I've spent an incredible amount of time helping to nurture communities, both in real life and in digital spaces. Over the years, one truth has consistently emerged - each and every community benefits immensely from the presence of what I like to call a 'spiritual minister'.
The spiritual minister is more than just a figurehead; they are the moral compass of the community, guiding and steering its course in line with its established values. It's their responsibility to keep the community's ethos in check, ensuring that all decisions made align ethically and morally with what the community stands for.
What I've found is that wearing too many hats can often lead to a conflict of roles. It's challenging to be the spiritual guardian while also being the executive, the one making the daily operational decisions. For instance, when I think back, the spiritual minister in our Zuzalu community was initially Vitalik Buterin, while the operations were managed by people like Janine. The roles were distinct, yet interconnected.
A spiritual minister doesn't need to be an expert operator. Their duty isn't about the daily grind of running the show. It's about something much deeper: understanding and sensing the emotional current of the community and ensuring it's moving in the right direction. They should possess the authority to call out any deviation, any shift that threatens the community's trajectory.
Think of them as the 'soul-keeper'. They keep an eye on the collective spirit of the community, determining if new members would be a good fit, if they would nurture or challenge the community's soul. Part of their role should also involve recruitment because they are uniquely positioned to judge if potential members reflect the community's ethos.
When a community lacks a spiritual minister, it risks becoming just another workplace. And that's not what a community should be. A community isn't just a place to retreat from work; it's a place to find reprieve from the pressures and stress of labor.
A spiritual minister helps create a spiritual oasis within the community. Their gift is not just their deep connection with the community's spirit but also their unwavering commitment to their role. So, yes, from my perspective, it's pretty clear: every community, indeed, needs a spiritual minister.