"I wonder if at the root of the defection is a cultural assumption that all leaders are people who 'get things done,' and 'make things happen.' That is certainly true of the primary leadership models that seep into our awareness from the culture - politicians, businessmen, advertisers, publicists, celebrities, and athletes. But while being a pastor certainly has some of these components, the pervasive element in our two-thousand-year pastoral tradition is not someone who 'gets things done' but rather the person placed in the community to pay attention to 'what is going on right now' between men and women, with one another and with God - this kingdom of God that is primarily local, relentlessly personal, and prayerful 'without ceasing.'"From "The Pastor: A Memoir"
What do you think?
Nice one Ben, aye, I think the modern business concept of leadership is not very helpful or appropriate for the pastoral servant-leadership that Jesus calls us to use. I know that I copped pressure to be a business style leader and measure success through KPIs, growth, raising the offering, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks mate,
Pete
Definitely. This is why I love reading Eugene Peterson's books. There aren't too many examples of pastoral ministry besides that business/success-style we hear about so frequently. It's difficult to go against the flow, or to find that different stream altogether. Peterson helps me do it.
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