Leadership Styles Of Jesus Christ And Paul Religion Essay

Leadership Styles Of Jesus Christ And Paul Religion Essay This essay will examine the theoretical concepts of leadership, showing their strengths and weaknesses. The leadership styles of Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul will be discussed followed by the leadership qualities expected from the church as illustrated by the five-fold ministry found in Pauls epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 4. The leadership qualities expected in change management, communicating vision and handling or dealing with oppositions shall be examined. Nevertheless, most people believe that leadership means to occupy an exalted position that commands authority over others. Typical is the request by the mother of Zebedees children to Jesus Christ in Matthew Chapter 20 verses 20 and 21. Salome sought that Jesus will grant that her two sons take positions; one on the left and the other on the right hand of Jesus in His kingdom. Jesus confirmed that this is the manner of leadership found in the world, where the princes of the gentiles exercise dominion over them and they exercise great authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you.  [1]  Wright inferred that with this concept of leadership, only the few people occupying positions of authority and responsibility could be referred to as leaders and not every Christian.  [2]   Jesus advocated that leaders should serve rather than being served  [3]  . This concept focuses on what we do; as in service to God and to others as opposed to merely occupying positions. Paul, when writing to the Galatians instructs us that, by love serve one another  [4]  . Gods intention demonstrated by the blessing of Genesis Chapter 1 verse 28 shows that all humans have the right to lead and we need not occupy any position to do that. Wright again explained that if by leader we mean a person who enters into a relationship with another person to influence their behaviour, values or attitudes, then I would suggest that all Christians should be leaders.  [5]   Damazio in his book reveals the danger the church faces today as scriptural principles laid in Gods word are being replaced with business principles thus making the church to run as business corporations rather than as New Testament organisations. Members hardly comprehend the truth of the word of God. Biblical prerequisite into leadership position demanding holiness, Holy Ghost in-filling, integrity and godly wisdom have gradually been replaced with academic scholarship hence robbing the church of its spiritual life and vitality  [6]  . The church is gradually going the way Paul describes as having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.  [7]   LEADERSHIP STYLEs OF JESUS CHRIST and APOSTLE paul COMPARED AND CONTRASTED Jesus communicated His mission saying, For the son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life as ransom for many. This statement depicts service and sacrifice. Similarly, Paul in his Epistles revealed that his leadership is derived from being a servant of Jesus Christ. Some translations of the Bible even allude to him as a bondservant of Jesus. Pauls leadership is by example reflected in his statement, be followers of me as I am of Christ  [8]  , similar to Jesus, I do whatever I see the Father do  [9]  . This emanated from the law of reproduction of kinds every organism produces after its kind  [10]  ; which actually has its root in Genesis at creation. It is popularly said, that success without a successor is failure. As Jesus therefore commanded his disciples to teach all nations, so Paul instructed Timothy that the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also, thus the continuity of the leadership chain guaranteed. The mentorship style of both Jesus and Paul is also here emphasised. According to Ascough, Pauls style of leadership referenced in 1st Thessalonians 5:12-13 is, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in highest regard because of their work  [11]  . Since these are unnamed people, the term who are over you, implies they are leaders whose obligation is due to the work they do rather than their position. This tally with Jesus view that leadership is not about the office but the duties. While exercising authority in administrative offices, they are not to slack in their daily tasks of their work; for which they are to be respected  [12]  . Accordingly, Agostos Jesus leadership challenged the political and spiritual leadership of His time. He identified with the masses that were overtaxed and oppressed by the Jewish domination helped by Roman authorities. He confronted the injustice, challenging the oppressors right into the temple; where He overthrew tables of money changers  [13]  . His weapon remained the Word of God, referring His critics to the Old Testament book of Jeremiah 7: 11 which says that the house of God has become den of robbers.  [14]   The difference between Jesus and Pauls leadership style is obvious the way Jesus ministered to a local audience in the regions of Galilee and Jerusalem and ministered in Jewish temple and synagogues, Paul embarked on missionary journeys establishing churches in urban centres throughout the Roman Empire. Paul wrote to his followers while Jesus did not keep any writing except witnesses account written after his death. This makes Paul presentation more comprehensible to us today than Jesus  [15]  . The gospel writers may not have written without elements of their personal agenda. THE FIVE FOLD LEADERSHIP MINISTRY In Ephesians chapter 4, the five-fold leaders template was identified and Paul explained the purpose of the gifts. According to verse 12, the purpose of the gifts is not to boast but as tools to work with, that is: The perfecting of the saints providing leadership for other believers The work of the ministry The edifying of the body of Christ APOSTLES The word apostle is from the Greek word apostollos meaning to send. That is called to represent Christ as a missionary, preaching the gospel and establishing churches.  [16]  Jesus was called an Apostle sent by God (Hebrews 3:1).  [17]  Stamps believe that apart from the signs of an Apostle mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:12, the apostles commissioned to write scriptures belonged to a different class to church leaders that succeed them. PROPHETS The Old Testament prophets always appeal to the conscience of Gods people to remain faithful and telling of future events. Today they warn, rebuke exhort, comfort and pronounce judgement  [18]  . Their prophecies however are to be authenticated by the word of God. EVANGELISTS From the Greek root word evangel meaning good news, evangelists have the tasks of spreading the gospel of Christ. Jesus commanded His disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel to all creatures. Mark 16:15. Every believer is expected to do this. But there are some specially gifted of the Holy Spirit to evangelise and win many souls by preaching, miracles and deliverance  [19]  . Philip is a classical NT example (Acts 21:8). PASTORS Pastors are shepherds to tend and oversee the flock of God in a local assembly. They are to feed the members with the undiluted word of God; to ensure spiritual growth and provide leadership for the congregation in a local church. Apostle Paul was very clear in expressing the qualifications of bishop, Pastor or overseers; which are not political but spiritual qualities (1 Timothy 3: 1-7). TEACHERS Teachers lead Gods people providing sound doctrine and acting as the custodians of the truthfulness of the Word of God. They check and balance the ministry of prophets to prevent heresies  [20]  . They are also responsible for raising other teachers. The five-fold ministry are interrelated and interdependent. Individuals within the body of Christ can possibly manifest more than one of these gifts. Apostles are said to function in all five. LEADERSHIP WITH DEFINED AND PROJECTED VISION TO FOLLOWERSHIP. According to Carson Pue, Leaders met in the past two decades and concur in the realisation of the full advantages of communicating their vision clearly and with such a feeling that people were able to follow. With numerous books on visionary leadership, Leaders wanting to achieve their target for various ministries or organisation will still need to cope with the modern requirement for the creation and communicating their visions. He made mention from John Cotters extensive research that Superior Leadership stems from power to translate a vision into reality and sustain it. Carson sums it all by the absolute need to take adequate time, involve enough people so as to successfully disseminate the vision. It will in turn be captured at all levels of workers in the organisation (boosting motivation) hence assist in progression of goals for the Ministry.  [21]  A biblical example is the sequence with which the Lord did the commissioning of the disciples after resurrection as recorded in Acts 1:8 where the disciples were instructed to wait for Holy Ghost baptism to acquire the power required for evangelism.  [22]   MANAGEMENT OF CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP. According to Michael W Foss book A servants manual, Dr Zipper symbolises the process or challenge of Change to a burning platform with a multiple attitudinal response form leadership. With the burning platform taken as the very circumstances that necessitates the required change, its management then translates to ability to call the attention of those whom the change will affect to it. While Persistence, patience and purpose are three key factors through a successful change, there are conservative leaders that will assert that the platform is not really on fire. This is an expression of denial immediately followed with the attitude that, we had fires in the past this one is no different we will soon put it out! This foregoing attitude was linked to gradual decline in church attendance research at various congregations despite sustained evangelism. The big question to consider is if the platform is burning hot enough to absorb the obvious loss. Management of Change welcomes such loss as long as focus is brought from the past to the present for the sake of good future. Leaders are enjoined to make use of only vocabulary that will influence those who will receive the changes. Leaders are to stay connected to followers as followers prefer leaders who are with them rather than the one always in front of them.  [23]   MANAGEMENT OF OPPOSITIONS IN LEADERSHIP Oppositions will come up from within the leadership scope and outside the scope itself, hence according to Bill Hulls book, the disciple making church, he used the example of Paul and Barnabas who saw opposition as normal and a clear projection of their success. With full recognition of Acts 14:22 where it is expected that evangelism through tribulation are the pathway to Kingdom of God. Hull says that oppositions could be gotten from the resulting friction from the implementation of Gods agenda or from being passive and allowing the Church to be moribund with a resulting clamour against poor leadership skills. He further said that in evaluating approaches to opposition, it is good to bear in mind that the enemies of the ministry should only be in the categories of the opponents of the gospel. It is essential to let the opposition count rather than being ignored. Apostle Paul in a Challenging time was encouraged by God who made it clear to him to continue the evangelism as there are many people in the city for God ( Acts 18:9-10), when he was abused by Corinthians Jews as he left them to continue preaching to the gentiles.  [24]   Conclusively, I am in support of Leadership that is ready to Change, manage changes as earlier mentioned by Michael Foss rather than the passive leadership that only reacts to the aftermath of challenges rather than being pro-active or be mindful of overall disposition in the scope of leadership in the areas of needful changes and apparent opposition. This in line with warning from Hosea 4:6 which God warned that his people are perishing due to lack of Knowledge. This can also be likened to indifference and overly conservative attitude of some Modern day leaders.  [25]  

Theme Of A Dolls House Essay -- essays research papers

Henrik Ibsen's, A Doll's House is definitely a unique story written by a very intelligent, complicated writer. I believe he intentionally wrote the play in a manner which would lead every reader to draw his own conclusions. He forces us to find our own interpretation of the play in context with our personal lives and experiences with the opposite sex. The theme may be interpreted by many as a study of the moral laws that men and women are required to follow by nature. I believe it is primarily based on the gender stereotypes that determine the role of women in society. During the time in which the play took place, society frowned upon women asserting themselves. Women were expected to play a role in which they supported their husbands, took care of their children, and made sure the house was in perfect order. In Act I, there are many clues that hint at the kind of marriage Nora and Torvald have. It seems that Nora is like a doll controlled by Torvald. She relies on him for everything, from her movements to thoughts, much like a puppet who is dependent on its puppet master for all of its actions. In the beginning of the play, Nora did enact the stereotypical role, which she felt she was required to do. In once instance, Torvald feels that he must reteach Nora how to dance the tarantella. Nora of course pretends that she needs him to teach her every move in order to relearn the dance. In truth, this is an act and proves her submissiveness to her husband. Once he is finished te...

