When Less Becomes More
The Rule of Benedict dates back, approximately to the mid-600s AD. Today, it remains a constitution of sorts that men agree to follow when entering a Benedictine monastery. Although Benedict called the book, “a little rule for beginners,” it prescribed every aspect of the daily life for the community.[1] Benedict believed that by following the rules, the monks would be drawn closer to God. Benedict lived in Rome during the sixth century, when pagan practices that were common. Being repulsed by what them, he left Rome to live in solitude miles outside the city.[2] Throughout the rest of his life, Benedict sought to love God by eliminating distractions and temptations from his life and the lives of the brother monks so that each man could present himself to God. His desire was to follow God with his whole self.
I first learned of this book when The Rev. Dr. Martyn Percy spoke to the Portland Seminary students in September 2023. Dr. Percy noted that The Rule of Benedict was one of the longest standing constitutions, having been written.[3] What caught my attention was his focus on how the book began, “Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.” Benedict continually remindied the monks that the person giving the rule loved them as a father, which his role of Abbot personified.
Benedict’s rules seem harsh to the outsider. The monks maintained a rigorous schedule of manual work, study, and prescribed times for prayers day and night. By stripping the monks of worldly possessions and pleasures the men could focus their time, energy, and attention on God alone. I read this book a year ago and judged it as legalistic and purely punitive. I was mistaken.
I entered the second reading with an open mind. Rather than cringing at the harshness of their surroundings or the rigidity of the rule, I read the rule with an eye on the leader. What was the motivation? Was the leader angry and thus negative? What I read seemed different. I did not expect to read that the abbot did everything out of love for the brothers.
Other books I have read confirmed that hardship is often a tool that draws someone closer to God. In Mining for Gold, Tom Comacho, a pastor and coach explains how leaders in God’s kingdom are like gold that has been refined through the fire, making them better able to allow the Holy Spirit to guide them. His approach is less austere than Benedict’s Rule, but Camacho acknowledges that gold is refined in fire. In a person, we are refined in the cross where God calls each Christian to consider where we need to die to self.[4] Losing things in life that we cling to often opens us to a new beginning. For the faithful monk, it was a closeness to God.
What does The Rule of Benedict teach about leadership?
- There are many ways people might become leaders. Some are hired for a specific position of authority; others are elected to a position. A person is not a leader if someone does not give either implicit or explicit authority to the person. Benedict became an abbot when other monks approached him seeking guidance for their spiritual wellbeing as they lived a monastic life.[5] Benedict was not seeking to lead others yet responded favorably to their request. Today, over 1500 years later, when someone wants to join an abbey, the person willingly submits himself to enter that lifestyle, giving the abbot authority over him. The Rule of Benedict offers the incoming monk the ability to leave the abbey if at any time he does not want to remain. I believe God calls people to positions of leadership both within the church and secular world. The way that call is confirmed is when someone other than the specific leader in the position confirms the call. This could come in various ways such as through a job application process to lead a company or a pastoral search committee in a church setting.
- All leaders are accountable to someone. In business it could be to shareholders, customers or other employees. Benedict understood that as the abbot God would hold him accountable in how he led the brothers to Christ.[6]
- Good leaders invite contributions from others. In Benedict’s setting, whenever something important needed to be decided, the community of brothers were called together to offer their advice. While the abbot would still make a final decision, there is an understanding that other voices may be inspired by God to bring different ideas for consideration.[7] Leaders know that their authority is not held in isolation. From personal experience, I concur that sharing decision making and empowering others remains important skills of a leader.
I still would not want to personally subscribe to a way of life described in The Rule of Benedict, however, I do know that my best time spent with God is when there are few distractions. In those times I am nurtured and restored. Interestingly, those times always keep me grounded professionally as well. I have such a strong sense that I am better at leading from who I am first and foremost as a child of God, and not just relying on my experiences and knowledge. In the words of Simon Walker, practicing to be an undefended leader.[8]
[1] Timothy Fry, OSB, ed., Imogene Baker, OSB, Timothy Horner, OSB, Augusta Raabe, OSB, Mark Sheridan, OSB, eds., The Rule of Benedict in English, Collegeville, MN, 2019), 11.
