"Grace-Filled Leadership"
"Come, come, whoever you are; wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving ... " - Rumi
Come, come, whoever you are.
Come, those who rise up in the midst of destruction and lead in freedom;
Come, those who speak honestly and look squarely
at sorrow & outrage,
look squarely at tenderness and wonder;
Come, those who invite others to be
completely themselves, without fear. (1)
Do you hear that and think,
that’s me?
Do you hear that and think,
that couldn’t be me?
Rebecca Ann Parker’s meditation describes a grace-filled leader.
This morning I want to talk about leadership
in part because today is
our annual congregational meeting,
and leadership is a perfect tie-in.
And also because this is a church where so many people are leaders.
Last year when we honored our active volunteers
in a Sunday service,
almost every single person received a thank you
for the part they play in making this place
the Throop UU we know and love.
For some people - that was an incredible sight!
A vivid visual of all the energy and commitment and love
that we pour into our community.
And for others, honestly, it was a little intimidating.
A newcomer told me,
she just wasn’t ready to attend a church
that would require so much of her.
I understand that.
Most of us feel that way
at one time or another.
And I assure you -
if you are looking for a religious home
that will allow you to come in,
take a deep breath,
and rest in the grace of the world ...
you can do that here.
However, be warned!
Often people become
inspired and motivated and ready
to have a hand in shaping and sustaining
this beloved community.
Don’t be surprised if one day,
you find yourself raising your hand,
eager to lead.
And when you do,
you’ll discover that leadership here
has more to do with developing relationships
than particular expertise
(though of course there is that, too).
Leadership has more to do
with our promises to walk in covenant
with each other.
More to do with how we
hold each other
to that promise.
We practice a grace-filled leadership here.
One grounded in relationship, covenant, and accountability.
We don’t leave that up to one person.
It’s not my job as the minister to remind everybody
that you’ve promised to
walk faithfully and humbly together,
through times of strength and times of struggle.
It’s not George’s job
as the President of the Board.
It’s up to all of us.
As January mentioned in her reflection earlier,
it’s about moving from
“I” mentality to a “we” understanding.
And this is the reason our collective participation in this
church community is crucial.
Not just because we need to get things done -
and we do!
But because central to our theology and structure
is the importance of the involvement of lay people.
In our responsive reading,
you heard James Luther Adams call
the goal of a free church
the prophethood and priesthood of all believers...
the one for the liberty of prophesying,
the other for the ministry of healing.
Meaning that we all take on some of the priestly functions
associated with religious communities.
All of us have direct access to the
unfolding mystery and wonder of life,
and each of us has the responsibility
to shape the components
of our spiritual lives.
And, the prophetic role that we each play is just as important.
We believe in the strength of a church where
people think and work together
to interpret the world around us
in light of our faith,
and through our conversations together
we decide how to meet the challenges
of today’s world.
Adams wrote:
The prophetic liberal church
is the church in which all members share
the common responsibility to attempt to foresee
the consequences of human behavior
(both individual and institutional),
with the intention of making history
in place of merely being pushed around by it. (2)
Most recently we did this by banding together,
with local community organizations and activists,
to pass the ban on styrofoam in Pasadena!
We signed petitions,
wrote to our Mayor and council members,
pledged to not use styrofoam for at least thirty days,
and showed up for city council
and committee meetings
to speak up for Mother Earth.
Some of you cheered us on
from the sidelines.
It was fun.
It felt great to do this together.
And we made a difference.
We were not pushed around by the
big corporation that wanted to make
a sizable profit by polluting our earth!
In advocating for this ordinance,
we practiced a grace-filled leadership
grounded in relationship, covenant, and accountability.
Grounded in relationship
by working together and with other organizations,
deepening ties and actually fomenting
a re-energized green movement in Pasadena;
Grounded in our covenant
that we share with other UU Congregations,
to affirm and promote our 7th principle,
respect for the interdependent web of all existence
of which we are a part;
And grounded in accountability
to those who cannot speak for themselves -
namely, Mother Earth and all her creatures
who are harmed and killed by plastics and other pollutants;
speaking with the people whose
neighborhoods and health are often
at the most risk due to
environmental hazards;
and accountability to the political process itself,
going through the proper channels and
educating our elected officials.
Our practice of a grace-filled leadership on this issue.
was more important than the outcome.
Though it felt great to win!
And what of our practices here at Throop?
It feels so good to get things done:
to see a garden bursting with summer bounty,
to see a room freshly painted,
to enjoy a cup of coffee and break bread together
after worship.
