We lack the motion to move to the new beat
We dance to all the wrong songs
We enjoy all the wrong moves
We dance to all the wrong songs
We’re not leading
“New Noise” by Refused
I’d like to share some thoughts as I celebrate my birthday this week. While listening to New Noise, a song by the punk rock group Refused, the word leadership rose to the top of my mind. I am encouraged by the quality of the pastoral candidates under care of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry. Brilliant, young, and creative leadership is preparing for ministry in the church. Also, the past three years have brought new pastors to many of our congregations. It’s exciting to see churches respond to these pastors and the different directions they are leading congregations. Other pastors have shared new and creative ways of being the church and facing our community’s and world’s challenges. These new directions cannot happen without the right leaders on sessions and directors of programs. These leaders are bringing a new song, new beat, and new moves to the church. Yes!!
A good leader moves beyond occasional success. Good leaders desire to master the role of spiritual leader of the community of faith. In her TED Talk on The TED Radio Hour, Sarah Lewis discusses the difference between success and mastery. She says: “Mastery is not the same as excellence though. Success is a moment in time, a label the world confers upon you. Mastery is not a commitment to a goal but to a constant pursuit. … Mastery is in the reaching, not the arriving. It’s in constantly wanting to close that gap between where you are and where you want to be. Mastery is about sacrificing for your craft and not for the sake of crafting your career.”
Pastors can master their craft through experience and education. Continuing education is an opportunity to drive deeper into a leadership skill set. Learning organizational skills, reading budgets, running a meeting, supervising staff, and preaching conferences are ways to move toward mastering the role of pastor and leader.
I have spent 40 years of my career in leadership. I am still making mistakes. I am still learning. I’ve learned that a congregation will teach you how to be their pastor if you listen. The same goes for my work as a presbytery executive. Learning comes from listening and doing, having successes, and making mistakes. Being excellent in leadership and mastering the craft is a constant pursuit.
I’m looking forward to more years of reaching, sacrificing, and closing the gap between my vision of leadership and the leader I am becoming.
— Rev. Dr. Craig Howard
