God calls us to balance empathy with actionable steps
Shane Aldendorff / Unsplash |
The art of problem solving
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We’ve all been there. During a meeting, a problem works its way onto the agenda. Someone asks, “What are we going to do about this?” Fill in the blank with whatever “this” might be in your context. “This” is obviously something that’s perceived to be a problem. It might be the scarcity of parking, or the need for volunteers in the children’s ministry. It might be complaints about the music or a gap between income and expenses. As much as we’d prefer to avoid problems, they are an unavoidable part of the human condition. While problems do affect all of us, it's a mistake to think that all problems are the same. Some problems have very significant consequences. Other problems have only minor outcomes. Leaders must discern what kind of problem they are dealing with. Is the problem going to lead to one bad day, a few bad weeks? Or will it lead to an existential crisis for the church? When you know the nature of the problem, you can think more clearly about how best to approach it. How have you honed your problem-solving skills over the years? Leadership professor Peter Northouse recommends that leaders considering solutions to organizational problems need to develop critical skills. They need to know how much time they have to create and implement solutions and how to understand external factors that might influence the solution they seek. Faithful leaders also recognize that some problems do not have easy solutions. Doing simple calculations or tapping into existing knowledge is not enough. You’ll need to collaborate with others, name difficult truths, challenge assumptions and focus on the big picture. The good news is that when you do the work and move forward with hope, it’s very likely you will see God doing a new thing on the other side of these tough problems. |
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| Christian witness to hope can take patience and faithfulness, particularly during in-between times, writes a director of programs and grants for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity. |
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| Using the principles of design thinking can push Christian leaders to listen more closely to their surrounding communities and be more creative in addressing their needs, says the co-founder of Marion Design Co. |
Interview with Wendy Puffer |
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| Disruption can be a good thing when it leads to needed change. But it’s hard. Here are the five stages of a healthy pivot when the structures you’ve built no longer work, writes the co-founder of RootedGood. |
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| In a time of intense polarization, both inside and outside the church, Christians are called not to run from conflict but to engage it, drawing upon ancient practices of the faith, says the president of The Colossian Forum. |
Interview with Michael Gulker |
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So much of what we find in the New Testament epistles and pastoral letters is about problem-solving in those early church communities. In the context of pastoral and ministry leadership, solving problems requires a blend of spiritual discernment and practical wisdom. Effective problem-solving starts with prayerful reflection and seeking guidance from Scripture, ensuring that solutions have theological integrity and align with God's mission. It’s important to engage stakeholders by listening to their needs, understanding their perspectives and promoting open dialogue to uncover underlying issues. God calls us to balance empathy with actionable steps, and to be willing to adapt strategies as situations evolve. If we do these things, even though we will not avoid problems, we will be well on our way to navigating challenges with more grace and effectiveness. You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading! |
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| Editor Alban at Duke Divinity |
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