{"id":20083,"date":"2018-11-08T21:43:44","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T05:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/?p=20083"},"modified":"2018-11-08T21:43:44","modified_gmt":"2018-11-09T05:43:44","slug":"a-failure-to-deliver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/a-failure-to-deliver\/","title":{"rendered":"A Failure to …Deliver"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I worked my way through Edwin Friedman\u2019s book, \u201cA Failure of Nerve,\u201d I kept finding myself conflicted by its content; which apparently, based on some of the reviews I found, I was not the only one. On one hand, Greg Wiens found the work to be, \u201cespecially relevant today as leader after respected leader allows personal immorality to cloud professional credibility[1]<\/a>.\u201d However, these views were not shared by Daniel Kleven who wrote, \u201cFor my part, I\u2019m not impressed, and actually concerned that imbibing Friedman\u2019s principles may cause Christians, especially those with power, to view the marginalized in our society as \u201creactive parasites,\u201d rather than carefully and humbly engaging with them[2]<\/a>.\u201d For my part, I thought, \u201cOh great\u2026another book on leadership.\u201d However, I found the arguments being made thought-provoking and interesting. The reality I see is in agreement with Friedman, in that, I too believe that, \u201cthere exists throughout America today a rampant sabotaging of leaders who try to stand tall amid the raging anxiety-storms of our time. It is a highly reactive atmosphere pervading all the institutions of our society\u2014a regressive mood that contaminates the decision-making processes of government and corporations at the highest level, and, on the local level, seeps down into the deliberations of neighborhood church, synagogue, hospital, library, and school boards[3]<\/a>.\u201d For this reason, I was almost hopeful regarding the potential that this book may bring\u2026and honestly, still see some potential in it.<\/p>\n

First, what I liked about what I read. Though I do not believe that all businesses or governmental institutions should be run like a family, I do believe that the church should be. The attitudes we possess toward one another in our family units should present as far more encouraging, uplifting, and future-building in regard to how we treat one another. When I decided long ago to be a father, I did not start teaching my children when they became teenagers what I wanted them to become, but rather as babies. I taught them morals, values, and self-discipline; but even more importantly, I taught them about their relationship with God. All of these things were done to promote the men and women that they would someday become. Sadly, I believe our leaders are more a product of peer-pressure, money, and public opinion rather than integrity and training. Friedman sought to remove some of these societal stumbling blocks in order to prevent what he referred to as \u201csocietal regression;\u201d which \u201c(1) perverts the natural instincts of curiosity and adventure into a dogged quest for certainty, and (2) focuses on pathology rather than on strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

Second, these are a few of the things I did not care for about this reading.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. In the beginning of this reading, I thought it was going to show promise or a \u201cbible\u201d view or at least a \u201cGod\u201d view of things; that feeling was short lasting. In fact, the very comments that gave me that hope would soon be replaced by a constant reference to \u201cevolutionary\u201d principles. In case no one else did the count: (38) uses of the word \u201cevolve (d) (s)\u201d, 27 uses of the word \u201cevolution,\u201d and 32 uses of the word \u201cevolutionary.\u201d These made me re-question the intended message in one early comment, which read, \u201cThe great thing to remember is that the mind of man cannot be enlightened permanently by merely teaching him to reject some particular set of superstitions. There is an infinite supply of other superstitions always at hand; and the mind that desires such things, that is, the mind that has not trained itself to the hard discipline of reasonableness and honesty, will, as soon as its devils are cast out, proceed to fill itself with their relations[4]<\/a>.\u201d Did Christianity\u2026or even God, just become one of the superstitions he was referencing? When viewing anything that deals with Christianity\u2026even its leaders, I am quite certain that it is not the pattern of evolution that we should be following; on the contrary, I believe we learn through imitation, not evolution.<\/li>\n
  2. My second conflict was one shared by Alistair Roberts, who wrote, \u201cThe third key characteristic of the imaginatively gridlocked system is \u2018either\/or, black-or-white, all-or-nothing ways of thinking\u2019. Friedman maintains that \u2018such intense polarizations also are always symptomatic of underlying emotional processes rather than of the subject matter of the polarizing issue[5]<\/a>.\u2019\u201d I suppose I believe that when referencing something, perhaps grey-area is permittable; however, when it comes to Bible, Christianity, and ministry, I am a strong believer in the \u201cblack-or-white\u201d method of things. Friedman persist in referring to this methodology or mentality as a \u201ccult-like atmosphere[6]<\/a>.\u201d For me, there are too many scriptures that resonate in a much more definite nature; for instance:\n
      \n
    1. Matthew 5:37 \u201cBut let your \u2018Yes\u201d be \u201cYes,\u201d and your \u2018No,\u2019 \u2018No.\u2019 For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.\u201d<\/li>\n
    2. Revelation 3:16 \u201cSo then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth.\u201d<\/li>\n
    3. Luke 11:36 \u201cIf then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      I suppose I just believe that any gray areas are destined for trouble.<\/p>\n

