At last night's Presbytery there was a good discussion about whether or not to change the term of office for our Moderator following a proposal from the Connections and Nominations Committee to reduce said term to one year. It was great to hear different people speak on the subject and the outcome is that the matter has been referred to the Presbytery Review Working Group to consider as part of the overall review of Presbytery.
One part of the discussion honed in on the question of what we want from our Moderator and what the role of the Moderator is. Does it involve management? Is it about leadership? Or is it about representing the Presbytery rather than setting its direction?
Shopping trollies aside (you had to be there), the question of what good leadership looks like is an important one, whether we are thinking about the church (local, regional, national) or whether we are thinking about families, schools, workplaces, communities, government. And it's not always those in appointed positions of leadership who are good at leading themselves and others.
This year's lectionary readings for Advent focus in on Isaiah and this coming Sunday the reading is from Isaiah 11. It is a beautiful picture of the Messianic Kingdom - full of justice and peace. The King described within it shows particular qualities of leadership that I think are worth reflecting on.
In this passage we learn that through God's Spirit, the King is endowed with wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Here is someone who can see to the heart of a matter, work out how best to navigate it, and has the wherewithal to put their own advice into practice - all whilst following the leading and guiding of God. If these are the qualities that matter - how often do we pray for our leaders (whomever they may be) to grow in wisdom and counsel? How often do we ask God to grant insight into difficult situations? How often do we ourselves pause and pray - 'God help me to see through to the underlying issue that needs addressing?' And how often do we work together to ensure that our leaders can put their plans into action? Or do we, and/or the processes we create, get in the way and frustrate those in leadership?
This King doesn't make decisions based entirely on what he can see and hear. What does that really mean? Well, the King would have been surrounded by advisors and influential/powerful people. People who could be eloquent in putting their case. People who can try and persuade the King to act in their favour in return for their favour. People who made a point of being seen by others. This King looks instead for those who are invisible and who potentially don't have a voice. This King cares for those in need and those living in poverty. Justice is important and he chooses to do what is right over what is expedient or beneficial to himself.
Here is a ruler who deals with bad behaviour and doesn't allow it to fester or dominate.
Here is a ruler who is ready to roll up their sleeves and work hard - with integrity and transparency.
Here is a ruler who is powerful but has humility - who doesn't need to crush those who are weak.
Here is a ruler who is fruitful, even though their start in life is inauspicious.
Of course, Isaiah is describing the Messiah in all his perfection and we need to mindful of not expecting those in leadership to be perfect. But it does give us a sense of what is important when it comes to leadership and what we should be looking for from those who would lead us. Perhaps it changes the kinds of questions we might ask at a hustings in advance of parliamentary elections, something which Rev Dr Amy Bender spoke about last night. Or it might change the way a Kirk Session puts together a parish profile. It might cause us to pause and wonder about the places in which we lead - whether in an official capacity or not. Can we say that we living out these values in such a way that others notice and if not, how can we change that?
One thing this passage does do is remind us of the extraordinary King whose birth we are preparing for. He is worthy of all our praise and adoration - and our following.
Rev Stella
