• Originally published November 19, 2009 at midnight, updated November 20, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.

Leaders play a crucial role in building vital congregations, yet more frequently than not we experience absence of leaders and leadership in our churches of today.

Many of our church members are passive and withdrawn. A small minority in many of our church do most of the leadership.

The fields are ripe for harvest, and the need for leaders is painfully obvious.

Why then, do churches experience an absence of leaders? In many cases, traditional leader behaviors may themselves be at fault.

Church members sometimes look at how their leaders behave and say "if this is what it means to be a church leader, I want nothing to do with it."

Because some church leaders expect to be served and obeyed, they see themselves as elected to run the church rather than to find ways that members themselves can make decisions about their common life. Some church leaders claim special privilege and status.

Too often church members see their leaders bogged down in long and sometimes unproductive meetings.

The ultimate goal in leadership appears to be fellowship and friendship rather than service and witness.

Making ministry happen seems less important than building friendships and supporting other like-minded individuals.

We also have an occasional glimpse into another vision of leadership that excites and inspires. Then a flow develops between leaders and their constituents. Dreams are shared and significant goals are accomplished.

Then we look back and exclaim "God's Spirit was surely moving among us. How else could we have achieved all this?" We also know that some of life's most important friendships develop as leaders work side-by-side with one another.

Leading can be life changing. As we lead, we grow as individuals. We gain an understanding and an appreciation for people who are different from ourselves.

By becoming a leader we find gifts we never knew we possessed. We develop new ways to connect faith to life, and to link our faith with faithfulness.

So if your church asks you to lead, please pray about it and say yes, because it can be the most wonderful experience that you can have.

As most of our churches approach the first of the year, they need leaders to lead. Consider this opportunity and ask yourselves "can I fit in."

After serious prayer, I pray that the answer will be, "yes I can" accept the position offered.

Jerry Wheeler is a certified lay speaker with John Wesley Methodist Church.

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