I am a disciple of Jesus, husband, and father. I currently live in Kharkov, Ukraine.
Book Notes No More
Well, I have come to the conclusion that I will not be posting my notes from my readings anymore on my blog. I have enjoyed doing it and have enjoyed the few comments that have been given. However, it just takes so much more time to try and outline each chapter of a book. My reading list is getting longer and longer, but I'm just not getting through the books fast enough. So maybe I will just try and write a short review of the books I read when I finish one and then place it on my blog.
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Organic Leadership Notes - Chapter 5
Now that I am back from Budapest and getting back into my routine, I have decided to continue with posting my notes on Neil Cole's, "Organic Leadership." Please feel free to comment!
Bound by the Chain of Command: Messed Up from the Top to Bottom The main idea of this chapter is the contrast of worldly style leadership and Kingdom style leadership (Matt. 20:25-28). The world's leadership model is a hierarchical, with one person at the top with various levels beneath that one person. Each person is answerable to the person above them. Kingdom leadership has one person at the top: Jesus. Under him all are on a level plain. All people are equally answerable and accountable to Jesus and Him alone. The picture the Bible uses is of a body. Jesus is the head and Christians are the body. The head controls the body and no member of the body is more important than another. Cole says that the church has adopted the world's leadership style because it is all we know. It is a leadership model that works. Imagine a military that did not have hierarchical leadership."Why are we afraid of the flat structure of the body of Christ? I believe it is because we are so used to a hierarchical structure we cannot imagine that any other system could work, and without our usual structure everything would fall apart, chaos would ensue, and we would have anarchy, as each part does its own thing" (pg. 89).
Three Common Concerns:1. Anarchy
- "Without Christ in people's hearts and his leadership in their lives, there would be anarchy unless someone is in charge, keeping order" (pg. 89).
- Cole is not suggesting that we all be in charge, but than no one be in charge.
- Instead of everybody doing what is right in their own eyes, we should do what is right in the Lord's eyes.
- We have tied leadership to a hierarchical structure.
- The New Testament talks of leaders and we assume that this means people over other people (top down structure).
- "Overseer does not mean the person is over the others looking down; it means he is among the others looking over (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:7-9)" (pg. 90).
- Leaders are "scanning the skies, watching for incoming missles, and at the same time searching for new directions they can head in service to the King."
- Leadership is "among" not "over." (1 Pet. 5:1-4)
- 1 Thess. 5:12 really means "go before" not "over." Leading from among the flock by going first.
- 1 Tim. 3:1 - The word "office" is not in the original language, but added by translators.
- We have mistaken order for control.
- The Holy Spirit was in control in the book of Acts. "Rapid expansion was taking place in the church, but the Holy Spirit was maintaining order" (pg. 91).
- It is possible to have an out-of-control kingdom that maintains order.
- DNA of God's Organic Kingdom
- Divine Truth
- Nurturing Relationships
- Apostolic Mission
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Where I'm at right now...Where are you?
Outside Hungary's Parliament. Sorry for the poor quality.
Sent from my iPhone
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Budapest Pictures
Today David and I enjoyed a great Mexican meal and then a walk to the square and the large city park. Tomorrow is our last full day here in Budapest before heading back home.
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A Day in Budapest (Pictures)
Today David and I were able to pick up our visas for another year in Ukraine! Please be praying for Lucy, Liv, and the boys as they are still waiting to get theirs. Time is running short as they are scheduled to leave Tuesday night.
After picking up our visas, David and I spent some time walking around the city and taking some pictures. I hope you enjoy these pictures.
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