{"id":38422,"date":"2024-09-12T23:48:28","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T06:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=38422"},"modified":"2024-09-12T23:50:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T06:50:22","slug":"leadership-that-imitates-christ-reflections-on-the-theological-insights-of-thomas-a-kempis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/leadership-that-imitates-christ-reflections-on-the-theological-insights-of-thomas-a-kempis\/","title":{"rendered":"Leadership That Imitates Christ: Reflections on The Theological Insights of Thomas A. Kempis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The book I selected for this week’s assignment is The Imitation of Christ by\u00a0Thomas Kempis. This is a\u00a0Christian devotional book<\/a>\u00a0first composed in\u00a0Medieval Latin<\/a>\u00a0as\u00a0De Imitatione Christi<\/em>\u00a0(c.\u00a01418\u20131427). The devotional text is divided into four books of detailed spiritual instructions: (i) “Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life”, (ii) “Directives for the Interior Life”, (iii) “On Interior Consolation”, and (iv) “On the Blessed Sacrament”. The devotional approach of\u00a0The Imitation of Christ\u00a0emphasises the interior life and withdrawal from the mundanities of the world, as opposed to the active imitation of Christ practised by other friars.\u00a0The devotions of the books emphasize devotion to the\u00a0Eucharist<\/a>\u00a0as the key element of spiritual life.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although this book was published centuries ago, its teachings on Christian spirituality remain timeless to this day. It has been translated into several languages and inspired many prominent figures, such as St. Ignatius Loyola and John Wesley.[2]<\/a> It is no surprise that it has been reprinted continually over the centuries.<\/p>\n

This book has helped me re-examine my spirituality as a pastor serving and leading God’s people. It is rich with leadership values grounded in Christian principles that are universally applicable. I will discuss several aspects of these teachings that I consider relevant to my ministry context.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Patience<\/strong><\/p>\n

Being a leader means encountering many individuals from various backgrounds. Some are demanding, grumbling, never satisfied, and unappreciative. Such individuals constantly seek out the leader’s weaknesses and shortcomings. Therefore, a high degree of patience is required when leading people like this. Patience is a quality that every leader must possess, and this value is one I have found in Kempis’s teachings. He writes, \u201cA patient man hath a great and wholesome purgatory, who, receiving injuries, is more concerned at the person’s sin than his own wrong; who willingly prays for his adversaries, and from his heart forgives offenses; who delays not to ask forgiveness of others; who is easier moved to compassion than to anger.\u201d[3]<\/a><\/p>\n

A leader who has patience will act beyond the ego-personal. He does not respond to unpleasant behaviour from others. Instead, a leader will be willing to listen to their grumbling and complaints. A true leader knows that demanding people usually have a higher desire to be heard so relationships and intimacy in an organization and fellowship can be maintained. A patient leader is willing to listen. According to Treasure, \u201cIntimacy requires honesty and deep knowledge of another, which can only come through listening.\u201d[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Humility <\/strong><\/p>\n

The next significant value found in Kempis’ writing is humility. Christian leadership is closely related to humility because only Christ is worthy of praise and glorification in the life and leadership of a leader. A Christian leader knows that his life and ministry are gifts from God alone. This resonates with Kempis’ view. He writes, \u201cBe not proud of thine own works; for the judgments of God are different from the judgments of men; and often times, that displeaseth Him which pleaseth men. \u00a0If thou hast anything of good, believe better things of others, that thou mayest preserve humility.\u201d[5]<\/a> From Kempis, I learned that humility speaks of self-emptying and self-sacrifice. I found a profound resonance with Kempis\u2019s thought in Walker\u2019s concept of the self-emptying strategy. Walker writes an insightful statement that impressed me: “Self-sacrifice is the conscious choice not to use force or exercise power but, instead, to allow something to be done to you”.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Faithful<\/strong><\/p>\n

