Moving Ahead Together

I am soaking up the sun on my walk today, and also randomly remembering a quote about leadership.

"If you think you're leading, but when you turn around and no one is following you, you're just out for a walk."  

(Not sure where it comes from, or I would cite it, and if anyone wants to let me know, I'd be glad).

Of course today I am actually just out for a walk.  But also, these days, whatever leadership role I do embody is vastly different than it once was when I served as a pastor of a local church.  Still a lot at stake, for sure, and still requiring all that good transparency and integrity, but much smaller in scope, far less demanding, far more focused.

It's a heavy mantle, the memory of which prompts many prayers for those in varying arena of my life who carry it.  Today, as I walk and remember the weight, I am especially grateful for those who lead my community of faith, Highview Community Church.

Particularly, I feel glad for our leadership culture, that being one of consensus and plurality of leadership, a strong influence from our Brethren background (a reference to the beginnings of Highview's story, if you know it).  

A quick definition:

"Consensus leadership is a collaborative management style that emphasizes collective decision-making and inclusivity, aiming to involve all stakeholders in the decision making process."  (Google, Gemini, 2026)

It's a slower way of moving forward together, but it's worth it because we have a better chance of moving forward together.  Collaboration, collective decision-making, inclusivity, all stakeholders.  It takes wisdom, nuance, and the setting aside of person agendas and dominating egos.  It requires layered listening, and broadened thinking, and deeper feelings.

No leadership structure is perfect because, oh let me see, every approach requires people to be involved, and, oh let me see, people aren't perfect.  Even when all are committed to practicing consensus, it's easy sometimes to forget, especially when things get dicey and the urge to take matters into our own hands or press an agenda is strong, if for no other reason than to relieve the tensions.  Even the most others-centered of us can quickly fall into the trap of me-focused tunnel vision.

In my own experience, I have been so grateful for the wisdom of the collective voices around the table when my own perspective has been too narrow, or my understanding of the situation has been more fear-driven than Spirit-led.  

So lead on!  And thank you, all who carry this.  Thank you for moving us ahead together.

And just to reminder you: You are prayed for.