But how these things come about
is much more important than the end product.
One of my colleagues thinks the concept of church
is much better when used as a verb.
So churching -
or around here we call it “Throoping”
is all about the
engaged spiritual practice of process.
Rev. Alice Blair Wesley, UU minister and historian, wrote:
Show me the patterns of your church organization,
and I’ll show you what the people find
worthiest of their loyalty.
Organization and theology are not two different things.
Our organization is a function
of our actual theology. (3)
What type of patterns are created
in this congregation?
Do we whole-heartedly seek to form
meaningful relationships with others?
Do we attempt to stay in covenant with each other?
And do we hold one another accountable
when relationship or covenant is broken?
Do we have patterns of wide open hospitality to newcomers?
Do we have patterns of speaking directly, clearly, and respectfully
with one another,
showing the other person we value them,
even when we are hurt, angry, or disappointed?
Do we have patterns of allowing people to experience
the consequences of their actions?
None of these are easy or simple.
Our opening hymn today was
“Come, Come, Whoever You Are.”
There is a part
that didn’t make it into our hymnal:
Though you’ve broken your vows
a thousand times.
No matter our best intentions,
no matter how enthusiastically we walk through those doors,
ready to practice the fine art of “churching,”
we will fail.
Our ego, or stress, or family-of-origin issues
will rise to the forefront.
We don’t attempt to be perfect here.
But we strive to stay in relationship.
That when a vow is broken,
we will find the grace to name what has taken place.
That when a vow is broken,
we will find the grace to
own the harms and hurts.
That when a vow is broken,
after the naming ...
after the owning ...
Then, we will find the grace to
welcome each other back
into relationship, covenant, and accountability,
Come, come, whoever you are.
We offer grace to each other,
and through these relationships,
we discover the meanings of our lives.
Come, those who rise up in the midst of destruction and lead in freedom;
Come, those who are weary and in need of respite.
Come, those who speak honestly.
Come, those who are broken.
Come, be completely yourself,
without fear.
Come, come, whoever you are.
Notes:
1. From this morning's meditation by Rev. Rebecca Ann Parker.
2. Ed. George K. Beach, The Essential James Luther Adams: Selected Essays and Addresses, p. 112.
3. Wikstrom, Erik Walker. Serving with Grace: Lay Leadership As A Spiritual Practice, p. 3.
Come, those who rise up in the midst of destruction and lead in freedom;
Come, those who speak honestly and look squarely
at sorrow & outrage,
look squarely at tenderness and wonder;
Come, those who invite others to be
completely themselves, without fear. (1)
Do you hear that and think,
that’s me?
Do you hear that and think,
that couldn’t be me?
Rebecca Ann Parker’s meditation describes a grace-filled leader.
This morning I want to talk about leadership
in part because today is
our annual congregational meeting,
and leadership is a perfect tie-in.
And also because this is a church where so many people are leaders.
Last year when we honored our active volunteers
in a Sunday service,
almost every single person received a thank you
for the part they play in making this place
the Throop UU we know and love.
For some people - that was an incredible sight!
A vivid visual of all the energy and commitment and love
that we pour into our community.
And for others, honestly, it was a little intimidating.
A newcomer told me,
she just wasn’t ready to attend a church
that would require so much of her.
I understand that.
Most of us feel that way
at one time or another.
And I assure you -
if you are looking for a religious home
that will allow you to come in,
take a deep breath,
and rest in the grace of the world ...
you can do that here.
However, be warned!
Often people become
inspired and motivated and ready
to have a hand in shaping and sustaining
this beloved community.
Don’t be surprised if one day,
you find yourself raising your hand,
eager to lead.
And when you do,
you’ll discover that leadership here
has more to do with developing relationships
than particular expertise
(though of course there is that, too).
Leadership has more to do
with our promises to walk in covenant
with each other.
More to do with how we
hold each other
to that promise.
We practice a grace-filled leadership here.
One grounded in relationship, covenant, and accountability.
We don’t leave that up to one person.
It’s not my job as the minister to remind everybody
that you’ve promised to
walk faithfully and humbly together,
through times of strength and times of struggle.
It’s not George’s job
as the President of the Board.
It’s up to all of us.
As January mentioned in her reflection earlier,
it’s about moving from
“I” mentality to a “we” understanding.
And this is the reason our collective participation in this
church community is crucial.
Not just because we need to get things done -
and we do!
But because central to our theology and structure
is the importance of the involvement of lay people.
