Our conventional model of clergy leadership has been a solo incumbent with a single or multi-point parish. As the Anglican Church of Canada has changed over the years, especially in rural areas due to depopulation and decline in church participation, this has the potential for creating a crisis in clergy leadership for some areas. In Leeds Anglican Ministries (LAM), the four parishes of Kitley, Lansdowne Rear, Leeds Rear and the Rideau entered into a covenant in 2016 sharing two full-time clergy, an incumbent and priest associate, instead of remaining apart and trying to attract part-time clergy. From the beginning, shared leadership was modelled, with clergy alternating weekly worship services and parish meetings and representatives from all parishes participating in the area ministry council, affectionately known as LAM Shepherds. On January 1, 2022, LAM celebrated a renewal of this ministry and the switching of the clergy roles, with the Rev. Trish Miller becoming the Incumbent and the Ven. Nancy MacLeod becoming the Priest Associate. This models that shared leadership isn’t about seniority or power, but rather can be fluid with the transfer of responsibilities while prioritizing the goals of the church in the world, in this time and place.
What are some of the benefits of shared clergy leadership? At its heart it is relational – a kinship that reflects the image of our relational Triune God as a model for our parish leaders. Especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a blessing to be in this clergy kinship to lessen feelings of isolation and to share the burdens of ministry. Shared clergy leadership also offers a fertile ground for creative collaboration. We learn from each other and can interactively build on ideas to resolve problems or develop new ministry initiatives. That collaborative nature extends to all parish teams leading to new, vibrant expressions of the gospel in our part of the vineyard.
Sounds great, right?! Spoiler alert: shared clergy leadership won’t work in every context. What makes LAM work isn’t the sheer will of the clergy to make it work. Rather, the parishes entered into this area ministry covenant through prayerful discernment and continue to develop their relationships with one another as they live out their calling in this ministry. It also helps to have clergy who bring different gifts and experiences but have a shared commitment to the ministry as servant leaders. And of course, communication is critical – both in expressing thoughts and ideas as well as intentional listening.
LAM is grateful to Bishop Michael for his leadership and in trusting the Spirit to lead us through this emerging model of area ministry. And as clergy in LAM we give thanks for the inspiring gifts our lay leaders share in bringing good news of God’s Kin-dom to our communities and beyond.
Stewardship Reflections with the Ven. Wayne Varley