Wow wow wow… So much to process… so much language for things I have not been able to formulate.
But revelation hit me in your little side note about noticing toxic relationships 😭 not so much seen this in western leadership I have been under but in friendships with ‘western’ Christians.
And also your footnote about respect influencing the way we volunteer and step up (or not). So helpful.
Ahh, thanks so much for reading, Anna! So glad you were able to take something from it! 🙏 The hardest thing about those particular observations is that they’ve come from personal negative experiences – so I really hope they can be of help to others in order for them to avoid having to undergo similar situations.
Thank you for staying the course, for choosing to see God in those difficult situations and for sharing them with others. It has helped me to understand a potential element as to why I have found myself in 'toxic' christian friendships (a few times) and how I can be more aware and less harsh on myself for not 'discerning'.
I have saved many of your articles to read in my toddler free moments :)
Hey Justin! Thank you so much for your writing here! So, what you are saying is that what looks like leadership in one culture is disrespect in another. And what you are saying is that you are trying to be a servant that neither affirms either culture but lives to be a biblical servant? Please let me know and thank you :)
Hi Jae Hyun, thanks for reading! What I wanted to point out was that different cultures have different models of leadership – and I want to affirm the positives in every culture, particularly the ways they align with biblical servanthood, whilst dispensing with the less-positive aspects.
Beautiful--measured. As an American in the UK (and having lived all over the east coast of the US) I can see how different places value self-assertion or abasement over others. In Northern Ireland there is a strong influence of Witness Lee who postulated the idea of Local Church, but also influenced the Brethren community here to have a very Eastern view of humility which was refreshing. Unfortunately I think it also had the effect you mention which is that of inaction in the face of oppressive beliefs and actions--the Troubles were only last week over here and only now strongly opposed by the majority of people. Some of the more traditional folks over here are silent but their silence has turned to bitterness in their unresolved grief.
So far as the local church goes, I find an emphasis on the spiritual rights of the people of God to be helpful in maintaining informed humility. Honour, respect and submission in love are the way to go.
Hey Justin, as an extroverted Asian-Australian Christian woman, this post was SO relatable and an incredible read! I love how you’ve drawn some of the positives from Confucian culture and applied it to church leadership. I tend to only see the negatives, but you’ve given me a new appreciation of the call to humility/servanthood which is engrained in a lot of SE Asian cultures!
Hi Heidi, thanks so much for reading, I’m so glad you found it relatable! I totally understand and there’s definitely a lot to be critically discerning about one’s cultural heritage, but also on a continual journey of trying to find and focus on the positives!
Hey Justin, thanks again, this time for a well-articulated stand about being extroverted in a measured way. I believe your layered definitions of servanthood have their place in research on leadership! There has been enough biblical and modern history to warn us all about Christian leaders being fallible and hence what a timely reminder you have given to the truth in Philippians 2: 5-8.
Well said. Love it!
Wow wow wow… So much to process… so much language for things I have not been able to formulate.
But revelation hit me in your little side note about noticing toxic relationships 😭 not so much seen this in western leadership I have been under but in friendships with ‘western’ Christians.
And also your footnote about respect influencing the way we volunteer and step up (or not). So helpful.
Thank you Justin! Can’t wait to read more 🙏🏼
Ahh, thanks so much for reading, Anna! So glad you were able to take something from it! 🙏 The hardest thing about those particular observations is that they’ve come from personal negative experiences – so I really hope they can be of help to others in order for them to avoid having to undergo similar situations.
Thank you for staying the course, for choosing to see God in those difficult situations and for sharing them with others. It has helped me to understand a potential element as to why I have found myself in 'toxic' christian friendships (a few times) and how I can be more aware and less harsh on myself for not 'discerning'.
I have saved many of your articles to read in my toddler free moments :)
Hey Justin! Thank you so much for your writing here! So, what you are saying is that what looks like leadership in one culture is disrespect in another. And what you are saying is that you are trying to be a servant that neither affirms either culture but lives to be a biblical servant? Please let me know and thank you :)
Hi Jae Hyun, thanks for reading! What I wanted to point out was that different cultures have different models of leadership – and I want to affirm the positives in every culture, particularly the ways they align with biblical servanthood, whilst dispensing with the less-positive aspects.
Beautiful--measured. As an American in the UK (and having lived all over the east coast of the US) I can see how different places value self-assertion or abasement over others. In Northern Ireland there is a strong influence of Witness Lee who postulated the idea of Local Church, but also influenced the Brethren community here to have a very Eastern view of humility which was refreshing. Unfortunately I think it also had the effect you mention which is that of inaction in the face of oppressive beliefs and actions--the Troubles were only last week over here and only now strongly opposed by the majority of people. Some of the more traditional folks over here are silent but their silence has turned to bitterness in their unresolved grief.
So far as the local church goes, I find an emphasis on the spiritual rights of the people of God to be helpful in maintaining informed humility. Honour, respect and submission in love are the way to go.
Hey Justin, as an extroverted Asian-Australian Christian woman, this post was SO relatable and an incredible read! I love how you’ve drawn some of the positives from Confucian culture and applied it to church leadership. I tend to only see the negatives, but you’ve given me a new appreciation of the call to humility/servanthood which is engrained in a lot of SE Asian cultures!
Hi Heidi, thanks so much for reading, I’m so glad you found it relatable! I totally understand and there’s definitely a lot to be critically discerning about one’s cultural heritage, but also on a continual journey of trying to find and focus on the positives!
Hey Justin, thanks again, this time for a well-articulated stand about being extroverted in a measured way. I believe your layered definitions of servanthood have their place in research on leadership! There has been enough biblical and modern history to warn us all about Christian leaders being fallible and hence what a timely reminder you have given to the truth in Philippians 2: 5-8.