Leadership
Dear Friends
I’ve got a home in glory land….. way-ay beyond the blue” is one of those populist choruses sung with gusto to the point of nausea in years gone by! Where ‘beyond the blue’ was meant to be, I was never quite sure. However ‘beyond Jordan ’ is a recurring theme in the Bible, indicating a destiny of sanctuary and hope beyond the limits of temporal boundaries.
Leadership in organisational literature often refers to situations where influence depends on position and is constrained by the protocols of turf. Julia Middleton who recently published ‘Beyond Authority’ takes the idea of leadership into fresh territory. She asks questions like: How does one lead beyond the boundaries of rank where one has no authority? How does one influence without title? How does one offer sanctuary without protective power? How does one lead in society without appointment? What kind of expertise, servant-hood, or charisma makes the difference?
Interestingly these are questions asked by the one who originated ‘beyond the blue’. We are told that he emptied himself of authority, was introduced to the world through menial birth, and owned nothing more than the clothes he stood in. Indeed Paul describes the essentials in Philippians 2.
Values in approach include courage, humility, independent moral compass, passion for and resonance with people. In the context of relationships: a genuine fascination for people, the ability to foster networks (disciples) and the ability to acknowledge the individuality of people in their diversity. In methodology: patience to see through the long game and manage the pace along with the capacity to encourage creativity and fun.
Much more could be said, however I would wish to thank you for being willing to go beyond the call of duty, beyond the limitations of office, beyond your personal reservations to make that place ‘way-ay beyond the blue’ a haven for those who have no horizon beyond the drudgery of their work-a-day cycle.
May God continue to bless beyond expectation.
Best regards,
Victor
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2: 5-11 (NLT)
Read all of Philippians 2 here