Ministry Staff
by Emily McColl
April 1, 1999
Our family traveled to the beautiful Yosemite Valley a few years ago. While camping there, we found ourselves roaming well-worn pathways into the night, to and from campfires and evening activities. Away from city lights, our children were both frightened by the darkness and exhilarated by the opportunity to explore this wonderland together.
After deciding as a group where we were headed, we appointed a leader who carried our biggest flashlight and determined the path the family would take. The rest followed with our own little lights. Each one used his light to illumine the way, sometimes pointing out a treacherous root or hanging branch.
Our greatest temptation was for each one to shine his light ahead of the leader or deep into the woods along the sides. Invariably, the one who did that would stumble on a root or slip on loose gravel unseen in the darkness at his feet.
I have found that being an associate in a multi-staff church is much like those nighttime hikes. The church leadership charts the course. The staff, clergy and laity, get it done.
The senior pastor is out front, shining light on the path for the whole church. The associates are behind the pastor, illuminating individual areas of responsibility. The one following the leader is leading others who follow. This requires mutual trust.
The leader cannot carry all the flashlights and expect those who follow to keep up or clearly see their way in the darkness. Indeed, it is most desirable that lights be multiplied, provided they follow the leader. But the associate must also trust the experience and calling of the senior.
An associate may perceive that she possesses more information about a particular issue, but she lacks the position and perspective of the one in front. ...
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