Program Curator Jennifer Watley Maxell talks with the Rev. Dr Asa Lee (President, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) about what makes for courageous leadership, the importance of going slow, and what it means to show up in your body.
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I was the Facilitator for the first New York City cohort, and at the time, I was working in theological education on Christian leadership formation, so it seemed like a natural fit. What I discovered, though, was something quite different from my “day job.” While the content and topics of the curriculum was a crucial part of our gatherings, it was the community of mutual care and support that made the content relevant, not the other way around. And second, having three years of strong bonding created an extraordinarily resilient community that, in turn, was able to build up resilience in our leaders. I think every member of my cohort went through significant seasons of both joy and heartache, professionally and vocationally, during our time. And the cohort, in turn, lived out the exhortation of Romans 12:15, “rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep,” with a depth and integrity that I have rarely experienced, and often doing both in the same gathering. It was a privilege and a blessing to me and my own faith and ministry to be their facilitator, and I am eternally grateful to the Ministry Collaborative for calling me to that work!”
Dr. Herbert Jones
Posted at 13:23h, 10 AugustThank you, Jennifer Watley Maxell and Dr. Asa Lee, my friend, for this impactful and powerful time of sharing.
Rev. Yvette Blair-Lavallais
Posted at 14:00h, 10 AugustSuch a rich conversation. I enjoyed the opportunity to do some holy eavesdropping and glean from the insight and wisdom in this robust exchange between Rev. Jennifer and Dr. Asa.
I’m most intrigued by the power of “no”, as a defining element when you know something doesn’t fit your call or gift, and then learning how to steward your no.