The Spirituality of Leadership
from Constitutions Sisters of Our Lady of Amersfoort pp. 77 - 83
When the apostles discussed with one another the question of who was the most important among them.
from Constitutions Sisters of Our Lady of Amersfoort pp. 77 - 83
When the apostles discussed with one another the question of who was the most important among them.
Jesus said: “King rule over their people, and those who exercise authority like to be called benefactors. But with you it should be different. The oldest among you must behave as though he was the youngest and the one who leads as one who serves. For who is more important: one who sits at table or one who serves? Of course the one who sits at table! But I am among you as one who serves.”
In this story, in which he characterized his own life, Jesus tells us that serving is the prevailing tone of leading.
Just as he was in the service of his Father and his people, so too are those who lead
in the service of their brothers and sisters with whom they are seeking God and his kingdom.
We do not serve when we act as if we alone have the say-so, but when we lead with the awareness that every person has something to say.
We do not serve when we speak to the sisters as if we were superior, but when we, entrusted with authority, enter into dialogue with each other.
We do not serve when we take responsibility away from others, or define happiness for them, but when we as superiors elicit self-reliance and creativity.
We do not serve when we restrain those who break new ground but when we encourage them and when we stimulate and enhearten those who lag behind to continue on the way we have jointly embarked on.
As sisters who regard one another with ultimate seriousness as we search for that which is essential
we are never satisfied with anything less than justice. We shall “oppose one another face to face”
when this one thing in its many forms is at stake.
All of us, whoever or whatever we may be, stand under the judgement of the good news, in which no law ever takes precedence over the person, for whoever does not serve human beings does not lead toward God.
On the way to a world more fully human, in which God is at home, submission gives way to equality; no one is higher or lower and all are dependent on one another.
No one depends on herself alone, but rather each relies upon the strength of all, gathered, directed and set in motion by all those who know how to lead.
The function of leadership
1.1 Everyone who occupies a place of authority exercise her function in a spirit of service.
She takes the words of the gospel to heart:
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” and “You are not to be called rabbi,
1.2 In accordance with our spirituality everyone who has a leadership-function is, in a special way, charged with protecting the full equality of people.
She calls upon the co-responsibility of each member for the whole, in order that ultimate purpose of the congregation is realized.
This means that we hold one another accountable in the spirit of collegiality
