Confessions of a Great Leader

Tod Bolsinger has a post up at It Takes a Church... called Is the Head the Problem or the Problem the Head? It's heart-wrenching in its honesty. But it is also a great example of how much we learn from our weaknesses. Tod was meeting with a consultant to help him evaluate the health of their church in San Clemente where he is the "Pastor and Head of Staff." The consultant didn't mess around. Here's how Tod tells it:

He said, “First of all you have to see the problem for what it is. For all the strengths you bring, Tod, the problem is you. We have rarely seen a church that is as healthy as this one. We have NEVER worked with a church that talks about its pastor as much as the people here talk about you. The people are here because of your preaching and your leadership. Many believe that this church was turned around, even 'saved' because of you. The people who left did so because they thought that you can’t relate to them. The people who are excited feel personally close to you, the people who are complacent say that they need you to support their visions and dreams. And most people believe that the church will die if you leave. This whole church is built around you.”

I gulped. I honestly didn’t know what to say. I didn't like the idea that this church was so much about me. I felt a bit embarrassed and defensive. I really hadn't tried to make the church so centered around me. But obviously, that is exactly what had happened. So, I just asked, “What do we do?”

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