Cross Roads

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The Tasks of Leadership -- Finding the Purpose

Kim Sullivan, Retiring Vestry Member

On the third Thursday of each month, the Vestry and Clergy gather at 6:00 p.m. with a "bag supper" and conversation. Following this, before the regular meeting, we usually have a "focus session" on a previously scheduled topic of general interest. These topics have included existing programs within the parish such as the music program and the Johnson Intern program. At times we have discussed proposed programs, most recently that of the Elder Ministry at the Chapel of the Cross.

At the January 2001 Vestry meeting, it became clear that there was a need for the Vestry and Clergy to take a look at the work we do and how we accomplish that work. The February and March focus sessions were set aside for discussion about these issues. A major concern was communication, within the Vestry, with the Clergy, and with the Parish. The concerns were broad. Using these discussions and observations made by parishioners at the Annual Parish Meeting, we identified a number of things that could be done to improve the relationships that exist and to develop new ones.

We also realized that we needed to look at how priorities are set for enhancing existing programs as well as developing new initiatives. At a time when the parish has been blessed with generous gifts and bequests, we realized that it is important to make decisions in a prayerful way, keeping in mind our mission within the parish and in the broader community. We also thought that we would be well served by having someone lead the Vestry retreat as we worked through these issues.

Steve contacted Virginia (Ginny) Herring, an Episcopal priest at Holy Trinity Church in Greensboro, NC. Some of you will remember that she was a candidate for Bishop of North Carolina in the last election. She is an effective leader and priest in the diocese, having served on the Standing Committee; and for some time she has led the diocesan effort in education about, and prevention of, sexual misconduct.

In preparation for the retreat at Camp New Hope on May 4 and 5, Steve and I had lengthy conversations with Ginny. The Vestry and Clergy spent ten productive hours with Ginny during which we prayed, talked, worshipped, ate, and defined some direction for the Vestry's work. The following is an outline of some concepts she shared with us:

Tasks of Leadership

1. Identify and articulate the current reality, and figure out who needs to engage it.

2. Frame key questions.

3. Name that tension within the community, allow the community to feel it and find the level of pressure it can tolerate.

4. Let conflict emerge -- don't be afraid of it.

5. Challenge unproductive norms.

6. Finding the Purpose

A. Begin with the overarching question: How does this purpose serve God's dream?
B. How does this purpose serve the needs of the congregation?
C. Name what Hugh O'Doherty of Harvard calls the adaptive challenge -- that is, what is the gap between the current reality and the new reality that will be when the purpose is accomplished or the goal met?
D. Gather the people and begin the work. You will communicate your understanding of the tension. You will intervene in the life of the community and proclaim the gospel.
E. Listen, listen, listen, observe, observe, observe. Share what you see and hear with one another.
F. Begin again.

Our time together was helpful and our communication is much improved. Because of this, the work of setting priorities should happen more easily. There is a lot to be done at the Chapel of the Cross and we have been given unusual opportunities. With God's help and the involvement of the entire parish, the Vestry will work to lead our community forward.

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