This is a question I’m asked regularly. It is a good question, inviting input. Usually I prefer to hear the thoughts of the group, since there are still a few people out there who hesitate to contradict a pastor (bless their hearts). Others won’t share an opinion until they know what the pastor thinks about a given topic.
For me it is a balance since gone are the days of pastoral leadership where we can say “what I say goes”. Congregations have become more democratic than that, which is a good thing for the most part.
For me, on the one hand, I don’t want to squelch discussion. I often think I’m talking all the time, so it comes as a surprise to learn that my viewpoint on most anything is missed.
On the other, leadership is needed. To sit back and let a given group in our church struggle with questions on their own is something I’d like to avoid as well. So when I’m asked what I think, I will tell people. Sometimes I will do so beforehand, but not always.
We are in a time in our life together where are inviting conversation: listening to one another. While the congregation has ample opportunities for discussion at Lenten dinners and other events, I think this is a good time for me to say what I think, to be heard while I am listening to you. After all, I’ve been at Amazing Grace for 10 years. I have been a pastor for 17 years, deepening my understanding of congregational life each year. You should be concerned if I didn’t offer my perspective.
You probably won’t like all of what I share here. Part of a leader’s job is to define reality. Through these posts I intend to do exactly that.