Effective Parish Leadership

Stewardship AdvocatesTM

St. Paul on Priestly Leadership

I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel. (I Corinthians 9:22)

Our Lord as Servant Leader

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

How do Priests Lead in the 21st Century? In the most important ways this has changed not at all.

Serving

Preaching

Teaching

Pastoral Care

Living a Life in Christ

Yet a Changing World Brings New Challenges to Leading a Parish

What are a few of the new challenges?

• Parishioners are highly educated

• Strong feeling of cynicism in the general culture toward all leaders

• Information is the new global commodity

• Everyone is now connected to everything

• The dominant culture is characterized by secularism and immediacy

• Volitional “religion” – one generation no longer automatically follows the previous one in faith heritage – more and more people are cobbling together their own systems of belief and practice

What does research on effective leadership tell us?

Leaders exhibit certain distinct practices when they’re doing their best. And this behavior varies little from industry to industry, profession to profession, community to community, country to country. Good leadership is an understandable and a universal process.

Leadership Theories

• Trait theories -- emphasis on innate characteristics of leaders (leaders are born)

• Skills theories -- emphasis on specific skills leaders possess or acquire – technical (professional), social (can work with people) and conceptual (ideas and principles)

• Behavior theories -- emphasis on behavior or actions (habits, manners, assertiveness)

• Contingency theories -- emphasis on the particular situation and context in which leadership occurs

• Servant leadership -- emphasis on values, beliefs, relationships and commitment

Each Theory Brings Value to Effective Leadership

Yet, the theory that most closely represents traditional clergy (and lay) leadership is modeled after the leadership of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is Servant Leadership.

What are universally acknowledged behaviors of effective Servant Leadership?

Consider the comparison/contrast between the

two columns that follow

• Transformational leadership inspires people to go beyond self-interest and pursue goals and objectives that are in the best interest of the community – marriage, family, work and parish

• The appeal is to the shared values and beliefs of the community – Orthodox Christian life and teaching

• The emphasis is on developing personal relationships and personal spiritual growth

Servant Leadership is Transformational Leadership

The Leader-Follower Dynamic in Servant Leadership

Good leaders Trustworthy Honest Committed Innovative Competent Courageous Takes initiatives

Good followers Trustworthy Honest Committed Innovative Competent Courageous Takes initiatives

Great leaders produce great followers Great followers produce great leaders

“There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who profit by the new.”

Niccolo Machiavelli 15th century

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (II Corinthians 3:18)

Yet, we have this hope:

The Eight-Step Parish Change Process

1. Establish a sense of urgency (but not panic)

2. Create a guiding coalition (parish council, strategic planning committee, staff, ministry heads)

3. Develop a vision based on mission and a strategy (strategy is a dream with a deadline)

4. Communicate the vision

5. Empower broad-based action and participation

6. Generate short-term wins to build confidence and credibility

7. Consolidate gains and produce more change

8. Anchor new behaviors in parish and community life

1. Model the Way - Find your voice and set the example 2. Inspire a Shared Vision - Envision the future and enlist others in your vision 3. Challenge the Process - Search for opportunities, experiment and take risks 4. Enable Others to Act - Foster collaboration and strengthen others 5. Encourage the Heart - Recognize contributions and celebrate values and victories

Five Servant Leadership Commitments

Ordained in 1974; 38 years a priest; four parishes served; B.A., M.Div., plus completed 30 courses of study in nonprofit organizational development;12 years serving as Vice Chancellor of Advancement at St. Vladimir's Seminary; 16 years as consultant to well over 100 Orthodox parishes and organizations; author and editor of Good and Faithful Servant: Stewardship in the Orthodox Church. In June 2012, at his own request, Anthony returned to the ranks of the laity in order to receive the sacrament of holy matrimony. He worships at St. Seraphim Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, California.

Anthony L. Scott

The Principal of Stewardship Advocates

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