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June 16, 2009

Able to stand

Leadership requires knowledge, skills and desire, Racial Ethnic Convocation told

by Duane Sweep
Special to the Presbyterian News Service

Elona Street-Stewart, associate for racial ethnic ministries and community empowerment for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Photo by Duane Sweep

ATLANTA – Racial Ethnic members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) must “be able to stand” when they are called to serve the church.

The first key to being able to stand as a leader is knowledge, according to Elona Street-Stewart, associate for racial ethnic ministries and community empowerment for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.

Street-Stewart led the session, “Plugging in: Let Your Light Shine,” during 2009 Racial Ethnic Convocation here as part of the PC(USA)’s first-ever Big Tent event that included 10 conferences that met jointly at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel.

“This is not training and this is not a workshop. We’re going to talk about your role in the church,” Street-Stewart said.

She stressed the important role that cultural diversity can have within the church, but she also reminded participants that church leadership requires preconditions, including knowledge, skill and desire.

She said, “Your culture itself is an asset to the decision-making of the church. … We can help the church make better decisions.”

And not all church leadership comes from ordained offices, she said. “Your influence is important and you need to make sure that the influence you have is good medicine for the church,” she said.

Pointing out that knowledge is an important requirement for leadership, Street-Stewart identified a variety of free information sources that are readily available, from session and presbytery minutes to the denomination’s Web site.

And when in leadership roles, she advised, “Be over prepared. Be prepared for all possibilities.”

Street-Stewart told participants that reaching leadership positions in the church is not a final outcome. Leadership, she said, is a process.

She pointed to seven requirements, what she called “marriage vows,” of leadership: maintain communication, plan ahead now, stay current, know subject, call on experts, expand practice and stay flexible.

“As you step forward in the leadership responsibilities of the church, you are now on,” Street-Stewart said. “You are never ‘off the clock.’”

Duane Sweep is communications director for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and a frequent contributor to Presbyterian News Service.