Prophet and Loss

Being a mission-driven leader is hard. Being a mission-driven leader who knows how to navigate the emotions of loss and grief connected to leadership is harder still. It takes a vulnerable leader to lead well--one who has faced into their own losses and can let those losses equip their character for God's greater plans. Not all leaders are willing. Not all leaders are able. Yet according to David Woolverton leaders' vulnerability to the emotional processes of grief is essential for the overall health of the organizations they lead and for the well-being--and discipleship--of those under their direction. Grief he says is best viewed as a mosaic where each of our significant losses forms a constellation of tiles that when seen together over time helps tell a story of God's redemptive love grace and mission--a story desperately needed within today's post-pandemic angst. Using Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's five stages of grief (denial anger bargaining depression and acceptance) as a guide along with five biblical prophet mentors Woolverton presents five strategies to equip pastors and leaders in negotiating with their losses to attain organizational resilience sustainability and vibrancy.