Talent, Degrees and Thoughtfulness

Dear Pastors

Talent, Degrees and Thoughtfulness

Let me begin by stating the obvious. We all come into the world with talent. Other words we use somewhat interchangeably are - gifts, abilities, skills, and competencies. That’s what we are born with and comes ‘naturally’ if you like. It sure has puzzled me over the years why some people have smaller amounts of talent than others. As a parent we know this is true. As a former teacher I saw this play out day in and day out. But the point is simple enough when God created us he created us with natural abilities that reflect His creativity and talent. This also applies to Christian Leadership. My goodness some pastors just ooze talent. Others not so much. However as in all vocations, the closer our talents and gifts align to the jobs we do the more fulfilled we will feel and the more productive we will be. This is otherwise known as your ‘sweet spot’.

Twenty years ago 13% of the NZ population aged 25-64 had a Bachelors degree or higher. And that figure hadn’t changed much since the 70’s when I was at varsity. Last year that figure had grown to 35%. Another 28% have a tertiary level Certificate or Diploma. When I started out as a pastor in 1983 my guess would have been about 40-50% of Pastors, Ministers, Vicars and Priests had a Degree, usually a Bible or Theology Degree. Today it’s more likely to be 80-90%. One of the notable changes is the way Pentecostals have changed their attitude to Degrees. Back in the day I heard quite frequently the Pente’s have a crack at the Presbyterians for example and say things like, ‘death by degrees’. And the Presbyterians would fire back and say that those Pentecostals have left ‘their brains at the door’. Back then there was a strong divide between those who believed in study and those who believed in the anointing of the Spirit and in the minds of many they were distinct and you couldn’t have both. You were either in one camp or the other. Thank God that has changed 40 years later. Today Pentecostals are getting degrees and some have gone on to get Masters and Ph.D’s. Most Pastors have resolved this historic tension. You can be studious and anointed…….yes you can……and at the same time.

Thoughtfulness is I think an acquired skill. It’s something we can all learn to do. A thoughtful person may be of average talent and have no degree but yet be incredibly smart. A thoughtful leader is a leader who does a lot of thinking, reflecting and yes reviewing. A thoughtful leader squeezes all the learning that can be squeezed from life’s circumstances especially the big events, the intractable problems of ministry and the traumatic experiences in this life. They learn (note learn) from the past, they are people who read widely, are endlessly curious, ask powerful questions and wrestle with ideas both old and new. These people are often very successful. No stand out talent, no formal tertiary education but by jeepers they are very good at what they do. I constantly urge those I mentor these days to ‘submit themselves to this spiritual discipline’. Slow down enough to gather your thoughts and then STOP from time to time to think, to pray and to write.

Natural talent will get you going, a degree will probably help (and in some professions it is of course absolutely essential) but I want to leave you with this thought. Giving time to thinking, to reflection and praying this prayer, “Lord, what do you want me to learn in and through this” is a pastors essential work.

Blessings
Alan