DE Ponderings by Kevin Kessler, District Executive

At District Conference, I shared that I am experiencing a shift in my approach to the work I do as District Executive. While still giving attention to vision, my attentiveness in that direction will be less and I will turn my focus more toward God’s activity among us. In being more attuned to what God is doing in our midst, I see my role as more of an encourager, encouraging all of us to join with the activity of God already happening rather than trying to shape a vision that may or may not include God.

This approach will require effort in having greater awareness of the district’s environment and surroundings. A helpful tool in assessing the environment is the S.W.O.T. method (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats), which I’ve only begun to employ.

I shared some preliminary considerations about our district’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which I will reiterate here in writing, providing easier access to my thoughts.

1. Strengths – We have many, but one that we know, we just too frequently fail to name is this: our congregations are vital ministry outlets. And it doesn’t matter the size of the congregation. Listen to and read about what congregations are doing in our district. We’ve got to quit lamenting what we aren’t doing or can’t any longer do and really focus on what we are doing and what we can do. And then celebrate...and offer thanks.
   
   Another strength we have is relationships. Person to person. Congregation to congregation. Pastor to people and vice versa. Let’s think of ways we can network effectively to become stronger than we are individually. Technology and social networking, used properly, can help us do this well.
    
2. Weaknesses – As with strengths, we have several weaknesses, but one that I’m becoming aware of more and more is leadership. We don’t lack leadership in the district. We don’t lack leaders in the district. What’s lacking is knowing who the leaders are AND not recognizing in ourselves what leadership gifts and skills we have AND not helping others find their leadership abilities. This translates into difficulty finding leaders for important tasks and ministries in our congregations, our district, and denomination. I encourage us to become more observant and work at recognizing and calling out leadership gifts in others. And I encourage us to listen when others speak to us of the giftedness they see in us.
    
3. Opportunities – Opportunities abound for us to be witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a world where violence and corruption and hatred seem culturally acceptable, we who are people of peace and service have a grand opportunity to let our communities in which we live and the world in which we exist see our true colors of being non-violent, non-anxious, non-fearful, loving, generous, kind, merciful, and gracious. Rather than seeing things like racism, bigotry, bullying, hazing, etc. as difficulties to avoid, what difference can we make if we see these difficulties as opportunities to let our colors shine?
    
4. Threats – We sometimes and in some settings look at what is beyond us as a greater threat. One that comes to mind is programmatic or mega-churches. Sometimes they enter our communities and we lose members or it becomes increasingly difficult to evangelize and invite and integrate new people into our faith communities. But what if we changed our focus from the outside threats and focus on one internal threat that may have more significance. This internal threat is timidity, or lack of confidence to be who we are, or practicing humility to our detriment. We have a tremendous faith to offer to others...a faith established on Jesus Christ expressed through peacemaking, and serving, and caring, and hospitality, and grace, and justice, and the list goes on. Jesus calls upon us to not hide this light, but to be like a city set upon a hill. If we are timid, or lack confidence, or think that humility means we should be seen but not heard, we play into an internal threat, one whereby we shut ourselves off to the world around us. If, instead, we boldly, confidently, without reservation let the light of peace, service, care, hospitality, etc, etc, shine forth from our lives, we overcome the internal threat, and, I believe, we overcome the so called external threats of competition.

I will continue exploring our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as I pay attention to the stories abounding in our district. And I’ll continue to share in future newsletters, reports, and other means what I’m hearing, seeing, and experiencing.