"Love to Lead"
Two years ago, in the midst of making a move to Eulaton UMC, I discovered a book by Kennon L. Callahan entitled A New Beginning for Pastors and Congregations: Building an Excellent Match upon your Shared Strengths. In this book, Callahan offers four elements in making an excellent pastoral match. These elements include falling in love, a good fit, mutual growth, and growing whole and healthy lives. I have come to especially appreciate Callahan’s advice about falling in love with the congregation. After all, we must never forget that you must love the people to lead the people. Of all the leadership advice that I have come across in my ministry, I still believe a healthy mutual relationship built upon love and the power of the Holy Spirit is most essential for leadership in the local church.
When you take the time to fall in love with your congregation, then incredible things happen. Staff and laity trust you. They listen and sacrifice. A common, shared vision bubbles up that truly reflects God’s will for the building of His kingdom and for the life of the congregation. The laity are willing to invest in that vision even when it means venturing into unchartered territory. You trust the laity and are better able to understand their strengths and gifts for ministry. You are also willing to sacrifice, stretch yourself, and grow to be the leader that makes the hard decisions to take the congregation where it needs to go. Most importantly, love endures all things and it also covers a multitude of sins. (I Corinthians 13:7, I Peter 4:8)
This is not only leadership advice for those moving to new appointments, but also for those who have been in a particular appointment for a long tenure. Just as we make time to grow love in personal relationships, we must never forget to nurture that love for the congregation where we serve. At all stages of ministry, even on the days when it is hard to love our congregation, we need to have open eyes to remember our calling to this place and these people. We must take the time to look upon our congregation and community with the eyes of Christ.
Conference leadership may change. Conference priorities may be realigned. Church experts are replaced by new church experts. The latest program, book or campaign is eventually packed away to collect dust on our shelves. Yet, in the midst of many changes, “love never ends.” (I Corinthians 13:8a) In leadership and ministry, stick to the tried and true. Stick to the ultimate commandment from our Master, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)
