After watching both of the political conventions over the past few weeks I have been thinking about leadership.  What is it?  How does it work?  Why does there seem to be so little of it?  Obviously this is an important concept for us as a church, especially as we face a change of clergy.  A lot of work will be done by the church, especially by the search committee, to seek out the very best leader they can.

But leadership does not exist in a vacuum.  Healthy leadership both creates and is created by a healthy system.  Part of the problem we face as a nation is that our divided and dysfunctional political process actually prevents the emergence of great leadership.  It is therefore really important that we avoid the temptation here at St. Luke's of just waiting for a rector who will "do it all for us."

One of the great strengths of St. Luke's is a talented array of lay leaders in many areas.  And during the interim period we need our members to step forward in many areas.  Debbie Cardone is great, but she needs more teachers to make the Church School strong.  Miguel is great, but he needs adults to help on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings.  We need a few more helpers at the Fourth Street Cafe.  We will need good candidates at the annual meeting for vestry, warden and convention delegate.  And we will need good people to serve on the search committee.

One of the best ways to ensure that you have good leadership for the future of the church is to actually become good leaders in our church right now.  This is the time for the members of the church to pull together and make sure that our wonderful ministries not only survive but thrive.  This is the time to get involved.

--Fr. Eric