Jesus as Model of Leadership in Religious Formation
Date
2001-03
Authors
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
I believe that each one of us has experienced leadership in one-way or another. For
example, if you are an elder brother or sister among your brothers and sisters in your family,
you may have had the experience that in the absence of your parents, you were told to look
after them. Sometimes in school, you may have been among the student leaders, or maybe as
a class representative. All these are ways of experiencing leadership.
My own experience of leadership from my culture is so different to some extent from
what I have observed and experienced in religious life. Leadership that directs faith to God
takes the whole being of a person as flesh and spirit. This led to my desire to develop and see
how someone could become a good leader especially in religious formation and on the
leadership of Jesus Christ.
I know the topic is very broad, and I would not claim to exhaust it. So I will be rather
selective. The paper is divided into three chapters. The first chapter is briefly explained what
is a religious formation, its stages, purpose, process and who is a formator with her/his
formees. Then, I will sketch the challenges, problems in the process of formation and
necessary skills for formator to exercise effectively.
The second chapter deals in leadership of Jesus Christ as a model where Christian
leadership is rooted. I will approach it by emphasizing the origin, and modality of Jesus'
leadership in the image of shepherd and servant. I will conclude this chapter with these
characteristics that are rooted in love.
The third chapter will point out Christ-like leadership. It will speak of the purpose of
leadership as the growth of a person and community. I will analyse requirements for
leadership that include willingness to be contact with God and seek wisdom from him. Lastly,
I will summarize by sketching the attitudes of effective leadership in form of love, service,
living and sharing.
Description
Keywords
Jesus, Religion, Formation, Model