Your church needs leadership at a variety of levels, by both clergy and laity. Here’s one mega-church pastor’s take on what makes for successful leadership. How many of these characteristics do you embody on a daily basis?
Thanks to Pastor Chris Sonksen of South Hills Church, Corona, CA.
“20 Traits of a Great Leader” « Chris Sonksen’s Church Growth …
In our egalitarian society, leadership does not come with the office. If your congregation doesn’t understand and trust what you are doing, they will not follow you. Some might even undermine your efforts. Reflecting on those 20 Traits is a good exercise to use with your church’s ordained and lay, formal and informal leaders.
Here’s another: Bill Hybels, the founding pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, has penned a great little book of church leadership “proverbs.” Each of 76 chapters is a 5-10 minute read designed to get you thinking about how you lead and why you lead the way you do. The purpose is to help you become both more conscious and more intentional in your reasons for your way of leading. In turn, that allows you to succinctly communicate your leadership vision and rationale.
This book is ideal for senior or solo clergy, who are crucial to church change. Clergy need to articulate the vision, set the tone, and model a leadership style for the church at all times, and especially in times of transition. The better the leader’s understanding of her or his style, the more effective her or his communication and embodiment of that style.
Each ”proverb” could also be used as a brief group reflection at clergy gatherings or church board meetings: Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs.
