Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/87

Contributor - Rev. Will Kroon

Title - Leadership Review

Topic - Church In The World

During the last few months there has been a great deal of discussion about the leadership of our political leaders. Their leadership, or lack of it, was openly discussed in the newspapers and on T.V. This was not only the case in Canada but also in the U.S.A. and in Great Britain. One of the advantages of living in a free country is that such discussions can be held in the open.

It is not my aim to enter the political leadership review debate; what I would like to do is to point out the need for regular leadership reviews in the Church. I believe that such a review is both beneficial and in line with biblical practice. At least it is clear that the outreach activities of the early Christians were monitored and that the Apostles Peter and Paul had to give an account of their actions.

Classis Ontario has for years talked about the advantages of an annual leadership review for Pastors, Elders and Deacons and has made attempts to implement such a review. My work as chaplain is reviewed annually in our hospital and every five years by a Chaplaincy Committee. Leadership seminars are held almost annually in OUT midst. They could be even more effective if they were somehow related to a regular leadership review.

Perhaps I should add that what can "e said about leadership in the Church could also be said about leadership in the home. Here, a regular leadership review might give a couple a good reason to test each other's feelings about what is happening in marriage. Would it not be great if one of the partners would take the lead and ask: "How do you feel we are doing as parents?" It is so much healthier to deal regularly with minor concerns than wait and discover that these minor irritations have grown into major stumbling blocks. Why a regular review?

First of all regular reviews will be beneficial to the leaders. it provides them with an opportunity to share feelings and concerns which they otherwise might not share. Many conscientious leaders are sometimes frustrated and over-worked and don't talk about it. Furthermore, there may be demands on their time and concerns that are not known to those around them. Consequentially, there will be moments that they feel lonely, taken for granted, misunderstood and would treasure the opportunity to talk about these things with someone who is willing to listen. During a leadership review such sharing can take place.

Secondly, leaders need to receive honest feedback about their leadership if they are to serve the people well for a period of time. This is especially so for our leaders today for they have to deal with norms, needs and expectations that are changing more rapidly all the time. it is almost inevitable for leaders to be occasionally out of tune with the needs, hurts and expectations of the people that have chosen them. When a leader is out of . tune with the people, there will be misunderstandings sooner or later. How-ever when there is a regular leadership w there will be opportunities for feedback and this will give the leader the benefit to learn from it.

Perhaps I should add that there may be times that a review committee needs a lot of wisdom to help in difficult situations. Pent-up feelings are usually not expressed in the most graceful manner and some guidance may be necessary to direct these feelings in the proper channels. There may also be situations that a person under review experiences the same fear as a sick person who is afraid of going to a doctor. That kind of patient dreads seeing a doctor for the latter might say: "You have this or that disease and I want you to take some rest." Similar fears may cause a leader to be reluctant to participate in a leadership review. Much sensitivity and wisdom is needed to be of help in such a situation.

The importance of giving feedback

When leaders are overworked they often loose track of some of the needs of the people. This was already the case with the leaders in the New Testament. They were so busy preaching the Word that they overlooked the needs of the Greek-speaking widows in the Church. When these concerns were brought to their attention the leaders were strong enough to listen and wise enough to take action. The work-load of the Apostles was readjusted, deacons were elected who spoke the Greek language and the needs of the widows in question were being met.

Listening to feed-back from the people is important for every Pastor, Elder and Deacon. People have a need to unburden their hearts when something is bothering them. Much of the feedback deals with minor irritations such as that the mike is too loud or not loud enough or something similar. Listening to these concerns can prevent minor irritations from developing into major cancers. Even if no changes can be made most people are happy that they, and their concerns, are being taken seriously.

Frustrations when progress is blocked

When I went to Agricultural School during the war, I learned a host of new things which I hoped my father would implement on our farm. However, I discovered that my father was not always ready for new ways of doing things. Occasionally he would block new ideas by saying: "Wait with this till you get your own farm." I often think about this when I hear that leaders in the Church block all changes that are being proposed. They feel threatened when suggestions for change are being offered and consequently they block all new ideas that come their way. This blocking of ideas can be very frustrating to those who want to move ahead. At times they feel that they have no other choice but to leave and worship elsewhere.

Holding regular leadership reviews may prevent these things from happening. Some leaders need time to grow toward change; others need to be assured that they don't have to know or do everything related to the changes. Great leaders feel comfortable in turning to others for advice or in asking others to do things which they cannot do themselves. Through a regular review by colleagues, unnecessary fears will be put to rest.

In closing I would like to stress once more that I believe that a regular review of Church leaders will be of benefit to all concerned. Through listening to concerns, receiving of feedback and meeting with people who care, the Spirit of God brings harmony and mutual respect.

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