Jesus contrasts his Way with the way of rulers, specifically on the nature of leadership. He tells disciples to be “alert,” “prepared,’ and especially, to be “in charge.” Jesus’ leadership is therefore a contrast to rulers who condition underlings to be subordinate.
Leadership is presented as a paramount value in U.S. culture. Studies show U.S. culture’s leadership priority is to have effective organizational operations. It means making sure the hierarchical structure performs as needed. This includes training staff to fit into the organization, conforming them to an institution’s goals. The language itself reflects the dominant subordinate leadership model of rulers. Training staff as change agents is also presented as a paramount value. But studies show little evidence of its practice. Probably because it’s a direct contradiction of the priority of ensuring the hierarchical structure performs as needed. Another value is the boss’ personal leadership – ensuring he has technical knowledge to impact others. Conversely, evidence shows little emphasis is given to learning how workers experience the boss or how workers lead. As that is not important, neither are strategic thinking, decision making and problem-solving habits, nor innovation and creativity important. Again, much is presented about these as values but, in reality, they are diminished or omitted from leadership training. (Center for Creative Leadership) Rulers keep a system of dominant hierarchs over subordinate workers. It does not empower leadership but rather exhausts workers. People who are not in charge of their work lives obey the instructions and policies of the ruler for the rulers gain. It is a description of military rule. Believing the military model of rule is the best leadership model is merely the result of rulers telling us it is.
People across the world are attempting to transcend ruler over subordinate -based leadership. It is exemplified in Puerto Ricans removing their nation’s governor, Ricardo Rossello. He was caught on tape exhaustively mocking and denigrating the people. He’s part of a history of such rulers. Rule based leadership was evident in the occupation by the Spanish crown who were capitalists using slaves to plunder the area’s sugar. Also, in U.S. imperialism draining the Puerto Rican people of political, economic, and environmental rights (for example, using Vieques for live-fire military maneuvers and as an ordinance and chemical waste dump). People’s leadership has meant working to remove Rossello using massive demonstrations filled with singing, dancing, yoga, banging on pots and pans, as well as grass roots political organizing, and community development work. Teachers have been among those charged as leaders. Within a system of rulers who do not care about them, teachers routinely lead from their extensive care-based relationship network. They did so during the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September of 2017. Their community of care located and brought needed supplies to homeless and injured parents and children. The people’s community of care is the replacement for Rossello; not another ruler who does not care. Care givers lead through strategic thinking, problem solving, and innovation – not for any one nation but for all people. This includes people in the U.S. Rulers are attempting to exhaust us with violent rhetoric and actions, especially white supremacist rulers. Let us be care givers who offer a revolution of care going forward. We are charged with leadership in this time of moral crisis.
Prayer: Spirit of Care, we are charged with leadership
Question: What leadership of care is being asked of me?
August 11, 2019 Gospel Luke 12:32-48 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time