Leading in Unstable Times

The title of this blog is a tad misleading. The author begins with the premise of how one could lead effectively in unstable times, but he actually digresses and spends time discussing leading through change. This is not a leadership blog for ministry, but the two crises of leadership discussed are very relevant to the church today.

First, the author briefly discusses the role of the leader when great change is needed. He gives the example of politics, where a party simply elects a new leader, rather than give the current leader leeway, to enact necessary change. Many of us may have been raised (or are currently serving in) congregational churches. Thus we know that the pastor faces this risk of the congregation simply ousting him or her from leadership.

The author accurately points out that this truly is not a good way to enact change within a congregation. He writes that when organizations (or nations) rapidly change leaders, they are just like consumers switching to a new brand “which has not let them down YET” (emphasis mine). From the perspective of the congregation, I wonder how we have been guilty of switching churches or simply worship services (which we all know can be simply another church-within-a-church)? From a leadership perspective, how often have we jumped from approach to approach, curriculum to curriculum, and so on? The author aptly describes change as a two-way street. The congregation must provide the leader time and space; the leader must provide the vision.

Grace to Lead--Book Excerpt

In this excerpt from “Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition,” by Kenneth L. Carder and Lacye C. Warner, an argument is laid out for the qualities and skills needed to address changes within the church. In the midst of overall church membership and attendance decline, what is the leadership to do? The authors highlight two types of changes: technical and adaptive. Technical changes are those that have an immediate, known solution. Adaptive changes require a cultural shift. The authors argue that churches have been trying change in a technical fashion (i.e. add a new program) when they need to change adaptively—create a culture shift in the church.

How does a leader initiate such adaptive changes within his or her church? Carder and Warner insist that there is much to be gleaned from John and Charles Wesley’s ministry. Though they attracted great numbers for John’s preaching, the real work was in the relational ministry and teaching through small groups and bands. Thus lives were completely transformed. I can’t help but quote this small section, “Leaders, therefore, must address the immediate technical challenges with an eye on the long-range cultural shift necessary. Foundation repair requires patience and perseverance and a willingness to get one’s hands dirty and work without recognition and immediate visible results.” I was challenged by this as I am in the planning for next year’s youth ministry—am I really focusing on the dirty work (adaptive) or just re-naming the old programs (technical)?