Church Leaders, Optics, and Why They Matter

Optics. The buzzword for showing up in positive ways – or not showing up, thus casting a negative light. Politicians have known about this for a long time. Hence the photo ops at the site of natural disasters, working in the food line at a shelter, and getting their vaccination. It works in negative ways also. Ted Cruz, Texas senator, flew to Mexico in the midst of the Snowmageddon in Texas a few weeks ago. It looked bad to head out to a resort when your constituents were without power and water.

Optics matter for church leaders too. Now, I am fairly cynical about politicians and photo ops. And I am not sure that Cruz is a bad guy just based on the optics. But I am convinced that, for most church leaders, optics simply reinforce the truth that we care. That we do show up. Optics reflect our hearts.

Youth leaders with a number of students spread over several campuses really understand how this works. They show up at various events – all sorts of sporting events, concerts, plays – at every campus. So let me share a few things I have learned from them about why optics matter for all church leaders.

You cannot be at everything. But you can do enough to be seen at many events. It is like visiting the hospital. You may not make it to see everyone every day, but if you go enough, word gets around that you care and that you show up.

Youth leaders have mastered the “drive-by.” Go for the first half at this game, the second half at that game. Go to the ballfield and catch parts of several games. Similarly, make hospital visits short and sweet. Don’t stay the whole time at the funeral visitation. Work some church projects, especially the ones you have asked your people to work. Show up briefly at others. Pat a few backs, say a quick prayer over a few people. It shows you care. Because you do.

Avoid bad optics. Youth leaders would never put pics on social media from three football games in a row from the same school. It makes for bad optics. So spread it around. Don’t just show up at the men’s prayer breakfast every week but never any funerals unless you have to do them.

Good youth leaders seek opportunities to show up for those on the margins. Don’t just show up for the rich, the popular, and the powerful. It makes for bad optics and may even signal a deeper issue. Show up for the teen from a broken home, the member who can’t give much money, and the person with the difficult past (and maybe a difficult present).

Bad optics discourage those on the margins. They communicate messages that you do not want to send. Or, if they send an accurate message, they reflect the problems in your leadership and your church.

But good optics make all the difference. Show up, not just for show but because those optics reflect your heart. They may open doors to those who do not know Jesus. They may show others what your community of faith is all about. They give power to your teaching.

Finally, remember Jesus got the whole optics thing way back when he was here. Touching a leper. Eating with sinners. Holding little kids.

Optics matter.