We’re On the Same Team

Some of us are poetic preachers. Some of us are world-class administrators. Some of us have brilliant theological minds. And some of us are the Einsteins of bedside manner. Assuming that we in the Church want to know/imitate/follow Jesus, we are on the same team. Not an original thought.

As a person who works with seminarians preparing for professional ministry, pastors currently serving as professional ministers, and pastors between calls or retired, there are countless ways to serve God in and outside the institutional Church.

Nevertheless, I’ve noticed that healthy leaders of all kinds have the following:

1. Boundaries. No we can’t schedule your wedding for that weekend because I will be my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. And you can’t get married New Year’s Eve in the sanctuary because that’s not fair to the church staff. And you can’t borrow money from your parishioners. And it’s a terrible idea to sleep with the new members.
2. Perspective. We are nobody’s savior – even and especially when people say we are. We cannot fix people’s lives. Or The Church. We can love people, stand with them, offer support.
3. Vulnerability. Each of us deals with something that somebody considers shameful. Pretending our lives are anything close to perfect will do us no favors.
4. A Cohort. These are the people with whom we can be especially vulnerable.
5. Energy. If you don’t have anymore of it, it’s okay. You don’t have to do this same ministry forever.
6. Intelligence. Curiosity is good.
7. Imagination. Imagine sharing leadership with staff and volunteers. Imagine what might happen if we partnered with the Methodists. Imagine having worship Thursday nights.
8. Love. Bottom line: do we love these people?

Do we love God’s people enough to share difficult truths, stand with them when they have to share difficult truths with someone else, forgive them, encourage them, hold them accountable, offer them grace?

Congregations: do you also acknowledge that loving your church leaders involves sharing difficult truths, standing with them when they have to share difficult truths with someone else, forgiving them, encouraging them, holding them accountable, offering them grace?

Because we are all on Team Jesus. Aren’t we? It’s all about love.