We need the armor of the Lord
The Scandal of Leadership
There’s a war going on and if you’re going to win, you better make sure that you have Jesus deep down within. This battle can not be won with bullets or guns. Because the enemy you can not see, the human faculties. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places … it’s a fact that Satans on your track and suddenly without any warning he’ll launch his attack. So you better make sure that you know that where ever you may go that you have a sword which is the word of God deep down in your soul. We need the armor of the Lord. Reciting these lyrics seems a bit much for Walter Hawkins to place in a song. What he was sharing was what the Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:12 “ For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Woodard also makes these same claims as he write about the scandal of leadership.
Mimesis
Woodard borrows the thoughts of other great scholars and theologians to explain to us that as leaders and followers of christ we at times face demonic forces. Theses demonic forces come own several different forms and may cause the fall of many leaders. One of the forces mentioned by social theorist Rene Girard was “mimesis”. Mimesis is described as the desire to have something that looks good after you have seen someone else with it or engaged in it. As christian leaders it is easy to see the glamour of leadership. Whether it is material things or status, one can get wrapped up in what is seen and not experienced. What they don’t see, is those same leaders have to live christian lives for themselves a before their followers.
Domination
Domination is another concern faced by leaders. The need for power over those that are vurnerable can overshadow the christlike leadership that is needed to lead. Woodard believes that a self-less approach is best when leading like Christ. Oscar Romero, share the same thoughts about how men and women of the cloth should act as leaders. He believed “both the oppressed and the oppressor need spiritual overhaul”. He was not impressed with those were activist in the world but lacked love. Neither was he impressed with ministers who spoke well in the pulpit but had no demands from members of the church.
Conclusion
In conclusion leaders are not exempt from living out the commands of the Bible. Though it may be tempting to follow trend and have the clout that other leaders have, it is our true mission to please God. If we can keep focused on leading like Christ the distractions will be less tempting.
Woodward, J. R., et al. The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church. 100 Movements Publishing, an Imprint of Movement Leaders Collective, 2023.
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