This is quite a strong message I received this week during a praise and worship session. In fact, I heard the first part of it that is “Feed my sheep” a few days earlier while in prayer. The rest was revealed in the session……but what does it mean? Of course the starting text can be found in Scripture in John 21:15-17 when Jesus was speaking to Peter. It is a powerful message indeed, because Jesus is preparing Peter for what is to come and how his leadership will be transformed to what is required of him to truly lead His flock.
Hence the message received, I believe is addressing leadership flaws which directly or indirectly leads the people astray. So what are some of these flaws? Well let us examine two of them…..
I AM IN TOTAL CONTROL
A leader who thinks he/she is in total control of everything often uses lots of ‘I’ in his/her interactions with others. ‘I’ did this….’I’ did that…In ‘my’ experience… So from time to time when he/she says things like “Don’t need to thank me, all glory be to God” naturally people question his/her sincerity.
When there is a project or program to run, she/he often breezes past her/his group members suggestions. She/He needs to assert order and discipline and members speak only when called upon. Often times through her/his discernment, she/he will introduce a workable idea for the group forgetting that one of her/his group members had suggested the very same ‘workable idea’ some time before. She/He chalks it up to being an affirmation by the Holy Spirit. Hence most new ideas are not helpful and frowned upon until such time they are.
He/she often panics when things do not flow according to plan so it is not surprising that he/she will blame the devil for it. Until such time this sort of leader learns that God is and always will be in control he/she will have made little impact in building God’s kingdom and may directly or indirectly cause His flock to disperse.
One Law to Rule Them All
Leaders with this mindset are often resistant to change not very unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees of Our Lord’s time. What is alarming though is that these leaders of today take on the guise of conformity, stating that we should always be obedient unto our Pope/Bishop/Parish priest. They can often be seen however, complaining or grumbling about any changes one way or another. Where in Scripture does it allow for this?? Which other diocese or where else in the world is this done this way??? If there is a change, then it must be gradual and must allow enough time for all to adjust to any changes especially for older parishioners otherwise we might alienate them from the faith. One standard must be set for ALL otherwise we will be seen as having double standards. And when questioned why some of the laws do not seem to apply to them, they readily quote that it is the Spirit of the Law that truly counts not so much the law in itself, besides……there is always a besides…do they not even realise that they are again directly or indirectly leading the flock astray?
The Key
Our faith is full of paradoxes, one such strong message from Jesus was “And he among you who wants to be the first will be a servant to all.” Mark 10:44 hence a true leader must totally empty himself/herself so that he/she can be filled with Christ in order to serve. The key to everything is Love! Love completes everything…..I leave you with two parts of 1 Corinthians 13 to reflect upon.
4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
9-10 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
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