Last week, I was in Seattle as part of a seven-member faculty for Presbyterian Leadership Formation (PLF). The students in PLF are new presbytery leaders from around the country. It is a three-year program with three cohort groups (Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3). This year, there were 54 students. I was a student in the program from 2013 to 2015 while serving in Milwaukee. I am completing my term on faculty, and it has been a joy to meet and get to know so many presbytery executives!
There has been a change in the curriculum from my early days as a student. Back then, PLF focused on education. I had to read several books on change theory, organizational structure, finances, and management. Although there is still a strong education component, the current focus of the program is on building relationships within cohort groups and developing social networks of support. We have learned that the greatest challenge to presbytery leaders today is isolation.
The pastors of churches, chaplains, and other leaders in the presbytery are also challenged with isolation. They are often saddled with difficult and sensitive decisions and emotional circumstances while holding the confidence of others. The stress of the work has intensified since COVID, as churches scramble to figure out technology, adapt to decreasing budgets, and worship attendance. Leadership isolation creates anxiety, burnout, ministers leaving congregations, and even pastors leaving the ministry entirely.
In PLF, we have tried several methods to connect presbytery leaders. The best solution, though, rose organically from the cohorts themselves. Each cohort has a self-identified leader who simply emails the others and arranges a time for them to meet. This person is a natural connector and party planner! They just do it because they like getting people together.
The Presbytery of Chicago is divided into eight regions. Each region has a liaison who is responsible for connecting pastors. So far, this system has been hit or miss. I’m wondering if there are leaders who are willing to pull a region together for a conversation. These leaders can work with Jana Blazek, Director of Connectional Relationships, for emails, Zoom links, and ideas for their group. Jana will help connect liaisons and other entities of the presbytery.
Connecting can lighten the load of leadership. It will help to share the burden of a difficult job while lifting one another. Learning is important, and sabbath is needed. But a network of leadership is crucial to the survival of leaders in ministry and the church.
Rev. Dr. Craig Howard
