{"id":34360,"date":"2023-11-29T20:42:31","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T04:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=34360"},"modified":"2023-11-29T20:42:31","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T04:42:31","slug":"called-beyond-the-comfort-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/called-beyond-the-comfort-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"Called Beyond the Comfort Zone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Identifying the Scandal and Offering Prevention<\/strong><\/p>\n

JR Woodward, in his book, The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church<\/em>, addresses the downfall of church leaders through their abuse of power. He addresses this problem by looking at the roots deep below power abuse, \u201cnaming the Powers of domination in order to unmask their subversive work.\u201d[1]<\/a> He believes leaders who do not deliberately set their sights on imitating Christ, will be drawn into the unhealthy, idolatrous desires of our culture and suggests that the only scandal<\/em> worth pursuing is the scandalous leadership of Jesus.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

Woodward\u2019s book is based on his PhD research in which his hypothesis was \u201cthat a robust theology of the Powers enables leaders to better imitate Christ and resist the temptations common to fallen leadership.\u201d[3]<\/a> He adds, \u201cWhen we, as church leaders, succumb to domineering leadership, people get hurt, Christ is misrepresented, and the witness of the church is damaged.\u201d[4]<\/a> The Scandal of Leadership<\/em> offers a thought-provoking, academic diagnosis of the domineering leadership style and the preventative measures leaders and followers can take to avoid leadership failures and also present abusers with healing.<\/p>\n

An Important Issue for Me to Explore<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Woodward\u2019s introduction to his book, he carefully laid out his scope of work and I want to respect the bounds to which he limited his research. In that vein, I am not criticizing him for not including more breadth in his research, I\u2019m simply taking my thinking outside the bounds of his book.<\/p>\n

In defining his scope, he openly communicated that his work comes from the perspective of his personal male context. He also pointed out that most abuses of power in the church are male abuses of power,\u00a0 and he comments, \u201cSadly, the story of women\u2019s leadership has not been documented in the same way as men\u2019s.\u201d[5]<\/a> And, he added this important point, which gave me pause: \u201cI\u2019ve heard from female friends in leadership that the cautions I share about dominating leadership are not necessarily speaking to the temptations they often face \u2013 temptation to avoid power altogether.\u201d[6]<\/a> This peaked my interest and changed the way in which I saw this book. I found Woodward\u2019s work interesting and valuable, but more interesting and valuable to me, became the area of exploring the strengths and weaknesses of women\u2019s leadership style and the potential pitfalls we experience and navigate. Based on Woodward\u2019s observation and feedback from women, and based on my personal experience, embodying \u201cdominating leadership\u201d may not be a woman\u2019s biggest worry. To be fair, it may not be a worry for many men, either.[7]<\/a><\/p>\n

Women in Leadership: Strengths and Temptations<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am curious as to what insights an in-depth study on \u201cwomen in leadership: strengths and temptations\u201d would produce. A quick search online revealed some interesting articles on the topic, specifically one put out by the American Association of University Women and another published by Forbes and co-written by fifteen women.[8]<\/a> Also, I noticed there are plenty of books<\/em> written on women in leadership, though it\u2019s unclear how many of these would have valuable information. And finally, a perusal of my own bookshelf revealed useful resources by authors such as Tricia Hersey, Eve Poole, Natalia Kohn Rivera, Kristy Garza Robinson, Laila Tarraf, Noemi Vega Quinones, and Karen Walrond.[9]<\/a><\/p>\n

My brief research session showed that resources are available, most likely good research still needs to be done, I need to build my library on this topic, and perhaps I would be interested in studying this area further. Because I have limited space in this blog, I have footnoted the above articles and books for further study and will focus here on my own experience.<\/p>\n

Personal Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mandy Smith, in her book Unfettered<\/em>, as noted by Woodward, says:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen childlike faith leads us to follow, childishness will bind us in our inadequacy. Rather than leading to childlike dependency, our childish sense of limitation can lead to shame, despair, and passivity. We see this temptation in every Bible character who says, \u2018Who am I?\u2019 as a way to avoid God\u2019s call\u2026 It feels Christlike because it doesn\u2019t grasp for power\u2026[but for Jesus] \u201chis childlike reliance led to obedience which expressed itself in surprising authority. He was childlike and adult-like \u2013 free to be powerless and free to be powerful.\u201d[10]<\/a><\/p>\n

