Leadership in a Culture of Cowardice (part four) What does it take to be a courageous leader, particularly in a culture that has been growing more cowardly, childish, self-absorbed, and immature? Is it possible to live and lead in our Christian context so that spiritual and emotional maturity emerges? If it is, you, as pastor, […]
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Leadership in a Culture of Cowardice (part three) What does it take to be a courageous leader, particularly amidst a culture that, for decades, has been steeped in cowardice? Can a pastor, denominational exec, or church leader actually turn the tide of emotional and spiritual regression before the Church loses what’s left of its traction
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Leadership in a Culture of Cowardice (part two) After illuminating characteristics of a Culture of Cowardice and making sobering observations about how appropriately it applies to the Church, we’ve turned our attention to the kind of leadership that can serve to restore the Church to a place of redemptive influence in society. Edwin Friedman, in
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Leadership in a Culture of Cowardice (part one) How is a pastor, denominational exec, lay leader, elder, or board member to lead when the culture of your organization is shot through with cowardice? What are the implications for George Barna’s “Revolutionaries” who’ve been so sickened by the self-soothing silliness in churches that, while ministering passionately
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A Culture of Cowardice (part five) How is it that when a prominent Christian leader falls, the whole affair is so often shrouded in darkness? The secrecy seems to persist until the police, the media, the offended party (for example, in a sexual affair), or the victim of the leadership abuse (for example, when money
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#8: A Culture of Cowardice (part four) For the last month, I’ve invited you to consider whether, and to what degree, a Culture of Cowardice has taken hold in the Church. My purpose is to invite you, Christian leader, pastor, denominational executive to a place of uneasiness, even painful discomfort. Why? Pain is necessary for
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#6: A Culture of Cowardice (part two) Last time, I introduced what I believe to be a pervasive cultural condition in so many churches that it has become characteristic of the Church in America. I call it A Culture of Cowardice. While there are many wonderful exceptions, compared to the whole, these exceptions are so
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#5: A Culture of Cowardice (part one) Who are the exemplars of courage in our culture? To whom does America look when seeking heroes to be our role models? Lady Gaga? Bill Moyers? Dennis Kucinich? Robert Downey Jr.? It seems to me that the courageous have become an endangered species…and not just in society– but
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#4: The Responsibility Riddle QUESTION: Pastor, who is responsible for your spiritual maturity and vitality? ANSWER: I am, of course! Ok, fine. Now answer this… QUESTION: Pastor, who is responsible for the spiritual maturity and vitality of your congregation? ANSWER: Again, I am! Really? Are you sure? If you are responsible for your congregation’s spiritual
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