Art and Craft

Art has had a great number of different functions throughout its history, making its purpose difficult to abstract or quantify to any single concept. This does not imply that the purpose of Art is â€Å"vague†, but that it has had many unique, different reasons for being created. Some of these functions of Art are provided in the following outline. The different purposes of art may be grouped according to those that are non-motivated, and those that are motivated (Levi-Strauss). Non-motivated functions of art The non-motivated purposes of art are those that are integral to being human, transcend the individual, or do not fulfill a specific external purpose. Aristotle said, â€Å"Imitation, then, is one instinct of our nature. † [16] In this sense, Art, as creativity, is something humans must do by their very nature (i. e. , no other species creates art), and is therefore beyond utility. Basic human instinct for harmony, balance, rhythm. Art at this level is not an action or an object, but an internal appreciation of balance and harmony (beauty), and therefore an aspect of being human beyond utility. â€Å"Imitation, then, is one instinct of our nature. Next, there is the instinct for ‘harmony' and rhythm, meters being manifestly sections of rhythm. Persons, therefore, starting with this natural gift developed by degrees their special aptitudes, till their rude improvisations gave birth to Poetry. -Aristotle [17] Experience of the mysterious. Art provides a way to experience one's self in relation to the universe. This experience may often come unmotivated, as one appreciates art, music or poetry. â€Å"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. † -Albert Einstein [18] Expression of the imagination. Art provide a means to express the imagination in non-grammatic ways that are not tied to the formality of spoken or written language. Unlike words, which come in sequences and each of which have a definite meaning, art provides a range of forms, symbols and ideas with meanings that are maleable. â€Å"Jupiter's eagle [as an example of art] is not, like logical (aesthetic) attributes of an object, the concept of the sublimity and majesty of creation, but rather something else – something that gives the imagination an incentive to spread its flight over a whole host of kindred representations that provoke more thought than admits of expression in a concept determined by words. They furnish an aesthetic idea, which serves the above rational idea as a substitute for logical presentation, but with the proper function, however, of animating the mind by opening out for it a prospect into a field of kindred representations stretching beyond its ken. † -Immanuel Kant[19] Universal communication. Art allows the individual to express things toward the world as a whole. [according to whom? ] Earth artists often create art in remote locations that will never be experienced by another person. The practice of placing a cairn, or pile of stones at the top of a mountain, is an example. (Note: This need not suggest a particular view of God, or religion. ) Art created in this way is a form of communication between the individual and the world as a whole. [citation needed] Ritualistic and symbolic functions. In many cultures, art is used in rituals, performances and dances as a decoration or symbol. While these often have no specific utilitarian (motivated) purpose, anthropologists know that they often serve a purpose at the level of meaning within a particular culture. This meaning is not furnished by any one individual, but is often the result of many generations of change, and of a cosmological relationship within the culture. â€Å"Most scholars who deal with rock paintings or objects recovered from prehistoric contexts that cannot be explained in utilitarian terms and are thus categorized as decorative, ritual or symbolic, are aware of the trap posed by the term ‘art'. † -Silva Tomaskova[20] Motivated functions of art Motivated purposes of art refer to intentional, conscious actions on the part of the artists or creator. These may be to bring about political change, to comment on an aspect of society, to convey a specific emotion or mood, to address personal psychology, to illustrate another discipline, to (with commercial arts) to sell a product, or simply as a form of communication. Communication. Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of communication have an intent or goal directed toward another individual, this is a motivated purpose. Illustrative arts, such as scientific illustration, are a form of art as communication. Maps are another example. However, the content need not be scientific. Emotions, moods and feelings are also communicated through art. â€Å"[Art is a set of] artefacts or images with symbolic meanings as a means of communication. † -Steve Mithen[21] Art as entertainment. Art may seek to bring about a particular emotion or mood, for the purpose of relaxing or entertaining the viewer. This is often the function of the art industries of Motion Pictures and Video Games. The Avante-Garde. Art for political change. One of the defining functions of early twentieth century art has been to use visual images to bring about political change. Art movements that had this goal—Dadaism, Surrealism, Russian Constructivism, and Abstract Expressionism, among others—are collectively referred to as the avante-garde arts. â€Å"By contrast, the realistic attitude, inspired by positivism, from Saint Thomas Aquinas to Anatole France, clearly seems to me to be hostile to any intellectual or moral advancement. I loathe it, for it is made up of mediocrity, hate, and dull conceit. It is this attitude which today gives birth to these ridiculous books, these insulting plays. It constantly feeds on and derives strength from the newspapers and stultifies both science and art by assiduously flattering the lowest of tastes; clarity bordering on stupidity, a dog's life. † -Andre Breton (Surrealism)[22] Art for psychological and healing purposes. Art is also used by art therapists, psychotherapists and clinical psychologists as art therapy. The Diagnostic Drawing Series, for example, is used to determine the personality and emotional functioning of a patient. The end product is not the principal goal in this case, but rather a process of healing, through creative acts, is sought. The resultant piece of artwork may also offer insight into the troubles experienced by the subject and may suggest suitable approaches to be used in more conventional forms of psychiatric therapy. Art for social inquiry, subversion and/or anarchy. While similar to art for political change, subversive or deconstructivist art may seek to question aspects of society without any specific political goal. In this case, the function of art may be simply to criticize some aspect of society.

