I believe in being co-creators of shared ministry opportunities. I am equally comfortable leading from the front, from the side, or from behind. I have a strong voice and charismatic presence that allows me to bring people along on a journey of transformation and spiritual growth. I’m also happy to walk alongside as lay leaders design and implement ministry programs and connections for the congregation. If the congregation needs a push from seeing the minister fall in line and work behind the scenes, show up to do the dirty work, and enjoy the programming as a participant, I’m happy to jump in and do that, too! I feel strongly about lay voices being heard in worship early and often. I want lay leaders to take ownership of their accountability for doing kingdom work that advances the mission of the church and I want to them to hold me accountable for using my staff hours to lay some of the groundwork for successful ministry ideas. Because of my background in athletics, I often use a basketball metaphor to describe my teamwork mentality: I’ve spent time working as a point guard, distributing information and ideas to my teammates, setting them up so they can succeed, and letting them go to work on their own. I’ve also spent time as the glue-guy, setting screens and blocking out so that my teammates can try different things, even if they don’t all work out. I’ve also been the lead scorer, shooting whenever that was the best option and leaving it all on the court. Life imitates art, and I’m just happy to play a team sport.
As a junior in college, I organized and managed a religious summer day-camp for kids in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, supervising volunteers to provide programming to 40 children five days a week for 14 weeks. Adequate instruction of roles of tasks, scaffolding, and delegation of responsibilities was the only way an operation like could’ve worked. I went on to supervise a staff of 11 responsible for housing community development and management as a senior at William & Mary, overseeing the housing for more than 300 students.
I have a background in working with churches in a policy governance model, helping to create and craft mission statements, and translating our ministry into a relevant response to the 21st Century world in which we live. As a disciple of Susan Beaumont’s administrative teachings, I’m looking forward to implementing a combination of collaborative and lay-led efforts into that shared ministry space.
I’m comfortable and equipped to be a head of staff, supervising and coaching a paid church staff team. I would appreciate open communication and clarified expectations of our mutual accountability to furthering the mission of the congregation. With clear goals and outlines of responsibilities, we can work as a dedicated team to help the church accomplish the first steps on its journey.
Rev. McKinley L. Sims, M.Div. 