What People Need From Their Leaders in Uncertain Times
The next four weeks will be the most complicated season of our COVID journey for those of us who are leading churches. I know that is not what you want to hear, but it is unfortunately true. Since March 28th (in Minnesota), we have had reasonable clarity on what we could and could not do as churches. Undoubtedly, the learning curve of online ministry has been very difficult for most of us, but at least we were operating within clear boundaries. As we begin to loosen these governmental boundaries, we have entered into a new season where many of our decisions will now be subject to the opinions and fears of those who attend and help us lead our churches. That’s the bad news. Now for the good news.
Uncertain times are a wonderful moment for both personal leadership growth in you and significant discipleship to happen in the lives of those who attend your churches. This is a rich season filled with opportunities to plant seeds of growth that will shape the next decade for your church. Did I just make some of you more nervous with the first two paragraphs of this article? Relax…. you’ve got this. God has placed you in leadership at your church at this moment because you are the right person to lead in this season. He is with you. That pressure (insert your word….fear, doubt, anxiousness, uncertainty, stress) you feel in your heart and mind right now is what every leader feels when they are being pushed to the next level of their growth journey. Many of us have been comfortable for so long as people and leaders that this growth feels foreign and frightening. If you will embrace this journey, God will make you more then you dreamed you could be as a person and leader.
Now back to our main topic. What do your people need from you in this season?
Lead Yourself First – Many of you are feeling the weight of these days in your own mind and spirit. It is incredibly important that you care for your mind, spirit, emotions and body during this season. Self Leadership is the first and most important work of a leader and you would be wise to take the time to do this well. Please reach out if you need some help developing and implementing a plan for this important leadership skill.
Lead the Way into Discomfort – Affirm that this a strange season of discomfort for all of us and invite those you lead to join you in this journey of being stretched in faith and practice.
Offer Clarity – Leaders can seldom offer their people certainty, but they must offer constant clarity. It is even more important in this season of transition back to “normal” that you create and communicate clear plans. You will not get everything right, but you must be clear. Confusion is incredibly damaging and constant clarity is the only antidote.
Lead with Grace – Many are emotionally compromised in this season and may respond in unusual ways. Offer them grace and teach your people how to live graciously in the midst of crisis.
I am standing with you daily in prayer.
Dan Scarrow
District Superintendent
North Central District of The C&MA