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Transcendence in Leadership

by BryanAugust 9, 20072 min read

Max du Pree (Leadership is an Art) says that the primary responsibility of leaders is to define reality. Henri Nouwen (1989) wrote that the task of Christian leaders is to “identify and announce the ways in which Jesus is leading God’s people out of slavery” (p. 87) rather than making a “contribution to the solution of the pains and tribulations of their time” (p. 87). While the second statement is essential in its own right, Nouwen’s (1989) point is that Christian leaders lead from perspective of transcendence. Miller speaks of the significance of the teleological orientation of history: human experience (and thus human organizations) are intended to be moving toward a specific, divine end. It is God’s view of reality and human experience, and His intentions for it, that should drive the pastor, spiritual leader, or any Christian leader.

A divine, teleological view of leadership calls Christian leaders to be “persons who know the heart of God and…trained — through prayer, study, and careful analysis–to manifest the divine event of God’s saving work in the midst of the many seemingly random events” (p. 88) of our time. Where do we find such leaders today? Some might argue that this description is reserved for pastors or professional clergy. I contend it should describe anyone who assumes responsibility for organizing human experience and relationships.

——
Nouwen, H. (1989). In the Name of Jesus. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

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