August 1, 2013
Originally published July 31, 2013
Life is lived one day at a time; but some days feel more significant than others. Tomorrow is August 1, 2013. Tomorrow I become president of a Christ-honoring community of people whom I have benefited from and loved for a lifetime. Tomorrow feels like a very big day . . . a day for which God has been preparing me for a lifetime.
I’ve been asked a few times already, What does a denominational president do? My answer has been, Believe me! I’ve been asking the same question!
The opening line of my new ministry descriptionreads: The President is the spiritual leader and chief executive officer of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Pages of detail follow—all important and well-considered—but as I begin the new role, my thoughts keep being drawn to this initial sentence. This statement helps me begin to understand my assignment.
First, I’ve been given a title. I don’t really like titles. I wear this one as a high honor! However, you’ll have to forgive me if I wear it awkwardly at times. Like an obedient school boy wearing his first tie (his sister’s wedding perhaps?), I’ll keep it on as long as I’m required; but if you find me tugging on it once in a while, you’ll know why. My neck was made for t-shirts, not collars.
On the other hand, if I ever walk with a presidential swagger, may some good friend give me a swift kick in the, uh, back pockets.
Second, I’ve been given a priority. I believe that the wise fathers who have gone before me and drafted this document chose their word order with care. Spiritual leadership supersedes organizational leadership. Both are important. Both I will seek to do with excellence. Yet, one comes first. Before I lead an organization, I am to lead people. And, to be specific, I am to provide spiritual leadership. Obviously, it will only be by God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s filling that I’ll be able to do so.
Third, I am an officer—the chief officer, in fact. We’ve got work to do. We’ve got decisions to make, places to go, teams to build, and people to reach. Policies and budgets find their way into the conversations, probably too often. Values must be upheld and at times reconsidered. Communication must be clear, consistent, and accessible. Prayer and faith must infuse everything we do.
As CEO, I long to lead our beloved organization in a manner that is God-honoring, people-blessing, nimble, joyful, wise, fiscally sound, visionary, faith-filled, and holy. (I’m sure that list will grow in size as I discover all that is required of me.)
To lead in this manner I need vision. I believe vision—for a spiritual leader/godly CEO—is something to be received, not something to be created. I must first listen—to God, in private and in community. There will come a time soon, I pray, when I can speak clearly of the direction in which God is taking us. I look forward to the day when I’m released to take a strong vision casting role.
But first, I must wait.
And, I must learn the art of saying “no” graciously. For example, I’ve seen enough of corporate life to know that meetings tend to multiply like rabbits. Say “yes” to two and before you know it, you’ve got a dozen more to attend. In saying “no,” I know I’ll disappoint. (I already have!) Nevertheless, in saying “no,” I’m seeking to free myself to say “yes” to those efforts, ideas, and causes that I believe will truly change us. I must embody the above list—nimble, joyful, faith-filled, holy, etc.—if I’m to lead us in this manner.
Finally, I’m called to lead a specific ministry: The Christian and Missionary Alliance. I state the obvious as I say that it is a ministry of great significance spanning 125 years, dozens of nations, tens of thousands of churches, and millions of people. The C&MA has been a world mission leader in establishing self-governing churches, which means I will be president of the US C&MA, not the whole world. Other C&MA national churches have their own presidents—my peers. Meanwhile, our call has always been to the whole world, so I must lead us to the unreached places of our planet, starting with the new neighbor next door.
The words are powerful and formative for me: The President is the spiritual leader and chief executive officer of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Starting tomorrow, that assignment is mine. I’m blessed. I’m honored. I’m ready to begin. As awkward as the “tie” might feel, I believe that my whole life has led me to this very moment.
Seeking your prayer support,
John Stumbo
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me” (Romans 15:30).