The eCrozier

There’s a story told of a grandmother who took her grandson to the beach on a beautiful summer day. She brought everything they needed: blanket, umbrella, sand toys, and a good book for her to read. She laid out the blanket, put up the umbrella, and instructed her grandson to go play at the water’s edge, but not to go in the water. With that, she began reading her book. Just a few minutes later, she looked up only to discover that her grandson was nowhere to be seen. She looked everywhere. Then, off in the distance, way out in the ocean, she saw him screaming and waving his arms. Her heart sank. She screamed, got up, and ran toward the lifeguard tower yelling and pointing out to where her grandson was quickly beginning to go under the water and drown.

The lifeguard sprang into action. He grabbed his rescue sled, sprinted into the water, and swam out to the boy. The current was unusually rough and it seemed like hours before he reached the boy. Once he did he placed the boy on the rescue sled and began the long, arduous return to the shore. When he arrived on the shore, a huge crowd had gathered to witness the dramatic rescue. The boy had been underwater for some time and was not breathing, so the lifeguard commenced with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Minutes passed, the lifeguard kept at it, and then the boy finally coughed up the ocean water and began to breath again. The crowd cheered. As the boy sat up, the lifeguard rolled to his side exhausted. Every muscle in his body ached. He couldn’t sit up, but he managed to prop himself up on his elbows and look up at the grandmother. She looked down at the lifeguard and all she could say to him was: “He had a hat!”

This humorous story, at least I think it is, instructs church leaders in our ministry context. No matter what we do, or how hard we work, or how Gospel-focused we are, someone is bound to say to us the equivalent of “he had a hat!” Of course, in my experience at least, it’s no good to say to them: “Are you kidding me? Don’t you know how hard I’ve worked and the sacrifices I’ve made?” Some people will always choose to see our shortcomings rather than the work we’ve done for God’s mission.

We should pay attention to our shortcomings. We shouldn’t dismiss criticism, especially when it’s offered in a humble, helpful way. We can, however, become too focused on those who say to us “he had a hat!” Leaders, especially clergy leaders, seem to be of a type who want everyone, and I mean everyone, to universally conclude we’re doing an excellent job of ministry leadership. We can become obsessed with winning over the “he had a hat” crowd. This is a fool’s errand that leads to exhaustion and then resentment.

Actually, our efforts should go in the opposite direction. While not ignoring the “he had a hat” crowd or those with constructive criticism, we should spend most of our leadership energy working with those who are NOT looking to see a dark cloud in every silver lining. My experience tells me that many folk in the church do desire to passionately pursue God’s mission and want to do so in partnership with their leaders. The “he had a hat” crowd, like the poor, will always be with us. Love them, care for them, but don’t find your leadership identity and purpose in them.

+Scott