Symposium January 30-31, 2009 Leadership and Communication Session B 13 Rev. Duane Kelderman, Calvin Theological Seminary The big idea of this workshop: Leadership and communication are integrally related and overlapping practices in that both involve the dynamic interplay of four elements: a message, a person who embodies the message, a particular audience, and a specific goal.
Message
Goal
Person
Audience An ancient model . . . Ancient rhetoric took account of these four elements when it identified logos, ethos, pathos, and telos as the four key elements of persuasion.
Applied to preaching. . . Excellent preaching is biblical, authentic, contextual, and life-changing. By the power of the Holy Spirit, preaching moves from the text through the preacher into a specific situation toward the gospel's goal.
Applied to leadership . . . Every situation of effective leadership includes (1) vision—clear convictions about what God calls the church to be and do, and a willingness to suffer for those convictions; (2) character of the leader (and the led!) that generates mutual trust; (3) contextualization—a keen sense of what is fitting in this place, at this time, with these people; and (4) transformation—people and organizations becoming more Christ-like, more what God created and redeemed them to be. All four of these elements are essential in situations of effective leadership.
Applying this model of leadership and communication to worship leadership, In what area (s) do worship leaders in general do pretty well? In what areas do worship leaders often stumble?
How do worship leaders, pastors, and other congregational leaders help those around them develop in these four areas?
As I reflect upon this model of leadership and communication, and upon the current situation of many congregations and congregational leaders, I think the five most important things leaders can do to contribute to healthy congregational life are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.