Turnover in Lay Leadership Is Healthy

Ken Luebbering, Lay Ministry Coordinator

When the Grace Vestry adopted our current lay leadership model in 2006, one important element was succession planning for all parish leadership positions.  Just as vestry members serve defined terms and new members are elected each year, the leadership model recognizes that leadership of all parish administration, ministry, and mission efforts needs to incorporate new minds and new energies on a regular basis. 

      In addition to the four new vestry members elected at our January annual meeting, there will be new vestry officers.  There will also be new persons filling leadership roles in many areas of Grace’s communal life.  With these changes in personnel will come changes in style and also, in some cases, changes in structure.  These kinds of change are crucial for a parish which seeks to engage fully in ministry and mission.  Without such leadership succession, ideas grow stale, people burn out, and, very importantly, many people with energy and commitment are never allowed to become fully involved.

      Please thank our out-going lay leaders for their devoted service.  And as you see new faces in leadership positions over the next months, make sure you thank them for their commitment and willingness to serve and ask how you might be able to help in those areas for which you have expertise or interest.  If you aren’t certain whom to ask or how you might be able to contribute, contact Shariya+ or me and we’ll steer you in the right direction.