by JustinLewis-Anthony (Author)
Every human endeavour, from a primary school to the government, needs leadership. The Church believes itself to have a clear understanding of what constitutes Christian leadership, but advocates of leadership have been unable to give a clear, concise and universally accepted definition of the term. Justin Lewis-Anthony argues that our understanding of both secular ('managerial') and religious ('missional') leadership has been fatally compromised by the unconscious functioning of 'mythic' leadership, presented through the medium of the dominant culture of our own day, popular Hollywood film. We describe our leaders as if they should be collaborative, enabling, saints and/or expect them to show our enemies who is boss. We search for the 'great man' who will rescue us from all our problems through redemptive violence - within the Church, we talk about Jesus Christ but we expect John Wayne. This book shows how leadership is, at best, a 'contested concept' and at worst a dangerous, violent and totalitarian heresy.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Edition: 1
Publisher: Bloomsbury Continuum
Published: 11 Apr 2013
ISBN 10: 1441186182
ISBN 13: 9781441186188
Book Overview: Is 'Leadership' a useful sociological tool in the increasing professionalisation of the Church's ministry and mission, or a dangerous threat, akin to a heresy?