Leaders either become a scandal to those they lead or embrace the scandalous way of Christ.

    Part 2 of 2 featuring JR Woodward. We discuss his latest book, an iteration of his recent dissertation, on the Powers and church leadership. The Scandal of Leadership is now available wherever books are sold. Those in church leadership of any kind will find this conversation a crucial component to diagnosing systemic problems in church leadership formation. Both episodes derive from a deeply theological understanding of leadership, and digs into spiritual formation as well. CW: we do discuss Power through a spiritual lens that includes topics of spiritual warfare ranging from Christ, Satan, and so forth.

    Episode Summary of Part Two:

      Implications for Formation:
      – On Christian formation, shaping views of atonement and the world. Christ as the scapegoat unlocks a new awareness, inviting a reorientation towards a different worldview.

      Two Archetypal Models:
      – According to John, two primary archetypal models exist: Satan and Christ.
      – Gerard deconstructs Satan as part of a mimetic cycle, accusing and offering order to maintain power.

      Satan’s Fall and Powers’ Influence:
      – Satan falls when the mimetic cycle is exposed, revealing the powers at work.
      – While legal systems provide some order, they are insufficient in overcoming the fallen powers.

      Imitating Christ to Overcome Powers:
      – According to Gerard, the only way to overcome the powers is by imitating Christ.
      – Imitating Christ involves having desires for the Father, aligning with Jesus’ actions.

      Mimetic Desire and Oscar Romero:
      – Mimetic desire is explored through Oscar Romero’s life, where desires for status and honor are challenged.
      – Romero’s boldness in naming and unmasking powers exemplifies imitating Christ.

      Philippians Two and Identity:
      – Jr examines Philippians 2, emphasizing a shift in identity.
      – Paul’s journey from attributed to achieved honor illustrates the contrast between worldly and Christ-centered identity.

      Romero’s Identity Transformation:
      – Romero’s identity transformation is highlighted, moving from attributed and achieved honor to finding identity in Christ.
      – Romero’s fearless stance against oppression and willingness to face death exemplify imitating Christ.

      Lord’s Prayer and Solutions:
      – Jr suggests using the Lord’s Prayer as a pathway for solutions.
      – Real Identity, Vocational Faithfulness, Contrast Community, Spiritual Formation, and Canonic Leadership are key components.

      Real Identity:
      – Acknowledges the first part of the Lord’s Prayer, emphasizing being a beloved child of God.
      – Rejects the world’s system of status and identity, finding value as a child of God.

      Vocational Faithfulness:
      – Focuses on seeking first the kingdom of God, aligning with the vocational faithfulness concept.
      – Romero’s example illustrates the commitment to the kingdom’s realization in the midst of societal challenges.

      Contrast Community:
      – Emphasizes economic and relational aspects in community life.
      – Contrasts with the world’s systems by forgiving debts and handling economics differently, creating a distinct community.

      Spiritual Formation:
      – Links spiritual formation to deliverance from evil or the evil one.
      – Calls for attention to the powers at work in spiritual formation to prevent succumbing to worldly temptations.
      – Encourage a reversal of the temptation to build personal kingdoms, emphasizing a posture of humility and emptiness.

      The Scandal of Leadership:
      – Concludes with the idea that leaders either become a scandal to those they lead or embrace the scandalous way of Christ.
      – Acknowledges the challenge of living like Christ in contrast to contemporary desires for power and recognition.

    About JR Woodward

    JR Woodward, PhD (University of Manchester, UK) loves to awaken people to join God in the renewal of all things. He is a catalyst who has been passionately starting churches and ministries for the good of the world for over thirty years. He co-founded Missio Alliance and currently serves as the National Director for the V3 Church Planting Movement. He is an adjunct professor at several seminaries and universities, including Central Seminary, Missio Seminary, and America Evangelical University. He is the co-founder of the Praxis Gathering, and serves on six different boards, including Reliant Mission, Missio Alliance, and Fuller Global Mission Advisory Council. He is the author of Creating a Missional Culture and co-author of The Church as Movement. His most recent book, The Scandal of Leadership, is based on his PhD research and written to provide a remedy to the problem of domineering leadership in the church. Find him on Twitter.

    Faith in a Fresh Vibe
    Faith in a Fresh Vibe
    #72 - The Scandalous Way of Christ - On Church Leadership with JR Woodward (Part 2)
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