We live in tumultuous, troubled times. They are breaking down the old stories we used to use to understand ourselves and the world around us. New discourses are emerging. NETTER is one such.
In ex-correctional officer Rory Miller’s book “Conflict Communication,” he has a great section on the difference between managers and leaders. From his view, a leader wishes to solve a problem (and will take responsibility for his success or failure) while a manager wishes to follow the rules of the system (and not take any responsibility). We see the outcomes now where it’s managers all the way down. Standing in the presence of one who speaks with authority and knows how to wield power expertly is invigorating. Our guys just need the chance to build that local authority. It would be helpful to have some steps for would be leaders with authority to learn to maximize their leadership beyond their courage and decisiveness. Lastly, I think the Holy Spirit clearly directs some men for leadership and grants them almost tangible authority. To understand more about the Holy Spirit’s role in the Trinity from a Reformed perspective has been instrumental in my understanding of how God works through us in the world.
Good point. The challenge with creating “steps for growing true leaders” is that this is a managerial approach. Look at the process of formation, break it down and then create a series of repeatable steps that we can apply widely. Unfortunately, ours will be the more difficult task of growing them up organically, within community and tradition.
One thinker I heard mentioned how wisdom is often from pain and a lesson learned. Without pain, the person cannot gain wisdom and truly internalize a truth. Without the lesson learned, the person does not benefit from the pain and just carries on. Hence why we have always made grueling tests for certain positions (ie bootcamp for recruits or doctor residencies for would be physicians). The rite of passage helps identify the truly wise and the natural leaders while avoiding the managerial or overly technical methods you mention (often found in the endless top five lists on YouTube of strong leaders, etc.). They must be a mechanism to bestow the authority though just as the instance of David. Formal and sacred rites help in this regard.
Yes, test, trials and rights of passage are all part of of it. I get the sense that it will be more that local communities will have to work out for themselves the tests and rituals that will do it. One thing I do think, though, or perhaps this is a hope and a prayer, that the men raised up and anointed are deep men God. I sense that this is vital.
In ex-correctional officer Rory Miller’s book “Conflict Communication,” he has a great section on the difference between managers and leaders. From his view, a leader wishes to solve a problem (and will take responsibility for his success or failure) while a manager wishes to follow the rules of the system (and not take any responsibility). We see the outcomes now where it’s managers all the way down. Standing in the presence of one who speaks with authority and knows how to wield power expertly is invigorating. Our guys just need the chance to build that local authority. It would be helpful to have some steps for would be leaders with authority to learn to maximize their leadership beyond their courage and decisiveness. Lastly, I think the Holy Spirit clearly directs some men for leadership and grants them almost tangible authority. To understand more about the Holy Spirit’s role in the Trinity from a Reformed perspective has been instrumental in my understanding of how God works through us in the world.
Good point. The challenge with creating “steps for growing true leaders” is that this is a managerial approach. Look at the process of formation, break it down and then create a series of repeatable steps that we can apply widely. Unfortunately, ours will be the more difficult task of growing them up organically, within community and tradition.
One thinker I heard mentioned how wisdom is often from pain and a lesson learned. Without pain, the person cannot gain wisdom and truly internalize a truth. Without the lesson learned, the person does not benefit from the pain and just carries on. Hence why we have always made grueling tests for certain positions (ie bootcamp for recruits or doctor residencies for would be physicians). The rite of passage helps identify the truly wise and the natural leaders while avoiding the managerial or overly technical methods you mention (often found in the endless top five lists on YouTube of strong leaders, etc.). They must be a mechanism to bestow the authority though just as the instance of David. Formal and sacred rites help in this regard.
Yes, test, trials and rights of passage are all part of of it. I get the sense that it will be more that local communities will have to work out for themselves the tests and rituals that will do it. One thing I do think, though, or perhaps this is a hope and a prayer, that the men raised up and anointed are deep men God. I sense that this is vital.
Excellent. I can't wait to have you on to discuss this issue.
Thanks! Looking forward to it.