Friday, February 1, 2008 at 1:01am
Spiritual leader on the streets
Column: Executive Soul
What does sleeping on the streets three nights a week have to do with spiritual leadership? Everything, when sleeping on the streets wins you an audience with your constituency.
Kurt Salierno, pastor of Church on the Street Atlanta, walks his talk. He lives to serve the homeless population, both in their physical needs and in their spiritual needs. Three nights every week, Kurt sleeps on the streets, away from his family, experiencing the same weather, the same dangers, the same harassments that the homeless population of Atlanta experience every night.
Church on the Street Atlanta doesn't have a building. It meets in a parking lot in the city. It focuses on meeting people where they are. Pastor Kurt emphasizes the difference between Church on the Street and soup kitchens in the neighborhood by pointing out how Church on the Street builds community and works with people rather than doing things for people. Everyone works together at Church on the Street to make the meals, to hand out the clothes and blankets. People can come to the church from the streets one Sunday and be serving the meals the next Sunday. "We're all church together," emphasizes Pastor Kurt, underscoring the fact that there is no "us" and "them" mentality in Church on the Street.
Church on the Street earns the right to be heard. In giving advice to others who want to start Church on the Street in other cities, Salierno urges would-be church planters to commit to at least a year in the neighborhood they choose. For the first four months, Salierno advises, "Get to know people. Pass out food and clothes and blankets. Build relationships. Leave the parking lot where you meet people cleaner than it was when you arrived." Only after spending the first four months earning the right to be heard does Salierno suggest that Church on the Street planters start playing music in the background as they continue meeting needs and building relationships. And only after eight months of spending time in the community every week should preaching and a church service be offered in the parking lot.
Church on the Street Atlanta, a holistic ministry based on authentic relationships, exists because Kurt Salierno walks his talk. His authenticity invites others to be authentic. As genuine relationships are built, the church grows, needs are met, and lives are transformed. Sleeping on the streets three nights a week wins Kurt Salierno his spurs and builds the foundation for relationships.
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Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations," works with leaders in business, healthcare, churches, government and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. © Copyright 2008 by Margaret Benefiel.
Kurt Salierno, pastor of Church on the Street Atlanta, walks his talk. He lives to serve the homeless population, both in their physical needs and in their spiritual needs. Three nights every week, Kurt sleeps on the streets, away from his family, experiencing the same weather, the same dangers, the same harassments that the homeless population of Atlanta experience every night.
Church on the Street Atlanta doesn't have a building. It meets in a parking lot in the city. It focuses on meeting people where they are. Pastor Kurt emphasizes the difference between Church on the Street and soup kitchens in the neighborhood by pointing out how Church on the Street builds community and works with people rather than doing things for people. Everyone works together at Church on the Street to make the meals, to hand out the clothes and blankets. People can come to the church from the streets one Sunday and be serving the meals the next Sunday. "We're all church together," emphasizes Pastor Kurt, underscoring the fact that there is no "us" and "them" mentality in Church on the Street.
Church on the Street earns the right to be heard. In giving advice to others who want to start Church on the Street in other cities, Salierno urges would-be church planters to commit to at least a year in the neighborhood they choose. For the first four months, Salierno advises, "Get to know people. Pass out food and clothes and blankets. Build relationships. Leave the parking lot where you meet people cleaner than it was when you arrived." Only after spending the first four months earning the right to be heard does Salierno suggest that Church on the Street planters start playing music in the background as they continue meeting needs and building relationships. And only after eight months of spending time in the community every week should preaching and a church service be offered in the parking lot.
Church on the Street Atlanta, a holistic ministry based on authentic relationships, exists because Kurt Salierno walks his talk. His authenticity invites others to be authentic. As genuine relationships are built, the church grows, needs are met, and lives are transformed. Sleeping on the streets three nights a week wins Kurt Salierno his spurs and builds the foundation for relationships.
— — —
Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations," works with leaders in business, healthcare, churches, government and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. © Copyright 2008 by Margaret Benefiel.