INTERVIEW OF A RESPECTED CHURCH LEADER

Person: Kevin Lucas Shull
Position: Music Assistant
Church: University Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas
Date: March 13, 1995 (interview arranged March 9, 1995)
Time: 1:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.

INTRODUCTION:

The interview with Kevin Shull was chosen for many reasons. I have learned from classroom discussion that all of the staff needs to work together in a ministry team. However, in the real world the higher the paid position usually denotes more authority and power. I wanted to discover how those on the "bottom of the totem pole" viewed the ministry and their position in the ministry team. Moreover, I have been able to develop a close friendship with Kevin and this interview allowed me to see another side of which I was not fully aware. Overall, the interview allowed me to see how the information discussed in the classroom is fully applied in the ministry of the Church.

QUESTIONS INCLUDED IN THE INTERVIEW:

I. "What is your background and training?"

Kevin was raised in a strong musical family. His mother is an organist and handbell teacher. His father is a choir director in the Episcopal Church. Kevin's training in music began in secular interests for since he was a child he wanted to be a band director. The majority of his musical training occurred at Kansas State University and Kansas University. In 1987 he was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Kansas University. While he was in college, Kevin began directing youth and bell choirs in the Methodist Church. From the age of twenty Kevin began directing choirs in church even though he had no particular focus for the ministry. In 1987 God began to move in Kevin's life and lead him into the music ministry. In 1991 the calling of God took a unique and refreshing turn as Kevin came to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and began to pursue a M.Div. with Church Music and a Master of Music degree.

II. "What personal experiences helped to mold your approach to leadership?"

Kevin felt strongly that every experience in some way molded his approach to ministry. The influence of his father seemed to have the greatest impact on his leadership style. Kevin seeks to employ the use of small groups wherever possible. The personalities which influence him are diverse ranging from biblical characters to television personalities. The influences upon his leadership style are still growing and changing as he learns and is discipled by Joel Mikel, Music Minister of University Baptist Church, and Dr. Bruce Leafblad, Professor of Church Music at Southwestern.

III. "What is your philosophy of leadership?"

Kevin described his philosophy of leadership as servant leadership but qualified it as active rather than passive. He considered this to be the biblical model of Christlikeness. Each situation that Kevin encounters causes him to seek what the response of Jesus would have been. Because he is so action based, Kevin considered himself to be a "commander" type personality. However, after some reflection, he decided that he was more of an entrepreneur. Kevin is strong willed and opinionated; yet, he is concerned about the opinions of others and easy going.

IV. "How has your understanding of Christian ministry changed across the years, and why?"

Kevin said that he is hopefully waiting and trying to understand what direction to take in leadership. He tries to learn from his mistakes but sometimes his ego gets in the way. He is convinced that it is God who is working and leading but self often times gets in the way.

V. "How do you prioritize time in scheduling activities?"

Kevin feels that he is doing too much now and describes his life as one giant juggling act. The majority of his struggle in ministry involves the budgeting of time. He attempts to remain faithful to relationships over and above specific events or requirements. Kevin struggles to continually seek God in all things. Second, he remembers the importance of his wife and daughter. Third, Kevin makes an effort to spend quality time with close friends. Fourth, he spends time working at the office and at the school. Fifth, Kevin gives time to his ministry groups in the church. Overall, Kevin finds a way to keep the main thing . . . the main thing!

VI. "How do you care for personal needs and for those of your family?"

Kevin is very willing to leave school and work for necessary personal time and family time. In light of constant wear and tear, he makes time to just relax occasionally. Kevin has made it a priority to meet this need because of some past mistakes. He seeks to "de-compartmentalize" his life and allow all the aspects of his life to influence the others.

VII. "If you were to change leadership style at this time, what changes would be made?"

Kevin desires to remain situational based in leadership style. However, he desires to be more assertive in more areas and more bending in others. He wants to be able to step back and let others lead. Kevin has a desire to make disciples and then be able to let them be able to lead. Finally, he wishes that his actual leadership style was more identifiable with his particular philosophy of leadership -- Christlikeness.

VIII. "How do you meet personal spiritual needs?"

Kevin answered this question by listing several activities: prayer, time with God, meditation, thinking on the word of God, listening to God, contemplation, making time for no activities, reading the word of God, talking with wife and friends about spiritual matters, continually reading books about God and spiritual matters, and remaining active in the Body of Christ.

IX. "What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses of your leadership functioning?"

Kevin did not fully understand the question, but was able to discern the strengths and weaknesses of his leadership style. He saw as his strengths: able to command, willing to take a risk, idealistic, willing to voice opinion, strong opinions, and willing to make a change in tradition. His weaknesses seemed to be his strengths taken to an extreme: overly commanding sometimes, often tries to impose desires on others, wants to lead but not in the position, and forgets that tradition is important to many people.

X. "What are your views concerning relationships and leadership of a church staff?"

Kevin contends that the staff must be intimately related to each other in Christ. He feels that the ultimate authority is God; therefore, all submission to authority must be voluntary. Authority must be given and the person leading must prove oneself worthy of such authority. Kevin feels strongly that the pastor should lead the church staff with the other staff yielding voluntary authority for leadership needs. Ultimately, Kevin contends that all in church should submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

XI. "What are your views about authority and power in the church?"

Kevin responded to this question by mentioning the biblical models of marriage and freedom. He believes that all authority and power in the church belongs to God. The Church then receives its power and authority in ministry from God. The church then gives some power and authority to the pastor and/or staff, depending upon each individual church and circumstances. Instead of employing a triangular model, Kevin used the biblical model of a body in which ministry is a matter of function rather than office.

XII. "What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment in leadership and your greatest blunder?"

Kevin mentioned as his accomplishments: being involved in friendship which resulted in the friend entering the ministry because of his ministry leadership and leading others in unity and love in his ministry groups. Kevin listed as his blunders: leading blindly because he was unprepared and unwise, tried to go emotionally and spiritually where he was not prepared, did not follow where God had prepared, and leading others away from unity and love and possibly even Christ because sinful pride.

INSIGHTS GAINED:

From this interview, I received insight into real the world of Christian ministry. The Church body and the staff that guides must be united to each other in Christ. The resultant character will then include faithfulness, hopefulness, and loving-kindness, all of which are included in the biblical model of fellowship and unity.

Though the circumstances differ from church to church, the staff must be submissive to one another while at the same time follow the leadership of the pastor who leads by the authority of the church which was granted by God. The resultant team spirit will then develop mutual respect, trust, mutual support, open communication, and forgiveness. Kevin Shull has reminded me that ministry is not a matter of style; ministry is a matter of being redemptive and acting redemptively.