Chapter 11: By What Authority
In today’s world, we have a crisis of authority.
“And that’s the moment when the age-old question of authority turns into the very contemporary crisis of authority. Because now we don’t just have rival squabbling authorities, we suddenly have something more important than authority, something called freedom. Freedom is what I feel is right for me. Authority is what others believe is best for everyone. Freedom is the voice that comes from within me. Authority is the voice that comes from within others. But I only really trust the voice that comes from within me. When your authority seems to limit my freedom, I describe you as authoritarian. No one wants to be called authoritarian. And that shows that most people in a culture like ours value freedom more than they value authority. We have no final arbiter between our desires and the good of others, which is why we have a crisis of authority.”
The authority of Jesus rests on its truth. There is nothing more fundamental than Jesus and what God is doing in Jesus. That is where his authority lies. “And this is the crucial point. If we rest in the authority of truth, the truth that meets us in Jesus makes us let go of the authority of effectiveness and coercion.”
Chapter 12: But It Shall Not Be So with You
Jesus calls us to be servants. How can we be leaders and servants at the same time? A leader is expected to do 4 things.
- Be a spokesperson—inspire the troops.
- Be the chair—build trust and permanence.
- Be the facilitator—make sure the organization runs well.
- Be the epitome—represent all that is good about an organization.
The best way to avoid the temptations of leadership is to aim at being the best facilitator and epitome you can be.
“Jesus tells us what he’s going to die for. He’s going to die because he epitomizes the kingdom he proclaims, and he’s going to die to set people free. That’s it. Just those two desires. He calls himself a slave because he has no desire beyond those two desires, no notion of personal benefit beyond the salvation of the world.
Do you have no desire beyond those two desires? Is that what you are going to die for? If so, you’re what Jesus calls a leader. You’re just the kind of leader Jesus wants.”
Quotes from: Samuel Wells. “Be Not Afraid.” iBooks. https://itun.es/us/_CksC.l