I left my computer at the Apple Store for repairs last week. My wife was out of town. She brought her computer with her, so I did not have access to a computer for several days. Checking emails, going to the internet for everything, and generally doing what I usually do has been severely compromised. In fact, its like living in 1992, maybe even 1986! What I have become absolutely convince of is that I no longer live in 1992, or 1986. Writing my sermon by longhand on a legal pad, instead of on power point was really odd, even though I have written sermons in long most of my life. Keeping in touch, organizing the ministry, just generally functioning is much different than it was only a few years ago.
The same is true for church leadership. Anyone who has been in the church for a little while has a set of expectations about how the church operates. That set of expectations worked well in a certain culture. We do not live there anymore. I find myself describing the culture we are in today with some accuracy. But, the methods I use to describe our current culture, and to invite people to behave differently, are from the “old ways.” I find myself broadcasting descriptions of our culture instead of looking for ways for people to share their experiences and observations with each other. I find my self almost pushing the priesthood of all believers on people instead of inviting them to think about the ways God seems to be already at work in and through their lives.
Part of my growth will be to learn to lead in a way that brings out the gifts and callings God has already distributed among His people.
