There has been much written about church leadership lately but it is usually focused on the clergy. In the Presbyterian church, one of the unique aspects is the role of ordained elders who make up the session. As a clergy, what type of leadership do you want from your elders? Do you want them to agree with you or do you want them to be independent voices? It sounds noble to say that we want independent voices, but like with clergy, too much independence can wear you down. At the same time, it is suffocating to simply have a session that rubber stamps whatever you suggest. So how would you describe the balance you are seeking?
We can look at this over the next couple of days, but let us first acknowledge that our expectations have an effect on our relationship with the session. If you don’t expect much from them, that is usually what you get. If you expect them to be in opposition, that also often surfaces. A distinguishment that has been drawn in recent reflection on clergy is that churches say they want a leader but when the pastor arrives, it becomes clear that they really want a manager. A manager keeps things orderly and in control. Leaders are surveying the landscape and probing possibilities. They are flexible and open to experiments. They know how to respond when things don’t work as well as when they do work. Is that what you want from your elders?
How do you go about communicating your expectations?
