It Takes a Church to Raise a Pastor – Part II
There are benefits to “home-grown” leadership. They are familiar w/ the culture. They understand the micro-culture of the church. They know the way things are done, the traditions, the nuances of the church that make it unique. They know the vision of the church and that vision is not just the church’s but theirs as well. They are also familiar with the people. They know the “leaders” both in title and in function. They know the people to get things done and to solicit useful feedback and advice.
They are also known by the church. The congregation knows them. The church saw them grow up and played a role in their maturation and development. The church helped shape them into the adults they are now. They are people the church trusts. They have known character, strengths, and weaknesses. If there are any deficiencies or faults, the church is partially to blame since it owns part of the responsibility for training and growing. The church has a stake in seeming them succeed.
In any sort of organization, it is difficult to bring in someone new and tell everyone to follow that person. Many businesses and companies will promote from within. They promote the people who are respected by their peers. It is easier to work for someone who you’ve been working with for a period of time. Especially in the military. Soldiers will die for one another. The Warrant Officers are a special class in the military. They are the officers who went through the ranks of enlistment rather than through schooling such as West Point (Commissioned Officers). While working w/ the military I learned that these Warrant Officers commanded the respect of the enlisted men far better than their often higher ranking Commissioned Officers. It’s because the Warrant Office went through what the enlisted men are going through so they understand the difficulties and hardships. I think there is that similar benefit in church leadership. The familiarity and camaraderie enhances the leadership, benefiting both the leadership and the followers. It creates an atmosphere and culture where the leader is more willing and ready to sacrifice for the congregation and vice versa.