Ditch the Ring
“Will we become a scandal to those who look to us as leaders, or will we choose to imitate the scandalous way of Christ? If Christian leadership is primarily about being Christ-like examples, it is imperative that we understand how the Powers seek to undermine us as leaders, as well as examine the lives and theology of our primary interlocutors.” [1]
As I sat with the stakeholder, I took a deep breath and listened intently, but my heart ached. In year one of my doctoral journey, while trying to develop a greater understanding of the rate of deconstruction and abandonment in the church among young adults, I interviewed a young adult, who happened to be a lawyer. When asked about her faith and the practice of her faith, she shared that she has left the church. She named the reason for her exodus from the Catholic Church. . . the very scandals that are mentioned in our course reading for this week. She named religious leaders who had “fallen” and she made the decision that she didn’t need to be in church, but that she found church in the flowers, trees, grass, and nature. She stated that she didn’t need church people, pastors, or priests to be a Christian. To a certain degree she is accurate. . . a person can have faith without pastors and church people, but if we as Christians and followers of Jesus are to imitate Christ, we too, gather with others for the reading of scripture, prayer, communion, and fellowship.
There is a tension that leaders experience between the realities of being a leader, being held in high regard by those who follow, and a desire to be authentic. According to J.R. Woodward in the book The Scandal of Leadership, one of the goals of developing an imitation-based framework is to help leaders, become aware of their desires, the way that the Powers seek to distort them, and how fully imitating Christ through embodied practices can reshape the telos of the desires toward God, His kingdom, and His righteousness. [2] Woodward defines the Powers as the satan, the Demonic and the principalities, and Powers mentioned in scripture. He advises readers to develop a theology of the Powers in order to bring about deeper transformation for both leaders and the culture of leadership in the church. [3]
Woodward illustrates the deadly lure of domineering power in the church. J.R.R. Tolkien uses an imagery of the One Ring from his series, “The Lord of the Rings”. Woodward correlates the one ring to the reality of the church comparing the falling of leaders as similar to the lure of domineering power. Like those who encounter the ring in Tolkien’s story, the author notes that leaders often succumb to the temptation and too willingly place the ring on their finger. [4] Leadership is often associated with power, control, and authority. After reading Simon Walker’s book Leading With Nothing to Lose, questions about the characteristics and exercising of leadership emerged. . . what if true leadership emerged not from holding onto power, but from letting go of it? What if leadership looked more like putting others first, turning the other cheek, washing the feet of the individuals on the team, being last, or laying down one’s life for the team? Upside-down kingdom. . . Upside-down leadership? Walker offered a perspective of undefended leadership, challenging traditional notions of power and influence. [5] I see similarities between the missional leadership framework that Woodward is proposing and Simon Walker’s writings regarding the exercising of authority.
I must be aware of the Powers that seek to discourage, disintegrate, and deform me as a leader so that I am better able to bring glory to the Father through the gifts and abilities that He has developed in me. Jules Glanzer reminds me that “leaders must lead from a divine center with a heart in tune with the heart of God, forming a holy partnership that results in fulfilling the purposes of God on earth.” [6] To be leaders worthy of imitation, Woodward proposes that we engage with the path of spiritual maturity defined by the apostle John:
- Understanding our sins are forgiven
- Secure in our identity in knowing God
- Understanding how to overcome the evil one [7]
Let’s go back to the beginning. . . Will I become a scandal to those who look to me as a leader, or will I choose to imitate the scandalous way of Christ? With all of the complexities of leadership, the required competencies and character, the convictions and courage to act, and the needed charisma and compassion to accomplish what is needed for the common good of the people fulfilling God’s mission in the world, I want to lead out of a kenotic spirituality, my apprenticeship to Jesus, imitation to him, mirroring His same attitudes and mind. [8] [9]
About the Author
Cathy Glei
Cathy Glei serves as an instructional leader and pastor with over 27 years in education and ministry. She is dedicated to discipling others as they grow in their relationship with God, others and the world. Cathy has facilitated numerous professional development sessions, trainings, and workshops in both education and ministry. Passionate about supporting others in uncovering the Creator's design within them, Cathy lives in Michigan with her husband, Steve, and their eight-year-old Springer Spaniel, Otis. Cathy is a mother of three daughters and "Gooma" (grandma) to two adorable grandsons (emphasis on adorable 😊). She enjoys listening and exchanging laughter and stories with others, hanging out with friends, both old and new, as well as being outdoors, enjoying activities such as cycling, camping, hiking, and kayaking.9 responses to “Ditch the Ring”
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Hi Cathy,
Brilliant post. Thanks for weaving in the lessons from past writers. To be frank, they are receding from my mind.
