
mimeograph machines, slide projectors, and hard-wired phones. We now use computers, PowerPoint, laser
printers and copiers, video monitors, cell phones, and video conferencing. Many Boomers are highly proficient in the use
of these tools. We are the digital
immigrants that Doyle mentions. We are smarter than some people think! (And we have grandchildren who can help us.)
The bottom line for all ministers--present and future--is
to remain faithful to our calling and the message with which God blessed us. Practically everything else is negotiable.
Comments