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During a community celebration attended
by more than 150 people of Grace, Josiah Bancroft was installed
as co-pastor.
Following a time of singing and praise, Dave Desforge, pointing
to small table on stage, said: "It looks like we have a new
cup. I'll have to say I'm kind of jealous; it's much cooler than
my red one."
Overlooking the coffee mug envy, the night's celebration was focused
on leadership based on humility.
"This is like no other installation service Josiah or I have
ever been to. In a way, it's also an installation for me because
my role will change." With Josiah now serving as co-pastor
and co-leader, Grace is finally able to develop a model of leadership
originally envisioned when the church started.
"We are going to try to do church a little bit different than
the model of the senior pastor," Dave said. He emphasized the
tremendous temptation to ego pastors face leading alone. "What
happens when you take a person and raise him on a platform, put
lights on him, amplify his voice, give him a sacred text ... and
then ask him to be humble?"
Drawing on God's vision for the cosmos, church, and marriage from
the book of Ephesians, Dave said he hoped the relational leadership
of the two will model unity in the context of diversity, community
in the context of two individuals, and humility in the context of
conflicting egos. "Being like Jesus," Dave said, "is
a life of humility and provides the antonym for ego."
While hopeful of establishing "unity through community through
humility" he also believes co-leadership is not without risk.
The ego is a powerful force and the alternative of co-leadership
as an alternative to the senior pastor model is largely untested.
"We desperately need your prayers."
After Josiah took his vows of leadership, he kneeled as the elders
laid hands and prayed for him and the church. As Dave and Josiah
embraced, the people stood on their feet and applauded.
Also taking part in the ceremony was Chris Curry, who worked with
Josiah for four years in Ireland and is now a member of Grace. Presenting
the charge of leadership was Gus Schill, pastor of Grace Biltmore.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the Grace Cafe.
"I get the best job of the evening," Josiah said. "Blessing
the food."
The story behind the calling of the
Bancrofts from Ireland to Grace.
Slideshow of the installation
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