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As the long-running presidential primary season reaches a fervid pitch, I am beginning to have doubts about how this process is supposed to work. There is, of course, the question of whether or not a vote really makes a difference, as money (and the individuals and groups who have lots of it) as well as the media and polling data, appear to determine the results. Fortunately, outcomes in Iowa and New Hampshire have at least temporarily called into question that impression. But there is another issue. Most voters, it seems, make their decisions based upon choosing a candidate who thinks like them. Meanwhile, most candidates try to convince as many voters as possible that they do indeed think like them, with the hope that the votes they receive will give them sufficient influence to enact their own personal agenda, whatever that might be. If this is the case, it is easy to see how integrity is often the casualty of this process. Pastors, fortunately, do not have to campaign for office, but some issues of campaigning are similar to those facing a pastor seeking to exert leadership. I hear frequent complaints from both pastors and congregations in denominations where pastors are chosen through a calling process, who believe there is something seriously wrong with this system. It has resulted for them in a horrible mismatch. Sometimes this is because pastors discover that the call committee didn’t accurately represent the congregation. Once they began to implement the changes for which they thought they had a mandate, they discovered there was serious opposition within the congregation and they were left alone to face it. Sometimes this is because congregations realize that a pastor came with a controversial agenda that was not voiced in the call process. Perhaps these are inevitable consequences of this process which bears resemblance to dating. When two parties know little about each other, both are apt to look more for areas of agreement than disagreement, especially when both are looking for acceptance—and both pastor and congregation frequently enter into a call process after having experienced some degree of rejection. But the reluctance to speak honestly and openly may continue into the first year of a new call. Indeed, the rule of thumb frequently expressed is that pastors should not introduce significant changes during their first year. Rather, it is argued, pastors should devote themselves to listening and observing, while at the same time building trust. The mayhem that has resulted when pastors have too quickly attempted to introduce changes would seem to suggest that this is sage advice and well to be heeded. Still, it raises the question of integrity. Should you pretend to like something you don’t? If the practice of ushering people out at the end of every service is inhibiting the social connection of people with one another and contributing to visitors being overlooked, do you not raise a concern? If the “Precious Moments” figurines in the narthex make you want to gag every time you see them, do you take an anti-acid tablet instead of making them disappear and risk offending someone? Does a pastor become something like a political candidate, exchanging integrity for votes, until sufficient power is gained to allow one to reveal one’s true self? At what point does this become just a form of manipulation? While not rushing to introduce change is a good strategy, if it becomes merely a tactic—something like the introductory question of a telemarketer “How are you doing today?” (when, of course, they have no interest at all in how you are doing) or indeed like a politician engaging in a “listening tour”—it borders on deceit. It may be a fine line, but it seems to me there is a difference between a leadership that assumes the destination is known with the leader’s task to employ tactics that would move people in that direction, and a leadership which assumes the destination is not known and the leader’s task one of employing methods that encourage discernment. A leadership based on the assumption the destination is known (because of one’s experience and training as a pastor), may correctly arrive at the conclusion that people are more likely to be motivated through relationships than through rational and/or Biblical arguments. A level of trust must be built to the point when the risk of losing the relationship is of equal concern to the risk of giving up a cherished belief or practice. Still, this is a leadership based on power. It is a way of maneuvering to minimize and overcome resistance. Relationships become a means to an end. For a leadership which assumes the destination is not known, listening is not just a tactic to “build trust” but based on the assumption much can be learned from people whose lives are intertwined with the history of both the congregation and community. They understand both its dynamics and culture. This form of leadership is interactive. Rather than biting one’s tongue, opinions are expressed—and disagreements accepted. When leadership is about power, disagreements are threats, which must be resisted with every form of power that congregants can lay their hands on, including voicing objections loudly, leaving, withholding funds, allusions to “lots of people are saying,” conducting surveys, and secret meetings. But when congregations learn that pastors can have differing opinions without feeling the need to impose them, the sense of threat diminishes and trust is built. That’s when the process of discernment can begin as pastor and congregants learn to listen to God and to each other to discover the future God has in store for them. I’m not sure all opinions need to be expressed. In at least two situations I can think of, it may be inadvisable: 1) Where the issue involved is not that important and to express disagreement risks making a minor issue a major one; and 2) Where it is perceived people are not yet able to hear what you have to say. You may be tempted to be prophetic, either to be able to say “I told you so” or “God told you so,” and this may seem courageous, but ultimately it absolves you from assuming responsibility for the outcome. That being said, it is usually a good thing when a pastor loses a battle or two, and accepts defeat graciously. It levels the playing field. There may be times in a congregation’s life when a leadership of power is required—when essential beliefs are at stake, when a minority exerts undue power, when change needs to occur quickly to ensure survival. Still, the more I learn of my own inadequacies and the more I discover how God works in community, the more I lean toward a leadership of discernment.
Paul didn’t have much good to say about the “Christ party” in Corinth (I Cor. 1:10), but evidently, they are still campaigning. By going to Jesusin2008.com, you can become a delegate to his convention, assist in developing his platform and choosing his running mate.
My book In Jars of Clay is now available for sale at www.injarsofclay.com. Offering reflections on the personal, pastoral, and spiritual needs of ministry it includes, many of the articles that appeared originally in Fireflies. All proceeds from the sale of the book, which lists at $11.95, will go to Partners in Caring at Lutheran Family Services to further support the work of caring for those who serve in ministry. Wanting to have a way to further enrich your devotional life and provide a focus for brief moments when you have an opportunity to pause and reflect? You can have a daily Bible verse sent directly to your phone or e-mail account. Go to www.thedailybibleverse.com
“Toxic Faith and Religious Abuse Problems” is the subject of this year’s Spiritual Dimensions of Therapy workshop, and annual conference for therapists co-sponsored by Lutheran Family Services and Catholic Charities. Dr. Marius Kogo, a political refugee from communist Romania, and a professor specializing in the topics of spiritual psychology and the spiritual dimensions of trauma, will be the presenter. The workshop will be held at Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church in Omaha. If you are interested in receiving a brochure, let me know.
In Christ's Service, Roger Kruger This e-mail newsletter is an endeavor of Partners in Caring, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. I envision it as a way to share ideas, resources, and conversation about the joys and struggles of ministry. I welcome your input. Feel free to pass it on to friends.
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Leadership as Discernment
