Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory

by Tod Bolsinger

or the senior pastor. She just did the thing she does best: she gathered her colleagues together and they started collaborating, literally “colaboring.” Together they talked, prayed, planned, prayed some more and talked even more. Soon, a few days turned into a few weeks, a few weeks into a few months, and without fanfare, huge disruption or significant financial cost the church slowly moved into its future preparing for a new pastor. The anxious church calmed down and continued their organizational transition. What was this bold leadership move? Convening the team.12 Creating a holding environment of healthy relationships that will keep the work before the people. The ability to innovate, to be creative, to consider new options, to “shift habits, beliefs or values” requires “a sturdy, trustworthy space” fashioned out of healthy relationships.13 I am not advocating that church leaders compromise on essential tenets of faith, but a number of cherished beliefs or convictions will be challenged in a change process. Thus, along with establishing credibility the leader must build a shared corporate culture of deep trust. As Margaret Wheatley observes, “The primary way to prepare for the unknown is to attend to the quality of our relationships, to how well we know and trust one another.”14 Trust is vital for change leadership. Without trust there is no “travel.” When trust is lost, the journey is over.