Embracing the paradox of strategic church leadership

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Prof. Oyewole Sarumi

As church leaders, we often find ourselves at the forefront of our ministries, guiding and directing our congregations. However, being the head of a church doesn’t necessarily mean we’re ahead of the curve.

In fact, effective leadership requires a deep understanding of our limitations, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to empowering others.

In this article, we’ll explore the paradox of church leadership and provide practical guidance on how to navigate the complexities of ministry.

I am going to dwell only in one of the eight key strategic areas for church leadership to master if they are to develop men and ministry, while endeavouring to also leave a lasting legacy.

These areas are:

1. Recognizing the Limits of leadership
2. Staying Ahead of the Curve
3. Leading from behind
4. Navigating Uncertainty and Ambiguity
5. Practicing Humility and Self-awareness
6. Building A leadership Community
7. Embracing Feedback and Criticism
8. Sustaining leadership Momentum

Details of the full article is on http://academic.edu for interested church leaders.

RECOGNIZING THE LIMITS OF LEADERSHIP

Effective leaders recognize that they can’t do it all alone. In fact, trying to control every aspect of our ministries can lead to burnout and stagnation. As church leaders, we must acknowledge the illusion of control and surrender our need to micromanage.

• THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL : Church leaders often fall into the trap of thinking they can control every outcome. However, this mindset can lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, we must learn to trust God and our team members to handle unexpected challenges.
• EMBRACING VULNERABILITY : Vulnerability is essential for building trust and creating a safe space for our team members to share their fears, doubts, and weaknesses. By being vulnerable, we demonstrate that it’s okay to not have all the answers and that we’re willing to learn from others.

SUGGESTED BOOK READINGS :

1. The Vulnerable Pastor” by Mandy Smith*:
2. Leading Out of Who You Are” by Neil Hudson
3. STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get left behind. Church leaders must stay informed about the latest trends and innovations in ministry to remain effective.

• TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS in MINISTRY : From digital discipleship, AI in Ministry to missional communities, there are many exciting developments in ministry. Church leaders must stay curious and open to new ideas, attending conferences, reading books, and networking with other leaders to stay informed.
• CULTIVATING A CULTURE OF LEARNING : A learning organization is one that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and continuous improvement. Church leaders can nurture a culture of learning by providing training and development opportunities, encouraging feedback and reflection, and celebrating successes and failures.

SUGGESTED BOOK READINGS :

1. Canoeing the Mountains” by Tod Bolsinger.
2. Innovation’s Dirty Little Secret” by Larry Osborn
3. LEADING FROM BEHIND

Effective leaders empower others to take the lead. By doing so, we create a culture of shared leadership and ownership.

• EMPOWERING OTHERS TO TAKE THE LEAD : Church leaders can create opportunities for others to step up and lead by delegating tasks, providing coaching and mentoring, and giving feedback and encouragement.
• THE ART OF FOLLOWERSHIP : Followership is just as important as leadership. Church leaders must model healthy followership by being humble, teachable, and willing to follow others.

SUGGESTED BOOK READINGS:

1. “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.
2. “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown.
3. NAVIGATING UNCERTAINTY AND AMBIGUITY

Ministry is often unpredictable, and church leaders must be prepared to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity.

• LEADING IN THE UNKNOWN : Church leaders can develop the skills to navigate uncertainty by staying flexible, being adaptable, and trusting God’s sovereignty.
• DEVELOPING A THEOLOGY OF UNCERTAINTY: A theology of uncertainty recognizes that God is sovereign, even in the midst of uncertainty. Church leaders can develop this theology by studying Scripture, seeking guidance from mentors, and cultivating a deep trust in God’s goodness.

SUGGESTED BOOK READINGS :

1. “The Church in Exile” by Lee Beach.
2. “Pioneering Movements” by Steve Addison
3. PRACTICING HUMILITY AND SELF-AWARENESS

Humility and self-awareness are essential qualities for church leaders. By recognizing our limitations and weaknesses, we can lead with greater integrity and effectiveness.

• THE DANGERS OF HUBRIS : Hubris can lead to a fall, as seen in the lives of King Saul and King David. Church leaders must recognize the dangers of pride and arrogance, and instead cultivate humility and dependence on God.
• CULTIVATING HUMILITY AND SELF-AWARENESS : Church leaders can cultivate humility and self-awareness by practicing self-reflection, seeking feedback from others, and recognizing their limitations and weaknesses.

SUGGESTED BOOK READINGS:

1. “The Emotionally Healthy Leader” by Peter Scazzero
2. “A Humble Orthodoxy” by Joshua Harris
3. BUILDING A LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY

Church leaders don’t have to lead alone. By building a leadership community, we can share the load, gain new insights, and develop meaningful relationships.

• THE IMPORTANCE OF PEER RELATIONSHIPS : Peer relationships are essential for church leaders, providing support, encouragement, and accountability. Church leaders can build these relationships by attending conferences, joining peer groups, and connecting with other leaders on social media.
• CREATING A LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY: Church leaders can create a leadership community by identifying and developing potential leaders, providing training and development opportunities, and fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support.

SUGGESTED BOOK READINGS :

1. “The Advantage” by Patrick Lencioni
2. “Tribes” by Seth Godin
3. EMBRACING FEEDBACK AND CRITICISM

Feedback and criticism can be difficult to receive, but they’re essential for growth and development.

• THE ART OF RECEIVING FEEDBACK : Church leaders can develop the skills to receive feedback by listening actively, asking clarifying questions, and responding graciously.
• CREATING A CULTURE OF FEEDBACK: Church leaders can create a culture of feedback by encouraging open communication, providing regular feedback and evaluation, and modeling a willingness to receive feedback themselves.

SUGGESTED BOOK READINGS :

1. “Thanks for the Feedback” by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
2. “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown
3. SUSTAINING LEADERSHIP MOMENTUM

Effective leaders recognize the importance of maintaining their physical, emotional, and spiritual health. By prioritizing self-care, we can avoid burnout and sustain our leadership momentum.

• AVOIDING BURNOUT AND EXHAUSTION: Church leaders can avoid burnout by prioritizing self-care, setting realistic goals, and delegating tasks effectively.
• CREATING A SUCCESSION PLAN : A succession plan ensures the continuity of the ministry, even when the leader is no longer present. Church leaders can create a succession plan by identifying potential successors, providing training and development opportunities, and establishing a clear transition process.

SUGGESTED BOOK READINGS :

1. “The Resilient Pastor” by Glenn Stallsmith
2. “Sustainable Ministry” by Harry Reeder

CONCLUSION

Strategic church leadership requires a deep understanding of our limitations, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to empowering others. By recognizing the limits of our leadership, staying ahead of the curve, leading from behind, navigating uncertainty and ambiguity, practicing humility and self-awareness, building a leadership community, embracing feedback and criticism, and sustaining our leadership momentum, we can lead our churches effectively and bring glory to God.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHURCH LEADERS

1. Prioritize self-care and maintain your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
2. Surround yourself with a diverse team of leaders who can provide support, encouragement, and accountability.
3. Stay informed about the latest trends and innovations in ministry.
4. Empower others to take the lead and create opportunities for them to develop their skills.
5. Practice humility and self-awareness, recognizing your limitations and weaknesses.
6. Build a leadership community that fosters collaboration, mutual support, and open communication.
7. Embrace feedback and criticism, using them as opportunities for growth and development.
8. Create a succession plan to ensure the continuity of your ministry.

If our church leaders can follow these recommendations and embrace the principles outlined in this article, they ought to be able lead their churches effectively, bringing glory to God, and making a lasting impact on their communities.

Blessings 💯❤️