"All ideas must have passionate advocates behind them."
—Thomas Davenport *, Professor, Babson College
I just read the wonderful story in the August 28, 2009 Presbyterian News Service about the Rev. Devon Ducheneau and her passionate leadership and ministry with the two small churches she serves, Southpark and Westminster Presbyterian in Charlestown, West Virginal. She knew that in order to survive, the two churches needed to turn their focus outward and embrace the community around them rather than continue as secluded islands. The response by the congregation and the community has been great and mutually beneficial. Read the rest of the story at http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09738.htm.
This story about Rev. Ducheneau and her ministry with Southpark and Westminster Presbyterians churches continues to confirm for me that when you have passionate leaders, positive changes can happen! In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell says in his chapter, The Law of Buy-In, “that people buy into the leader, then the vision.” He also says that “people don’t at first follow worthy causes. They follow worthy leaders who promote causes they can believe in.”
Too many churches spend too much time talking about what they would like to do in reaching out with their communities. They develop mission statements and plans but never implement them because they lack passionate leaders to lead. If our churches want to experience transformation and renewal, then we need passionate leaders to step forth so that others will step up.
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