Each week, it appears there’s one other non secular chief revealed to have a hidden shadow lifetime of immorality, a ruthless method to energy and management, or a narcissistic character. Is it simply that social media is affording extra consciousness for what has at all times been a rampant downside? Is it {that a} non secular chief’s failings are of extra curiosity to the press? There may be, in any case, an previous line in journalism that claims, “Canine bites man” shouldn’t be information, however “Man bites canine” is. An individual with out religion having ethical flaws shouldn’t be information; an individual of ethical religion having flaws is.
However I sense that one thing else is afoot that’s not being thought of, and it has to do with the motivations for getting into into management roles. Or maybe, extra to the purpose, the motivation for pursuing one. Three motivations, to my pondering, are fatally flawed and can, in the long run… not finish nicely.
The primary motivation is ambition. This particular person enters right into a management position as a result of they need private fame or fortune. In the event that they weren’t on the “stage” of a church, they might be in search of another stage. The objective is notoriety, recognition—they crave the gang, the conferences, the books and the interviews. Their management is extra efficiency than ardour. In reality, nonetheless, it’s not even management in any respect. It’s the usage of a corporation and well-meaning folks for private status. A way of entitlement, of being “above the legislation,” units in. An embrace of immorality usually follows or, on the very least, selfish habits and greed. In virtually each case, ambition as a motivation results in narcissistic habits and a personality-centered church.
A second motivation is ideology. That is extra delicate however turning into more and more frequent. The particular person in pursuit of management likens themselves to a stealth warrior going behind enemy strains. The objective is to say a particular theological agenda to such a level that it turns into much less theology and extra ideology. They belong to a really particular theological tribe, and the objective is to see that tribe divide and conquer. Management is first conquest after which management. The true objective of theology is, in fact, to extra deeply know and perceive God accurately and, via that, love Him and folks extra absolutely. When it turns into mere ideology, then it’s an agenda to be pursued ecclesiastically. The objective is to not lead a church, however relatively to have it mirror a selected set of (usually) tertiary theological points that mirror the tribe. If the bold chief results in narcissistic habits and a personality-centered church, the ideological leaders result in abusive habits and religious malpractice and a church constructed on management.
A 3rd motivation is expediency. Many pursue management in faith-based organizations not as a result of they felt referred to as or had been following their giftings and passions, however as a substitute as a result of it was the job they discovered themselves capable of get. Maybe that they had a level in Bible or non secular research, maybe even a seminary diploma, nevertheless it was largely looking for what they had been going to do with their life. They discovered themselves in a management position in a church and have turn out to be comfy. Or extra to the purpose, comfortably numb. In reality, they have no idea what they wish to do after they develop up. The expedient chief finds themselves uniquely open to sexual immorality akin to David who, when he ought to have been off to warfare, stayed residence and voyeuristically ventured to the rooftops. The chief has no sense of true north, which ends up in each their life – and the group’s life – drifting over open water with out an anchor.
So what sort of leaders do we want?
If not pushed by ambition, ideology or expediency, what different drive is there?
Mission.
A frontrunner who’s taken by the mission cares little for themselves. Jim Collins calls them “Stage 5” leaders as they care extra for the group than they do themselves. A “Stage 5” chief is somebody who “blends excessive private humility with intense skilled will.” They’re usually very robust leaders (Collins highlights Abraham Lincoln as a traditional “Stage 5” chief) however “their ambition is before everything for the establishment, not themselves… for the corporate and concern for its success relatively than for one’s personal riches and private renown.”
Their dedication to theology is a dedication to discipleship, and the discipleship is for the mission. They’re deeply dedicated to historic Christian orthodoxy, however not for its personal sake—they’re dedicated to it as the reality that may save the world. And they might argue for making it as vast as attainable – a “mere” Christianity – as a substitute of incessantly narrowing it to exclude ever bigger teams of fellow believers.
And the considered partaking the mission out of expediency could be as ridiculous to them as grabbing a rifle and speeding to the entrance strains of a warfare entrance as a result of there was nothing good streaming on Netflix. Nobody would have interaction the mission that’s attacking the very gates of Hell out of something lower than calling and fervour, dedication and resolve.
I have no idea of many fallen leaders who had been marked by private humility and missional resolve.
However as their tales turn out to be identified, I do know of quite a few fallen leaders who’ve been motivated by ambition, ideology or expediency.
And that’s what is unsuitable with leaders right now.
James Emery White
Sources
Jim Collins, Good to Nice.
