One final note here:
Lots of joy for me last week, but the highlight in terms of what God was teaching me came in something I saw modeled by the Friends’ fearless leader (and conference superintendent), Stan Leach. I’ve been pretty blessed these past few years to know a lot of my denomination’s national leadership personally, and they are impressive people. Big gifts, humble hearts, love Jesus. What more can you ask for?
Stan was all of these things too, but where he really got me was with the depth of his pastor’s heart. On Tuesday night, his time to stand before the pastors of his conference and exhort, cast vision, etc., Stan got up and cried. And when I say he cried, he cried good. He cried his way through a wonderful sermon on what it means to be a leader like Jesus is a leader. Every word was powerful, not just because of what he said but because he modeled it for us as he spoke. Denominational gurus need to be great administrators, but sometimes it seems as if being a good shepherd is optional. Stan’s sheep are the pastors under his care, and he loves them deeply.
When I grow up I want to lead like Stan.
