Leader as… Biodigester?

So, I spent my Saturday (4/16) morning and part of the afternoon observing a team of engineering students construct what is called an anaerobic biodigester. Weird, I know. I recently earned an undergraduate degree in Biology so I am a little familiar with the concept, but watching the art of engineering take place before my eyes was a completely new experience. According to the ever-so-scholarly website, Wikipedia

“Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen, used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste and/or to release energy.” I chose to observe Robbie and the small team of students build this in his backyard because in addition to sounding very fascinating, it also appeared to be something un-relatable to ministry, namely work among at-risk youth. There was a large, old pickle container (although a rain barrel would do fine) that was to become the biodigester. Using a variety of components such as PVC pipes, O-rings, ½ “ valves and ¼ “ adapters, this rudimentary schematic became a reality.

I learned that you have to be very precise with measurements in order to ensure air-tight fitting. Teflon tape came in handy with this. The reason is in the name – anaerobic – meaning “without oxygen.” Once that comes in, it compromises the whole process. The biodigester has three main components – the feed, the liquid outlet and the gas outlet. The feed is where waste gets dumped in (oils, fats, meats, other non-compostable materials). Robbie said that cat and dog poop would be their main initial waste sources. The liquid outlet is where liquid waste and bi-products would be allowed to exit from the container, and the gas outlet is essential in collecting the desired methane gas into another container, connected for that sole purpose. There is also an additional aspect that is not labeled because this design does not include a specific mechanism. It is the role of solid waste disposal, and here it would entail physically emptying the container by hand (nasty but necessary!) I took copious notes and could go into a lot of very geeky detail about the method and theory behind this, but the most important part of this assignment (and my favorite because it allows me to creatively think) is describing how this exercise – this highly scientific practice – could be juxtaposed with what we are learning about spiritual leadership.

I have decided to assign each component of the biodigester a spiritual counterpart. The feed and the gas outlet signify the dual roles of Christ-centered leadership. Good leaders understand their position as “the pipes” in this micro-world of biodigestion. I like to think of their first role (represented by the feed) as basically leading people’s crap to Jesus. They understand that people have waste, baggage, sin, and brokenness that need not be dumped into a landfill of denial or temporary fix. There is in fact a spiritual process available to break apart our filth and transform it into something completely different, new, valuable and truly alive. Good leaders are able to see that the poo and rotting garbage which covers a person can actually be spiritually digested and redeemed. For the youth ministry context, that may mean a troubled kid who acts out or shows some outward sign of being beyond hope of change. However, leaders know that there is hope and a way to see the impossible happen; for that smelly darkness inside each of us to be undone and remade by the loving hands of Jesus. In this digester model He is the sludge, the great decomposing and transforming powerhouse, as it were.

The sludge is a quintessential feature of the biodigester, without it there would be no activity at all. I was informed that the right makeup of this sludge is crucial. They are to be anaerobes, specifically methanogens, that both kill pathogens and break down the waste into useful materials like methane. It really is quite amazing how these superbugs are designed and how they can be constructively employed as agents of remarkable conversion. Jesus is our ultimate converter, when we yield our gross condition to Him to be miraculously changed for His glory. It is not a quick or simple process. It can be very messy and mysterious, as we do not have the ability to see this microbial activity at work. But we trust that it is happening, much like we trust that Jesus’ invisible power is having effect on the lives of those we lead into the feeding tube toward Him…

The liquid outlet and unseen solid waste disposer remind me of the role that the Holy Spirit plays in the lives of believers. These rid the biodigester of the bi-products created after the decomposition of the waste. It is necessary to have a regular cleaning out of the machine in order to ensure adequate and optimal functioning. As leaders, we must allow the Spirit to do its work in us, regularly opening the outlet to release the grime that has built up in us over time. As people who are being sanctified by the Spirit, we are better enabled to lead with integrity, mercy, vulnerability, transparency  and humility.

The last element (alluded to above), the gas outlet, represents the second important role of a spiritual leader. Anaerobic digestion involves waste entering through the feed, mixing with the powerful bacteria contained within the liquid sludge, breakdown of that waste by those essential methanogens and by-product waste being produced in the process. But something central to all of this is missing, the reason for doing it in the first place has been saved for last. There is a reward and desired end that results from this complex process – a biogas, composed of methane and carbon dioxide. Among other things, this can be used directly as cooking fuel or lighting in gas lamps. A good leader is someone whose life and leadership has borne fruit in the world. If the waste represents a person who has yet to experience the incredible life-altering power and love of Jesus, then the biogas is this unbelievable fruit of transformation and testimony. Jesus has changed their “crap” literally into the warmth and light of the world much like this seemingly unrelated biodigester has done to the crap thrown into it. We as leaders get the privilege to encourage people to enter this process and then joyfully witness what happens as a result from the amazing God who ultimately has his hand over it all.