Friday, July 15, 2005
Vestry Meeting
Visited the vestry meeting yesterday ("visited" cuz I am not a vestry member). Fr. Ricot is on one-month's leave this month so he was not there, the meeting chaired was by the Senior Warden.
It became clearer to me that the real problem of leadership (or lack of it) is a fundamental difference in understanding what leadership is. I have always noted that when I started criticizing the 'leadership' I got fairly violent objections from Fr. Ricot and Gerri ( the Snr. Warden) and measured objections from Euci (Jnr. Warden).
Leadership for them, or so it seems, judging from their objections, is centered around the setting of objectives/visions (it is debatable that this has even been done) and expecting persons to jump and be a part of it - a sort of "build it and they will come" mentality. In my previous post I called this "program-centered" leadership.
For me, leadership always starts with persons. If you articulate the vision and get the troops revved up there is no stopping you. I believe that what we at the COR has to offer, generally speaking, is no different than what other churches have to offer - we are all the 'body of Christ'. Why then should loyalty be to us and not to some other part of the body.
I go even further!
We are but one voice among many trying to get persons' attention. We are an "Idea" in the marketplace of ideas. On the the face of it nothing sets us apart and that is why we have to be active/aggressive not passive/docile. We think that Jesus Christ is the Way so we have to actively "sell" our product, to use the marketplace terminology. Our product is Life, Abundant Life...not just abundant interms of length but also in terms of depth and breadth howsoever understood!
This kind of leadership is hardwork so most would rather not contend with it...but that is the work of GOD. Programs fail for lack of personnel. Church coffers are empty because there is no growth in members. There is no grwoth in members because there is no rallying cry. There is no rallying cry because there is no...vision (or it is hidden).
Our leadership thinks it is enough to call persons to book about their committment to church and its activities. In a very real sense, my involvement is my business (leave me to God). Leadership's business is encouraging me to be involved, not telling me that I am not involved..I know that already! Their 'obligation' is not discharged because I won't live up to my obligation.
The prophet Ezekiel (chap 33) reminds us that if the watchman sees the enemy coming and does not blow the horn the people's blood is on his shoulders but if he does and the people will not hear, their blood is on their own shoulders.
A defense for not blowing the trumpet cannot be the subsequent non-action by the people.
It became clearer to me that the real problem of leadership (or lack of it) is a fundamental difference in understanding what leadership is. I have always noted that when I started criticizing the 'leadership' I got fairly violent objections from Fr. Ricot and Gerri ( the Snr. Warden) and measured objections from Euci (Jnr. Warden).
Leadership for them, or so it seems, judging from their objections, is centered around the setting of objectives/visions (it is debatable that this has even been done) and expecting persons to jump and be a part of it - a sort of "build it and they will come" mentality. In my previous post I called this "program-centered" leadership.
For me, leadership always starts with persons. If you articulate the vision and get the troops revved up there is no stopping you. I believe that what we at the COR has to offer, generally speaking, is no different than what other churches have to offer - we are all the 'body of Christ'. Why then should loyalty be to us and not to some other part of the body.
I go even further!
We are but one voice among many trying to get persons' attention. We are an "Idea" in the marketplace of ideas. On the the face of it nothing sets us apart and that is why we have to be active/aggressive not passive/docile. We think that Jesus Christ is the Way so we have to actively "sell" our product, to use the marketplace terminology. Our product is Life, Abundant Life...not just abundant interms of length but also in terms of depth and breadth howsoever understood!
This kind of leadership is hardwork so most would rather not contend with it...but that is the work of GOD. Programs fail for lack of personnel. Church coffers are empty because there is no growth in members. There is no grwoth in members because there is no rallying cry. There is no rallying cry because there is no...vision (or it is hidden).
Our leadership thinks it is enough to call persons to book about their committment to church and its activities. In a very real sense, my involvement is my business (leave me to God). Leadership's business is encouraging me to be involved, not telling me that I am not involved..I know that already! Their 'obligation' is not discharged because I won't live up to my obligation.
The prophet Ezekiel (chap 33) reminds us that if the watchman sees the enemy coming and does not blow the horn the people's blood is on his shoulders but if he does and the people will not hear, their blood is on their own shoulders.
A defense for not blowing the trumpet cannot be the subsequent non-action by the people.
# posted by subjective object @ Friday, July 15, 2005 
