History has always been shaped by the deeds of those people who were in power at a particular event, and their reaction to it. For example; the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the response by allied and axis powers and Trumans decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during the World War II. In Christian living, the concept of spiritual formation is the ultimate dedication to the teachings of the bible, especially those taught by Jesus. It transcends the private life into the outward bearing of the individual, from their mannerisms to their beliefs and principles. This study evaluates the relationship between leadership and spiritual formation.
Spiritual formation is a concept of Christian living that leads people through spiritual growth in the way of Christ. It teaches values that are pious, submissive, and disciplined in observing a set code of behavior. In a multi-religious setting that is the typical workplace today spiritual formation has the potential to bring more harm than good, especially when observed by the leader, (Carney, n.d.).Organizations rely on their senior management staff to achieve set objectives, (Gold, Thorpe & Mumford, 2010). Organizational leadership is a fresh concept in management that combines individual needs and organizational objectives. Empowerment is done for all individuals, making all; low, middle, and high a part of the management team, (CCL, 2017). Combining the two concepts would be troublesome at best; spiritual formation can hardly be combined with organizational leadership, mainly because it is not compatible to such an explicit culture.
As a culture in its own way, spiritual leadership entails practices that would be hard to sustain in a diverse work environment. Outward practices listed by Carney, (n.d.) include solitude, submission, and service. This conflicts sharply with organizational leadership which aims to make all workers part of the management process; to establish a work culture, which is most likely to be secular for inclusivity of diverse employees. The solitude would be made impossible by higher levels of cooperation required in the strategy. Being submissive in a work environment that is full of self-centered and self-serving individuals might lead to a devotee being taken advantage of by other people. The service advocated for in spiritual leadership is meant to be in the ministry of the gospel, (Carney, n.d.).
Spiritual formation and organizational leadership do not relate well and they are incompatible because of the explicit nature of both. The far-reaching impacts of formation makes it both unsuited for workplace use, and puts the adherent in danger of contamination and being taken advantage of.
References
Gold J., Thorpe R. and Mumford A. (2010) Leadership, Management and Organizational Development, Handbook of Leadership and Management Development
Carney G. (n.d.) Spiritual Formation: A Disciples Guide, Glandion Carney Retreat Ministries
Center for Creative Leadership (2016)Organizational Leadership
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