A few months back, I sent a letter out to our lay leaders—the board, and committee chairs who give so much of their time and talent to the ongoing operation of the congregation. I asked them to start discussions in their committees about the congregation’s mission: how they see it, how they serve it, and who they need to be accountable to in order to better serve it. I also let them know that I’ll be talking with each of them one-on-one towards the end of the year to see how they are feeling about the work they have done, and whether or not their current leadership role is feeding their soul. I’m gratified to know that many of our committees are taking these conversations seriously.
These conversations should also be explored by the general membership of the congregation. What do you understand the mission of this congregation to be? How do you serve it? The health of a congregation is directly related to the health of its leaders. The health of a congregation’s leaders comes from joy in the work. When leadership becomes a burden to the individual—a “have to” rather than a “want to”—it becomes less effective, and less of a service to the church. Theologian Frederick Buechner once defined vocation as “the place your greatest joy meets the worlds deepest need.” Similarly, one’s call to service within the congregation is a meeting of your joy and the needs of the congregation.
So I ask, are you a leader in waiting? What is your call, here? Where is your joy, and how does it meet the needs of the community?
So often at this time of year, congregations scramble to find individuals to fill the positions necessary to keep the church functioning. We look to our visible, demonstrable leaders, the people we see Sunday to Sunday, week to week who always say “yes” when the congregation comes calling, whether or not they have the energy, whether or not the work brings them joy. But leaders grow tired, and no one should ever feel as though the work of the congregation is onerous and obligatory. A healthy congregation knows how to look in unexpected and unexplored places for new leaders and fresh talent.
I have a vision of a congregation that nurtures the potential leader in each member, which knows how to identify joy and match it with need. It’s a vision that will take some time to achieve, and we’re still working to identify all of the steps needed to get there. There is, however, one simple step that each of us can take right here, right now. Ask yourself, “Where is my joy?” and, “How can I serve?” As we prepare to name our leaders for the coming year, ask yourself, “Am I that leader?” Don’t wait for someone else to do it. There is no one but you, and no time but now. Are you ready to feed your soul in new and challenging ways?
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On the subject of nurturing leadership, each year, the Mountain Desert District of the UUA sponsors the Russell Lockwood Leadership School for one week during the summer. It’s an excellent opportunity for up and coming leaders in the congregation to spend time with UUs from all over the district to learn from one another and some of the best and brightest in the movement about how to serve your congregation with joy and skill. Our congregation has funds set aside to send one individual to the school, which will take place in Colorado this July. If you’re interested in learning more about Russell Lockwood, I encourage you to speak with our Denominational Affairs Chair, Mike McNaughton.
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Do you have something you’d like to say to the whole congregation? Our worship committee is always looking for interesting programming for the Sundays when I’m out of the pulpit. If leading services on a Sunday is something you’ve thought you might like to try, but have been hesitant or nervous about it, I’ll be offering a preaching practicum later this year for aspiring sermonizers to try their hand at standing in the pulpit. I’ll take on five students (dates and times TBA) to cover the basics of sermon composition and public speaking, and participants will have priority as we schedule lay-led Sundays in the coming year. Please contact me in the office if you’re interested. More concrete details will be coming soon.
Rev. John Cullinan
