Dear Ones,
From the academy to commerce, politics to the church there is no shortage of books, seminars, podcasts, and courses devoted to shaping strong leaders — those who are willing to step out ahead, make hard decisions, and serve the best interests of those they are called and entrusted to lead. I give thanks for the many capable and inspiring leaders at St. Bart’s: those who serve within the walls of our church and also those who exercise their gifts for leadership in the wider community, in the workplace, and in the home. On some level, our baptismal covenant calls us all into ministry and leadership for the sake of the Gospel. We are called to lead lives of love and courage.
To be sure, leadership can be exhausting, isolating, and burdensome, as so many have experienced in an acute way during the pandemic. Coupled with the ongoing demands of everyday life, it is no wonder that we see widespread burnout and declining mental health across society. Perhaps you resonate, and if you do, then maybe the good news you are invited to grapple with during this season after Epiphany is this: Jesus never said anything about being a great leader. He said a lot about what it means to follow. Thirteen times in the gospels he says, “Follow me.” He invites us to be his disciples.
I’ve never seen a course on being a great follower, and somehow I doubt “The 7 Habits of Highly Faithful Followers” would make the New York Times Best-Seller list. But the truth is, everyone is following something or someone — be it a person, a dream, an ideology, or a crowd; be it blindly or intentionally, resolutely or subconsciously. Perhaps our world faces crises of discipleship as leadership, having failed to interrogate who and what it we are following, and to what end.
These next four Mondays in February, I invite you to join the Reverend Canon Stephanie Spellers and me for a small group experience on Zoom called “Centered in Love: A Discipleship Series.” Drawing on a newly released video curriculum from our Presiding Bishop’s office, together we will join in prayer, story sharing, conversation, and discernment around what it means to love God, love our neighbors, love our fellow Christians, and love ourselves as we seek to follow Jesus amidst the complexity of life in the modern world.
Whoever you are, however, you find yourself, I hope you will consider joining us for this time of leaning in, letting go, and learning together in community as we grow as disciples of Jesus, who leads us into the fullness of life and joy.
