There are always seasons when we, as faith leaders, aren't fit for leadership. Sometimes we recognize it on our own and are able to make arrangements for a needed break. Sometimes we recognize it, but don't have the support or resources to take a much needed break. And sometimes we are so tired, so triggered, and in so much turmoil that we can't recognize our need to step back until someone else confronts us.
Like you I'm also a survivor. I live with ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety. And I'm a survivor of sustained church trauma growing up, domestic abuse, parental abandonment as a young adult, addiction, and transgenerational trauma. Before entering seminary nearly four years ago I spent a long time questioning if I was fit to be a faith leader. I continued to question my fitness for leadership well into seminary.
Today I'm writing a final paper that asks me: What is distinctive about me as a missional leader who is called to lead a congregation or organization to participate more fully in God's mission in a particular place and time? What habits, practices, skills, and attitudes are my strengths? and Which ones do I need to continue to develop as a leader?
I have read your books and followed your blog. You, my soon to be dear colleague (once I'm ordained), are a passionate and prophetic leader that the church, particularly the ELCA desperately needs in this new "post-truth era". Were and are you perfect? Hell no! None of us are.
While I've never met you I want you to know, that despite any missteps you may have taken (known or unknown) you are:
A Beloved Child of Creator God
Seen for Your Own Precious Personhood
A Leader in Our Church Whether or Not You Currently Have a Call
One of the Most Courageous Faith Leaders I've Encountered.
I agree completely with Sarah Key, who wrote: "You...are a passionate and prophetic leader that the church, particularly the ELCA desperately needs in this new 'post-truth era.' Were and are you perfect? Hell no! None of us are."
ALL of us - ordained and not - go through rough patches, crises, dark times with our mental health, and more. I am not ordained but I definitely see in you the gifts of calling and ministry that placed you where you are in our world. But the work of the church continues - inside and outside of its buildings' walls.
As a lifelong Episcopalian and friend of the ELCA, I hope you will stay in the ordained ministry and exercise your gifts in the field to which you have been duly called and ordained.
I hope that you can see what many of us can see in you - and always have. Of course - like all of us - you may be in need of healing and transformation. That work will continue, too, and we in God's church will uphold you in that work, trusting that the Holy Spirit will renew you in Her Wisdom.
We will, as always, keep you and your work - wherever it leads you - in our prayers.
I’m sorry Pastor, but you give too much credit where it isn’t due and too little where it is. Give yourself some cred and love please for the time you put in trying to help the elca live up to its calling. You put forth a HERCULEAN effort and for that got kicked in the teeth. To be honest here I know none of the details of which you write but I know the elca, its ordination process (been there done that) and its club of collar wearing hypocrites. Hence I know from my very personal experience that you give way too much credit where it is not due.
So please Pastor, give yourself a hug 🫂 forget the collar club and get on with your doctoral studies. You are needed! Peace and blessings are yours now and always.
Big love,
Beverly
Ps, Don’t wrack your 🧠 You don’t know me from Adam. But I am your sister in the struggle and more importantly in JOY. 🙏🏾🧘🏾♀️
Lenny, I'm so deeply moved by your vulnerability and kindness. I needed it, not because I'm in a bad place, but simply because I'm kind of tired today and needed the reminder. You, too, are the shit.
Lenny,
There are always seasons when we, as faith leaders, aren't fit for leadership. Sometimes we recognize it on our own and are able to make arrangements for a needed break. Sometimes we recognize it, but don't have the support or resources to take a much needed break. And sometimes we are so tired, so triggered, and in so much turmoil that we can't recognize our need to step back until someone else confronts us.
Like you I'm also a survivor. I live with ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety. And I'm a survivor of sustained church trauma growing up, domestic abuse, parental abandonment as a young adult, addiction, and transgenerational trauma. Before entering seminary nearly four years ago I spent a long time questioning if I was fit to be a faith leader. I continued to question my fitness for leadership well into seminary.
Today I'm writing a final paper that asks me: What is distinctive about me as a missional leader who is called to lead a congregation or organization to participate more fully in God's mission in a particular place and time? What habits, practices, skills, and attitudes are my strengths? and Which ones do I need to continue to develop as a leader?
I have read your books and followed your blog. You, my soon to be dear colleague (once I'm ordained), are a passionate and prophetic leader that the church, particularly the ELCA desperately needs in this new "post-truth era". Were and are you perfect? Hell no! None of us are.
While I've never met you I want you to know, that despite any missteps you may have taken (known or unknown) you are:
A Beloved Child of Creator God
Seen for Your Own Precious Personhood
A Leader in Our Church Whether or Not You Currently Have a Call
One of the Most Courageous Faith Leaders I've Encountered.
You Are Loved.
In the Faith and Peace of Christ,
Vicar Sarah Key
Pastor Duncan,
I agree completely with Sarah Key, who wrote: "You...are a passionate and prophetic leader that the church, particularly the ELCA desperately needs in this new 'post-truth era.' Were and are you perfect? Hell no! None of us are."
ALL of us - ordained and not - go through rough patches, crises, dark times with our mental health, and more. I am not ordained but I definitely see in you the gifts of calling and ministry that placed you where you are in our world. But the work of the church continues - inside and outside of its buildings' walls.
As a lifelong Episcopalian and friend of the ELCA, I hope you will stay in the ordained ministry and exercise your gifts in the field to which you have been duly called and ordained.
I hope that you can see what many of us can see in you - and always have. Of course - like all of us - you may be in need of healing and transformation. That work will continue, too, and we in God's church will uphold you in that work, trusting that the Holy Spirit will renew you in Her Wisdom.
We will, as always, keep you and your work - wherever it leads you - in our prayers.
Jon Spangler
Alameda, CA
I’m sorry Pastor, but you give too much credit where it isn’t due and too little where it is. Give yourself some cred and love please for the time you put in trying to help the elca live up to its calling. You put forth a HERCULEAN effort and for that got kicked in the teeth. To be honest here I know none of the details of which you write but I know the elca, its ordination process (been there done that) and its club of collar wearing hypocrites. Hence I know from my very personal experience that you give way too much credit where it is not due.
So please Pastor, give yourself a hug 🫂 forget the collar club and get on with your doctoral studies. You are needed! Peace and blessings are yours now and always.
Big love,
Beverly
Ps, Don’t wrack your 🧠 You don’t know me from Adam. But I am your sister in the struggle and more importantly in JOY. 🙏🏾🧘🏾♀️
Lenny, I'm so deeply moved by your vulnerability and kindness. I needed it, not because I'm in a bad place, but simply because I'm kind of tired today and needed the reminder. You, too, are the shit.