In a way . . . I am very lucky.<\/p>\n
My first call involved a church situation that could have been detailed as a case study, or even its own chapter, in the second section of Tourish\u2019s work, The Dark Side of Transformational Leadership<\/em>.\u00a0 I have written somewhat about this before, however these links below tell the story far better than I could ever rehash the saga in a weekly blog post:<\/p>\n Sadly, a lot of what can be said about this period in the life of this one particular church was that it lived into a period of experiencing first-hand the dark side of transformational leadership.\u00a0 A scandal involving a charismatic pastor, a struggling member, numerous ministries of the church, and the press, resulted in a crisis, division and a plethora of spiritual wounds.\u00a0 Over an eighteen month period half of the staff resigned, retired, or found other employment.\u00a0 Those that stayed were tasked with providing critical spiritual care.<\/p>\n I say I am lucky, because in my very first professional ministry experience, I witnessed the damage that can be done when leadership goes awry.\u00a0 Many factors were at play throughout the entire ordeal, but one of them was a clear issue with pastoral leadership.\u00a0 As Tourish states, \u201cmany charismatic leaders are narcissists \u2013 that is, people with an inordinately well-developed self-image, in which they take great pride and on which they reflect frequently.\u201d[iv]<\/a> This was certainly the case.\u00a0 In fact, the issue became that as the leader\u2019s image, charisma, preaching and \u201cgreatness\u201d was lifted up, the overall sense of each member of the church having and bringing their own unique gifts was made inconsequential \u2013 and further elevated the level of awe that surrounded him, and the \u201cjust follow\u201d mindset for many on the congregation.\u00a0 The results were very damaging, and the wounds that the \u2018dark side\u2019 created are still felt among the membership and those most greatly impacted.<\/p>\n However, I began this blog post saying I am lucky, and I still believe this to be true.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Tourish writes of the prospects of cult like practices arising around certain transformational leaders.[v]<\/a>\u00a0 I have sadly seen this when people decide to worship and follow an individual instead of God.\u00a0 This reminds me to always point the congregation I serve to the Living Word, to prayer, and to the divine best experienced in and through community.\u00a0 Tourish writes of the silencing of voices that can happen when a transformational leader does not provide ample opportunity for feedback.[vi]<\/a>\u00a0 This reminds me to continually challenge myself to listen before speaking, and to provide structures in and through the church that support opportunity, equality, and inclusivity.\u00a0 I am lucky because I have seen far too much pain, I have learned from those mistakes, and know that I never want anyone to feel that type of spiritual pain again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [i]<\/a> Anemona Hartocollis, \u201cParishioner Sues Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Saying Pastor Seduced Wife,\u201d New York Times<\/em>, November 1, 2005, https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2005\/11\/01\/nyregion\/parishioner-sues-fifth-avenue-presbyterian-church-saying-pastor.html.<\/p>\n [ii]<\/a> Dan Mangan, \u201cLover Sues Randy Rev. For Affair,\u201d New York Post<\/em>, July 19, 2007, https:\/\/nypost.com\/2007\/07\/19\/lover-sues-randy-rev-for-affair\/.<\/p>\n [iii]<\/a> Dan Mangan, \u201cIt was all in good chaste: Randy Rev.,\u201d New York Post<\/em>, July 9, 2008, https:\/\/nypost.com\/2008\/07\/09\/it-was-all-in-good-chaste-randy-rev\/.<\/p>\n [iv]<\/a> Tourish, Dennis. The Dark Side of Transformational Leadership: A Critical Perspective, Routledge, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, http:\/\/ebookcentral.proquest.com\/lib\/georgefox\/detail.action?docID=1154334. 25<\/p>\n\n