Conclusion: Addressing Anxiety

The more one sees how anxious responses imitate behaviors found in addictions, the greater the likelihood one can understand the often incomprehensible anxious responses seen in congregations. When leaders see that the real issue in the church is the anxiety that underlies the surface responses, they can begin to develop a more effective presence in the congregation.

Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee’s book Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence, mentioned earlier, offers remarkable insight for leadership. Applying insights offered by theories of emotional intelligence, Goleman et al. provide scientific support for the idea that organizations that encourage leadership styles that enable such things as flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity, risk-taking, and innovation are organizations that develop healthy anxiety management.

As leaders model a less anxious style of leadership, they will discover that the principle of biblical grace is the key theological tool for addressing congregational anxiety. As grace is proclaimed, God uses it to bring individuals—and eventually the whole congregational system—to recovery. As congregations are led to understand grace, God calls the entire congregational system to greater anxiety management.

Perhaps the ultimate test of the system’s ability to manage anxiety is to take a BHAG step of faith. Can you lead your congregation to that goal for the glory of God? Understanding the role of your own—and your congregation’s—anxiety is an important first step. Don’t be afraid to take it . . . today!