Machiavellian Advice from The Prince - 1097 Words

Niccolo Machiavelli was a middle-class and humanist-educated Florentine diplomat, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Renaissance in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Although bestowed with the title of the father of modern political theory, Machiavelli has been, and continues to be widely misunderstood and misinterpreted (Kreis). The term â€Å"Machiavellian,† and it is in the dictionary, is defined as subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty (Dictionary). In acknowledgment of the enduring impact of Machiavelli on society, psychologists have identified a distinct personality style that is characterized by manipulativeness, cynicism about human nature, and shrewdness in interpersonal behavior, and†¦show more content†¦In essence, this advice makes sense, be good when you can and bad when you need to be. After all, a ruler must defend not only himself, but also those who look to and depend upon him for protection. The emo tion and logic of strategy, defense, and retaliation prevails throughout Machiavelli’s treatise. However, he gets his authoritative ducks in a row with the referencing of past and current rulers who knew or did not know how to walk that fine line that would ensure the success, or precipitate the demise of their domain. Hannibal, Machiavelli recounts, commanded an immense army which included men of many different races and nations, and which he led to battle in distant countries, he never allowed them to fight among themselves or to rise against him, whether his fortune was good or bad. The reason for this was his inhumane cruelty, along with his other countless other talents, made him a subject of awe and terror to his soldiers: and without the cruelty, his other qualities would never have sufficed (Kirszner). Machiavelli’s education and erudition serve well to emphasize that he has done extensive research. Machiavelli employs the words and actions of religious leaders, kings, queens, emperors, princes, warriors, soldiers, statesmen, and mythic heroes to drive home the fact that throughout history, successful leaders were those who knew how to recognize and utilize virtue and vice. Machiavelli even calls uponShow MoreRelatedMachiavellian Macbeth ? Essay1609 Words   |  7 Pages   Ã‚  While Macbeth exhibits certain Machiavellian characteristics, he does not heed Machiavellis advice regarding rulers who desire to obtain their principalities through crime, and through either the ignorance of, or disregard for, this advice, Macbeth cannot be considered Machiavellian. Hence it should be noted that in taking hold of a state, he who seizes it should examine all the offenses necessary for him to commit, and do them all at a stroke....For injuries must be done all togetherRead MoreMachiavellian Rulers Are Focused on War in Machiavelli’s The Prince1077 Words   |  5 PagesMachiavelli’s â€Å"The Prince† brought up some controversial characteristics on what a Machiavellian ruler is. The characteristic that was most stressed was that â€Å"A prince must have no other objective, no other thought, nor take up any profession but that of war.†(Machiavelli 37). With a main focus on the art of war a ruler can protect the state he governs from attacks against him and his state. Machiavelli offers us an analogy to prove the importance of war. 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This can be done in two ways: one by action, the other by the mind† (Jacobus 40). Ghandi does not have military experience and Ahimsa, loosely translated, means abstinence from violence either by thought, word, or deed. Ahimsa requires a harmlessRead MoreMachiavellian Leadership : The Prince1285 Words   |  6 PagesMachiavellian Leadership: Are These Principles Morally Correct to Use Today? For centuries, the political principles brought forth through Nicolà ² Machiavelli in his writing, The Prince, have been quite controversial both on the political forefront and the mainstream of leadership training. Though most people do not know that they are fighting battles over the principles brought about in the writing of Machiavelli. The Prince was written in the years following Machiavelli’s time in the politicalRead MoreMachiavelli And William Shakespeares View Of The King1073 Words   |  5 Pagesthis story, that ultimately led to Richard II’s demise. 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