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2008-02-19 issue:

Lead by listening

Leadership column

by Rachel Swartzendruber Miller

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Some may assume that if you’re a listener or the quiet one in a corner, you’re less likely to be a strong leader. I beg to differ.



Recently I enjoyed coleading the first planning committee meeting for Mennonite Church USA Convention 2009. About 30 of us gathered in Columbus, Ohio—the site of the next convention—to complete the daunting task of discerning a theme and Scripture text for that convention.

The committee’s work will determine the focus of our worship sessions when Mennonite Church USA gathers as one body June 30-July 5, 2009, in Columbus. We were humbled by our task yet excited about where we—both as a committee and as a denomination—may end up.

Our committee includes pastors, youth pastors, conference ministers, high school youth, agency and Executive Leadership staff and congregational lay leaders. This mix provided perspectives and gifts from across our denomination. These leaders were tapped for this role either by their congregation, area conference, agency or school, and most came with the acknowledgement that she or he has great leadership skills.

For me, this group exemplifies what church leadership is all about. The committee is creative, focused, dedicated and spiritually mature. Most importantly, it seeks ways to invite and listen to God’s Spirit moving among them.

We spent time praying, reading Scripture, sharing personal journeys and discussing denominational joys and concerns. Tears were shed, laughs rang out, ideas were challenged, and ultimately trust was formed.

As a group leader, I stood in awe throughout the meeting. It has never been more obvious to me that I was not the “leader.” My job was to listen. It has taken time, but I have learned a few things about leadership. True leadership is not coming with agendas or an amazing plan. It is not communicating why your idea is best. And true leadership is not hanging on to the idea that you have all the answers.

True leadership is a two-part equation. First, a leader must let their people go. Leaders must make a space for creativity, questions, excitement and tactful disagreement. The second half of this equation is the most important: After the people are set free to let their minds run wild, a leader must listen to what comes forth.

Jesus took time to listen. He listened to lepers, Gentiles, Zaccheus and the woman at the well. And if there’s one leader whose example we are to follow, it’s Jesus.

Discerning a theme for convention requires listening to the Spirit’s leading. We went round and round. We came up with cheesy and great ideas, helpful Scripture and Scripture that seemed to speak to individuals rather than a faith community.

After two days of meeting and with two hours remaining, we still had no theme or Scripture. So we sent two from the adult planning group and three from the youth planning group to meet. They talked and prayed with each other while the larger group spent time praying for them.

We were listening. The leaders were listening. Committee members were listening. When we took time to be silent and listen, we were able to surrender agendas and welcome the theme that group would bring.

After an hour, they returned. They were glowing, some with tears in their eyes. It was obvious God’s Spirit had moved them. “Breathe and Be Filled” was the theme. It was there by the Spirit as we stopped to listen.

Each committee member was tapped because of his or her “leadership skills.” But really it was their listening skills that made the difference.

Leading is listening to where the Holy Spirit is taking you, me and the broader church. Leading is letting go of selfish motivations and trusting that God’s plan is the right plan, even when it may not be what we want.

Our Scripture for Convention 2009 is John 20:21-22. It reads: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ ”

Breathe and be filled. Be filled with the Holy Sprit so that you can go out into the world as a disciple of Christ, sharing God’s healing and hope with the world around us.

Rachel Swartzendruber Miller is associate director of Convention Planning for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership.

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