I wrestle with this model of leadership. I understand that people are gifted with the ability to influence. However, I question whether the type of influence described here is the type of influence that Jesus modeled. A statement from above says: "your primary qualification is your union with Christ, which transforms your character and empowers your influence." I am leery of this because I question whether the evidence of good character is mutually exclusive with being empowered with influence. There is much evidence of people who appear to have good character but are not fit to wield the power of influence.
A more profound statement from above is: "a startling theological truth: Jesus has delegated his own authority to you." Jesus models leadership that empowers us with the Holy Spirit, not influences us.
As for the Acts 4 passage and the early apostles being seen as "unschooled, ordinary men". This isn't so much about their character as their authority to empower others with understanding. Earlier in Act 4 the religious leaders asked the apostles, "By what power or what name did you do this?" In Acts 1 Jesus says to his disciples, "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you."
With the Holy Spirit, Paul empowered new believers to lead their churches, he empowered them to make decisions in wisdom, he empowered them to sacrificial living in community. With the Holy Spirit, Paul empowered new believers to lead their churches, he empowered them to make decisions in wisdom, he empowered them to sacrificial living in community.
Perhaps our online culture gives the word "influence" a negative connotation. It is rife with people who are "influencers" for wealth and notoriety. However I am increasingly becoming convinced that leadership is more about empowering others than influencing them.
In my experience the Christian Reformed Church has an incredible resource it rarely taps: its chaplains. A chaplain, especially a board certified chaplain, would be an ideal candidate for a church hospice pastor, as describe above by George Vink. Board certified chaplains have extensive training beyond the prescribed MDiv and ordination that most congregational pastors have; it is akin to having an additional master's degree in pastoral/spiritual care.
Chaplains have been trained to walk with people through life's difficult journeys, remaining present to the pain and struggle while providing perspective and reflective experiences. Chaplains think critically about what they experience with their care recipients, assess needs and develop next steps to promote healing, based in our faith.
Additionally, they are keenly aware of how the struggles of others may "trigger" their own selves, and they take great care to set that aside for a time. This provides a healing context where authentic ministry to the care recipient(s) is paramount. Astute chaplains tend the their own care, remaining presence to those for whom they minister.
Lastly, CRCNA chaplains are steeped in our treasured Reformed tradition and minster to glorified our God, even in the heartaches of life and church life. If your dying congregation needs a church hospice pastor for guidance, healing, encouragement, inquire about who your nearest chaplain is.
Thanks for sharing this, Josh. I'm so thankful that you were unsuccessful in dying! I get frustrated because, as a chaplain, I am called to bear one another's burdens. However folks in the church aren't willing to share the burdens the have. Many are very content with the platitudes, and for some the platitudes do honestly seem to work for them. However, I suspect that because believers aren't willing to take a deep dive into their sorrow they really aren't able to to fully experience the comfort available to them. Or aren't privy to what redemption really can look like or feel like. I'm curious if your experience with depression has helped you to understand God in bigger and bolder ways than if you hadn't have had this struggle?
Sadly I think you are right about your pastor not being able to help in these situations. Pastors can be unaware of their own needs to be a savior and rely on telling rather than presence and burden bearing. I would suggest finding a pastor who is training in chaplaincy. They will be a better source of spiritual care and guidance.
Posted in: Leadership is Influence: You Are More Qualified Than You Think
I wrestle with this model of leadership. I understand that people are gifted with the ability to influence. However, I question whether the type of influence described here is the type of influence that Jesus modeled. A statement from above says: "your primary qualification is your union with Christ, which transforms your character and empowers your influence." I am leery of this because I question whether the evidence of good character is mutually exclusive with being empowered with influence. There is much evidence of people who appear to have good character but are not fit to wield the power of influence.
A more profound statement from above is: "a startling theological truth: Jesus has delegated his own authority to you." Jesus models leadership that empowers us with the Holy Spirit, not influences us.
As for the Acts 4 passage and the early apostles being seen as "unschooled, ordinary men". This isn't so much about their character as their authority to empower others with understanding. Earlier in Act 4 the religious leaders asked the apostles, "By what power or what name did you do this?" In Acts 1 Jesus says to his disciples, "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you."
With the Holy Spirit, Paul empowered new believers to lead their churches, he empowered them to make decisions in wisdom, he empowered them to sacrificial living in community. With the Holy Spirit, Paul empowered new believers to lead their churches, he empowered them to make decisions in wisdom, he empowered them to sacrificial living in community.
Perhaps our online culture gives the word "influence" a negative connotation. It is rife with people who are "influencers" for wealth and notoriety. However I am increasingly becoming convinced that leadership is more about empowering others than influencing them.
Posted in: We Need Church Hospice Pastors
In my experience the Christian Reformed Church has an incredible resource it rarely taps: its chaplains. A chaplain, especially a board certified chaplain, would be an ideal candidate for a church hospice pastor, as describe above by George Vink. Board certified chaplains have extensive training beyond the prescribed MDiv and ordination that most congregational pastors have; it is akin to having an additional master's degree in pastoral/spiritual care.
Chaplains have been trained to walk with people through life's difficult journeys, remaining present to the pain and struggle while providing perspective and reflective experiences. Chaplains think critically about what they experience with their care recipients, assess needs and develop next steps to promote healing, based in our faith.
Additionally, they are keenly aware of how the struggles of others may "trigger" their own selves, and they take great care to set that aside for a time. This provides a healing context where authentic ministry to the care recipient(s) is paramount. Astute chaplains tend the their own care, remaining presence to those for whom they minister.
Lastly, CRCNA chaplains are steeped in our treasured Reformed tradition and minster to glorified our God, even in the heartaches of life and church life. If your dying congregation needs a church hospice pastor for guidance, healing, encouragement, inquire about who your nearest chaplain is.
Tricia Bosma, MDiv, BCC
Posted in: 'I Decided I Was Going to Die' (Here's How Christians Responded)
Thanks for sharing this, Josh. I'm so thankful that you were unsuccessful in dying! I get frustrated because, as a chaplain, I am called to bear one another's burdens. However folks in the church aren't willing to share the burdens the have. Many are very content with the platitudes, and for some the platitudes do honestly seem to work for them. However, I suspect that because believers aren't willing to take a deep dive into their sorrow they really aren't able to to fully experience the comfort available to them. Or aren't privy to what redemption really can look like or feel like. I'm curious if your experience with depression has helped you to understand God in bigger and bolder ways than if you hadn't have had this struggle?
Posted in: 10 Things to Remember When Your Child Is Suicidal
Sadly I think you are right about your pastor not being able to help in these situations. Pastors can be unaware of their own needs to be a savior and rely on telling rather than presence and burden bearing. I would suggest finding a pastor who is training in chaplaincy. They will be a better source of spiritual care and guidance.