Humility and Honesty…Leadership Goals!
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” [1]
What an interesting time to read a book about the scandal of leadership. I have been thinking a lot about flaws, challenges, and failures of leadership in recent weeks. Admittedly, it has been a tough year for me. Leading an organization in transition for 8 months, tested me in ways that I had not anticipated. Looking at the experience in my rear view, my tenure as Interim CEO concluded in February, I can see so many areas that I could have been a stronger leader. I have been extremely self-reflective about my experience. My most recent experience is not the only thing that comes to mind when I think about the scandal of leadership. The most prominent thought in my mind is the upcoming Presidential Election. On both sides of the aisle, scandal has filled the political landscape. We are in sad times, when most Americans are choosing between what they perceive as the lesser of two evils. Yet here we are, in the midst of another polarizing election season making decisions to vote for candidates that will lead this country. God be with us all.
In the book The Scandal of Leadership, J.R. Woodward gives an analysis of leadership through a theological lens. He offers insight on how to lead in a manner that imitates Christ and warns of the pitfalls that leaders encounter. The Christian leader must balance the call to walk in the footsteps of Christ and the pull of the sinful temptations that life in the public eye exposes them to. The tension is sometimes described as the fight between the spirit and the flesh. Woodward describes it as, “The “scandal” of leadership will be either negative or positive. The negative scandal occurs when we become obstacles to those who look to us as models. But it becomes a positive scandal when we imitate the way of Christ, which is often a scandal to the world in which we live because it always leads to a cross.”[2] The way in which the Christian leader behaves, holds this tension, will impact those around them. As Woodward describes it, the scandal of leadership will lead others down the path that is modeled by the leader. Whether this path is honorable or less than honorable, it will possibly cause others to follow. Woodward says, “The scandal of leadership takes place when we, as leaders, scandalize those who look to us as models. If an individual desires to be the lead pastor and that person’s desires are malformed, those who look to that leader will find themselves with this desire as well.”[3] This was a bit hard to digest.
So how does this relate to what we have witnessed in Churches across America? There have been scandals, in recent history, where Pastors have had some of their worst moments publicly judged. It is heart wrenching to see the effects it has on the church leadership and the congregation of these churches. Although personal struggles should be private, I have always had mixed feelings about Christian leaders not making some sort of address in the aftermath. I fully believe that just because you are a leader does not mean that the public should have full access to your entire lives. However, I do believe that Christian leaders have a responsibility to lead by example and that does not mean getting everything right or saying the right thing. For me, it means being authentic and honest with those that look to you as an example. It takes humility and honesty to be an effective leader. Woodward relates this to Christian leaders by stating, “As leaders we must humble ourselves, submit ourselves to God, and resist the devil.”[4] I believe when others witness this type of Christian humility in leaders, it changes them and rightfully destroys the false narrative that leaders are perfect, sinless, and without temptation. When we are truthful with our shortcomings, our challenges, our scandals we are able to lead others in every stage of their Christian journey. Woodward shares, “Thus, as leaders, we are called to repentance and to cleanse our hands, purify our hearts, lament, mourn, weep, and ultimately humble ourselves.”[5] When we are able to share this experience with others, we are able to lead in an authentic way and the struggle (scandal) is transformed into a testimony.
[1] James 4:6 (CSB)
[2] J. R. Woodward, The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church (Cody, WY: 100 Movements Publishing, an imprint of Movement Leaders Collective, 2023), 221.
[3] Ibid., 217.
[4] Ibid., 220.
[5] Ibid., 220.
About the Author
Jonita Fair-Payton
12 responses to “Humility and Honesty…Leadership Goals!”
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Jonita, I’d love to listen to what you learned during your experience as interim CEO with the organization in transition, if you would be open to sharing while in D.C. I’d probably have questions like: If/when you do this again, what would you do differently? Or, I might ask: In what ways do you believe you could have been a stronger leader, based on your statement, which reads, “I can see so many areas that I could have been a stronger leader.” One more thought/question — You wrote, “For me, it means being authentic and honest with those that look to you as an example.” In what ways could a graduate school, learning environment, or institution help a leader to be prepared to be authentic and honest with those around them, or is that learned best elsewhere? I’m curious what you think is currently missing from institutions that focus on leadership formation…in their curriculum, training, environment, etc.
Travis,
I’d love to talk more about this with you when we are in DC. I believe that the complexity of issues that leaders face are not being discussed and taught as many of them will require that we discuss social issues that most institutions avoid. Politics, sexual identity, racial disparity, immigration, cultural competency…these are just a few that I had to consider in my tenure as CEO. Although I can access resources to help me effectively lead. There is no curriculum that I have been taught that has prepared me.
Hi Jonita,
You wrote, “When we are truthful with our shortcomings, our challenges, our scandals we are able to lead others in every stage of their Christian journey.”
So true.
A side note, my daughter (age 23) has decided to leave our house and our church. Praying that the Holy Spirit will guide her.
I guess I am sharing a “scandal.”
Oh Russell,
I am praying for you and Trudy. I know that this is difficult. God is with her wherever she goes. You have a praying community that supports you.
Prayers appreciated!
You are always in my prayers, my friend.
Hey Jonita,
Thank you for your post and sharing the challenges you have faced this semester, especially in your previous role as an interim CEO. I resonated with how at the end of your post you mentioned, ‘When we are able to share this experience with others, we are able to lead in an authentic way and the struggle (scandal) is transformed into a testimony.” Isn’t it amazing how God works like that, taking our struggles, scandals, scars, and waves them into a greater purpose or story? Just love His mysterious and miraculous ways!!!
Yes Cathy,
God is so amazing and faithful. I agree, “Just love His mysterious and miraculous ways!!! Yes indeed!
Hi Jonita! Thanks for your story!
I resonate with your views that emphasize the importance of humility, honesty, and being authentic in leadership and service. For me, these things help and relieve a minister and church leader to acknowledge and accept his fragility as an ordinary human being. Recognition and acceptance of personal vulnerability can help every leader to organize himself and not set standards that can actually burden him. However, being authentic, in Woodward’s approach, also requires further action to fill ourselves with one of two options, either God or something contrary to Him.
Dinka,
I really enjoyed your post this week. I agree that “church leaders should acknowledge and accept their fragility as an ordinary human being.” I think that they should also communicate it to the congregation. It’s important for everyone to know and be reminder that leaders are human and experience human emotions, have flaws and weaknesses.
Your closing nailed it friend “When we are able to share this experience with others, we are able to lead in an authentic way and the struggle (scandal) is transformed into a testimony.” I think this book speaks a lot towards vulnerability and next week, Brene will bring it home with addressing shame and leadership!
Thanks Jonita.
Jana,
I think ending the semester with Brene is just the right way to bring it all together. I am looking forward to the discussion.