      Personal reflection:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      My dissertation is going to take a look at the role that leaders play in regard to the necessary teaching surrounding the topic of baptism. The very reason for writing this paper coincides with the implied message of this week\u2019s reading; our leaders are not being molded properly to do the job they are called to do. The question I struggled with though, was how can this book help me to present a similar message in regard to biblical integrity when it comes to preaching? At one point, I was looking forward to a more structured method of learning to do just that, but unfortunately, I am very disappointed by this book\u2019s potential in that area. When I view the call of Christian leaders for the church today, I believe we need to find stability through God\u2019s Word over everything else. I do believe our leaders are being molded by popularity, public opinion, politically correctness, and modern-day justifications. Sadly, those are all a prescription for trouble; at least in my humble opinion. I always come back to Paul\u2019s encouragement to Timothy, \u201cBe diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth[7]<\/a>.\u201d It is established that the best way to become the leaders we have been called to be, is to look to God for the guidance we need. I wish this book would have said that.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Bibliography<\/h1>\n

      Friedman, Edwin H. A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix.<\/em>New York: Church Publishing, 2017.<\/p>\n

      Kleven, Daniel. biblioskolex.wordpress.com.<\/em>January 21, 2018. https:\/\/biblioskolex.wordpress.com\/2018\/01\/21\/review-a-failure-of-nerve\/ (accessed November 8, 2018).<\/p>\n

      Roberts, Alastair. Alastairadversaria.com.<\/em>January 8, 2012. https:\/\/alastairadversaria.com\/2012\/01\/08\/summary-of-edwin-friedmans-a-failure-of-nerve-part-1\/ (accessed November 8, 2018).<\/p>\n

      Wiens, Greg. leadersthatlast.org.<\/em>n.d. http:\/\/www.leadersthatlast.org\/pdfs\/a_failure_of_nerve_review.pdf (accessed November 8, 2018).<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      [1]<\/a>Wiens, Greg. leadersthatlast.org.<\/em>n.d. http:\/\/www.leadersthatlast.org\/pdfs\/a_failure_of_nerve_review.pdf (accessed November 8, 2018).<\/p>\n

      [2]<\/a>Kleven, Daniel. biblioskolex.wordpress.com.<\/em>January 21, 2018. https:\/\/biblioskolex.wordpress.com\/2018\/01\/21\/review-a-failure-of-nerve\/ (accessed November 8, 2018).<\/p>\n

      [3]<\/a>Friedman, Edwin H. A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix.<\/em>New York: Church Publishing, 2017.<\/p>\n

      [4]<\/a>Ibid, Kindle Locations 169-173.<\/p>\n

      [5]<\/a>Roberts, Alastair. Alastairadversaria.com.<\/em>January 8, 2012. https:\/\/alastairadversaria.com\/2012\/01\/08\/summary-of-edwin-friedmans-a-failure-of-nerve-part-1\/ (accessed November 8, 2018).<\/p>\n

      [6]<\/a>Friedman, Edwin H. A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix.<\/em>New York: Church Publishing, 2017.<\/p>\n

      [7]<\/a>2 Timothy 2:15.A<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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