Changing the Conversation A Book Study for Transition

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Leadership, as it is shown in the book of Acts, involves building up the body by sound teaching. In the church, leadership is not simply an application of techniques from the secular or business world. Leadership is rooted in the truth about God. Therefore, this conversation about leadership presupposes and builds on the previous conversation, “A New Heart.” Robinson, Anthony B. (2008-10-16). Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations (p. 85). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition. Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Leadership Skills asking good questions, seeing relationships between parts and the whole, developing and empowering leaders, stepping forward and taking risks when it is helpful and strategic to do so, and consistently articulating purpose and core values. Robinson, Anthony B. (2008-10-16). Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations (p. 85). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition. Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Pastoral Leadership “Now you are called to work as pastor, priest, and teacher, … As a priest, it will be your task to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion your life in accordance with its precepts. You are to love and serve the people among whom you work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. You are to preach, to declare God's forgiveness to penitent sinners, to pronounce God's blessing, to share in the administration of Holy Baptism and in the celebration of the mysteries of Christ's Body and Blood, and to perform the other ministrations entrusted to you.” Book of Common Prayer, Page 531 A pastoral leader will help a congregation engage the key questions that mark the early chapters of the book of Acts: “What does this mean?” and “What, then, shall we do?” Or, in alternative, contemporary phrasing, “What’s going on?” and “How do we respond?” In order to make progress on these questions and challenges, the congregation needs to build leadership capacity: leading cultural change in congregations requires a leadership team. Robinson, Anthony B. (2008-10-16). Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations (p. 88). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition. Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Leadership Team Let’s clarify what I mean by “leadership team.” I do not necessarily mean elected leaders, chairs of boards or committees, or presidents of guilds or fellowships in the congregation. I have in mind something less formal: a fluid group of people who have some capacity to influence others in the congregation and who share, or have the potential to share, a common vision. Robinson, Anthony B. (2008-10-16). Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations (p. 89). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition. Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Governing Board “A church board is responsible for the governance of the congregation and not the operational administration of the congregation. The board establishes policies, sets fiscal and personnel policies, approves the overall budget, and adopts the vision for the congregation.” (Foss, Power Serge, p140) Robinson, Anthony B. (2008-10-16). Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations (p. 93). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition. Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Key components of building leadership Selection of Spiritual Leaders Training of Spiritual Leaders Formation of Spiritual Leaders Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Leadership Formation Leadership Retreat Formation needs to include personal faith experience and sharing, plus a knowledge of the core theological convictions of the church, including its understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ and the role and authority of Scripture. There needs to be some attention to church discipline, that is, how to handle conflict and complaints, as well as moral/ethical problems. Finally, the formation of leaders should include both denominational history/polity and attention to how our particular congregation is structured and does business. Robinson, Anthony B. (2008-10-16). Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations (p. 95). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition. Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Sit at tables with people you know less that others if at all possible This is a conversation not a debate Speak out of your experience – use ”I” statements Give everyone the opportunity to speak Remember we all have made the promise to respect the dignity of all of God’s children. Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015

Changing the Conversation Chapter Four Who shall lead them? Describe the process by which your congregation currently selects or nominates its leaders. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a spiritual leader? What do spiritual leaders need to know to be prepared and effective? In other words, what would be the components of a spiritual formation course or experience if you were to design it? Robinson, Anthony B. (2008-10-16). Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations (p. 96). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition. Note: Transition into the Future - © David Starr, 2015