{neurotribe.net}: ::Rants-Leadership in Incarnational Missional Community

::Rants-Leadership in Incarnational Missional Community

This post is a response to a comment left on this post. You might want to check it out in the context of the other comments. I thought it was a good enough rant to warrant posting in it's own right. Thanks to Bec for the ever thoughtful comments that act as a foil. You have helped me many times in refining my theology and praxis!

It is problematic Bec, which is why you have to, and I believe we are, in the process of redefining leadership in the same way that we have (and will need to continue to) redefine the word "church".

When I say "church", I mean a group of people called out from the crowd to articulate an alternative vision of what the world could be like, and I continue to restate this until the word has new meaning.

It is the same as leadership except that this is more recent for me. I know what leadership is not. In terms of the exercise of power, it is not dictating to others what they have to do, particularly in reference to my realising my dreams for an organisation through others. Nor is it a provision of services.

Leadership currently has strong overtones of both of these definitions.

I think leadership does exist. People are always leading in different ways. Whilst I can't define it, I find Aesop's fable regarding the North wind and the sun the most helpful metaphor for leadership.

I think that biblical leadership is not like the North wind that blusters and tried to blow the jacket of the person walking through the village. I reckon it is more like the sun, that shines, and when people feel the warmth, they of their own volition, take their jacket off.

Leadership is about creating an environment where people feel the courage to change and to dream. Leadership is also about helping people move from intent, to action as well.

I think it also needs to be named.

However, it will always be problematic, as whenever a leader rises, as well as the dysfunctions of the leader, there is the dysfunction of the community that wants to be led in ways that are not healthy, which is what the story about Israel wanting a king instead of God is all about.

However, I have always maintained that a healthy response to something is not the absence of that thing, but the redemption of that thing. So the goal is as redeemed a leadership as is humanly possible, this side of the total realisation of the kingdom.

Labels: Church, Leadership, Mission, Theology

Posted by Stephen @ 4:43 PM

Comments:

Steve,

I got shivers. :) Something about that post sounds/feels a little prophetic.

Nice post. For once I can't think of anything else to say!!

# posted by

Rebecca : 5:59 PM

Aw common! Which bit(s)? And why? Don't leave us hanging!

# posted by

Stephen : 9:16 PM

:LOL:

Well, not the bit about "ever thoughtful comments"!!!

The bit about knowing what leadership is not really resonated for me. I definitely know what leadership is not, and why I have problems with hierarchies, but I have a harder time articulating what leadership is and how it can be a good thing.

However, I think leadership and hierarchies are inevitable, and are not inherently bad...

I love the wind metaphor (though it also made me think of bushfires!!), and it's some of your most eloquent writing yet. :) I like the definition of leadership as that which creates an environment in which dreams can flourish and take form. I also couldn't agree more as far as dysfunction goes - leaders have flaws, but so too do the communities they lead. One of the flaws I think is particularly widespread in the church is the need for a leader - a messiah! - other than Christ. We expect far too much of our leaders, we talk about "the need for good teaching", and we talk far less about journeying together, and so often we are incapable of loving our leaders IN SPITE OF their flaws - instead we pretend those flaws don't exist, or we are unable to love those that have them.

Love the last sentence.

I'm sure my response is now almost as long as your post...!!!

# posted by

Rebecca : 12:17 PM

Not sure that the scriptures speak of leadership as a generic all encompassing role.

Instead it uses metaphors or very specific terms to describe functions in amongst the people...

--shepherds of sheep evokes all sorts of pastoral images

-- prophets who stand to the side and speak forth

-- teachers, rabbi's who can expound the torah

-- elders, literally the 'greybeards, who are the old story tellers, the keepers of the myths and rituals of the tribe

-- deacons, -- literally servants who creatively ensure justice,

-- apostles, who take the message to new contexts and pioneer new commnuity out of their experience of Jesus (very different to the power-apostles of today!)

.. and so on. Its a dance, an interplay of varying roles and gifts which grows the family.

And the 'head' role model goes off and gets himself shamefully executed! And Paul the super entrepreuner ends up in jail... I'm sure these "losers" would struggle making the podium at any leadership conference worth it's salt today!!!

I wonder what

# posted by