Shared Leadership

In this world of changes, the number one notion commonly talked about is LEADERSHIP. But what type of Leadership? There are so many different models of leadership in the world.

1. Monarchy - the oldest and traditionally recognised until recently after the World War last century. This is still practised in some quarters in the world but it is getting lesser and lesser. The last monarch of Nepal was just deposed a few months ago. The remaining ones are mostly constitutional monarchy. The Pope functions like a monarch.

2. Republic - the leader is commonly known as President. He does not have the absolute power as in the case of a king. His power is given to him by the people as described in the constitution. He is elected for a term though there are some staying on for life until a revolt occurs. His leadership is much like a king. The Bishop of the Anglican Church functions like a president.

3. Moderator - this sort of leadership seems good on paper but it usually finds hard to get things done together. Each leader will do according to his own likings or wishes. The Moderator is only there to moderate. He normally does not have any power at all except calling and chairing meetings. The Presbyterians have Moderator.

4. Servant-Leadership - some believe the Bible talks of Servants-Leadership. This is debatable. Some argue that the Bible only speaks of Servanthood. Which is correct? Jesus himself is a servant and also a leader.

5. Clergy - the New Testament has mentioned the offices of bishop or overseer (episkopos), elder or preist (presbuteros) and deacon or servant (diakonos). Bishop Ignatius of the 2nd Century has created the three-tier ministry which has lasted till today. This three tier-system has become the leaders of the church. Many churches today used the name Pastor instead. Basically they function similarly. It has been so effective until it has become an institution.

I am trying to relook at the Bible and see where there is another model of leadership. I call it SHARED LEADERSHIP. It is leadership of both the clergy and laity; or employer and employee; or boss and workers. For all shared leadership, there must be guidelines which are agreeable to all. All must agree to subscribe to one set of goals and vision for the whole group/church/firm. Decisions are made through discussions and sharings. Everyone should subscribe to working on their own as long as it is within the jurisdiction and realm of the agreed parameters. Shared leadership stresses on accountability and transparency.

It is not easy for the modern people to accept this new phenomenon. We are so used to the old style of ‘being told’. Many reject the idea of asking each one to make decision collectively. Generally, new ideas will take a long time for people to adopt and get used.

My idea of shared leadership is for the ministry of the church. This is the sharing of workdone. There is no area in the Bible where people are forbidden to do except sin. Since we still have the three-tier order of Bishop, priest and deacon, we should keep the priestly function to the priest. But the other ministry of the church can be jointly done by all the people. So the idea is shared leadership in preaching, teaching the Bible, prayer ministry, visitation, leading meetings, conducting activites, etc. The clergy should return to the Biblical concept of teaching and praying while the laity together with the clergy to share in the rest of the ministry.

When Jesus left the earth and ascended to heaven, He left the newly found church to his 12 disciples to do the work. They in turn selected many people to jointly lead the churches throughout the then known world. The church grew rapidly then. Many of our churches did not grow very much because we are heavily dependent on one person the clergy. When there is a change of clergy, the vision and pace changes too. This should not be the case if the leadership is shared. Work should carry on as usual because it is being carried out by the same people who are still living there.

Think and pray about it.

(August 25th, 2008 posted in another place)