{"id":34283,"date":"2023-11-22T06:33:51","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T14:33:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=34283"},"modified":"2023-11-22T06:33:51","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T14:33:51","slug":"a-chance-to-die","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/a-chance-to-die\/","title":{"rendered":"A Chance to Die"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Scandal of Leadership<\/em> by J.R. Woodward merges the works of three primary thinkers, among others. The first is Walter Wink and The Powers That Be<\/em> and\u00a0Unmasking the Powers<\/em>, which discuss the theology of the principalities and powers of the world in which we live. Rene Girard’s book Mimetic Theory<\/em> deals with mimetic desire and how that plays out in relationships throughout human history. Finally, various writings by William Stringfellow who wrote a lot about church leadership. [1] Woodward weaves these viewpoints and his own into a type of conversation throughout this well-researched book to give readers an alternate leadership style in the church. [2]<\/p>\n

Principalities and Powers<\/strong><\/p>\n

The book talks about the principalities and powers mentioned in the Bible, especially in the New Testament, and is not afraid to apply these forces to their effect on leadership. [3] 1 Peter 5:8 states that your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [4] Ephesians 6:12 explains that our struggle “is not flesh and blood but against rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” [5] Woodward writes, “The all-pervasiveness of the Powers should stimulate us, as missional leaders, to be cognizant of all the forces at work against us, and it should motivate our need to develop a spirituality in Christ, through the power of the Spirit.” [6]<\/p>\n

Memetics vs. Mimetics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Woodward also discusses Rene Gerard’s theory of mimetic rivalry and mimetic desire and how these rivalries have led to complete catastrophes for some churches. [7] Mimetic theory was a new concept to me in this book, so I did a little follow-up reading on it. Memetic with an ‘e’ is a positive thing – imitating ideas, behaviors, and styles. [8] Mimetic with an ‘i’ is primarily negative as it leads to rivalry and eventually to scapegoating. [9]<\/p>\n

A Great Fall<\/strong><\/p>\n

The author is not afraid to discuss how leaders have fallen in recent history. An example was given of Mark Driscoll. He was the pastor of Mars Hill in Seattle. He had no church background or seminary training but decided to start a church for guys like himself. [10] Over the years, the church became phenomenally successful, with 15,000 members. However, he ruled it with an authoritarian style. He wasn’t accountable to any denomination, and there wasn’t a hierarchy to hold him accountable. He could fire people at will, even the elders. [11] Mark Driscoll is quoted as saying, \u201cThere is a pile of dead bodies behind the Mars Hill bus. By God’s grace, it’ll be a mountain by the time we’re done. Either get on the bus, or you get run over by the bus. Those are the options. But the bus ain’t gonna stop.\u201d [12] His story is a sad one, really. But it is not the only one like that out there. There are so many just like that. His was simply well-publicized.<\/p>\n

Imitating Christ<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the end, Woodward proposes an alternate vision for the church and church leadership… the scandal of imitating Christ. I love that! He says the opposite of emptying ourselves is being full of ourselves. [13] Exalting ourselves above others in a way that is often based on ascribed or achieved status. Woodward talks about emptying ourselves and dying daily. [14] One of my favorite authors was Elisabeth Elliot. She wrote a missionary biography of Amy Carmichael entitled A Chance to Die<\/em> many years ago. The premise of this book and summary of Amy’s life story was to see in every day, every little time the “I” rises up within you – “I<\/strong><\/em> did that,” “I<\/em><\/strong> deserve credit for that,” and so on… see in\u00a0that<\/em> instance a chance to die to self and to live for Christ. Because dying to self is a daily occurrence. [15] The book made such an enormous impact on me that I asked a student who was good at woodworking to create for me a tiny little wooden box to keep on my desk. It is my little coffin. Inside, I have written, “See in this thing a chance to die.”<\/p>\n

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[1] Woodward, J. R. The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church<\/i>. Cody, Wyoming: 100 Movements Publishing, an imprint of Movement Leaders Collective, 2023.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[2] Ibid.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[3] Wentz, Joel. “Scandal of Leadership (JR Woodward) Review.” Joel Wentz. October 3, 2023. Link<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[4] Crossway Bibles, ed. 2007.\u00a0ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version<\/i>. ESV text ed. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles, p.1537.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[5] Crossway Bibles, ed. 2007.\u00a0ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version<\/i>. ESV text ed. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles, p.1478.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[6] Woodward, J. R. The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church<\/i>. Cody, Wyoming: 100 Movements Publishing, an imprint of Movement Leaders Collective, 2023, p.104.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[7] Wentz, Joel. “Scandal of Leadership (JR Woodward) Review.” Joel Wentz. October 3, 2023. Link<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[8] “Memetic Theory versus Mimetic Theory.” MimeticTheory.Com. December 1, 2020. Link<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[9] Ibid.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[10] Tong, Scott, and Allison Hagan. “‘The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill’: The Abuses of a Superstar Pastor and Megachurch Ruins Left Behind.” Wbur. January 20, 2022. Link<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n

[11] Ibid.<\/p>\n

[12] Ibid.<\/p>\n

[13] Woodward, J. R. The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church<\/i>. Cody, Wyoming: 100 Movements Publishing, an imprint of Movement Leaders Collective, 2023, p.264.<\/p>\n

[14] Ibid, p266.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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