Stories that Shape an Understanding of God’s Mission in the World

Visionary Leadership in the ELCA

Abstract

Stories collected through interviews with thirty visionary leaders in the ELCA give us a glimpse at how leaders understand God at work in the communities they serve and the way they lead. Through these stories, a theological claim is heard loud and clear: God is up to something in the world and we are called to participate in God’s mission in some form as faithful, hopeful ministry leaders. These sacred stories, filled with faith and doubt, hope and fear, courage and vulnerability push and pull the leaders interviewed into a life with Christ to be a transformative presence to and with others. These voices describe a different picture of church than much of the current data showing a decline in denominational adherence. Findings from two of the themes explored in this project will be share in this article: community and leadership.