COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP?

Suggestions for the basic content of a programme of induction training for clergy or lay church leaders beginning work in a context of collaborative ministry.

a) Training relating to the individual minister’s understanding of collaborative ministry:

·Understanding personal leadership styles
·Developing listening, consultation, facilitation and training skills
·Exploring a spirituality for collaborative ministry
·Working on self-awareness and realistic expectations
·Understanding the difference between delegation and collaboration

b) Training relating to the specific parochial context:

·Listening to the local church and community telling their story
·Seeking to grasp the history shaping the current vision
·Meeting and learning from key people in church and community
·Understanding how communication works locally
·Initial collaboration over the content of the induction service
·Developing a working agreement with provision for review
·Understanding the existing pattern of roles and structures for collaboration

c) Training in collaborative skills for the minister and group/team together:

·Personality type exercises e.g. Myers-Briggs, learning styles questionnaire etc
·Understanding group dynamics / team working
·Exploring mutual expectations and perceptions of roles
·Identifying gifts and skills and how they are changing
·Working on the vision and gaining ownership of it
·Developing a shared pattern of prayer
·Learning from other teams and groups

Material under a) could be undertaken over a period prior to the move; material under b) immediately before and soon after the move to the new post; material under c) over a longer period once in post.