Posted on 05/20/2006 7:42:31 PM PDT by sionnsar
It does seem to be true that one is either a leader or a follower. If you lead you have the opportunity to do new things, explore new ground or defend what is good and true. If you are a follower, you are not part of the decision-making process and you must be content to go where you are led, even into unfamiliar territory, even into apostasy and heresy. If you are not willing to go there, you must act in a decisive way. You must begin to act like a leader.
The present situation in ECUSA didn’t happen simply because a few radicals decided to introduce innovations. It has come because most people haven’t cared enough to be informed, to take a stand, and to get involved. Edmund Burke truly said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
The crisis of leadership seems nearly universal. The problem isn’t unique to ECUSA. Aspects of the crisis include a shortage of good leaders, morally lax and ethically corrupt leaders, and arrogant leaders. Retired General Norman Schwarzkopf recognized that good character is essential to good leadership. He wrote, “Leadership is a potent combination of character and strategy. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.”
Good leadership is an act of the will combined with training and discernment. One must decide to lead, intentionally develop leadership skills, be a person of integrity and stand up for what is right and good. Honest, humble and hard working people can become extraordinary leaders, especially if they have a stiff spine. Good leaders keep the greater good in sight and do not succumb to pressures to conform to what may seem right in many people’s eyes. Margaret Thatcher once said, “No great cause has ever been fought and won under the banner of consensus.”
The seven fundamentals of leadership are:
1. Serve others, not your ego.
2. Learn humility.
3. Pray for wisdom and to see others as God sees them.
4. Be passionate about all you do.
5. Develop discipline and rely on it, rather than on emotion.
6. Evaluate where you can make peoples’ lives better.
7. Share your power. You have it because God gave it to you.
As we approach General Convention, let us pray for the gift of good leaders. We need them so badly and God can raise them up “for such a time as this.”
Have a listen to the MP3’s. I’m glad Louie had a Holy Week full of reconciliation and forgiveness.
So, if some random person calls up your parish asking if they are accepting of gays and lesbians, and sounds like this recorded voice, and won’t hold to speak to the clergy, you know who is calling.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. ping
For God's sake, get out and go to another church that both believes in and acts upon what the Bible says. You're throwing pearls before swine, IMO.
What's the big draw in the ECUSA? Used to it? The liturgies? Fear of change?
Have always liked the General's standards, criteria.
Thanks.
It's no wonder this church has gone down the tube; these seven items are all "emotionally" based, not bibilically based. The scriptures are clear what qualifies someone for leadership. These seven items are psychobabble.
There are. Bishop John-David Schofield, for example, of the Diocese of San Joaquin is one I know.
It sounds like the ECUSA isn't going to repent of the sin of homosexuality in its leadership. If that's acceptable then the door's wide open to lots of other behaviors considered "tolerance" as opposed to calling it what it is - "sin".
The idea of a church taking pride in "tolerance" of sexual sin is dealt with nicely by Paul in 1 Corinthians. In that situation, there were 2 guilty parties - the actual offender and the accommodating church leadership. In the ECUSA's situation, neither see homosexuality and accommodation of it as sinful.
Take a cue from Paul and seek fellowship elsewhere. Homosexuality is not portrayed anywhere in Scripture in a positive light, and in the OT its punishment is proscribed as death. Being in a church where that type of sinful behavior is tolerated and accepted in leadership is bad news. Take a stand based on Scripture, not on what a group of compromised denomination officials are saying and doing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.