The Leadership Cult

… In our culture, leadership has become a "cult" — in the sense of an obsessive or faddish devotion. And Christians have been initiated into it. Besides the books that sit before me, there are many others authored by big-name pastors — or former pastors, since some pastors have managed to parlay their leadership insights into whole careers. Christian colleges are all about "developing future leaders." And there's the famous Leadership Network. And Leadership journal. And on it goes. …

… What is more revealing is the shift occurring in the pews. In the last decade or so, I've noticed more and more church staffers refer to church volunteers as "leaders." You're a leader if you teach Sunday school to first graders. Or if you tally the offering on Sunday mornings. Or if you pitch in to clean up the kitchen after that church potluck; that shows initiative and sets an example — leadership! Now, everyone is a leader. If you want to make someone feel good, call them a leader or say they show leadership potential. …