1999
Darrel D. Proffitt
It is No Small Pity When We Fail to Understand Ourselves: Seeking Excellence in Congregational Life
The following thesis is based on my experience as rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Sterling, Illinois. I became rector on September 1, 1993 and left that position on January 16, 1999. During my tenure as rector, I helped introduce a music program that, in my opinion, significantly improved the worship at Grace. Throughout the course of the introduction and incorporation of the new program, several key leaders of the congregation left. The conflict that led to the departures was downplayed by some in the leadership. The music programs’ success became my priority. Conflict is an important theme in the history of Grace Church. While some aspects of the conflict over the music program were similar, there were significant differences. These differences had an impact on the culture of Grace Church. What originally was seen as an improvement in the quality of music and worship, became a way to fulfill the needs of some in the leadership. This discovery was made only after careful and thoughtful reflection on the impact that the change had on all members of the congregation. Introducing change without such reflection may lead to similar mistakes. The results of this study led to the conclusion that in order to provide effective leadership in a congregation, the leadership must be clear about their needs and the needs of the congregation.