In seminary, I was taught not to become the church custodian, A/V technician, cook, and secretary. I should focus on teaching, preaching, and providing pastoral care and let the other folks in the church take ownership of these other areas.
I could not agree more with this approach. It is the same paradigm that Jethro advised Moses to embrace as the challenges of leadership grew more complex (Exodus 18).
Paradigms, I have since learned, have their limits.
There are times when a job -- no matter how low-down and dirty the job may be -- simply needs to get done. It is not that other leaders in the church can't get it done, but sometimes you just have to Git 'R Done.
Lately I have been the lead staff person/pastor for The Gathering, a new contemporary worship service at Grace Presbyterian Church. It is, in essence, like planting a new church. We have tremendously talented musicians and other leaders, but right now our infrastructure is still in its infancy. The choice is either to let things muddle along and hope infrastructure will magically fall in place. But in the early stages of a new church, no job is too small or too big.
Call it a paradigm shift for me. I would rather sit behind my desk and write sermons and read books. But sometimes it's time to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
And it's kinda fun!
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