As we enter the season of Easter we are reminded of its meaning to Christians. Within the celebrations of Palm Sunday to Good Friday are found basic principles of the Christian faith.
Leadership Abuse
Laying Down Your Life as a Leader: A Lesson from the Good Shepherd
The words Jesus gives to the crowds are hard words, but particularly hard for leaders in their cultural context. What would Jesus do?
A Covenant of Peace: When the Lord Banishes Toxic Leadership
Toxic leadership affects many, but a future promise exists when the Lord will eradicate such leadership and provide true care.
The Slide into Toxic Leadership 2: Amaziah, King of Judah
Leaders may begin well. The LORD has given them vision for the organization they have been tasked with leading. But, in time they begin to drink the koolaid of power and self-sufficiency.
The Slide Into Toxic Leadership 1: The Story of Jeroboam, King of Israel
Toxic leadership almost always involves heightened anxiety caused by a fear of losing status or a position of leadership resulting in anger, defensiveness, and blame-shifting when confronted.
Self-Differentiation and the Use of Gifts
Self-differentiation is rooted in biblical and psychological concepts. We need go no further than to focus on the examples of Jesus and King David to illustrate dependence and trust in God as necessary to use our gifting.
The Responsibility of Leaders: Stopping Oppressive Workplaces
King Solomon was maybe the wisest king of all time, How did it all end and what does it teach leaders today?
Saul’s False Apology: Seeking Repentance from an Abuser
What do you do with an apology from an abusive leader? Real apologies are rare due to inner evil. But we are not omniscient so give it time.
Fret Not for Vindication: Be Still and Wait Patiently
The struggle for validation and vindication in the face of abusive leadership is echoed in Psalms, encouraging patience and trust in God's righteous judgment. The remedy lies in turning to God's Word—Jesus—for healing and endurance.
Zechariah and Toxic Christian Leadership
Our distrust of God is what drives our trust in ourselves. We, in practice, believe that we can make better decisions, control situations better, and get the job done better than the LORD, even if we would never admit that. So too the Israelite leaders—priests and kings and counselors—thought they knew better than the LORD when Zechariah spoke around 500 B.C.