I also found another diamond chunk from Kempis’ writing. He emphasized faithfulness in following Christ in every step of life and responsibility as a Christian leader. Kempis writes, \u201cSet thyself then like a good and faithful servant of Christ, to bear manfully the Cross of thy Lord, crucified for the love of thee. \u00a0Prepare thyself to suffer many adversities and divers evils in this miserable life; for so it will be with thee wherever thou art, and so indeed wilt thou find it wheresoever thou mayest hide thyself.\u201d[7]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Christian leader’s faithfulness will always be maintained when he truly listens to God’s voice and relies on God in his leadership so that he continues to receive strength and wisdom from God. This is in line with what Glanzer emphasized in his book, The Sound of Leadership<\/em>. Glanzer writes, \u201cMore important than listening to the people is listening to the voice of God. God’s call to leadership and guidance along the way is one of the foundational tones to God-honoring, kingdom-seeking, biblically rooted leadership.\u201d[8]<\/a> In my opinion, a Christian leader’s loyalty to God and the values \u200b\u200bof biblical truth is necessary in this modern era so that he remains an example for God’s people. Secularization and modernization have influenced many people to leave God and rely on the power of technology and humans.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God-loving Personality<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another valuable finding from Kempis’ writings is about loving God. Being a Christian leader means dedicating one’s whole life to God. This is closely related to a personality that loves God very much. In his very enlightening writings, Kempis emphasizes living a life dedicated to God entirely, a life that loves Him with all one’s heart. He writes, \u201cLet me sing the canticle of love, let me follow Thee my Beloved on high, let my soul lose herself in Thy praises, rejoicing exceedingly in Thy love. \u00a0Let me love Thee more than myself and myself only for Thee, and all others in Thee, who truly love Thee as the law of love commands, which shines forth from Thee.\u201d[9]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Every Christian leader who loves God will receive guidance to know Him deeply. Thus, with a personality that genuinely loves God, a Christian leader will imitate Him. This resonates with Woodward’s writing. He writes, \u201cWe become what we love, and ultimately, what we love is what we worship.\u201d[10]<\/a> However, only Jesus is the true model. Here are the reasons, first, He is the image of God in human form. Second, \u201cIf we imitate the desires of Christ, it will result in true missional leadership, evidenced by others-centeredness, humility, and a kenotic (self-emptying) approach to leadership.\u201d[11]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kempis quotes John 8:12, “HE that followeth me, walketh not in darkness,” saith Our Lord. (John 8:12), to emphasize the importance of a life that imitates Christ. He asserts, \u201cThese are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished, that we must imitate His life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened, and delivered from all blindness of heart.\u201d[12]<\/a><\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Imitation_of_Christ.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Imitation_of_Christ.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Thomas \u00e0 Kempis, The Imitation of Christ<\/em>, trans. Richard Challoner (Rockford, IL: Tan Books, 1989), 68.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Julian Treasure,\u00a0How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening\u00a0<\/em>(Coral Gables, Fl: Mango Publishing Group, 2017), <\/em>37.<\/em><\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Thomas \u00e0 Kempis, The Imitation of Christ<\/em>, trans. Richard Challoner (Rockford, IL: Tan Books, 1989), 17.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Simon P. Walker,\u00a0Leading Out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership<\/em>\u00a0(Carlisle, UK: Piquant Editions Ltd., 2007), 122.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Kempis, The Imitation<\/em>, 123.<\/em><\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Jules Glanzer,\u00a0The Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence<\/em>\u00a0(Plano, TX: Invite Press, 2023), Scribd Version, page 39 of 230.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Kempis, The Imitation<\/em>, 146.<\/em><\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> J.R. Woodward,\u00a0The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church<\/em>\u00a0(Cody, WY: 100 Movements Publishing, an Imprint of Movement Leaders Collective, 2023), 109.<\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> Woodward,\u00a0The Scandal of Leadership<\/em>, xxxvi.<\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> Kempis, The Imitation<\/em>, 3.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The book I selected for this week’s assignment is The Imitation of Christ by\u00a0Thomas Kempis. This is a\u00a0Christian devotional book\u00a0first composed in\u00a0Medieval Latin\u00a0as\u00a0De Imitatione Christi\u00a0(c.\u00a01418\u20131427). The devotional text is divided into four books of detailed spiritual instructions: (i) “Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life”, (ii) “Directives for the Interior Life”, (iii) “On Interior Consolation”, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":173,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[2310],"tags":[3276],"class_list":["post-38422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctor-of-leadership-3","tag-kempis-dlgp02","cohort-dlgp02"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38422","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\/173"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38422"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38422\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38424,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38422\/revisions\/38424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}