Becoming a Community of Disciples

Chapter 3 Legislative Teachings – Other Monastic Offices

All leaders should be assisted by others. In the monastery there is the abbot’s assistant called the prior, and then there are “deans” if the community is large enough. This shows that leadership should never be fully vested in one person but in a group. Other leaders provide the main leader with accountability and are a check on her leadership, if necessary. Sometimes congregational leaders isolate themselves, unfortunately. This is not always intentional but it is never a good idea. Isolation can lead to myopia; that is, a leader is too isolated to know what is best for the whole community. Other leaders can ensure that this does not happen. Further, it also gives voice to everyone in the community for sometimes it is the youngest member who has the greatest wisdom in a particular situation. Shared leadership values the input of everyone, helping to ensure that the organization remains a true community, not just a group of people surrounding one charismatic leader.

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