Faith Venture

I cleaned the filter of grounds after brewing my 6 am cup of coffee this morning. The thought came upon me from a book I read when I was perhaps 11. A history of the American Civil War. A southern general (I forget which one) was leading his troops toward Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where there would be a significant engagement with the enemy. It was a leadership lesson that has stayed with me all these years.

While soldiers were marching toward their next battle, often the column would halt. No one along the line knew why or for how long. When the call came to halt, the soldiers would gather twigs from around them, start small fires, and brew coffee. They would hope to get the process done and drink the precious liquid before the march resumed. If the order to march came too soon, they had to throw out the partially done coffee and the grounds.

The lesson: this general would always pass the word back through the ranks about whether there was time to brew coffee or not. Despite all that was on his mind, this general thought also of his men.

How do we consider those around us? Those for whom we have responsibility? Do we have empathy? Do we think it’s our job to tell them how to live, what to do, as if they are mere objects?

Leadership strives to unite people into striving for a common cause. Leadership in America and many other parts of the world strives to divide people. The hope is that when the division is proclaimed these leaders hope to cling on to some sort of majority. Or, at least power.

This can be as true in business and religious organizations as it is in politics. 

Andy Stanley took a thoughtful look at the condition of politics and evangelical Christianity in the United States. It broke his heart. That combination has created divisions among people, among families, among communities, among churches all in the name of winning points against “the enemy.”

Jesus taught us to love our enemies. Everywhere I look today I see people hating and disparaging their enemies.

This podcast conversation between Andy Stanley, author of Not In It To Win It, and John Maxwell, long-time leadership teacher, discusses the problems for organizations and politics when leaders abdicate their essential role and seek to divide.

Speaking to Christians, they point to Jesus who did not lead with belief but instead led with values. And above all he valued every individual person he met.

And so should we.

As for me, I seek to not be affiliated with any organization or movement that seeks to discriminate against any of God’s children whom he loves. Just bring us all together. And we can find solutions to many of the ills that confront us.

I seek not to win. I seek to promote life and justice and peace. Is there a leader somewhere?