[2] Ibid., 9.
[3] The Very Revd. Professor Martyn Percy, Speaker at Oxford Advance for Portland Seminary DLGP students Sept. 25, 2023.
[4] Tom Comacho, Mining For Gold, Developing Kingdom Leaders through Coaching (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2019), 94.
[5]Timothy Fry, OSB, ed., Imogene Baker, OSB, Timothy Horner, OSB, Augusta Raabe, OSB, Mark Sheridan, OSB, eds., The Rule of Benedict in English, Collegeville, MN, 2019), 10.
[6] Ibid., 25.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Simon P. Walker, Leading out of Who You Are, Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership (Carlisle, UK: Piquant Editions Ltd, 2007), 5.
About the Author
Diane Tuttle
10 responses to “When Less Becomes More”
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Diane,
Good job tying together a few different readings and lectures we have had. I can see the train of thought as you move us forward in the post. I struggle with the tension between the legalistic lifestyle and a non-legalistic one. Yet, I think there is much value to be learned from the abbot. Is there one rule that you might incorporate into your life that you were not doing beforehand?
Hi Adam, The 3 concepts I mentioned in my blog are things that are natural in my organization. There are at least 4 rules that deal with praying the Psalms. In rule # 18 there is leeway for changing the order as long as all 150 Psalms are read/prayed each week. While I enjoy reading the Psalms, I do not practice reading the whole book each week. I would like to become more consistent to thoughtfully and prayerfully reading Psalms on a regular basis rather than just reading to get through them to say I do it.
Thanks for the question.
Diane,
I appreciate the 3 things you feel this taught you about leadership. Looking specifically at rules 2 and 3, I wonder have you seen where people in leadership have not applied these rules and what was the outcome? Personally, I am thinking of some local non-denominational churches that I know of that seemed to not have the appropriate accountability set up, too many people related to the senior pastor serving as elders. This always concerns me.
Hi Jeff, Thanks for reading and the question. One of the schools in our city has been navigating the tragedy of a teacher being inappropriate with students. That is putting it mildly. The teacher is in jail. Teachers are leaders of students and need to be accountable. There were numerous reports that did not seem to go anywhere for years. No one held that teacher accountable, or the administration for not reporting it. The consequences for the students in the teachers’ classes and the disgrace of an otherwise renown school was widespread and very sad. Even in a new school year, the ramifications are still being felt.
Hi Diane, The title of your blog drew me in. I am slowly learning this lesson year by year. In reading and studying Benedict, was there anything in your life that stood out to you that you would like to change so that less can become more?
Hi Kari, interesting question. Sometimes I think the amount of worry is something I need to let go of. We have to raise over a million $$ in the next fiscal year and the thought of it is daunting. Worry really is a waste of time that could be spent so many different ways. While very human it also begs the question if I am really trusting God to guide the work. Just today I am saw inklings of possibilities that will get the process started on a good footing. If I let go of the worry, trust God, then do the work the result will be honor God and be beneficial to the people we serve, whether we hit the exact number or not.
Diane, thank you for sharing about the Rule of Benedict. If there were one key idea that you could take from the Rule that would benefit you as a leader, what would it be?
Hi Debbie, Thanks for reading and your question. I think I would go back to what I said to Adam, that I would pray my way through the Psalms more often. There is a rhythym to it that is appealing and they have capacity to keep me grounded. Whether the Psalm is full of praise, lament, sorrow, repentence, joy or pleas, they are real. I think the best leaders need to remain authenticly themselves to be effective.
Diane, The Rule of Benedict is a great book. We read much of it in our Mysticism class in Seminary. Monasticism was a challenging life to live, but one thing that stuck out concerning Benedict was his call to invite the contributions of others. How has this particular principle impacted your leadership journey and has it been successful?
Hi Daren, I seek collaboration whenever possible. For the most part, even if my ideas are ultimately still used, they are better for being honed by others. Sometimes this is with our staff, but it could also be board members, volunteers or people who have expertise in other businesses that relate to whatever the topic is. This process doesn’t insure success, but it shares the load. I think a leader who tries to lead with only his/her own ideas and convictions is missing a lot. Thanks for asking.