Unusual Leaders

St. Cyprian’s is a tiny, historically-African American Episcopal church in North Carolina. Two years ago, they were lucky to have fifteen show up for worship on Sundays. They did not have a functioning priest and were on the verge of closing their doors. However, as the author of this article in Faith & Leadership points out, it was the lay leadership that made all the difference in the future of this church.

Located in Oxford, North Carolina, the town where the racially-charged events of Tim Tyson’s “Blood Done Sign My Name” took place, St. Cyprian’s is no stranger to racial tension, as well as reconciliation and peace-making. During the 1970s they became yoked with a white Episcopal congregation in town to promote reconciliation and Christian unity. While that partnership was advantageous thirty years ago, it became a burden in the past few years. The churches unyoked and St. Cyprian’s continued a slow death.

However, lay leaders refused to let it die. They kept the spirit of the congregation alive. Under the leadership of a woman in the congregation, they sought grants to work with children, began remodeling plans, and dreamed of having their own priest again. That last prayer was answered by a retired Lutheran pastor looking for a new ministry.

I enjoyed this article because when we discuss leadership we usually mean senior pastors or paid staff—not unpaid church members and retired guys! I wonder what leaders in my midst that I am not seeing and possibly how I can help guide them.