Like many others, TMC is acutely interested in how leadership models are rapidly evolving, what this requires, and what it might mean for the future of ministry more broadly. A key component in this exploration revolves around spiritual maturity, wisdom, and faithfulness. Developing leaders who are just really good at leading organizations but who have no real spiritual depth, conviction, or call is to miss the mark entirely. With this in mind, we sent the following prompt to ministry leaders across our network:
Describe the most mature ministry leaders you know. What are they exhibiting? What’s different? How are they being supported and resourced?
We found that the majority of responses fit under four D’s.
Mature ministry leaders are….
- discovering
- discerning
- differentiated
- dependent
What’s been especially helpful is how the responses are all connected and complementary. By “discovering,” we have in mind the work of contextualizing, of carefully paying attention, listening, learning, and adjusting as necessary to the particular place God has us. This is inextricably bound to “discerning,” as ministry leaders continue to make sense of God’s calling, aligning one’s gifts, and obedience to the Spirit with the evolving needs of a congregation or community. These commitments frequently require boundaries and being “differentiated” in one’s role in the system, so as not to lose our sense of call and become overrun with the endless felt needs and expectations of those around us. None of this is possible without frequent recommitment to – and dependence on – one’s identity in Christ.
Susan Rogers, Church Planter, Pastor of The Well, Jacksonville, FL, concisely covered most of these bases in her response: “[Mature ministry leaders] are nuanced and wise discerners of the moment and of what needs attention and what does not (in their congregations, communities, media, etc.) They will disappoint people to follow the Spirit. They know what is theirs to do and what is not. They have healthy expectations of themselves and others. They take the long view and are not afraid to make change, and are sensitive to how change may be experienced differently by some than others. They are humble and are willing to say “I don’t know.” Instead of holding busyness up as an idol, they honor their limitations & practice a sustainable rhythm. They practice Sabbath and encourage their congregations to rest also. They are not held back by “we’ve always done it this way” nor are they bulls in china shops :)”
Similarly, Jamie Butcher, Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA connects discernment and differentiation. “The most mature ministry leaders I know possess a deep confidence in their unique gifts. Rather than trying to be “one size fits all” pastors who do “all the things,” these leaders embrace their distinct callings to serve in specific contexts.”
Others highlighted the importance of having relational networks of support in order to engage in the 4 D’s. One of the most clearly articulated examples is provided by Jasiel Hernandez Garcia, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, TX “Some of the ministry leaders I admire often exhibit a sense of connection to their congregation – they (really) know their congregants and their needs. They also spend significant time building relationships with other leaders in order to create partnerships or initiatives that can expand beyond the building. All of them belong to clergy cohorts that offer support and friendship. They also seem to have an established network of colleagues. The mid-level councils provide some support, but in my experience, they do not offer connection to clergy.”
Several ministry leaders tied the 4 D’s and mature leadership to the necessity of remaining dependent on the leading, power, and identity in Christ. Here we include just two examples of such responses:
Rebecca Stevenson, Mack Avenue Community Church, Detroit, MI. “Some of the most mature ministry leaders that I know are well seasoned. They have had ups and downs in ministry and have maintained a humble posture and a relentless dependence on the Lord. They recognize that their success in ministry is directly related to their pursuit of and dependence on Christ. He is their greatest resource as well as the community of faith that surrounds them.”
Jim Truesdell, Frontier Fellowship, Birmingham, AL “Mature leaders are constantly being grounded in their identity in Christ and relentlessly weeding out other identities and allegiances. They understand whose they are but also who they are uniquely called to be. Mature leaders understand their limitations. They wait when the crowd wants them to act. They act when the crowd wants them to wait. In all things, guided by the Holy Spirit. Their emotional intelligence allows them the freedom to change and wrestle with their own need for healing and transformation.”
There is surely much more to it than these “Four D’s.” What would you add? We’d love to hear from you.
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