The eCrozier

Clergy and lay leaders can have enormous impact on the health and vitality of the congregations they lead. But often the day-to-day “running” of the parish gets so much of their attention that they have little time or energy to work on the practices that lead to such health and vitality. This is the triumph of the urgent over the important. Yet, I believe that grounding people in the spiritual practices of discipleship, practices we have so amply available in our tradition, must be the leader’s main priority.

So, I suggest a refocus. Rather than a prime focus on “running” the parish, let’s place substantial energy and resources toward discipleship formation, which would include: (1) grounding people in the faith and practice of the Church; (2) growing the leadership base and skill of the parish; and, (3) disciplined listening to the Spirit through the people, things, and circumstances of the congregation. Here is what that might look like, broadly speaking, in a congregation.

1. Hold a recurring class that cycles about every 6-8 weeks. The class would teach people how to engage the spiritual practices the church. Sessions ought to include: What is the basic Christian narrative, how to pray the office, what does sacramental living look like, how do we keep Sabbath time, what does being a steward of God’s blessings mean, where can we exercise our Christian service in the world, etc. This is not a newcomer’s class, per se. Invite new and existing members. This builds up in everyone the basic skills of living their discipleship in the world. Over time, it develops a critical mass of lay leaders who are mature practicioners of our faith. It also connects new and old members. Nothing is more welcoming to new folk than to help them get proficient at being a disciple.

2. Regularly meet with existing leaders to identify future leaders and then nurture those folks. Done right this does not threaten current leaders, especially if you enlist them as mentors for future leaders. Enroll them in the Church Development Institute or other leadership training programs. Send them to diocesan Saturday workshops for parish leaders. Then, invite them to lead an initiative in the congregation that has a clear beginning and a clear end to it with an opportunity for them re-enlist. Congregations who are constantly developing leaders, and equipping them to be good at what they do, will always have people in place who have the energy and the smarts to lead.

3. Twice a year, in addition to the official Annual Meeting of the parish, have open church-wide meetings. These meetings need to be well-planned and designed to elicit feedback from people for the how the congregation is doing. It is a time where people can share their hopes, raise concerns, and offer their thoughts on ways to make things better. It is human nature to want to be heard. Often times brewing low-grade conflicts can be addressed before they get larger simply by respectful listening and clear response. This also has the benefit for leaders in that they get to see where the energy is in the congregation. What ideas or hopes seem to have the most enthusiasm? Go with those. If there is no energy around the annual (fill in the blank), then let it go.

+Scott