Weasel Wranger!

Earlier this week I attended a program led by my friend and Divinity School-era classmate Larry Peers, who edited the UUA Congregational Handbook when he worked at 25 Beacon Street, and is now a full-time consultant for the prestigious Alban Institute. Larry is one of the smartest guys I know, and superb at what he does; every time I hear him speak I learn something new and thought provoking, and I’ve never been disappointed.

This time the theme of Larry’s workshop was “Juggling Roles as Leader, Minister, Supervisor, Human...and Miracle Worker.” One of the exercises was to brainstorm a list of the various roles clergy play in the performance of their duties. Here’s the list I came up with (some of them metaphorical), with a little help from peaking at the papers of the other ministers sitting around me.

Preacher, Teacher, Pastor, Leader, Writer, Performer, Caregiver, Coach, Student, Scholar, Historian, Storyteller, Advocate, Mentor, Mediator, Negotiator, Entrepreneur, Peacemaker, Prophet, Priest, Rabbi, Chaplain, Sage, Mystic, Poet, Pilgrim, Spiritual Seeker, Spiritual Guide, Visionary, Organizer, Manager, Long Range Planner, Professional Expert, Organizational Consultant, Institutional Memory, Personal Companion, Partner, Parent, Trusted Friend, Philosophical Gadfly, Administrator, “Boss,” Strategist, Facilitator, Fundraiser, Expeditor, Supervisor, Servant, Shepherd, "Sheep Dog," Master & Commander, Major Idiot, Skipper, Experimenter, Analyst, Observer, Pundit, Critic, Counselor, Motivator, Devil’s Advocate, Wise Fool, Court Jester, Plucky Comic Relief, Medic, Personal Trainer, Baby Sitter, Dog Walker, Cat Herder, Snake Charmer, Duck Aligner, Weasel Wrangler, Chef, Gardener, Fisherman, Firefighter, Dishwasher, Custodian, Repairman, Jack-of-all-Trades, Quarterback, Point Guard, Relief Pitcher, Cheerleader, Pinch Hitter, Lead-off Hitter, Clean-up Hitter, Catcher, Center Fielder, Utility Infielder, Free Safety, Placekicker, Punt Returner, Bench Warmer, Water Boy, Umpire, Groundskeeper... and, of course, Juggler and Miracle Worker (which Larry gave us right in the title of the workshop).

Larry encouraged us to think of these various roles as a “team of players” which we can call upon as needed in order to help us do our jobs. Of course, as coach and general manager of this motley team, my first question was: How am I going to find enough playing time for everybody on my roster? Who do I put in the starting line-up, and who do I leave on the sidelines? Who is first out of the bullpen; who’s missing from my team entirely; and who do I need to trade, waive, send down to the minors for more experience, or cut outright? I don’t really have answers to these questions. But Larry certainly did provide an intriguingly different perspective on this complex and fascinating vocation.

Of course, this exercise isn’t restricted to ministers only. No matter what you do for a living, what kind of roles do you play in your life, and what kind of players do you need on your team in order to take yourself to the next level? Be creative; think outside the box. You may discover you have a lot deeper bench than you think.