DEVELOPING LEADERS

January 18, 2007
By Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai

DEVELOPING LEADERS

What is leadership within the church? I think of it as helping the church reach its goals in a way that is authentic to its mission, vision and identity. There are many among you who hold leadership positions here at UUMC. As your pastors, John Ross and I are charged with supporting you as leaders as well as nurturing other leaders within the congregation.

This business of supporting existing leaders and nurturing new leadership is of utmost importance. Our leaders must be equipped and supported by its pastors and the whole congregation to lead in ways that are effective and fulfilling. New leaders also must always come forward, equipped to carry the church’s mission into the future.

Toward these ends, we are offering a leadership development day on Saturday, February 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., (childcare and lunch provided). The sessions for the day will be led by the Rev. Linda Burson, one of our ministry consultants. The day will also include a session on Jazz Improvisation as a model for leadership and organizational development.

The purpose of this day is as follows:

• To help chairs of committees effectively discern gifts and help the members of their committees best utilize their gifts.

• To help us to better invite new people into leadership positions.

• To find ways to provide avenues for all church members to use their gifts, and to create greater diversity within leadership in our congregation.

• To see how what we do as leaders fits with our mission, vision and goals.

• To learn how to more effectively work together to carry out the mission of our church.

Who should come to this event?

• Any church member of any age who is interested in serving in the church.

• Leaders of committees and all other members of the Council on Ministries.

• Members of church committees.

• Any church member who is interested in issues concerning leadership within the church.

I hope that you will put this date on your calendars and join me and others to look at ways that we can nurture leadership for the future of our church. In the meantime, please let me know your thoughts on the issue of leadership development in our church. You can contact me at kbigham@tds.net.