“God never said the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.” – Max Lucado***
In our neighborhoods, on our jobs and generally in public places there are two things we have learned to avoid discussing and that is our pay rates and politics. The pay issue, is a private, personal matter that speaks for itself and can create quite a bit of disruption among coworkers. The political issue, on the other hand, while also a private and personal matter can actually become emotionally, socially, professionally and spiritually explosive.
How do spiritual leaders lead others in the midst of a politically charged society and still get the results necessary to yield spiritual conversion and growth?
Good question, if I may say so myself! Now what is the answer?
Jesus Set the Example
I have made no secret of my being a Christian. I write as a Christian and from a leadership perspective because I am both and cannot divorce myself from who I am when functioning in a leadership capacity. Being a Christian has helped me tremendously in all aspects of leadership, including diversity and human resources. I also write content that can directly benefit those who work or serve in Christian leadership as I have also served in that combined capacity at various levels in the church.
With that said, I introduce the reality of what Jesus, taught us about leading in a politically charged environment. He taught and acted in ways that often went against the grain of popular public opinion and the teachers of the law. He did not however, teach or act contrary to God’s law. He put into practice, the humane and compassionate way in which leaders and lay persons should work with, help, serve and lead others, even when they didn’t get it right and were on the wrong side of societal or scriptural values. A few examples include how he engaged the leadership of women in the process of ministry, not to mentioning being born into the world by a woman, appearing first to women to run and tell the men that He had risen. He also healed on the Sabbath, and was frequently in conflict with the Sadducees and Pharisees (Jewish leaders in Israel).
We Do What’s Right
Leaders should always study their craft. The craft is whatever leadership role we hold, whether Christian or non-sectarian, whether at work or in the home, paid or voluntary. In learning the right way to lead and what is right in our areas of leadership, we become better and better at who and what we lead.
Knowing what is right or wrong involves reading and study on new developments and advancements in the field, it involves knowing the policies and procedures that effect the work and the workers and it involves the incorporation of principals and ethics. For Christians, knowing what God expects of us (as confirmed in the Bible) also helps us in knowing what is right.
As we learn and grow in what is right and wrong in leadership and in the field, the better we are able to lead others and help them grow as well.
Don’t Ignore Reality
We can hold a value or truth very dear to our hearts but everyone is not always where we are. People are real and live real lives with real situations. Our ideologies may or may not be real to them. We have to meet people where they are and recognize that’s their reality.
If I hold a strong political view, I have to refrain from pushing that view on others, whether I think it is right or wrong. Leadership principals are leadership principals, regardless of what I believe otherwise. For example if a leader feels strongly that abortion is wrong, yet an employee or a member or even a friend, shares they are having health problems and they admit to that leader that they are experiencing complications from a recent abortion, it doesn’t change their reality or yours. It does however shed light on the current situation. As a leader, the issue at hand is that they are having health complications, so may need time off to heal or to go to a doctor. If this individual feels the need or wants to talk about their feelings, this leader might just have to lend a listening ear. It is not time for a lecture on abortion rights. You also cannot assume that this person does not share your views on abortion but found themselves faced with a choice that took them in a different direction… reality.
As a Christian in a leadership position, we may be faced with people who are or are not Christian, Christians who know or don’t know scripture and people who are carnal and simply violate their own Christian principals. When they come to us in need of help or when we are leading, we lead by example so they are inclined to follow that example. In spite of it all, leaders are often exposed to the realities of life that are experienced by the people we lead. It’s not always pretty. We have to be level headed, yet offer the compassion and guidance that is sometimes needed. It is part of mentoring. Leaders are oftentimes required to be all things to all people, mentoring is part of that. Effective mentoring cannot be done if the mentor cannot acknowledge and accept, without judgement that people’s reality is their reality.
Don’t Pass Judgement
Spiritual leaders have to sometimes take a step back and breathe. It is extremely challenging and sometimes insulting when someone we are trying to help chooses to ignore the advice we give and they proceed to travel down the wrong road. That road might be simply challenging or it might lead to destruction but it is nonetheless a road in which we advised them not to tread. Frustration is natural and oh so unwelcome but we can’t be judgmental of the person. The action taken may leave room for judging the behavior but we have to be careful that we separate the behavior from the individual. In other words take that deep breath again and be willing to help them later when they come to their senses.
I have often encountered Christians who are too afraid to assess the right or wrong of a situation because they do not want to be judgmental. I have also encountered Christians who are painfully judgmental of others and are not afraid to say it and show it. Caution is advised in each camp.
If you are a leader in a spiritual or Christian environment, use caution lest you bear too far right or too fare left. A good leader can maintain balance and truth all at the same time. The balance ultimately lies in showing compassion, exercising diplomacy and yielding truth. To break that down further, it means understanding the realities of the person’s dilemma, knowing what to say and how to say it with respect and love, and knowing what Biblical and spiritual truths can shed light on the situation at hand.
Again, Jesus set the tone for us by saying “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” in Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Both of these scriptures are misunderstood by many. As I stated, I have often encountered Christians who are too afraid to assess the right or wrong of a situation because they do not want to be judgmental. When Jesus makes these statements he is telling us to judge behavior not human value rightfully. In John 7:24 He also said “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (NIV) or more clearly stated: “Don’t judge by appearances. Judge by what is right.” (CEV)
In addition, He then instructs believers in the proper way to correct other believers, “If one of my followers sins against you, go and point out what was wrong. But do it in private, just between the two of you. If that person listens, you have won back a follower. But if that one refuses to listen, take along one or two others. The Scriptures teach that every complaint must be proven true by two or more witnesses. If the follower refuses to listen to them, report the matter to the church. Anyone who refuses to listen to the church must be treated like an unbeliever or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17 (CEV)
We are in no way expected to ignore incorrect behavior, thus allowing others to keep doing wrong and bring judgement and negative repercussions upon themselves. Where’s the kindness in that?
Don’t get Angry When There’s a Difference of Agreement
Like withholding judgement, we have to withhold the negative emotions that occur when others disappoint us with their decisions. My father used to advise me that adults are “grown” and they have the right to make their own decisions. They have a choice to do right and to do wrong and they know they have that choice. He would tell me that there was no point getting all worked up over telling someone what to do and they go do the opposite. My responsibility was and is to tell them the truth and advise them according to that truth. The rest is up to them. As my dad understood, grown folks are going to do whatever they want to do, and there’s no sense getting ourselves tied up in emotional or psychological knots because of it.
Closing Thoughts
How do spiritual leaders lead others in the midst of a politically charged society and still get the results necessary to yield spiritual conversion and growth?
Just lead.
Don’t talk about the politics but remain open to the reality that there are differences in beliefs and opinions. When we are in leadership roles, we are there to lead, to mentor and to build future leaders. Follow Jesus’ example of leadership, do what’s right, don’t ignore reality, don’t pass judgement and don’t get angry when there’s a difference of agreement.