One day, according to legend, a neighbor observed Michelangelo rolling a jagged boulder up the street and onto his front step. When the sculptor took out his hammer and chisel, and began to strike the boulder, the neighbor was overcome by curiosity. He crossed the street and asked, "What are you doing hammering on that boulder?" To which Michelangelo responded, "There's an angel inside and I'm trying to let it out!" 
 

This story expresses an essential aspect of congregational leadership. Congregational leadership involves seeing the holy in the congregation's members and trying to bring that holiness out in partnership with God and others. It is relatively easy to see the boulders in our congregations. Every congregation has naysayers, obstructionists, complainers, and, frankly, quirky and grumpy people. Virtually every congregation faces limitations of time, talent, and treasure which can lead to frustration, anger, and hopelessness among pastors. The challenge of congregational leadership is to see the angels in the boulders with which we work and enable our congregants to see the holiness in themselves and one another. 
 

Today's congregational leaders are called to be spirit persons, to use the language of Marcus Borg, who wear the mantle of the mystics, healers, prophets, and sages. Claiming our role as spiritual guides is a matter of seeing God's presence and then encouraging its emergence within the congregation. In a time of spiritual challenge, limitations, and frequent polarization, such spiritual vision is the result of a commitment to nurturing awareness of God's presence in ourselves and others. In the business of congregational life, it is easy to lose our way, focus on product rather than persons, become overwhelmed by the tasks of ministry, and forget that we are always on holy ground as we interact with God's beloved children. 

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