LMB

“What if we never used the word ‘leader’ and instead only referred to ourselves as bondservants? Words mean things.” Lin, it’s true that words mean things. But it’s also true that the meaning of a word changes over time. So I don’t think changing the word would change the problem in the long run. The real problem isn’t the words we use but our own sinful hearts that lead us astray, blind us to our own sin and make us think we are better and know better than everyone else. Combine that with a position of power and you have a recipe for trouble.

In the field of leadership studies, only a little has been done on bad leadership. Some consistent recommendations are limited tenure, shared power and self-control. (Think of checks-and-balances in the US government system–the theory, at least, is sound.) Followers also have a responsibility to speak up and speak out when leaders make bad choices. Many of us fall down on that one out of fear of reprisals. In John we read several times that people were afraid to believe because they would be put out of the synagogue (9:22, 12:42). And some of the Jewish leaders wouldn’t openly acknowledge their faith and risk excommunication because “they loved human glory more than the glory of God.” (John 12:43). Speaking up against the establishment has always been a risky proposition: you might be excommunicated, or labeled “divisive” or suffer any number of reprisals.

The cycle of power can be devastating. The more an authority figure has, the less the followers will speak against him/her (though usually him), and the more power he accrues, and the worse the reprisals. That’s why it’s so important to be watchful and address things before they spiral out of control.
Unregulated power can quickly become spiritual abuse!

Sorry, I seem to have gotten on my soapbox 🙂