For the last 20 years that I’ve been around Kansas City, I’ve watched the activities of our community organizations and the changes they have gone through. In all these years, one thing that has remained constant is the need for good leadership of our groups and those who assist our community.
In the last two years, I’ve been involved at a deep level in some of those organizations. I recently was named the senior pastor of Spirit of Hope Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). I am also a board member of the Lesbian and Gay Community Center and the Lesbian Cancer Project, and an interested party with Show Me Pride.
I have found that there is always a need for more leaders and more resources. Our organizations make our community better as they seek to help us create connections to those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and our supportive straight friends. But it always seems like we have to spend a lot of time cultivating our connections to find people who can help lead our community organizations.
I’m grateful to have so many good things happening in Kansas City, and it often seems a good place to live and work. But we could have a great town with great supportive organizations whose dreams seem amazing to all of us. Aaron Sorkin, creator of The West Wing, is quoted as saying, “Decisions are made by those who show up.” Often that is especially true in our community organizations. We each can influence how great our community will be by deciding whether to participate.
In our church we are working hard to prepare Servant Leaders, those who lead with their hearts as well as with their abilities. We know that in order to have influence on our community, we need to have a team of people who are prepared to lead with love. And I believe that each group needs to help build up more leaders who are willing to spend their time and effort to serve organizations.
This is that month when we are supposed to pause and give thanks. It also makes a good time to reassess whether you or I should become a leader in organizations that are making our city even better.
Some of the greatest leaders of the LGBTQSA movement have been those willing to serve organizations that still impact our lives. Spirit of Hope MCC just celebrated its 37th year, and we know of many lives that have been touched by groups that grew out of our ministry or a passion of our members, such as the Good Samaritan Project and SAVE Inc.
Join me as together we step forward to lead our vital organizations.
