I’ve been reading like mad this week. I’m in Vancouver at Trinity Western/ACTS trying to finalize my dissertation proposal – which will become chapter 1 of this massive thesis project. Anyways, in the process, I’ve been sucking on the fumes of dozens of books having to do with shifting leadership/organization theories as well as emerging generation church trends. My project will explore how these two issues might collaborate with one another. So yesterday alone I read three really intriguing resources that I suspect will become very useful tools in my dissertation. I’ve offered reviews for each one on my readings page. Two of these are organizational leadership books aimed at the "secular" market – but which have incredible relevancy for the church. The first, Leaders We Need, is an intriguing reflection upon the behavioral and socialogical shifts in culture that are demanding a movement away from heirarchical structures towards adaptive/integrative models of leadership. The second, Leading in a Culture of Change, is one of the best books on leadership I’ve ever read… perhaps because every page seems to fit precisely into my dissertation research question. The other book, The American Church in Crisis, is a powerfully sobering statistical analysis of attendance trends in the United States.
Great questions, James. I appreciate the thought that went into these… and be curious how others reading this post might respond too.
My initial thoughts embrace some contradiction- a reality which these books each point out is interestingly a crucial aspect to emerging generational thinking. Our post-Christendom society is self-seeking, but it is also so interwoven and peer oriented. Respect isn’t given to someone just because they are in a position of authority… that person must actually earn the respect through a reciprocal/mutual service of the other. So in some respect, benefit is brought to you when you serve others. That contradiction is actually quite a biblical ideal if I remember my Gospels correctly.
Your second question fits into that then. It would seem that our post-Christendom society has actually been waiting and expecting the church to show that we love the Lord our God by actually showing love to our neighbor as ourself. Specifically to your question- as a leader acts this way, he/she earns the respect and trust of others, enabling them to truly lead— but in a mutually served environment.
Ken,
How has the shift in values to a post-Christian self-centered culture where individuals look out for themselves first (or only for themselves) effected leadership?
Is there any place for the Christian paradigm to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind, and to love your neighbour as yourself in leadership?