You cited, “To be leaders worthy of imitation, Woodward proposes that we engage with the path of spiritual maturity defined by the apostle John:
Understanding our sins are forgiven
Secure in our identity in knowing God
Understanding how to overcome the evil one
I have loved the idea of shared identity in Christ, but you take me one step further. I have to shake myself from all other identities. wow.
Shalom…
Hi, Cathy,
There are so many good points in your post. The quote “I must be aware of the Powers that seek to discourage, disintegrate, and deform me as a leader so that I am better able to bring glory to the Father through the gifts and abilities that He has developed in me” resonates deeply. We all can allow unhealthy rhythms and prideful attitudes to distort our ability to lead as a followers of Jesus. It takes ongoing vigilance to remain close to God’s heart and hear his voice regarding our own self-awareness.
Thank you for your thoughts and your example as we travel this doctoral journey together.
I will jump into Esther’s thread here, and add that this was a point that resonated with me as well. It also made me start to think about how we know where our personal temptations lean. Maybe that sounds like something that should be self-evident, but I often worry that I am blind to my own weaknesses- something for me to chew on. Thanks for the prompt!
This morning on my way to a presbytery committee meeting, I listened to an interview with historian Niall Ferguson concerning the life of JRR Tolkien on the BBC’s podcast called “Great Lives.” I don’t remember if it was the host or the interviewee, but one of them mentioned the fact that Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings was not about acquiring something, as is the case in so many epic stories (acquiring gold, or a prize, or whatever) but instead was about letting go…in Frodo’s case, the ring. This correlates with what you said regarding Simon Walker’s Leading with Nothing to Lose (one of my favorite books so far in our assigned reading)…”what if true leadership emerged not from holding onto power, but from letting go of it.” Great post, Cathy.
Great post, Cathy. I really appreciate your emphasis on self-sacrificial leadership in imitation of Christ. I’m curious what that looks like in your school setting, or if it ever gets tricky being a secular educational environment.
Thank you for asking Kim! It is funny that you ask that. The Holy Spirit has really been moving in our school. I facilitate a morning prayer group with a few Christians on our staff. Tuesday we prayed specifically that the Spirit would open the hearts of someone on our staff to inquire about the Lord. That very day, I was in a meeting with our Admin. (we meet every week to check-in). She was sharing some current stresses and then shared that she has been considering returning to church. God is moving. The Spirit is working in the lives in people in ways we do not see. I try to be a listening presence and look for opportunities to serve. There is much “me-ness” that has to get out of the way (i.e. my “to-do” list, agenda, etc.) for me to see past all of that to the opportunities that God brings each and every day.
Cathy, I appreciate how you tied together our other readings – that was really helpful for ME! And you have always been so good at drawing our hearts and minds to Jesus.
And isn’t that the goal – to be with Jesus, to learn from Jesus, and to live like Jesus?
Appreciate you!
Cathy,
Now THIS is a definition of a syntopical post. Wouldn’t be surprised if I hear you are on the hot seat this week 🙂
I loved this: “I must be aware of the Powers that seek to discourage, disintegrate, and deform me as a leader so that I am better able to bring glory to the Father through the gifts and abilities that He has developed in me.”
I, too, need to learn to ‘name’ these powers in my life when I am feeling discouraged, depressed, and distracted. Thanks for the reminder!!!
I was wondering how many you interviewed of the young people, who walked away because of scandalous leadership and hypocrisy? I wonder where the point of no return for a leader is, and where is the point of return for those who grow up sniffing out hypocrisy? Thank you for the work you are doing with the young people!!