Question: What does this text teach us about the proper use of power in leadership?
What are you struggles? How have you learned that a text like this can re-shape ministry?
James 4:7-10: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Subscribe
How does this mesh with a rather well known pastor on record with things like:
the church was birthed with a man yelling and still requires a man yelling
Or
leadership without control is not leadership
Is this consistent with what James (or Paul) teach on leadership?
Hmmm...this passage to me says that as leaders we must be submissive, humble people. Our laughter, which might in this passage be indicative of someone who does not take things seriously, needs to be turned to mourning or a repentant heart. One that searches the heart for those things that do not honor God.
My own struggle as a leader is managing the balancing act between exercising the authority given to me and knowing when not to act.
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.