I haven’t said anything about the current political scene for a variety of reasons, but this scares me. I haven’t seen fawning like this since I escorted W. A. Criswell into a Baptist pastors’ meeting.
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Something’s wrong when the same people who want to make sure terrorists get equal time and a “fair and balanced perspective” do this kind of drooling. And something is even more wrong when the people whose vocation is to report the facts and to ask the tough question lose their calling to a thrill running up their leg. Good grief, Chris, have some dignity.But this isn’t about politics or the press so much as it is about healthy leadership. I’ve seen the same kind of crap surrounding pastors, business leaders, and celebrity-types who never had to give an account to anybody for how they influenced people.
When leaders create or inherit an environment where nobody asks the tough questions, they are setting themselves and their organization (or nation) up for their own demise.
That level of blind support and response is intoxicating. I know; I lived it, and it nearly destroyed my life and ministry. Years ago I inherited a situation where, for the first time ever, all I had to do was suggest something and it happened. Look, you can be Jesus in a suit, and that’s not healthy. Somebody has to be willing to say, “I think you’re wrong,” “I disagree,” or “I’m for you, but your idea is nuts.” Key people on “the team” should have the freedom to ask probing, thoughtful questions without being made to feel disloyal.
(Caution: rant coming)
I’ve heard a few too many horror stories about insecure, authoritarian, controlling babies being put in a position of spiritual (or at least religious) authority, then completely marginalizing anybody who dared to ask a question or two, for the sake of that man’s ministry or the church/organization. If you are so into yourself, your so-called vision, or your image that you’ll sacrifice good people (paid and otherwise) on the altar of your ego, then you’re a fool at best, and a disgrace to ministry or leadership at worst.
(Okay, rant’s over)
If I was Barak Obama, I would run, not walk, to find somebody who isn’t impressed. Heck, if CNBC won’t do it, find a 9-year-old somewhere to ask a tough question or two. Ask James Dobson, or Ingrid Schlueter to hurl a few (not holding my breath on that one). I do think it’s a great thing that Rick Warren has secured an agreement with both Obama and McCain for a “non-debate” forum.
One of my heroes, Steve Arterburn, once described the “Ten Rules of a Harmful Faith System.” These speak not only to churches, but to families, to businesses, to nonprofit organizations, and even to government. Check your own leader or leadership out in the organization or area of public service you work most closely with:
1. Control: The leader must be in control at all times.
2. Blame: When problems arise, find a “guilty” party to blame immediately.
3. Perfectionism: Don’t make [or allow] mistakes.
4. Delusion: Never point out the reality of a situation.
5. Emotional Denial: Never express your feelings unless they are positive.
6. Blind Loyalty: Don’t ask questions, especially if they are tough ones.
7. Rigid Conformity: Don’t do anything outside of your role.
8. Mistrust: Don’t trust anyone.
9. Avarice: Nothing/no one is more important than getting money into the organization
10. Image Idolatry: At all costs, keep up the image of the organization or family.
Neither you nor I have control over Barak Obama or the lapdog press. But what about your leadership? Are you accountable to the people you lead? What about your leader? Does he/she know you are for him/her, and for the organization, enough to ask helpful, thoughtful, questions?
Even with a quivering leg?
I mean, really, Chris.
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Wow! Great reality check, Andy! I agree, the mainstream media fawning has become embarrassing and unprofessional, and, likely to result in a backlash at some point. And, your comments about how this is not uncommon in many groups is right on the mark, as well. When it is present, however, it is deadly to the health of the organization.
Terry – yes, and the problem is that the organization itself can be numb or intoxicated by the charisma of the leader, or afraid of his/her power. Thanks for the encouragement.
Wow. This one hit way too close to home – or what used to be home. It’s encouraging to know my husband and I aren’t the only ones who see this viewpoint.
Thanks, Denise, for the encouragement. I figure every leader ultimately must learn accountability – either by seeing the light or feeling the heat! The sad question is, at what price to the organization and the people in it?
The price we see being paid is going to prove much too dear, I’m afraid. It’s hard to watch the snowball growing and be unable to stop it.
Denise,
Despite all my rants, I am encouraged by something someone once said to me (someone, by the way, who was in ministry but is now out of it, having completely discredited himself. He said, “The gospel is greater than the vehicle that carries it.” While we leaders have the capacity to do great harm, the church is still God’s possession, not ours, and the people who comprise the church are under the banner of His grace.
That is not to excuse anybody’s failures – God makes it clear we get the greater judgment (James 3:1). But we can still appeal to the wonderful grace of God to “stop the snowball.”