The Theology of Leadership Journal’s purpose is to advance Christian leadership by giving it some theological space to discuss, debate, and perhaps embrace the differences that make the difference for incarnational leadership. Since the Theology of Leadership Journal (TLJ) first published in 2018 there were few scholarly reviews found on their material. Nevertheless, the TLJ provides a new forum for advanced degree programs like George Fox University\u2019s \u201cLeadership and Global Perspectives\u201d to study, research, and publish new Biblically inspired ideas and solutions to the old and continuing problem of sin in the world. This post will seek to leverage TLJ\u2019s fresh work on Authentic Leadership Theory and the use of metaphorical language into my dissertation research on why the Evangelical church is not able to withstand the effects of spiritual warfare.<\/p>\n
First, Holmquist\u2019s basis for Authentic Leadership Theory (ALT) is found in his four key ideas of \u201cself-awareness, relational transparency, balanced processing, and internalized moral perspective.\u201d[1]<\/a> I have been a student of leadership for over 30 years and have led in many different secular and ministry contexts. My favorite \u201cgo to\u201d model is a mixture of transformational-situational-servant style leadership. My leadership training began as a follower. I followed other leaders in military, public safety, and ministry professions for many years before I accepted the calling to lead others. When I started leading others, I failed my followers, made some terrible mistakes, and sinned against the Lord in my prideful and arrogant thinking that I was somehow qualified to \u201clead\u201d others.\u00a0 It was not until I survived the \u201cpotter and clay\u201d Biblical metaphor in my life that I began to be used by the Lord. I agree with ALT\u2019s exegetical enhancement ideas on how leadership is a \u201cresponsibility that extended beyond human relationships to a leadership responsibility before God.\u201d[2]<\/a><\/p>\n Second, in 2003 I determined to \u201cown\u201d the idea that I have a Biblical responsibility to God for fulfilling His purpose in my life. During my desolate combat experiences in the Middle East, I became passionate about Paul\u2019s descriptions on spiritual warfare and his directive to always put on the whole armor of God.[3]<\/a> This research into resisting Satan helped me discover my hallmark purpose to advance the metaphorical principle of wearing Christ as our armor of God. For the past 15 years the Holy Spirit has inspired me to mediate, mentor, and instruct others in understanding, preparing, defending, and overcoming the evil deceits, tricks, deceptions, and false ideals that assault Christians in their daily walk with the Lord.<\/p>\n Third, I like the TLJ because it presents ideas, talks about research, and opens the spiritual white board to possibly link the scientific with the theological and form contextually appropriate and God honoring ways to discuss Biblical teachings and principles. For example, Richardson says that \u201cmetaphor plays a primary role\u201d in transformative communication.[4]<\/a> I really connect with this line of thinking and have personally experienced the successful cross-cultural connections that can be made when describing the supernatural metaphor of Jesus Christ as the six pieces of the Armor of God. To further this community building effort the Holy Spirit inspired the creation of an artifact, the Armor of God Challenge Coin, that successfully crosses all barriers that typically create resistance to the Gospel. I have been blessed and amazed at how the Holy Spirit connects people to the metaphorical armor images of Christ, the universal words of hope to stand firm, resist, persevere, pray, and the tangible feel and look of the symbolic Armor of God coin that can be held, touched, displayed, worn, and shared with others.<\/p>\n Therefore, sharing Christ with others is our call, cause, and challenge to help finish the Great Commission. Yes, I am glad to have another journal that can help provide a forum that advances scholarly peer-reviewed research into theological problems like spiritual warfare in the church. While the TLJ may not answer the question, it does provide a safe place to explore, discuss, research, and solicit input into the spiritual warfare problem facing Evangelical churches today. \u00a0My goal, as an LGP8 student and future ministry leader is to help inform, prepare, and disciple others on how to identify, prepare, survive, and overcome the wiles of the devil. \u00a0Paul\u2019s metaphor of Christ and the armor of God coin are symbols to be \u201cexperienced and engaged\u201d by pastors and Christian leaders who desire to be relevant servants for that advance of the Gospel.[5]<\/a><\/p>\n Finally, the TLJ is a new scholarly workspace for seminary students and theologians to engage, challenge, test, create, and practice \u201cJesus style\u201d leadership within a modern and chaotic global context. I pray the \u201cscales\u201d will fall from the eyes of those in Christian leadership who do not see nor recognize the ever-present threat of spiritual warfare in their midst.<\/p>\n Stand firm,<\/p>\n M. Webb<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Daniel B. Holmquist. \u201cTheology of Leadership Journal: Volume 1,\u201d\u00a0Theology of Leadership Journal<\/em>\u00a01, no. 1 (2018): Pg. 88.,\u00a0http:\/\/theologyofleadership.com\/index.php\/tlj<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Ibid., 94.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Eph. 6:10-18.<\/p>\n