Great church leaders aren’t just born, says Barbara Blodgett, they can be made.
In her new book Barbara argues that there are specific practices clergy leaders can engage in that will make them better at what they do.
In this interview, learn about the four practices every minister should be engaging in to better themselves, their ministries and their churches.
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Synopsis
Barbara Blodgett, whose day job is to help future clergy leaders find and engage with good mentors, has some great words of practical wisdom for those of us seeking to improve in our vocation. Here are my notes from the interview:
You Can Get Better!
Contrary go much popular thinking Barbara believes every minister can improve, sometimes significantly, in their role as a church leader. Ironically, many clergy, who regularly preach about change, don’t believe they can.
Open Up to Feedback
Too many church leaders don’t want to hear the negatives so they don’t encourage feedback. But Barbara says opening ourselves up, by modeling and cultivating, can play an enormous role in helping us become better ministers.
Mentoring for Life
We never outgrow mentoring. When Will Willimon became a bishop, the first thing this highly regarded theologian did was get a mentor. No matter where we are in our lives we need ‘em – do you have ‘em?
About Barbara Blodgett
The Rev. Dr. Barbara J. Blodgett currently serves as Minister for Vocation and Formation for the United Church of Christ, having previously served as Director of Supervised Ministries at Yale Divinity School. She received an MDiv from Yale Divinity School and a PhD in ethics from Yale University and her research interests include professional ethics and ministry ethics as well as theories of teaching and learning. Prior to Yale, she taught in the Religion Department at Oberlin College. She is a former local church pastor ordained in the United Church of Christ.
Books Barbara Recommends
What’s Theology Got to Do with It? – Anthony B. Robinson
Christianity for the Rest of Us - Diana Butler Bass
Community: The Structure of Belonging – Peter Block
