Ours is an individualistic culture. No surprise, then, that for most of us the word ‘leadership’ prompts a mental picture of ‘the person in charge’ – singular, not plural.In CL71 (appearing late January) James Lawrence urges an approach to leadership development that’s as countercultural as it biblical. And he begins with the sad story of Nigel (or Nigella).
Once upon a time there was a church leader called Nigel (it might just as well have been Nigella) .
Nigel arrived six years ago to find the church struggling with a stack of problems: high debt, low morale, no children or young people, and traumatic fall-out from a pastoral crisis in the recent past.
Some of the congregation were suspicious of Nigel. Others quietly hoped he would be their saviour. Fortunately, Nigel was certain that this was where God wanted him to be, and he loved the job and the people from day one.
He poured himself into the life of the church, getting to know people, prayerfully discerning a new direction, and working hard to enable action. In the first year there were small, encouraging signs of change, boosting the congregation’s level of expectation. By his second year financial giving was rising, a new service had started and people felt cared for. And though a few doubters remained, many people now thought that Nigel really was their saviour.
Came year three and things were buzzing. But, of course, the more Nigel did, the more work there was to do. The more he visited the sick, the more unwell people there were expecting a visit. The more he reached out within the community, the more there were to be reached. The more he started new things, the more things needed continuing.
Not surprisingly by years four and five Nigel was struggling. Facing exhaustion, he knew he couldn’t continue as things were. And yet everything was going well in the church – the bishop (or was it the area superintendant?) spoke warmly of what he had achieved. But Nigel knew that work at this pitch wasn’t sustainable. He started looking at job adverts in the church press. In year six, he left to take up a new post.
What would your message be for Nigel / Nigella?
4 comments:
Would I be too harsh in suggesting to Nigel/Nigella that s/he prayerfully considers whether church leadership is the right vocation?
ISTM that s/he is caught up in "doing", rather than "being the catalyst" or "encouraging others to find and use their gifts".
Whilst this "look at me, I'm involved in everything and nothing can happen without me" style of leadership may have been appropriate to a rural parish of less than 500 souls in earlier times, it no longer reflects the role of the Ordained Priest in today's church.
Unfortunately, if Nigel/Nigella does not make some immediate lifestyle changes, it is likely s/he will end up a broken person, taking early retirement on health grounds. And, given his/her apparent passion for the gospel coupled with a capability to build lasting friendships, that would be a very great loss indeed.
So the challenge is to achieve less, and wait longer. And to do so by investing more of your energy into a few people, who will share the leadership task with you.
Far less people will think of you as their saviour, there may be a lot less personal satisfaction. Things may not get done in the way you would like, and you will get the blame for mistakes that were never your idea in the first place.
After 6 years, you might have exchanged being burnt out for being fed up, but at least the church won't be starting another weary search for their saviour.
Well done Nigel/Nigella. You did a good job. Thanks. It was hard. Here's the fun bit. Take a good break then go again. Lift another small struggling church from nothing to mid-size in five years then hand it on to someone who leads in a different style.
Cool story you got here. I'd like to read something more concerning that topic. Thanks for posting that material.
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