Appendix 1: Leadership for Mission

<typohead type="3">1. Introduction</typohead>

1.1 God invites the church to join with God’s mission in the world. The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has made the development of healthy congregations a priority so it may work more effectively with God in this mission.

1.2 To achieve this our Church has identified the need for good leadership. "Servant mission leadership" describes the kind of leadership our Church believes it needs. Understanding more clearly what this phrase means will help us identify potential leaders and equip them to exercise leadership more effectively.

1.3 Servant mission leadership may mean different things to different people. How you think about it will relate to the community you belong to. But it has some core features we can agree on. Broadly spea king, ‘servant’ refers to the style of leadership and ‘mission’ refers to the direction that leadership takes. More specifically, servant mission leadership is about vision, accountability, character and variety.

<typohead type="3">2. It’s about Vision</typohead>

2.1 The job of the servant leader is not to serve exclusively the people of the congregation or the organisation called the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is to work with others in serving the mission of God.

2.2 This mission is the ‘vision’ that informs the plans for the future of a congregation. It is a vision of life in all its fullness for both humankind and creation, grounded in the good news and mission of Jesus Christ, and it involves, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, interpreting and extending the Presbyterian Church’s place in that mission.

2.3 This vision includes:

The ability to tell the difference between what is of God and what is the latest fashion.

The ability to communicate in ways that make sense in today’s world.

Respect for tradition coupled with an eagerness to usher in the Church of the future.

Creativity that is neither gimmicky or trite.

Perseverance that won’t quit when the going gets tough.

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<typohead type="3">3. It’s about Accountability</typohead>

3.1 Servant leaders know they are answerable for their actions, and that there is value in giving an account of their actions. They also know that mutual accountability strengthens the Church and enhances the vigour of its mission. As a result they will:

exercise their leadership in a professional manner

adhere to the Church’s code of ethics

be committed to ongoing learning

seek an appropriate level of supervision

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<typohead type="3">4. It’s about Character</typohead>

4.1 Servant leadership is not only a matter of having the right skills, important as these are. It is also about having the right character and spirit. It’s about trustworthiness. This implies a life of personal faith and prayer that enables leaders to grow in the likeness of Christ and to draw upon Christ’s wisdom and strength for the task of leadership. Paul encouraged the Church at Philippi to " Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ" ( Philippians 2:5). He then identified humility, integrity, servanthood, and obedience to the mission and will of God as part of the character of Christ.

4.2 Trustworthy leadership – will show among other things:

an appropriate use of power that avoids its misuse and abuse

authority without becoming authoritarian

a reconciling ministry, willing to be decisive without being divisive, determined to advocate for those whose voice is not being heard

faithful stewardship of the resources available for mission

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<typohead type="3">5. It’s About Variety</typohead>

5.1 Parish ministry has often assumed that Ministers of Word and Sacrament have the responsibility of leadership in the Church. This belief is reinforced by a distinction often drawn between clergy and lay people. This distinction is not grounded either in Scripture or the Reformed Tradition of which our Church is part.

5.2 In the Presbyterian Church, leadership doesn’t stop with the people who are ordained, ministers or elders. Leadership is a gift and a responsibility given to many within the Church community including youth leaders, APW leaders, and those leading home-groups.

5.3 Much Christian leadership is also exercised in the wider community. The New Testament doesn’t distinguish between ministries in the Church and the wider world. Everyone has their own calling, depending on their gifts. The ministry of Word and Sacrament, which serves as a guardian of the gospel, is one among these many ministries. All the Church’s leaders are invited to exercise servant mission leadership.

<typohead type="3">6. Summary</typohead>

6.1 Although it will take different forms in different contexts, some characteristics lie at the heart of servant mission leadership.

it reflects a contemporary vision of the mission of Jesus Christ

it is appropriate and accountable to the gospel

it reflects a character built on personal faith

it can be practiced by the any within the variety of church leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand

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