In our responsive reading,
you heard James Luther Adams call
the goal of a free church
the prophethood and priesthood of all believers...
the one for the liberty of prophesying,
the other for the ministry of healing.
Meaning that we all take on some of the priestly functions
associated with religious communities.
All of us have direct access to the
unfolding mystery and wonder of life,
and each of us has the responsibility
to shape the components
of our spiritual lives.
And, the prophetic role that we each play is just as important.
We believe in the strength of a church where
people think and work together
to interpret the world around us
in light of our faith,
and through our conversations together
we decide how to meet the challenges
of today’s world.
Adams wrote:
The prophetic liberal church
is the church in which all members share
the common responsibility to attempt to foresee
the consequences of human behavior
(both individual and institutional),
with the intention of making history
in place of merely being pushed around by it. (2)
Most recently we did this by banding together,
with local community organizations and activists,
to pass the ban on styrofoam in Pasadena!
We signed petitions,
wrote to our Mayor and council members,
pledged to not use styrofoam for at least thirty days,
and showed up for city council
and committee meetings
to speak up for Mother Earth.
Some of you cheered us on
from the sidelines.
It was fun.
It felt great to do this together.
And we made a difference.
We were not pushed around by the
big corporation that wanted to make
a sizable profit by polluting our earth!
In advocating for this ordinance,
we practiced a grace-filled leadership
grounded in relationship, covenant, and accountability.
Grounded in relationship
by working together and with other organizations,
deepening ties and actually fomenting
a re-energized green movement in Pasadena;
Grounded in our covenant
that we share with other UU Congregations,
to affirm and promote our 7th principle,
respect for the interdependent web of all existence
of which we are a part;
And grounded in accountability
to those who cannot speak for themselves -
namely, Mother Earth and all her creatures
who are harmed and killed by plastics and other pollutants;
speaking with the people whose
neighborhoods and health are often
at the most risk due to
environmental hazards;
and accountability to the political process itself,
going through the proper channels and
educating our elected officials.
Our practice of a grace-filled leadership on this issue.
was more important than the outcome.
Though it felt great to win!
And what of our practices here at Throop?
It feels so good to get things done:
to see a garden bursting with summer bounty,
to see a room freshly painted,
to enjoy a cup of coffee and break bread together
after worship.
But how these things come about
is much more important than the end product.
One of my colleagues thinks the concept of church
is much better when used as a verb.
So churching -
or around here we call it “Throoping”
is all about the
engaged spiritual practice of process.
Rev. Alice Blair Wesley, UU minister and historian, wrote:
Show me the patterns of your church organization,
and I’ll show you what the people find
worthiest of their loyalty.
Organization and theology are not two different things.
Our organization is a function
of our actual theology. (3)
What type of patterns are created
in this congregation?
Do we whole-heartedly seek to form
meaningful relationships with others?
Do we attempt to stay in covenant with each other?
And do we hold one another accountable
when relationship or covenant is broken?
Do we have patterns of wide open hospitality to newcomers?
Do we have patterns of speaking directly, clearly, and respectfully
with one another,
showing the other person we value them,
even when we are hurt, angry, or disappointed?
Do we have patterns of allowing people to experience
the consequences of their actions?
None of these are easy or simple.
Our opening hymn today was
“Come, Come, Whoever You Are.”
There is a part
that didn’t make it into our hymnal:
Though you’ve broken your vows
a thousand times.
No matter our best intentions,
no matter how enthusiastically we walk through those doors,
ready to practice the fine art of “churching,”
we will fail.
Our ego, or stress, or family-of-origin issues
will rise to the forefront.
We don’t attempt to be perfect here.
But we strive to stay in relationship.
That when a vow is broken,
we will find the grace to name what has taken place.
That when a vow is broken,
we will find the grace to
own the harms and hurts.
That when a vow is broken,
after the naming ...
after the owning ...
Then, we will find the grace to
welcome each other back
into relationship, covenant, and accountability,
Come, come, whoever you are.
We offer grace to each other,
and through these relationships,
we discover the meanings of our lives.
Come, those who rise up in the midst of destruction and lead in freedom;
Come, those who are weary and in need of respite.
Come, those who speak honestly.
Come, those who are broken.
Come, be completely yourself,
without fear.
Come, come, whoever you are.
Notes:
1. From this morning's meditation by Rev. Rebecca Ann Parker.
2. Ed. George K. Beach, The Essential James Luther Adams: Selected Essays and Addresses, p. 112.
3. Wikstrom, Erik Walker. Serving with Grace: Lay Leadership As A Spiritual Practice, p. 3.
