In the light of my recent posts on the misapplication of the notion of 'leadership' to church life, I recently came across some statements of a church's objectives which I thought I'd attempt to re-word in the light of those posts.
Original: to review the leadership structures and processes of church and evaluate our goals in the light of this.
My suggestion: to review the ministry structures and processes of church....
Original: To develop service/leadership teams for reach congregation.
My suggestion: to develop service teams for each congregation.
Original: For our children's ministry leaders; to establish regular meetings and care for our leaders.
My suggestion: For our children's ministry workers; to establish regular meetings and pastoral support.
Original: To further develop a culture of equipping leaders.
My suggestion: To further develop a culture of equipping and encouraging people to take part in ministry.
Original: To establish a leadership team to coordinate men's ministry.
My suggestion: To establish a committee to coordinate men's ministry.
The constant use of the word 'leadership' is not only cloying, not only uninteresting use of English, but it masks the range of ministries that people engage in within a church, it hides variety, interest and complexity behind one somewhat mechanical term which has become meaningless through (inaccurate) overuse.
