2012 is SEPA’s election year for bishop. There is an opportunity to find new leadership. Here is some advice for SEPA Lutherans as they consider candidates for bishop next spring.

These ideas are adapted from a post in thoughtleadersllc.com’s blog, How to Innovate Like Captain Jack Sparrow written by Mike Figliuolo. The article analyzes the popular Captain Sparrow’s leadership style and finds something for us all to learn.

1. Forget the Rules

SEPA Synod has been pretty good at this in their interpretation of their constitution and the protocols they put into place. But on the other hand, there is a rigidity in SEPA’s thinking about what constitutes proper church and ministry. It’s tacit motto might be “Be creative our way.” New leadership might spend more time listening to the ministry ideas of the people to whom responsibility is ultimately relegated — the laity.

Most laity never attend seminary. Many don’t know centuries of church tradition. But most are educated and eager to learn and willing to share. They bring real world skills to their ministries and are dedicated to seeing their congregations succeed. This is a prescription for innovative thinking which could benefit many in an atmosphere that fosters innovation. Fresh ideas will fail if congregations have a sense that they must conform to unknown outsiders’ expectations.

2. Don’t Overlook Simple Solutions

The people who live in a community know a great deal about their own ministry needs. But synod often turns first to outside “experts” who know nothing about the traditions and history of the neighborhoods and their ministries. They do thousands of dollars worth of demographic studies—money which could be saved by visiting the public schools (true neighborhood cross-sections), frequenting local businesses and talking to the people who live in the communities. Failure to see the obvious results in programs that are complex, founded on broad assumptions, require leadership many congregations cannot afford, and ignore the basics of reaching out person to person (or 2×2!). No wonder so many congregations are struggling!

The next bishop should be willing to embrace the fundamental mission of spreading the gospel. One idea we propose is very simple. Visit every congregation — smallest congregations first — with just one question. How can we help? Ask this question sincerely and listen to answers non-judgmentally and open the floodgate of passionate ideas for ministry.

3. Experiment

Try something new! Don’t set rigid requirements for congregations which invite failure. Don’t insist on duplicating success from a ministry model that may have worked under different circumstances and with different people. Give the people who live in the neighborhoods room to grow in ministry and guide the congregations’ success.

4. Be Bold

This advice sounds familiar. It isn’t new from Captain Jack Sparrow. It comes from our own forefather, Martin Luther. Faith often asks us to take risks. The Bible is filled with examples. Part of the reason many churches are failing is that they’ve been careful with their money and resources to the point that they’ve sacrificed mission. They could still work at mission, but they are afraid to use the resources under their feet. SEPA leadership encourages congregations to close rather than risk resources they see as enriching their own coffers. Congregations get by for a decade or so of decline, losing hope, spirit and momentum, afraid to take any risk, and praying for a cost-free miracle to revive their ministries.

SEPA needs leadership which is willing to allow congregations to use their resources — which includes their equity — for their ministries. New ministry means carefully risking failure and resources. New leadership should be willling to help congregations boldly use resources FOR MINISTRY in the neighborhoods that nurtured the resources for ministry in the first place.