Adaptive Religious Leadership
Introduction
When I was a senior in Seminary Christ Lutheran Church in the inner city of Rochester, New York hired me for a part time job as an assistant for outreach. The pastor the Rev. Jeff Prozo inspired the congregation and me with his innovative approaches to ministry.
First of all the congregation was the result of the recent merger of three inner city churches. Unlike many other such congregations they decided to stay in the inner city instead of retreating to the suburbs. Next the decided to pay me part time and when graduating as full time assistant pastor using the principle of their combined surplus from the sale of two of the three buildings.
We formed an outreach committee to explore an implement possible programs to minister in the immediate area. A few examples of the type of neighborhood will give a feel for the environment. When my wife and I moved into the parsonage next to the church we discovered that a prostitute ran her business out of the house next door. Not long after we moved in there was a mafia bombing down the street. On another occasion we witness someone trying to run over another person with their car in the nearby parking lot.
When the outreach committee met for the first time one of the members recounted what he thought was a strange yet interesting phenomenon. The church had kept a clothing closet in the parsonage. The idea was to give out free clothing to those in need. However, no one ever made use of this service. On the other hand when the church had its annual rummage sale clothing was one of the most popular items purchased. From this discussion came a proposal to open a storefront ministry near the church but in a separate private storefront.
Under Pastor Prozo’s leadership the church decided to put up $80 of seed mo y for the first month’s rent and utilities. Then the committee recruited volunteers not only from our congregation but from across the metropolitan area and from a variety of denominations. Some where skeptical of the possibilities as the building in questions was filled with degree and filthy. Yet it was cleanup and prepared with clothing g racks and fresh paint y in short order.
The results were rapid. We named the ministry Seek and Find. Seek and find clothing, friendship and faith in Jesus. Nothing more than $1 was ever charged. The demand was so high the church received back the $80 in less than a month.
There was such a surplus of fund that a year later we rented another facility to house The Community Food Cupboard. This ministry had been operating out of a parishioner’s garage. It later grew to become its own Non profit organization servicing a third of the city!
Setting volunteers free to mininster
When you keep doing the same thing expecting different results you are domed to failure.
When you adapt new methodology you get different results. When the Holy Spirit inspires lay volunteers leadership must set them free to more than any paid person would be willing to do.
This was true for the two ministries mentioned above. Barbara House spent endless hours at the Community Food Cupboard while I spent far less on recruitment and fund raising among other congregations.
A more recent example can be found in the congregation where I worship when home. The Rector, of St. Paul’s in Shreveport, The Rev. Michael Canon has the ability to recognize talent and passion in the members. A prime example is Paul Moore. Paul joined the church about a year ago. I am sure Michael soon learned of Paul,s long history in theater production. He set Paul loose to develop a theater ministry at St. Paul’s. They have put on three plays in a relatively short period providing meaningful activities for members of all ages and wholesome entertainment for the community at large. By extension this has been a unique opportunity for reaching new people and bringing them into membership within the church at large.
The Challenge of Responding to societal/cultural change
An old maxim in Christianity asserts the church needs to be in but not of the culture. Adaptabilty for church leadership means knowing how to address societal cultural changes without becoming co-opted by them.
It is very important, for example, to hold fast to Biblical truth in the face of Orwellian twisting of current cultural trends. When abortion is called “Women’s Reproductive health care” and youthful sterilization is called “Gender Affirming Health” church leadership needs to find a way to proclaim that God created men and women and said this is good as it is.
Technology has created other challenges.
Church leaders need to be familiar with and adapt to advances in audio visual innovation, social media and Artificial Intelligence applications. There needs to be a balance between the use of these technologies and a revival of ancient spiritual practices. For example many churches, including my home church of St Thomas in Bath New York, are building labyrinths. This way of walking meditation without modern distractions is a good alternative to the business of modern life.
Meanwhile Facebook, YouTube, and other tools can be helpful to leaders in a variety of ways. Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Barron has been particularly effective with his podcast and Word on Fire outreach.
Personally I was an early adaptor to the use of the home computer. Beginning with a Commodore 64 in the 1980s to IPad on which I type today. Be it computer updates,
Pastoral emergencies, political upheavals or disastrous weather church leaders must be wise enough and willing to adapt.
Spiritual Openness
Jordon Peterson frequently tells the story of Moses and the burning bush. Usually he does so to stress the point we don’t decide what attracts us. Rather things grab our attention. I’m passionate about prison ministry. I was invited to join over twenty years ago and have loved it since. Christian leaders need to be open to what God calls them to do and find ways to follow that path while inviting others to join.
Conclusion
The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit and we who follow must be like the wind, not exactly knowing when e it comes or where it goes but prayerfully and faithfully trusting God to lead us into His future. Leaders need to keep a balance between the Rock of Jesus and the adaptability of following the Holy Spirit with a willingness to encourage others to follow.
For more posts click here.