I usually identify with baseball managers. They get paid less than the people they lead, and work in an environment in which they have to answer to not only the clamoring crowd but also to a few irascible patriarchs and matriarchs (yes, "matriarchs"--remember Marge Schott!). The pastor's job is to lead a group of people who think they know better than the leader what they should be doing in their organization, and in fact the church members should be following their own gifts and passions and setting the tone in the sanctuary (like the clubhouse). And sometimes, the call and passion of the pastor diverges in subtle or significant ways from the crowd and those that have greatest influence, and sometimes it's good to know when it's wise walk away from the job.
Joe Torre stayed longer than anybody except maybe Casey and won lots of ball games and filled the stands and was a good partner with the other management folks and the players to make all that happen. But when that wasn't good enough, he was wise enough to not buckle under a change of covenant or changed expectations to "keep the peace." He walked away. My guess is he'll be OK. The Yankees will be OK, too. And baseball will keep on keepin' on.
What are your thoughts about pastoral leadership during this World Series?
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