Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Perhaps I got ahead of myself with my last blog post. It happens. I am often guilty of: “Ready. Fire. Aim.” In mentioning the Minnesotans' trip to Southside Abbey, I mentioned the Innovative Leadership Rounds, without really unpacking what that program is. 

First, the Innovative Leadership Rounds program is made possible by the generosity, support, and faithfulness of the Episcopal Church Foundation's Fellowship Partners Program. For those who had not heard, I am humbled and honored to be named a Fellow for 2015. I am humbled and honored beyond words, which is rare for me – to be without words, that is. 

This reality calls to mind the speech the character Kevin makes at the end of an episode of the television show, The Office. Kevin, who is not known for his knowledge or wisdom, is part of a team that has just won a trivia competition. Upon reflection, he offers: “Look, I know it's easy to say tonight was just a fluke, and maybe it was. But here's a piece of trivia: A fluke is one of the most common fish in the sea, so if you go fishing for a fluke, chances are... you just might catch one” (The Office, “Trivia”). That's some deep theological stuff right there. How often are we in the presence of the Holy Spirit, present in the ordinary, and we just miss it?

In short, ECF has been gracious enough to see the Holy Spirit present in the work that Southside Abbey is doing and supportive enough to offer that work as a resource to others engaged in similar work around the Church. This is what the Innovative Leadership Rounds program, which is funded by the Fellowship, is all about. 

The Innovative Leadership Rounds are based on medical rounds, which demonstrate the best analysis and treatment of real patients to groups of physicians, as these patients personally share their stories. Observing, sharing, and inquiring in groups can teach more than one-sided lectures or presentations. The Innovative Leadership Rounds Project will invite missional church lay and clergy leaders to participate in Rounds with other like-minded leaders from across the Episcopal (and Lutheran) Church.

The Church will tangibly benefit by having leaders developed and learning documented and disseminated. The Rounds project could be a resource for dioceses contemplating starting missional communities, or in early stages of such work. Leadership of dioceses not yet engaged in this kind of work might even be more supportive of an emerging community with an established model and program, like Southside Abbey and the Rounds project.

In a broader sense, the Church will benefit by having more current clergy and lay leaders thinking missionally and communally about spreading the Good News of Jesus. People who haven’t traditionally been raised up as leaders will also have an opportunity to participate in the growth and future of the Church, benefitting creativity, diversity, and strength.

Southside Abbey is not the model of the Episcopal Church moving forward. We are a model. The Rounds project is mutual learning. Hopefully the Episcopal Church can learn much from Southside Abbey and the communities with whom we partner. Look for the fruit of this labor to be shared on Southside Abbey's website under our Open Source tab in the coming year, as well as continued sharing through ECF's Vital Posts. 

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