Calm Leadership in Anxious Times Tom Harris, IPM Executive Director Anxious times require calm leadership.

When your church or organization is upset, the leaders must remain calm and control their own uneasiness. If the leader and leaders, become overly worried or reactive, then the enemy has won and the organizations mission and ministry has been comprised. But, as the leaders are composed and courageous, the followers gain a greater sense of peace and restoration and growth can occur. In the nine churches that I have served, there have been many occasions for people to be upset, uncertain, angry or afraid. When I came to my recent church as Intentional Interim Pastor, the church had descended from 850 to 425 in 8 years. The Pastor of four years had just resigned to take a new church. The church was out of money. The church could not make payroll, so there was a sudden, abrupt firing of three office staff workers. Many congregants were angry and suspected gross mismanagement. Many felt the departing pastor had been mistreated, so needless to say, opinions were strong and emotions ran high. I knew, from day one, that I had to model composure and peace. I prayed to the Lord and asked for his strength. I determined to listen more than I spoke, not to form premature judgments and not to respond to anger with anger. The Bible says, A soft answer turns away wrath. The first step I took was to conduct 135 one on one interviews with present and past members and attendees. As people vented their emotions and opinions, it took much self awareness and grace from the Lord to remain calm and non-anxious. The church was unhealthy and it took the control of the Holy Spirit for me not to become upset, and to spread the flu of disease. Anxious times call for steady leadership. This takes self-awareness and confidence to manage relationships and influence behaviors. Anxious times hold not only the potential for loss but also for learning and changes that will strengthen the congregation. Knowing how to deal with anxiety and how to work through complex challenges can lead a congregation to new insights, growth, and vitality. So, if you are in an anxious organization, you will need to remain calm, maintain the course, withstand fury and display courage. Allow the Lord to control you. As you walk in the Spirit, God will carry you through the rough and confusing times and will bring you and your organization peace. In anxious times, call out to the Lord, respond thoughtfully and stay calm. Easier said than done, but with the Lord, you can do it.