This aligns with my personal fear and courage. I desperately want to follow Jesus into the world and to be part of His work of healing, hope, and new life for others and myself, but often I doubt my abilities to be effective. Truthfully, my biggest fear is being rejected or told that what I have to offer isn\u2019t needed or wanted. Consequently, I choose not to step forward to use my power for God and, instead, stand back, letting others or no one move into that space. That\u2019s just outright wrong. My decision is based on myself and not on Jesus. Just as overexerting and abusing power is a focus on oneself, so is hanging back and refusing to step into the work of God when prompted. The key is to follow Jesus, stepping forward and back with our power, as he asks.[11]<\/a> Simon Walker offers wisdom on this topic, saying \u201cUndefended leaders, secure in their identity as a result of a healthy relationship with God, can move forward unhindered by fear and doubt, to lead \u201cwith nothing to lose.\u201d[12]<\/a><\/p>\n

Over the last fifteen years, I have improved in this area, but I still struggle with the temptation to \u201cavoid power.\u201d Some things that have helped me to improve include learning tangible leadership skills on the job and in the classroom, simply remembering that God loves me, and my \u201clacrosse attitude,\u201d which I developed about ten years ago and of which I will write in another blog.<\/p>\n

Conclusion: Called Beyond Comfort Zone<\/strong><\/p>\n

Woodward\u2019s book launched me into a future research project and a personal leadership challenge. I end with excerpts from a prayer by Walter Brueggemann, entitled \u201cCalled Beyond Comfort Zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are among your called.<\/p>\n

We have heard and answered your summons\u2026<\/p>\n

In responsive obedience we testify, as we are able, to your truth as it concerns our common life.<\/p>\n

We thank you for the call,<\/p>\n

for the burden of that call, for the risk that goes with it, for the joy of words given us by your growing spirit, and for the newness that sometimes comes from your word\u2026<\/p>\n

But we are, as well, filled with rich imaginations of our own,<\/p>\n

And our imagination is sometimes matched and overmatched<\/p>\n

by our cowardice,<\/p>\n

by our readiness to please,<\/p>\n

by our quest for well-being.<\/p>\n

We are, on most days, a hard mix of true prophet and wayward voice,<\/p>\n

a mix of your call to justice and our hope for shalom<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Here we are, as we are,<\/p>\n

mixed but faithful,<\/p>\n

compromised but committed,<\/p>\n

anxious but devoted to you…\u201d[13]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> JR Woodward, The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church<\/em> (Cody, WY: 100 Movements Publishing, 2023), xxv, 289, 291.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> JR Woodward, The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church<\/em> (Cody, WY: 100 Movements Publishing, 2023), xxv, xxxv, 289, 291.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Woodward, xxv.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Woodward, xxv.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Woodward, xxxvii.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Woodward, xxxvii-xxxviii.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> As a note, I do think the abuse of power is a concern for everyone, as long as it exists in our churches and ministries. It negatively affects everyone, especially those who are direct victims of the abuser.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> American Association of University Women<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.aauw.org\/resources\/research\/barrier-bias\/<\/strong><\/a>, and Forbes<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbescoachescouncil\/2018\/02\/26\/15-biggest-challenges-women-leaders-face-and-how-to-overcome-them\/?sh=57051b8d4162<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Tricia Hersey, Rest is Resistance: Free Yourself from Grind Culture and Reclaim Your Life<\/em>; Eve Poole, Leadersmithing: Revealing the Trade Secrets of Leadership<\/em>; Natalia Kohn Rivera, Noemi Vega Quinones, Kristy Garza Robinson, Hermanas: Deepening Our Identity and Growing our Influence<\/em>; Laila Tarraf, Strong Like Water: How I Found the Courage to Lead with Love in Business and in Life<\/em>, Karen Walrond, The Lightmaker\u2019s Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy.<\/em><\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Mandy Smith in Woodward, xxxviii.<\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> Mark 8:34, \u201cIf any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> Walker, ix, 145, 6.<\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> Walter Brueggemann, Prayers for a Privileged People<\/em> (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2008), 127-128.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Identifying the Scandal and Offering Prevention JR Woodward, in his book, The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church, addresses the downfall of church leaders through their abuse of power. He addresses this problem by looking at the roots deep below power abuse, \u201cnaming the Powers of domination in order to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":157,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2846],"class_list":["post-34360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-woodward","cohort-dlgp01"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/157"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34360"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34361,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34360\/revisions\/34361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}