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Religious Leaders Also Need Leaders
Religious leaders can make a huge difference to the people in their
communities- you have only to see how dearly Cardinal Heenan was loved, or Cardinal Hume, who become patron of many charities to do with homelessness and was loved within the Catholic Church and beyond.
Often, religious leaders themselves do not realize how much influence they have- they need to use it responsibly, and to inspire their communities, not to be dogmatic with them. I have myself been inspired by the leadership of people like Cardinal Hume, or by the two bishops of Derry in Northern Ireland, Protestant and Catholic, working together, Edward Daly and Jim Mehaffy, not to mention people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemoeller. But these are exceptions. The question is really whether religious leaders look up to examples such as these, and try to emulate them, or whether they simply want to control and dominate their communities, which I regard as unsatisfactory in terms of leadership.
By
Julia Neuberger
|
February 1, 2008; 3:50 AM ET
| Category:
Religion & Leadership
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Posted by: Josef Sefton | February 6, 2008 8:41 PM
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There are several types of influences a leader can have; good, bad and a combination of the two.
There is one unique Leader Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews who is worthy of our closest attention; for His influence on us only inspires us to do good.
The goal above all else in life is to be inspired by Him.
Jesus Christ created Mr Heenan, Mr Hume, Edward Daly, Jim Mehaffy, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemoeller.
He taught them all whilst they were on earth. He, as Judge, will decide how they lived before Him.
Julia, we have someone to look up to.
Julia, we have some one who is a true King and true Leader. His name is Jesus.
All the good acts that have ever been done in the world result from the goodness of His love which He imparts to His creation.
Julia, your future challenge is to challenge yourself to study Jesus Christ's claims to be not just King of the Jews but the King of all humanity.
Julia, motivate yourself to open the book of Revelation for there you can meet the risen Christ speaking in the first person voice.
Open the book of Revelation and you can meet God's supreme gift of grace, God's Redeemer.
Julia, as soon as you are ready to take your eyes off of human leaders for half a second or more that's the time that is best to march with your exploring feet and heart to God's best, Our gracious leader, Jesus Christ.
Julia, what a glorious, exciting time lies ahead of you; for Jesus Christ Our God is very gentle but firm with His corrective teaching when baronesses knock on His door to seek ultimate truth.
Julia, Your King who reigns in heaven as holy God has a phenomenal sense of humour. How can you delay sharing your sense of humour with Him any longer?
May God bless you richly Julia in your continuing search for truth.