Christian Leadership and Change

One of the most debated topics in the last decade, under the spectrum of management, has probably been change. And even in the context of our personal lives this remains a major challenge. Marriage and moving residence rating as one of the top stress incidences in our lives – despite the fact that we should be joyous in entering marriage – excited about our new home.

Our fear of change overriding the happiness. Our reluctance to accept change resulting in all kinds of strange behaviour. All this despite the fact that change is the only constant in our lives. It is the only thing we are guaranteed will enter our lives each day and offer us new alternatives and new challenges. Change is inevitable.

Every day the world around us changes and in recent times with increasing speed and complexity. Socially, economically, spiritually and politically. The world we live in today is not the same as the one we grew up in – no matter what our age or situation. And to think we can isolate ourselves from that change is utter blindness to reality.

This means an ongoing process of learning, unlearning and relearning. Constantly ensuring we are abreast of where the world around us is headed. And with what values and methods. This means only one thing – only the learners will inherit the earth. The already learned are wonderfully equipped to manage a world that no longer exists.

This is no more different and probably even more critical for political leadership and their capacity not only to govern but to be politically relevant as elections unfold.

Christian leadership however is notoriously slow to change. Mistaking many times, change for compromise, they hold on to methodologies and strategies which are archaic and no longer relevant. Reshuffled preconceptions being disguised as proactive thought, we waste precious time entering into debate and dispute – while the world marches on and the opposition grows stronger.

Regaining lost ground is always harder than defending it in the first place and unless we make a concerted and deliberate effort will we find ourselves with no more ground to defend – only new battles taking back that which once was ours.

The last elections in South Africa were a setback for the committed Christian vote and while without a doubt there were many factors contributing to this poor showing, we can no longer get by, laying blame at various quarters and have to accept responsibility for our own two major shortcomings. Disunity and irrelevance.

The real measure of Christian political leaders in these times will be evaluated on these two issues. The true leadership that reflects a commitment to these two issues are those that will have the capacity and the character to take us into a new political standing. The rest, history will record with bleak reference as those who constantly sought ways and means to separate us, in many varying ways, and failed to meet the people of our nation where they are – with their issues.

Only when we can remove ourselves from our own selfish agendas can we claim to be leaders. Are we willing to make decisions for the better of all? Are we willing to ask people what they want rather than ram our own agendas down their throat? Will we be willing to change our hearts, minds and actions for a cause greater than ourselves?

If not, then all those who currently call themselves leaders, must take responsibility for removing the concept of Christian democracy from the portals of South African politics forever.