A third quality needed in a bishop is the ability to be a team player and crew coordinator for a staff team and volunteers who assist the bishop in meeting the demands of a complex organizational entity. In larger synods, personnel supervision and working in partnership with staff are critical, whereas in smaller synods the bishop may be more of a generalist who must personally carry out most aspects of synodical leadership in partnership with volunteers. Given the critical need for bishops to be mission leaders in their synods, a fourth attribute is the ability to be a creative visionary who can lead others in looking beyond what is to what might be. In most places, our church is not growing and may even be in serious decline. As never before, congregations, pastors and other ministers need encouragement, coaching and inspiration as they seek to reach out in their communities.
Bishops are often in a unique spot to offer such encouragement.
More and more, the church in our time needs such missionary bishops. Fifth, maintaining a balance between being engaged and detached is a helpful quality in a pastor considered for the office of bishop. While attending to the needs of one ministry or minister the bishop should be fully engaged in the moment, but then be able to leave that situation behind in order to be totally present in her or his next pastoral encounter. Another metaphor for this quality would be that of sitting light in the saddle while keeping a firm hand on the reigns and guiding staff colleagues and volunteers in serving the whole synod or entire church. A sixth ability needed in heavy dosage by bishops is that of being a good communicator.