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3 hours ago

David Tan

Leaders and "Leading" Questions

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As the class article explains, there is a tendency for “listeners” to talk too much. It takes practice and skill to become a good listener (Class article, 1). This ironic state of affairs has its root in our sinful nature: We are prideful. We want to be in charge. We desire the front of the line. The argument on who shall be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is an indication of this tendency (Matt. 18:1-4). The antidote is to lead by following. Conversations are no exception. More specifically Howell begins the servant leader chapter explaining how seminars and guidance on leadership placate our inherent desire toward prestige, notoriety, financial gain, and that glamorous word success (Howell, 189). If someone else speaks about a desired subject, we have a selfish desire to change the subject that which interests us. The overarching basis for learning good listening skills is that followers make good leaders, but the reverse (leaders make good followers) is not a necessary true as is evidenced by so many conversations led by listeners both in and outside the church.

To give an anecdote, a fellow parishioner who has been in the faith longer than I said hello while I visited a local Starbucks. In seeing I was studying ministry she gave me flattering advice that I should start a Bible study at our church for she liked my conversation skills. Her husband sitting next to her and whom I had not met before complimented my approachable discussion of biblical concepts as well but was critical of the Christian church in general as he was a non-believer. I saw in that minute what Howell and our class article warned listeners against, the tendency to control the conversation with leading questions. She wanted to hear more of what I had to say of a particular topic concerning Paul’s leadership, but her husband wanted to point out that the church as separate from Judaism was really only Paul’s idea (a good discussion piece to be sure, but not the point of my subject). The conversation ended with this:

Wife: “David why don’t you start a bible study you’re really good at this.”

Me: “I . . “

Husband: “Because your church doesn’t want to hear anything true and intellectual, they have their own agenda.”

At that point notice I was now placed two steps away from answering her question. I have not started the Bible study at our church not because they prohibited it but because of scheduling conflicts with work and family obligations. Our church is very interested in expanding their class offerings by virtue of their knowledge that I am studying at Liberty. Yet I believe he would not entertain such a line of reasoning because he clearly had his own conversational agenda.

Bibliography

“Following: Inside Every Good Follower is a Leader.” Class article, Portable Document File.

Howell, Don N. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2004.