We tend to think that leadership is all about a strong leader. But leadership within any organisation is not confined to the charisma or intellectual capabilities of the leader. It is about the mission to which a group or organisation is called.
It would be a gross misconception to treat the Church as an ordinary organisation. The Church is a unique organism in which Christ and the Spirit dwell. It has a unique source of life and is governed by particular commitments and practices, such as prayer, worship, study, witness and service.
Although the Church cannot be explained in organisational terms alone and must guard against approaches to leadership that merely accommodate the broader culture, it would be illusive to think that the Church is exempt from laws of human behaviour, social laws, psychological laws and organisational laws that are rooted in creation and that apply to all organisations.
Primarily, effective Christian leadership calls for priests, religious and all men and women of goodwill, who, though fervent prayer, commitment and self-sacrifice, manifest the life of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit. In other words, men and women for others.
But effective leadership, by its very nature, also calls for leaders who are emotionally healthy, competent and able to function effectively in a variety of relationships, who see the world in optimistic and hopeful terms, who listen carefully, who are persistent in the face of conflict and resilient in the face of setbacks.
The Church, as a ‘living organism’, is constantly growing, changing, and remains vibrant only if it manages to adapt to the changing realities around it. Effective leadership calls for leaders who empower the community and are not afraid to promote change.
Pope Francis insistently communicates the necessity and urgency of this change, from the top down. It is a change from a Church that clings to its own security, rituals and pomp, to a Church, in Pope Francis’ own words “bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets”. In the words of Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author, Pope Francis is calling for a “fierce change to the status quo” .
It would be a loss if the Church fails to complement its unique ‘organism’ by training its leaders with the competencies and skills which empower them to adapt to the ever- changing realities
This change requires a strong and adequately trained leadership that embraces a creativity that is able to function outside the lines, beyond the dots, despite the boxes and the mental chains by which we have forever been constrained.
Action speaks louder than words. Translating Pope Francis’ plea for a ‘Church that has the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful…’ necessitates a platform of sound and innovative leadership that goes beyond the chained mentality of ‘we have always done it this way’.
Strong and adaptive leadership focuses on the mission, not the leader. In the words of James Collins from his renowned writing ‘Good to Great’… “Leaders who focus too much upon their personal role, and not upon the mission itself, at best limit their effectiveness, and at worst sabotage the mission.”
We often find that local communities lack vibrancy due to outdated parish pastoral councils or a parish priest who believes the whole parish revolves around his sole vision. The Pope resonates a call for parish priests and religious to extend far beyond the norms of organised religion. It is a call to work in collaboration with all members of the community to stimulate the discovery and use of the spiritual gifts, empowering the body with all its diversity to engage in a vibrant Church.
The challenge is one of adaptability. This requires leadership that is theologically grounded, culturally responsive and interpersonally sensitive. It requires leaders who have character, conviction and competence.
Effective leadership involves relationships which require a high degree of interaction and collaborative effort. Although the corporate leadership model can never replace the apostolic charism of the Church, it would be a loss if the Church fails to complement its unique ‘organism’ by training its leaders with the various competencies and skills which empower them to adapt to the ever-changing realities.
gordon@atomserve.net
Gordon Vassallo is an accredited spiritual guide at the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality.