Lead and Love

Discussions about leadership are ubiquitous in the church today, at least in my mainline denomination. I think this is, for the most part, a good thing, though I wish many of the discussion were more nuanced than they sometimes appear to be. One of the best pieces I have ever read about leadership, offering some theological depth is Douglas Ottati’s “Leadership-Speak in Contemporary Society” but I have yet to see a reference to it in the church discussions of leadership I have encountered.
Leadership was on my mind this past week as I was part of the interview process for the Minnesota Conference of The United Methodist Church’s Board of Ordained Ministry. Because I have served not only by election, but also by virtue of other offices held, I have had the privilege of serving on this group for a long time. One of our main tasks is interviewing people seeking ordination, and that was this week’s task. Leadership was on my mind.
The final morning of the meeting, one of my colleagues read part of I Corinthians 13 as a morning devotion. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
While she was reading a thought came into my mind. What if we were to substitute the word leadership for the word love here? Leadership is patient; leadership is kind; leadership is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It makes a lot of sense to me, and certainly in the church we would not want our ideas of leadership to be less than loving.
The meeting ended early in the afternoon, and I was able to arrive back at my church, after a three plus hour drive, for our Wednesday night dinner. After dinner, I was in the kitchen helping with dishes and clean-up. I know some who might say that this is not very “leader-like” behavior. Leaders help others use their gifts and do their work, don’t they? Maybe. And maybe I over-function sometimes. I wasn’t taking charge, here, just helping. Pitching in when there is work to do is just something I do.
While in the kitchen, I was a part of a couple of poignant conversations. One couple was updating me on their great-granddaughter. She was born many states away with significant health issues. Trying to get her back to Minnesota so she and her parents can be near family is medically impossible right now. My heart breaks for this entire family. Another person shared with me her recent trip to a beloved aunt’s funeral and the concern she has for her mother who is now in her eighties.
Dishes got done and were put away. I went home after what was a long day. Being in the church kitchen that night may not have been the most “leaderly” thing I have ever done, but if love and leadership have something to do with each other, then that is where I should have been and where I will be again.

With Faith and With Feathers,

David