An article from an Educational Leadership magazine in recent months made me think seriously about our styles of leadership. The question raised was very simple – why do people follow you? And of course, why would they? There is an old maxim that appears in leadership journals occasionally: if you’re out there leading and nobody is following, then you’re really just out for a walk. Alone.
The seasons of Lent and Easter have made me reconsider the followers of Jesus and the tough decisions they had to make. It must have been exciting when Jesus was welcomed into town like a hero. It was probably amazing when large crowds gathered to hear him. There must have been unnerving moments when he was arrested – when the option of violence against the Roman authorities was tested. And then of course there were huge disappointments – Judas the betrayer possibly trying to force Jesus’ hand, and Peter the broken leader who denied knowing his leader three times. And most fascinating of all – the young John Mark who escaped the clutches of the arresting authorities by wriggling out of his clothes. They were heady times.
During the term in various classroom conversations we have examined a range of situations where people have made bad decisions - often mislead by bad leaders, or threatened or bullied by the kind of people you wouldn’t vote into power. It is a sobering thought that many of us, placed in similar tough circumstances, might also have found it difficult to do the right thing. We make wrong decisions even in peacetime, never mind situations challenged by war or oppression.
The story of Easter – the Christian tradition in its customary form - is about the apparent failure of a good man and beloved leader – who seems to allow himself to be cruelly tortured and executed without offering any real defence. The God-person Jesus bears intolerable pain and suffering, a punishment undeserved and probably meted out by corrupt and selfish religious and secular leaders.
The excitement of Easter – in this same Christian tradition – surpasses the thrills of Easter egg hunts and mandatory holidays. The gloom and darkness of a failed leadership campaign, and a gruesome execution, is eclipsed by a forty day period of resurrection encounters – where followers of Jesus, up to five hundred at one time – find that he is alive again.
Easter’s themes of new life, spring (in the northern hemisphere), and fresh beginnings are hopeful and invigorating glimpses of a better world, and the victory of love over hatred, and forgiveness over resentment and bitterness.
The life and death of Jesus are inspirational. Easter is a celebration of that life and death. The resurrection brings new energy to discouraged people at every level. The same power (literally “spirit”) that raises Jesus from the dead is offered to us – transforming our frail physical and emotional lives with a new vitality and energy, an enlivening and joy-filling encounter.
We often find ourselves weary and stretched as school terms come to an end. And in our personal lives we face all manner of challenges both practically and spiritually. The hope of Easter is once again our mainstay. We have the promise that Jesus is still with us through his ever-present Holy Spirit – to strengthen us and give us peace.
May you be blessed at this Easter time with all that you need to inspire and guide you, and may you be a great leader in your field, both at home and at work or play – with followers who are inspired by you and from whom you also learn and grow.
(Written for the School Magazine before Easter)
Friday 9 April 2010
Post Easter
Winter is on its way. The pleasant autumn sun today is deceptive, as the cold truth of a Wellington winter is very sobering. There have been these mean little southerly winds popping out of the meteorological woodwork.
We are in the middle of the so-called Easter break. The Easter weekend began with a typical holiday collapse of resistance to the local bugs, and necessitated a visit to the Doctor and week's supply of pills. Losing one's voice is not good for a preacher. The voice died after the Easter sunday message.
New Zealand life continues in its nondescript way. Occasional excitement is noted when particular rugby games are on. Cricket doesn't do the same, and it is unlikely that too many people can afford to go to South Africa for the Football world cup - the prices in NZD are insane. The All Whites will have to be content with an audience on line cheerfully yelling for them.
As a South African living "abroad" the current reports on the state of affairs in the old country are disturbing. I have vivid memories of our two years (and a bit) in Rustenburg, the heart of Afrikaner country. Standing in the queue to use a public phone on the corner I was amazed to see a white male attack a black man who was sitting on the pavement. I have no idea why. But it made sense that Eugene Terblanche was prepared to stand for the Rustenburg constituency in the National elections. There were plenty of enthusiasts. "ET go home" was on a poster that appeared on the streets. It seemed that there were plenty of white right wing parties there anyway who didn't want the man in black on his large horse galloping through the town.
ET is home now I suppose. One can only hope that there is no outbreak of violence. The Farmers Unions seem to be mobilising in their own way. The violence, whichever way you look at it and whatever side you take, is horrible and endless.
We have begun our 5th year here officially. It seems like we have been here forever. The connections to South Africa are still very strong, and the Palmer children have some mixed feelings about living here to say the least. In the meantime we continue to do what we do as faithfully as we can. I was reminded by an old friend by email this week that the battle is not ours, and that faithfulness to the task we know is the most important thing.
This week we will be at Foxton Beach. Not being the largest place on the coast, few will know much about it. The "Bach" - the local word for a holiday cottage - has been kindly loaned to us by a colleague Presbyterian minister. A good opportunity to recuperate and prepare for the new term. School begins on the 19th with a College chapel service - one must be prepared for these things.
The Easter message of resurrection and hope has to be foundational in our lives - may you be inspired to see things from that point of view.
As always, yours truly
Robin
We are in the middle of the so-called Easter break. The Easter weekend began with a typical holiday collapse of resistance to the local bugs, and necessitated a visit to the Doctor and week's supply of pills. Losing one's voice is not good for a preacher. The voice died after the Easter sunday message.
New Zealand life continues in its nondescript way. Occasional excitement is noted when particular rugby games are on. Cricket doesn't do the same, and it is unlikely that too many people can afford to go to South Africa for the Football world cup - the prices in NZD are insane. The All Whites will have to be content with an audience on line cheerfully yelling for them.
As a South African living "abroad" the current reports on the state of affairs in the old country are disturbing. I have vivid memories of our two years (and a bit) in Rustenburg, the heart of Afrikaner country. Standing in the queue to use a public phone on the corner I was amazed to see a white male attack a black man who was sitting on the pavement. I have no idea why. But it made sense that Eugene Terblanche was prepared to stand for the Rustenburg constituency in the National elections. There were plenty of enthusiasts. "ET go home" was on a poster that appeared on the streets. It seemed that there were plenty of white right wing parties there anyway who didn't want the man in black on his large horse galloping through the town.
ET is home now I suppose. One can only hope that there is no outbreak of violence. The Farmers Unions seem to be mobilising in their own way. The violence, whichever way you look at it and whatever side you take, is horrible and endless.
We have begun our 5th year here officially. It seems like we have been here forever. The connections to South Africa are still very strong, and the Palmer children have some mixed feelings about living here to say the least. In the meantime we continue to do what we do as faithfully as we can. I was reminded by an old friend by email this week that the battle is not ours, and that faithfulness to the task we know is the most important thing.
This week we will be at Foxton Beach. Not being the largest place on the coast, few will know much about it. The "Bach" - the local word for a holiday cottage - has been kindly loaned to us by a colleague Presbyterian minister. A good opportunity to recuperate and prepare for the new term. School begins on the 19th with a College chapel service - one must be prepared for these things.
The Easter message of resurrection and hope has to be foundational in our lives - may you be inspired to see things from that point of view.
As always, yours truly
Robin
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