Sean Mallett : My Leadership Pathway
My pursuit of ministry began with my grandfather’s influence as a pastor and the times I got to serve in Michigan at my home church and high school, where I was able to play acoustic, electric, and bass guitar, in addition to banjo and lead vocals. I also managed tech in college.
Leadership Pathway helped me with my next step after college by getting connected to where I now serve as a Production Resident at Waters Edge Church, a multi-site church in Yorktown, VA.
Residency has been a mix of fun, difficult, and impossible, but I feel that this is a true representation of what full-time ministry is. The most difficult thing for me has been having to navigate the tension of what I want to do and feel like I should be doing; it is a constant battle of setting aside my expectations and preferences for the greater purpose of the church.
When I began, I was trying to prove myself and show that I was capable and credible. What is important to me now is doing everything I can for the overall mission of the church, both local and universal. I have really enjoyed the ways that the church has let me explore recording and do their backing tracks. I also get to help administrate and oversee weekend services at one of the satellite campuses. Over the next year, I’d like to get some more training on some of the production equipment, so that I can better lead volunteers and be helpful as a resource when we happen to be in a pinch and need someone to fill in.
If you’re wondering if residency is for you, I’d recommend some things I’ve learned thus far:
Trust and respect are not given; they are earned over time.
You WILL experience failure, but don’t neglect to own your mistakes.
More than likely, you don’t know as much as you think you may know. I personally had to start from scratch when I began my residency, having to re-learn things like ProPresenter and Ableton, because the church does it differently than how I had used it previously.
There’s a huge contrast between being a volunteer and being a leader. More responsibility means that when those under you succeed, you also succeed, but when they mess up, it, too, is a reflection of your leadership and yourself, whether it’s your fault or not.
I’m Sean Mallett, and this is my leadership pathway.