Devon DickLAST WEDNESDAY night, Lt. John McFarlane, used the occasion of the golden anniversary of the Source of Light in Jamaica not only to highlight the achievement of Source of Light and its first local Executive Director, George Webster, but also to announce that they are seeking a competent and Christian-driven person to take the baton from George Webster.
This has been one of the characteristics of the Source of Light organisation in knowing when to pass on the baton. A young looking 83-year-old Charles Gilmore, American co-founder of Source of Light in Jamaica, said that he was pleased to have handed over Source of Light to nationals and the organisation believes that when there are capable locals then that should happen. One could detect at the banquet held at the Jamaica Pegasus that Gilmore was pleased with the progress that the para-church organisation has made under George Webster. The organisation, which came out of a desire to encourage persons who made a commitment to Jesus the Christ to be discipled, is now a major Christian bookstore organisation with three outlets on the island. It is also part of a wider organisation that has correspondence courses in 90 countries.
There have been denominations that have made the policy decision to pass on the batons to locals with great success. This was started by the Baptists, which became localised in 1842, under the leadership of Englishmen, William Knibb, O.M., and Thomas Burchell. They declared independence from the British Missionary Society 120 years before Jamaica declared independence from Britain. This bold decision freed the mission from referring all decisions to London. This trend continued with the Moravian Church becoming localised in 1909, the Anglican Church in 1957 when the denomination changed its name from Church of England in Jamaica to the Church in Jamaica and the Methodists became autonomous in the Caribbean in 1967.
The Vatican II ruling no longer favoured foreigners holding ecclesiastical offices when there are available nationals for such offices and the first beneficiary of that edict was Samuel Carter who became the first Jamaican bishop of the diocese of Kingston in 1966 and in 1971 became the first native Archbishop of Kingston. These denominations and others have relied on local leadership and there has been tremendous growth in membership under local leadership.
In the race of life persons ought to know when to pass the baton to others for leadership renewal. Unfortunately, according to the late Howard Jackson, giving his maiden charge as principal of Mannings High School, people do not give up leadership/power, it has to be taken from them or through serious illness or death. Sadly, there is much truth in that observation. The September 2002 issue of Leadership,
a practical journal for Church Leaders, gives eight indicators when to leave. In fact, a pastor should annually wrestle with the decision of when to leave. Some of the pointers include pastor and people incompatibility, fatigue, stagnancy, family being harmed by the congregation and the age factor. Implicit in that decision is when to retire.
The upcoming General Election should look at the issue of term limits and when to retire. The NDM is for term limits and also Mike Henry of the JLP. Three term limits of five years each and a retirement age should be placed on leadership whether as Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament. There is an anomaly when our legislators pass laws of retirement age for civil servants and there is none for themselves. The same retirement age for civil servants should apply to legislators unless it is felt that the work of being a legislator is easier than being a civil servant.
The idea for three-term limits is that after 15 years one should take a break for rest, reflection and renewal. It can also provide an opportunity to pursue other goals or change careers. It would also force the organisation to be exposed to new leadership and ideas. Some of the persons and ideas will be good while others will be bad. After a break then persons can return for another stint but no one should ignore a sabbatical. This term limit would apply to pastors, CEOs, Presidents and workers. In fact, the model of teachers going on long leave should apply to all at least every fifteen years. Didn't Jesus accomplish his mission in three years of public ministry after a 30-year preparation? Too many workers are not producing at optimum because they are suffering from fatigue and they lack direction at the workplace.
Another benefit for periodic long leave is that it prepares persons for retirement. They can now appreciate themselves apart from work and realise that they are special and worthy outside of the utility value of the work world.
Passing the baton is important for rest, reflection and renewal.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
