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Thought provoking blog on whether pastoral leadership is truly functional. Makes a few claims that are reactionary/exaggerated, but something to noodle on, despite!

Congregations are struggling so much that a whole industry has arisen to provide pastors with the "secrets" of being a successful leader in their field.

In Leadership for Vital Congregations, Anthony Robinson offers us leadership strategies that will benefit a church. "Functional strategies" to lead and information to develop as a leader, especially a spiritual leader. Robinson's work draws upon the expertise of other leaders as he develops "seven strategies for pastoral leadership". As I have read more about Leadership and Northouse (as well as Blanchard and Hodges in Servant Leadership) and reflected on my own experiences as a leader, in my opinion, Robinson doesn't go into depth enough on the qualities of a good leader and his transition from leader to pastoral or chuch leader is a bit choppy. All in all, Robinson gives us a few basics and, as I previously mentioned, his Seven Strategies for Pastoral Leadership. If this book was presented at a conference (and I believe it was) it would be okay as we would hear Robinson speak about the book and hopefully, go into more depth about it.

These faithful people, who have given so much for so long, receive the highest percentage of student pastors, near-retirement (often exhausted) pastors and burned out (or nearly there) pastors.

Credo by William Sloan Coffin, a collection of thoughts over topics ranging from faith and hope to war and the end of life.  He urges ministers to be leaders-to "be as pastoral as possible but never surrender ethical initiative" (153).  He argues leadership doesn't mean being friends with everyone or that everyone will like you-"Jesus knew that 'love your enemies' didn't mean 'don't make any'" (152).  He says good leaders take risks, evaluate potential outcomes and then move forward-"If you choose, you're sometimes wrong; but if you never choose, you're always wrong" (72).

Dudley, Carl S. Effective Small Churches in the 21st Century. Nashville: Abingdon Press. 2003. ISBN: 0687090903 ISBN-13: 9780687090907 In the Louisiana Conference of United Methodists, only 89 churches have Sunday morning worship attendance greater than 100. Of course, there are a few who have over 1,000 in worship each Sunday, but over 400 churches in the conference are small (very small) and this seems to be the same trend in every Conference and Jurisdiction. The truth is, most United Methodist pastors will never serve a large church; therefore, it is important to have a resource that is written specifically for small churches, rather than trying to apply "mega-church" answer to small church problems. Effective Small Churches is that resource. Using their congregational experiences as case studies, readers will examine, with Carl Dudley's help, how their unique qualities can be mobilized to encourage local leaders, strengthen commitments, organize resources, and focus their energies to experience to meet new challenges. The primary goal of the book is to lead ministers who have begun a new appointment through a series of specific exercises, questionnaires, and guided dialogue with church members to jump start their appointment. So many good ideas. The Cabinet should make every pastor go through the exercises and report on their findings to their District Superintendent during the first six months at their new church.

Ferriss, Timothy. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. New York: Crown Archetype. 2007. ISBN-10: 0307353133 ISBN-13: 978-0307353139 If you view church work as a career, rather than a calling, it is easy to see the move from working 40 hours a week as the Associate Pastor at a church to working 80 hours a week as the Senior Minister at a church as a "promotion". If you have spent your life attending and serving small churches, it is easy to see the role of Pastor as Chief Cook and Bottle Washer. Tim Ferriss' book was not written for those who serve God in a church setting, but there is so much to be gleaned from this book. If for no other reason, read this book because Tim Ferris gives you permission to be unreasonable and unambiguous, puts you on a Low-Information Diet, and teaches you the Art of Refusal. If nothing else, you can learn how to get a church secretary for $4.00/hour and get more work done. Some of this advice just won't work for those of us who serve God in the church, but so much of it will. Buy a highlighter. Buy some sticky notes. Buy the book.

I read about this conference in Christian Century (April 5, 2011) a leadership conference about failing, recovering, learning from mistakes, and community reassurance.  It's being held in a failed church that is now a bar!

Offers 12 essays on a theology of pastoral ministry that isn't rooted in therapy and production of ministry. Instead, Snow reflects on the willingness to take risks and lead others to take risks, finding the blessings of the Spirit in the risk-taking. This book will be helpful to those who want to take on and lead others in the adventure of following Christ.

This little book was given to me by my District Superintendent (manager) to help me transition into my first pastorate. I found its practical wisdom illustrated by anecdotes to be very helpful.

The Servant Leader shows how to put "Jesus at the heart of The One Minute Manager". (Both books written by Ken Blanchard.) How is business and our faith compatible? This book talks about Christ as the ultimate leader (business leader as well) and presents guiding principles to follow as we bring our faith into our work.

Anthony Robinson offers us leadership strategies to benefit a church. "Functional strategies" to lead and information to develop as a leader, especially a spiritual leader. Robinson's work draws upon the expertise of other leaders as he develops "seven strategies for pastoral leadership".

Several pastors have recommended this book, including the one I interviewed for this class. It is not uncommon to encounter congregations (and, I would think) people serving non-profits to have experienced betrayal. This is an invaluable resource for learning how to help them work through the residual issues towards healing and wholeness.

This is an unlikely choice, but I picked it because it represents Judas' opinion about how well Jesus is doing as a leader. (And I happened to hear it yesterday.) And having just read the Drucker, I can't help but think about the haunting complexity of what it means that organizational success is about the leader prioritizing the task, not the leader. What does that mean in this context? I have an easy, possibly snarky UU answer to that question, which is almost certainly wrong.

Judas is shown in Superstar as also making the classic mistake for mistaking the leader for the cause--you know, it's about the church, not about the pastor.

This text was used as background in information in one of my communication classes in my undergraduate experience. We didn't read the whole book, just excerpts in class. Communication is something that we all do and as leaders we need to be keenly aware of how we communicate. I think good communication can motivate and energize people so that they can be the best people that they can be. As a pastor who speaks from the pulpit, I know that every little movement and word affects the message I am communicating. I feel this text can show us as leaders how we need to manage our communication.

Brian J. Dodd © 2003 InterVarsity Press Tired of failing with the latest leadership seminar's advice, Dodd returned to graduate school and found himself drawn to the apostle Paul. Even as he faced Paul's shortcomings (Dodd admits struggling with Paul's acceptance of slavery), he had to admit that Paul is arguably the most effective Christian leader of all time. Why? Agree or disagree (with Paul or Dodd), the exploration is thought-provoking and would inspire pastors to look within their own relationship with Christ and theology for the answers they seek as leaders.

Interesting column about the UMC, young pastors, new church plants and the future.

Vivian, Loved this article! I have been thinking more and more about what our future looks like, what the future of worship and church community will be - obviously we need to be looking at "re-thinking" what church really is. I loved ths: "John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, was quoted as saying: "The world is my parish." He did not say "the people that show up to this particular building on a Sunday are my parish." I am feeling led to begin to vision what it looks like to see the WORLD as our parish and really stop worrying so much about the building and get out in our neighborhoods and BE church. Thanks for sharing! Sandy

Adam Hamilton was the keynote speaker at the 2010 Annual Conference for the United Methodist Rocky Mountain Conference. The most successful pastors I know participate in this summit and read his books. I find his materials interesting and useful.

I remember Nadia and her church from last year's Journey Days and I think she is a tremendous religious leader and proof that leadership does not always come in a business suit. She knows how to motivate her flock and I think her "anti-excellence, pro-participation" style leads, ironically, to both excellent and participatory worship. She's humble where it counts, knows how to talk to people, lives her values, and is a phenomenal preacher. And an Iliff alum.