The authors of this article ask three questions: “Where have all the leaders gone? Why is it so difficult to recognize displays of leadership today? Are we in a leadership vacuum? And is failed leadership behind the failure of moral and ethical patterns of service?”
Patrick Lattore summarizes the original book, The Complete Book of Everyday Christianity by Robert Banks and R. Paul Stevens discussed the questions rose. The Leadership models that have been adopted in the church are from the predominant worldview which “places high value on independence and self-sufficiency, accomplishing tasks and goals without concern for relationships, and the focus is on the ‘bottom-line’ outcomes.” The secular model is now found to be embracing “character, spirituality, community and relationship.” The Christian perspective on leadership differs in the sense that Christian theology “contemplates the model of a triune God. Christian leadership is about spirituality, character and community, “says Lattore. Christian leadership is defined as “an art form of worshiping Christ, teaching and serving process that envisions, influences, shapes and enhances so that both leaders and followers realize God’s goals for change within their community.”
The model that Lattore is condensing from the original The Complete Book of Everyday Christianity, discusses the ways that Christian Leadership is defined, and eleven ways that Christian Leadership is attained. They both include Servant Leadership, Community, God’s values, discipling and empowering God’s people, and being a shepherd to the community. We as leaders need to understand the difference between secular and Christian leadership and remain committed to maintaining God’s model of leadership.
Originally published in The Complete Book of Everyday Christianity by Robert Banks and R. Paul Stevens. ©1997 by Robert Banks and R. Paul Stevens. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA. www.ivpress.com
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ReplyDeleteWell, how about that! The secular model of leadership is adopting a model of leadership that embraces character, spirituality, community and relationship; and the church is adopting the worldview which places high value on independence and self-sufficiency, accomplishing tasks and goals without concern for relationship, focusing on the bottom-line, which is the outcome. It appears that instead of the church advancing forward in representing Christian values, and lifting up the name of Jesus Christ in our leadership style, the church has taken a downward path and developed a habit that embraces the bottom-line concept. I think the interesting question to be answered here is, how did the church get so off base? Also, how do we expect to draw people to God if our leadership is adopting the world’s value system instead of a leadership system that is Christ centered? If the world can see the advantage of changing their leadership style to include some of the things we teach in the church, are the visionaries for the church blind? I certainly agree with your finally analysis, “We as leaders need to understand the difference between secular and Christian leadership and remain committed to maintaining God’s model of leadership.
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