Leadership Qualities
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles seeks a new generation of lay and ordained leaders committed to meeting the challenges of the 21st century and seeing new opportunities to live and teach Christ’s way of love.
The vision for each congregation is that it becomes a “mission-shaped” community dedicated to proclamation, discipleship, and servanthood in its surrounding neighborhood and in the larger world. We ask God to raise leaders that will nurture congregations to invite, form, send, and serve. They will be called to equip and support the baptized in ministries of compassion, justice, and witness in the world.
Whatever their style of leadership, these leaders must be centered in Christ and able to bring a community to life in Christ. In a culture where many people do not understand what it means to be Christian, they must live as witnesses to the Gospel.
Leaders have many and varied gifts for service. The Diocese and the Commission on Ministry look for certain qualities of character, such as leaders who:
- Possess a sense of inner authority that finds its center in God and comes from a prayerful, vital relationship with God.
- Can articulate the gospel of God revealed in Jesus Christ clearly and passionately to all kinds of people.
- Are gifted at building up the Body of Christ.
- Are flexible self-starters willing to take risks for the sake of the Gospel.
- Possess a spirit of warmth and hospitality that invites people into community.
- Are emotionally mature and self-aware.
- Work toward understanding and healing in times of conflict.
- Are able to work with integrity, authenticity, and creativity in uncertainty.
- In addition to their native language, can lead a service and converse pastorally in a language that is used liturgically in this diocese.
- Are comfortable in a multi-cultural and diverse community.
- Are loyal to the Episcopal Church, seek to collaborate with our ecumenical partners, and are willing to engage in honest, critical reflection.
- Communicate and revive hope.