I just found these thoughts by Rick at New Life Emerging:
“Looking for a role model as a leader? Look for the dude on his knees beside the bucket of water with holes in his hands and a towel draped over his forearm. Follow him.”
“I don’t have the guts to lead like Jesus so I settle for being a Christian leader.”
Yikes. Worst part: he’s right, and there’s more. Like Rick, you too might want to be a leader until you look at Jesus — he’ll ruin that for you.
Hi. Thanks for the plug. I spent last week at a conference where we discussed leadership.
Today it dawned on me, I just don’t have the courage to lead like Jesus. :) The things that brought me success
in the business world won’t translate unless I am willing to follow the Man.
Thanks agian for your gracious plug.
Rick
Just a thought — more women might be willing to listen to you, as they listened to Jesus, if you don’t call him “”the Man.” How about “the Savior”? Or something else powerful? I know men need men to identify with — but if you presume to pastor, then you can *never* be free from considering others — most importantly, your single most broken congregant. She has never heard God called anything other than male; she has not heard Mary preached fully; she has never heart the Holy Spirit called “she” (radical, I know, and problematic! but a solution many women have turned to); she has never heard Sophia, the Wisdom of God, preached anywhere.
You call Jesus the Man. I accuse you of criminal negligence of the daughters of God.
p.s. Considering that the oppressive job system is also called “the Man,” as in “Stick it to the Man,” you sound extra foolish! And not Pauline foolish either — just plain dumb. If anyone is still concerned with “relevance,” you might consider choosing your words more intentionally!!
(Quietly step on soap box… and begin applause) Kate Setzer Kamphausen has spoken.
Dear Kate, you sound very angry and afraid. Like most things theological: words, metaphors, and images
need to be considered in context. My comment was on a blog to an individual and I wouldn’t say it is not my
Christology or apologia. I happen to be a fan of Elizabeth Johnson and numerous other feminian theologians.
Proverbs to Ashes is one of my most favorite and influential books. As a matter of fact, I was the leading voice vfor gender-inclusive language and leadership in my parish. My first sermon was the Feminine nature of God. As you know, when anything is taken out of context it can be used to hurt and wound others. YOU took my comment to an individual out of context like many good fundamentalists have Jesus’ comments about Abba and there by missed the point. I recognize that women have been hurt by the masculine dominant voice through out the history of religion. Don’t futher your oppression by living in fear and anger. Come down off your soap box, drop your rock and love your enemy and
live the example or else you are nothing more than a stumbling block.
Rick
Dear Brother Maynard,
Thanks for responding to Kate with much more compassion than I did. I also apologize the exchange
is occurring on your blog. I appreciate your willingness and grace to allow for dialogue. Quiet honestly, I felt attacked.
I guess I could have responded with a bit more compassion, because the reality is that women truly have been hurt in very significant ways in the church. I have been working on two posts concerning women in the church. I do think it is my responsibility as a white male to be a voice where other voices may not be heard. Thanks again for your kind and gracious plug.
Respectfully,
Rick