Last fall Luther Seminary contacted me to ask if I could arrange a few meetings with congregations and leaders in NT-NL. I assumed they probably had a program or a ministry they were trying to push out and wanted to share publicity about that. However, instead I was told they were interested in visiting with our pastors and leaders and asking questions and listening. Listening to hear from them what the challenges, opportunities, and needs they had in their ministry. Intrigued by this open stance I was able to arrange for them to meet with about 20 of our leaders in various settings. They then also visited multiple other synods and ecumenical leadership opportunities and came away with some initial thoughts and answers to the question of…

“What do leaders need to know, or know how to do, to be faithful and effective in a rapidly changing world?”

This is a great question and one that we certainly want to be considering in the continued development of the Briarwood Leadership Center. I appreciate these opportunities to learn together with our seminaries and ministries of the church. In addition to this learning time we are also participating (through 6 congregations of NT-NL) in Luther’s Leadership for Faithful Innovation cohort program. This again is a way that our seminaries are working to connect with and develop leaders in our congregations. This is also a program that hopefully we can replicate at Briarwood offering content that is of value to our communities.

Faithful listening is a key part of doing ministry and mission. I encourage you to read the attached handout and consider what you need to know or know to do for faithful leadership in this dynamic and quick changing world.