Jesus Creed

Jesus Creed

A Brother’s Wisdom 68

posted by Scot McKnight | 1:15pm Thursday June 11, 2009

Today, a word for leaders, and it goes with the book I mentioned by Ruth Haley Barton. Spiritually formed leaders don’t crave power, aren’t envious of the successes of others, and desire to be in friendship with God. Here are James’ words and I’m “opening up the lines” today to hear from leaders about the struggles with power.

Question: What does this text teach us about the proper use of power in leadership?

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.

What are you struggles? How have you learned that a text like this can re-shape ministry?



Leave a Comment ยป
Related Topics: Pastoring and Leading
beliefnet
  list archives most recent most popular  
beliefnet
Previous Posts

This blog is no longer active
This blog is no longer being actively updated. Please feel free to browse the archives or: Read our most popular inspiration blog See our most popular inspirational video Take our most popular quiz

posted 3:10:39pm Aug. 31, 2010 | read full post »

Our Common Prayerbook 30 - 3
Psalm 30 thanks God (vv. 1-3, 11-12) and exhorts others to thank God (vv. 4-5). Both emerge from the concrete reality of David's own experience. Here is what that experience looks like:Step one: David was set on high and was flourishing at the hand of God's bounty (v. 7a).Step two: David became too

posted 12:15:30pm Aug. 31, 2010 | read full post »

Theology After Darwin 1 (RJS)
One of the more important and more difficult pieces of the puzzle as we feel our way forward at the interface of science and faith is the theological implications of discoveries in modern science. A comment on my post Evolution in the Key of D: Deity or Deism noted: ...this reminds me of why I get a

posted 6:01:52am Aug. 31, 2010 | read full post »

Almost Christian 4
Who does well when it comes to passing on the faith to the youth? Studies show two groups do really well: conservative Protestants and Mormons; two groups that don't do well are mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics. Kenda Dean's new book is called Almost Christian: What the Faith of Ou

posted 12:01:53am Aug. 31, 2010 | read full post »

Let's Get Neanderthal!
The Cave Man Diet, or Paleo Diet, is getting attention. (Nothing is said about Culver's at all.) The big omission, I have to admit, is that those folks were hunters -- using spears or smacking some rabbit upside the conk or grabbing a fish or two with their hands ... but that's what makes this diet

posted 2:05:48pm Aug. 30, 2010 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(2)
post a comment
RJS

posted June 11, 2009 at 1:28 pm


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?



report abuse
 

Pat

posted June 11, 2009 at 3:15 pm


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.



report abuse
 

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.

Share this story

Related Topics: Pastoring and Leading
beliefnet
  list archives most recent most popular  
beliefnet

About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.