“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
Among the other things a district is responsible to do, Chicago Central is totally committed to developing new leaders. Our District Board of Ministry is a wonderful team of 42 ministers who are committed to developing future ministers among us. Last year we served 52 locally licensed ministers and 46 district licensed ministers for a total of 98 new ministers in development.
This weekend is Discovery Weekend, our annual new minister’s retreat. We have 8 new ministers and 7 spouses participating, and a total of 25 people attending. This means that in just the past 4 years, we have had 61 new ministers come through our Discovery Weekend. That is a “praise God” accomplishment!
In everything we do, our aim is to develop spiritually healthy leaders – leaders who come home every day wanting to be better leaders. The culture we operate in, the way we live our lives, the way we interact with others every day can have a gravitational pull toward spiritual health that helps make everyone around us better.
Here are five things I've noticed about the spiritually healthy leaders we work with:
Spiritually healthy leaders constantly ask questions. They don't assume they are the smartest person in the room. In fact, they assume the best answer resides in the people around them, and it is their job to find it. They are always learning. Even though they may be older or more experienced, they are listening and learning when someone else is teaching or talking.
They celebrate the success of others. They genuinely love it when others around them do well. They have learned to habitually and naturally deflect praise or credit back to the people who work with them. They don’t get defensive. When they are attacked or accused, even unjustly, they look for what they can learn from the situation. And lastly, they go home before the work is done. They model for those around them what it means to have healthy boundaries and margins. They show through their calendar and behavior how they prioritize their most important relationships.
There are obviously other habits and attitudes spiritually healthy leaders have. What other things would you put on the list? Thanks MUCH for your prayers for Discovery Weekend this year. And thanks for all your church is doing to take positive steps forward by focusing on the basics of what the Lord has revealed to us for a healthy future:
Mobilizing everyone in unity
Blessing your community
Bringing people to Jesus
Becoming Christlike disciples
We are leaning in together, participating in the selection of our next superintendent. Make sure you reach out to a District Advisory Committee member and give your feedback. We have wonderful days ahead on the CCD. You are loved.
Larry McKain, Superintendent
Chicago Central District
Church of the Nazarene