My photograph sets up an idealistic view of family, parenting, and leadership in the world of ducks. The drake is out front, setting direction and watching out for danger. Mother duck is close behind, and all the cute fluffy ducklings cluster around her tail and stay close for safety. It makes a nice picture! However, the reality is that ducks are not terribly effective in protecting their offspring. The survival rate of ducklings is probably less than 10% because some of the predators sneak up from below and other predators swoop down from the skies- the adult ducks are taken by surprise. Then of course there is illness or accident, the misadventure of young and adventurous creatures who die while exploring the world. I suppose the reason why broods of ducklings are so large is to maximize the opportunity for the survival of the species.
At this point, I must put in a disclaimer: my comments below in no way define or describe the political position of this page or other contributors. My views are my own, and readers can agree or disagree as they please. Some may point out that a Baptist Minister, albeit retired, has a certain amount of cheek to comment at all on the appointment of a new Pope. Yet others might be in high dudgeon if this Baptist Minister, albeit retired, fails to condemn “popery” irrespective of the personal faith or attributes of any holder of such office. If it helps, you could regard these quoted offices as theoretical examples outside the real world! I make my comments as a way of examining the important issue of leadership.
At the moment, everything in the news seems to be about leaders. We have a new Pope; we have a (relatively) new president of the USA. Both are “American” but they have very different agendas and priorities. It would be interesting to try and work out which one has more influence in the world. Time will tell.
We have an entrenched Russian President, who most non-Russians fear and probably despise. Against him stands the valiant and stubborn President of the Ukraine, who most non-Russians probably see as something of a hero. The leaders of the European Union have been trying to decide how to handle the changes caused by Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine. In the U.K., “Reform” has sucked in a swathe of disconnected or disillusioned voters despite having a charlatan as figurehead! Elsewhere, Canada and Australia have seen recent swings back in favour of “moderate” candidates.
The last few days have seen the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of V.E. Day. Commentators have been comparing the leadership offered by Churchill to more modern politicians. Possessing the right leader in a national crisis is hugely important- and Winston Churchill was in so many ways precisely the correct wartime Prime Minister (despite some questionable attitudes and habits!). For everyday life and economics… not so good?
Who leads? How should we decide? We glibly say “follow the leader” without necessarily encouraging a full assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the character. In fact there are some public commentators who seem to dismiss the idea that the character of a leader should even feature in the decision. Pure pragmatism, strength of will, and the ability to turn a snappy phrase or “sound bite” outweigh integrity and morality. Choosing a leader should not come down to their ability to come across well on television.
Certainly, the New Testament prioritizes the character of those who are called to leadership within the church. Character takes precedence even over ability for the tasks involved, although the expectation is that people will be selected for their suitability. In the Old Testament, it is quite clear that the earliest traditions point out that leadership is (and should be) based on God himself. You shall love and serve the Lord your God and worship only Him. (Deuteronomy 6:13)
It sounds simplistic to say this, but surely many of our political and social problems are rooted in the competitive independence of human beings striving to be gods? Add to this the very real issues of greed and pride, and it is not surprising that history is a record of conflict and suffering. Ironically, many of the great scientific and medical advances take place under the pressure to “win wars”. “Progress” and improvement forged in the furnace of aggression… How tragic.
Just imagine if the world were to be led according to the instruction of Jesus: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)
I’d vote for Jesus.
The Reflectionary 