In the Harvard Business Review a few years ago, Tom and David Kelley published an essay on practicing confidence. [1] Writing for business types, the Kelley brothers articulate a call to embrace creativity and experimentation. Of particular interest for Christians who happen to carry a mantle of leadership, is a set of four fears the authors identify. These four fears stifle creativity and appear so commonly in congregations that I want to share them with you and offer a theological response.

First is the fear of the messy unknown. We don’t know what lies ahead, so it becomes easier to do nothing and take no risks. If there is one thing the pandemic brings to the table, it is the reality that we don’t know what the future holds. In a recent Zoom conversation with a senior minister and the chair of the elders, someone used the phrase, “Our church wants to know what our church will look like when we are able to all meet back together.” The answer to that question is, “We don’t know!”

Yet congregational leaders cannot let the fear of the unknown restrict the prayerful discernment of what God’s preferred future might be for a congregation. In a time of disruption and upheaval, it is far better to take a hopeful posture of trusting in God’s action, not settling for whatever remains on the other side of this pandemic.

Tom and David Kelly state the second fear as the fear of being judged. What people think matters to us. And church leaders commonly fall prey to a false notion that, since church leaders serve people, it is church members’ opinions that matter most. Consequently, many leaders’ meetings center around the question, “How do we keep people from leaving!”

Yet the reality is quite different. Leaders are called by God – not by church members (though church members do affirm this!). Leaders serve God’s agenda by attending to the mission of the church. Godly leaders are those who seek first and foremost the kingdom of God. If you are a leader, I know that it is extremely painful when a brother or sister in a congregation criticizes you; I’ve been there myself! And as leaders we must practice humility, recognizing that we are human and make mistakes. However, allowing the fear of people’s judgment of a courageous stand for the gospel message and for the sake of the church’s mission, finds new light in recognizing that it is God’s vision of the world and of me that matters most.

The third fear is the fear of the first step. To make a start, to try something different, to ask a provocative question, is often difficult. However, creativity – and for those of us who are Christians, being faithful disciples – means being willing to take a risk.

How do we do this? Perhaps by creating a culture that values newness. The gospel of Jesus Christ is always new – always creating newness. Churches that thrive in the months ahead will be churches where people ask new questions, where they can try experiments, where they test and explore new ways of evangelism, community, worship and ministry. I’m not saying to completely change a congregation’s practices overnight. Rather, I am suggesting that it’s important to run experiments that might enhance the congregation’s capacity to evangelize, worship, serve, and disciple. Take a step and see what happens. Even when an experiment fails, we can learn something that will make the next experiment better!

The fourth fear that Tom and David Kelley identify is the fear of losing control. This comes up often when I talk with leaders. I’ve heard several of these sorts of statements in the past couple of months: “If we let this new younger group of leaders do what they want, then we might lose control of the congregation!” “Things will get out of hand if we do (or don’t do) x!” Indeed.

I honor the importance of order and decorum. Yet I want to say, with all of the conviction I can muster, that leaders don’t have control to begin with! Leaders are stewards of God’s people. They are God’s people. For many leadership teams in congregations across the country, a more robust practice of believing in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit might well serve as leaders navigate the steps that lie ahead. Paying attention to God’s leadership in our congregations – recognizing God’s action and presence – will help us minimize the common fear of losing control. It wasn’t really ours to control anyway!

So as this new year opens up and we continue to wrestle with the many challenges that 2021 brings, I encourage you to rise beyond fear. Remain prayerful and discerning. Remember that your allegiance is to God’s agenda. Foster experimentation and small steps in new ways. And finally, remember that the church is truly God’s people.

God’s peace to you all!

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[1] HBR December 2012.