Leaders at the Church Picnic

Editor’s Note: For some years I have admired the work of Leadership Network, a Dallas-based organization that promotes innovation and excellence in churches. For this issue’s “Leader’s Insight,” I invited Dave Travis, Leadership Network’s Vice President of Venture Development, to share what he’s been thinking about Christian leadership:

“In my role at Leadership Network, I am privileged to serve the senior leadership teams of large, influential congregations in the U.S. Most of these leaders are highly gifted and aggressive in leadership. Their styles fit them and their congregations.

My family’s church is different: 153 years old and led by a patient pastor who has served us for over 20 years. Last Sunday we had 189 in worship, but more important, we had 136 for the annual church picnic later that afternoon. The picnic takes place at a picturesque park with grist mill, ball fields, picnic pavilion, creek-side swimming hole, trails, waterfalls, and swing sets.

Every year, most of the church comes out to play, spread out the food, eat, talk, laugh, and goof around.

I saw a lot of leadership that day.

There was Danny, who directed food to the right places on the tables. (You don’t want pie placed next to bean salad.) “Desserts go here, vegetables over there, and put all the drinks on that table.”

There was the pitcher of the all-hands softball game, risking life and limb to deliver a soft pitch to my six-year-old and then let her take first base on a foul ball.

There was the nine-year-old girl who, after the adult outfielders had chased the softball into the creek (a ground-rule double), went right in after it, water up to her waist. After all, it was our only ball.

There was the middle-aged man who carried the same nine-year-old off the field after she was shaken up — the ball had hit her and bounced off her chest. He hugged her until she stopped crying.

There were the old men who walked three-quarters of a mile up the hill to the field, just to “encourage the young people” in the game.

There was the youth who showed leadership by sitting up front and standing and clapping after each performer in the un-talent show. He waved to the crowd to join him. It didn’t matter if the performance was an off-key solo or a refined guitar piece. He felt everyone needed to be cheered.

There were the people who automatically fixed dinner plates for those in wheelchairs and the people who began cleaning up. No committees, no instructions.

The deacons, the elected servants of the church, held a brief meeting, primarily to pray over the needs and concerns of the church. Our deacons lead through prayer.

The above acts are not merely acts of kindness; they are the leadership behaviors of many churches. Wise leaders cherish and nurture these behaviors by recognizing and affirming them.

Where are the leaders in your church?

—Dave Travis facilitates the Church Champions Network within Leadership Network (www.ChurchChamp.org). To reply to Dave, write Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net.