Leaving footprints for upcoming leadership You can spot an effective synodical leader because her knees are dirty from kneeling to tend the sheep, removing brambles from the wool, freeing a leg caught in a fence, or tending to a wound. The women who sit around the table of the churchwide women's organziation Executive Board have the responsibility of providing the vision for the entire women's organization and must bring with them to that table a broad perspective. You can spot an effective churchwide leader because her knees are dirty from kneeling in prayer and contemplation. No doubt you could add dozens of desirable characteristics of effective leadership to the above list. Of all the qualities for effective leadership in each of these expressions of Women of the ELCA, the primary quality for all is a sense of being called.
Leadership fails when the motivation is personal glory.
We lead because we love God as God is revealed to us in the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. As leaders, our primary call is to follow. Delivered by Terry L. Bowes at the Conference of Presidents, Feb. 26, 1998. All rights reserved.