SOARING - A Bishop's Blog

I love your post about leadership. Management is one thing and important. But to manage a movement without critical vision is taxing to the soul. I believe in the original vision of the UMC that we find in our roots- bringing the gospel to the frontier, spreading scriptural holiness across the land, and the world was our parish. The vision was clear, biblical, and concise (very new testament). The pastors of that generation had to be courageous in their faith in Christ to fulfull this ministry. Their loyalty to God's call on their life- led them from a life of "clerical success" in the Anglican Church and to a life of sacrificial significance in the Kingdom of God. Preaching had fire and the pastors really believed what they preached. Their convictions were not muddled under political pressures to be "correct" or they were not overly worried about discussing all sides of every issue. They fasted, prayed, and preached the word of God from the fire inside their bellies.

As a church planter- it has been my conviction and passion for Christ and people that keep me sustained. One pastor told a group of us that the Methodist Church was a franchise and we must manage it well. Who wants to serve a franchise? I want to do the work of a Methodist and be significant in the Kingdom of God. I believe that our movement requires leaders with convictions- not politics - but a passion to let Jesus live His life through us.

I appreciate your boldness as a bishop to post your comments- how exciting to me and encouraging. The real question is: how do we make leaders? I say, we can't. They must be allowed to rise up as the situation calls us to rise up. We must foster an environment where we can hear God's voice once again and allow folks to respond to the call. The purpose of the BOM is to recognize the call of God, but they can't call. Their job is to confirm and coach potential pastors and help them discern the Spirit's leading. We must have the vision of the Church as our trumpet and the Board of Ordained Ministry, and other agencies as a support and not as encumberances.

I agree, I talked about this subject in my own blog in an article called McChurch (http://360.yahoo.com/kayman1st) I think that one of the most useful things I have done as a Pastor was to get my BS in business. The classes on leadership and management helped refine my leadership style and even the accounting and marketing have come in handy as well.

I find it sad and even irresponsible that we train our clergy in matters of theology that can easily fly over the heads of the average person in the pew (I'm fairly certain many of us in the pulpit don't get it either) yet we don't train our clergy to be effective leaders. Some people are born to lead, but many of us are not. We must be taught either through formal education, self-education, or through trial and error. In my humble opinion the true failing here is not within the Board of Ordained Ministry or within the Episcopacy, it is within our Seminaries and our Continuing Education system.

It is true that the BOM could be more “selective” in its processes but is that really going to happen in a time where fewer and fewer people ad answering the call to ministry? Is it not better train those who are willing to be better leaders?

Even though I have gotten a degree in Business Management I am still working on my leadership style. They taught me how to use salary and benefits to retain good employees and even how to use those incentives to motivate them to work harder, but what good does that do me when the highest paid person on my staff makes $50 a week (and puts it right back in the plate)? Luckily my staff is motivated; motivating the congregation is something else entirely! This is where our continuing education and our seminaries could help.

I realize that this task is not one dimensional, it involves preaching and praying and interpersonal relationships all tailored to a common goal, making Disciples. Until we holistically train our clergy to make Disciples, can we really expect them to train the laity?