Brain Cramps and other Missteps

"Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand" (Psalm 37:23-24). I could take that verse quite literally yesterday at Rural Lutheran as I assisted with the liturgy. It was one of those days of brain cramps and literal missteps.

Part of the misstep issue is due to my height, or should I say lack thereof? I had to have my alb specially made because no one keeps my size (short, but big enough to go around me) on hand. So, the alb has not yet arrived and I am using one I borrowed from the seminary--the shortest one I could find. It still isn't short enough and I have to tuck it and hike it up...well you get the idea. It didn't stay hiked up enough yesterday though. I was carrying the full offering plates (which meant I had two full hands and couldn't grab the the alb to lift it as I ascended the stairs to the altar). I stepped on the bottom of the alb with one foot, then the other, but finally made it to my place. PHEW!! That's over with...but not so fast.

Next, a bit later, when it was my turn to lead in prayer, I stepped up, but there was no step where I stepped and I about landed headlong on the altar. But thankfully, Rural Pastor was watching and prevented a further accident.

Those were the physical missteps, but now come the brain cramps besides! At this church they intinct at communion. I know this. I've assisted in previous weeks and communed there since teaching parish began. When Rural Pastor communed me, I promptly ate the bread, forgetting to keep it for intinction. I was so embarrassed when he gave me the cup to intinct. All I could say was that I forgot and he said it was ok and gave me the cup to drink from.

But it gets worse! I have assisted at several different churches for a number of years. I don't know how many times I've said, "Go in peace. Serve the Lord!" I said "Go in peace..." and then went blank. I was going mentally through a rolladex of possible endings "Share the good news!" "Feed the poor." "Remember the poor." You get the idea. Rural Pastor leaned over and said, "Serve the Lord."

This was a humbling experience. Sometimes we know something so well that we don't think about what we're doing or saying. At times we're forced to slow down, like I was yesterday. I am very blessed to have Rural Pastor as my teaching parish mentor. He is so easy going and patient. He just laughed afterwards and said the same thing has happened to him at times. So, I'm grateful for God's grace and Rural Pastor's as well. And I'm glad I didn't fall literally flat on my face.

Flickr picture.

Inside Out Leadership

My personal philosophy of leadership is Jesus-style servanthood. “You must know what you care about…Because you can only be authentic when leading others according to the principles that matter most to you” (Kouzes & Posner, 2002, p. 52). Jesus evidenced the “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” (Kouzes & Posner, 2002, p. 13) in his leadership as he modeled the way, inspired a shared vision, challenged the process, enabled others to act, and encouraged the heart (Kouzes & Posner, p. 13). His impact was dynamic, embodying “Genuine acts of caring [that] uplift the spirits and draw people forward” (Kouzes & Posner, p. 19). The results: a small band multiplied (Matthew 11:28).

“Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world” (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2006, p. 5) meaning “It’s not about you” (Warren, 2002, p. 17). We play but a small part in God’s plan. Leading through dependence upon God is key.

“Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (Northouse, 2007, p. 3) is adequate, but flat. By that definition, the leadership could be positive or negative. “Credibility is the foundation of leadership” (Kouzes & Posner, p. 37). Frances Hesselbein beautifully describes leadership as, “…a matter of how to be, not how to do it … in the end we know that it is the quality and character of the leader that determines performance and results” (Levesque, 2003). We must lead from the inside out.

References

(Kouzes J M Posner B Z 2002 Leadership Challenge)Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2002). Leadership Challenge (3rd ed.). San
Francisco: Jossey- Bass.

(Levesque C 2003 matter of being)Levesque, C. (2003). A matter of being. Association Management, 55(1), 63-66. Retrieved March 29, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 277984061).

(Northouse P G 2007 Leadership Theory and Practice)Northouse, P. G. (2007). Leadership Theory and Practice (4th ed.). Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

(Warren R 2002 Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I here for?)Warren, R. (2002). Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I here for? Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Servant Leadership

Jesus exemplified servant leadership, the name being coined from this statement, “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26, Today’s New International Version). Lussier and Achua define it as “leadership that transcends self-interest to serve the needs of others, by helping them grow professionally and personally” (Lussier & Achua, 2007, p. 515). The lack of self-interest distinguishes it from transformational leadership (Winston & Patterson, 2005, p. 26).

In challenging the process, enabling others to act or encouraging the heart, the only way to be sure of acting as a servant leader is to be in close communion with God, asking ourselves, “Whose approval are we seeking?” This morning in reading 1 Thessalonians 2, I was struck by these few words “approved by God” (1 Thessalonians 2:4, New Revised Standard Version). Paul’s focus was “pleas[ing] God who tests our hearts” (4b) (Gauvin, 2008).

It must flow from relationship with God because our hearts are not trustworthy (Jeremiah 17:9). Paul struggled (see Romans 7:21-25), as do we. Our only assurance is reliance on God’s grace, not our own efforts. Martin Luther often said we are simultaneously saints and sinners. In Table Talk, he said:

The Holy Scriptures, especially St Paul… ascribe unto Christ that which he gives to the Father, namely, the divine almighty power; so that he can give grace, and peace of conscience, forgiveness of sins, life, victory over sin, and death, and the devil. (Luther, 2004, p. 62)

References

Holy Bible (1995). The New Revised Standard Version. New York: Division of
Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
United States of America.

Holy Bible (2005). Today’s New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Gauvin, I. (2008, April 16). Kix, Politics, & Approval. Retrieved April 16, 2008,
from http://claimedgatheredandsent.blogspot.com/2008/04/kix-politics
-approval.html.

(Lussier R N Achua C F 2007 Leadership Theory, Application, Skill Development)Lussier, R. N., & Achua, C. F. (2007). Leadership Theory, Application, Skill
Development (3rd ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western.

(Luther M 2004 Table Talk)Luther, M. (2004). Table Talk [Electronic version]. Grand Rapids: Christian
Classics Ethereal Library.

(Winston B E Patterson K 2005 An Integrative Definition of Leadership)Winston, B. E., & Patterson, K. (2005). An Integrative Definition of Leadership.
Working paper. Regent University School of Leadership Studies.

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