Abstract

Our society is going through a period of profound cultural transition. Leaders today have to move in largely unmapped society, with shifting landmarks and few shared values. They can't take for granted the traditional structures of the past, whether social or ecclesiastic. Currently, there is a mass of scholarship seeking to newly define, and mentor effective leadership. Much of it calls for a fresh reapprasial of the value of the person, and the integrity of the leader. Yet because we live in a religiously pluralistic society where god-talk is uncomfortable, we are in danger of losing the spiritual dimension of leadership, the concept of "calling", or vocation. We are regularly shocked by talented leaders who yet fail profoundly. At the same time seemingly ordinary leaders do extraordinarily well. What makes leadership healthy? What are these hidden infections of the heart, mind and spirit which threaten anyone in a leadership role? ;We who serve in the pastoral office of the church have a special responsibility to be aware not only of the extrinsic factors which make "earning" a leadership role more difficult, but also the intrinsic leadership virtues. My thesis assumes that pastoral ministry has something to do with the quality of fellowship in the Church Gathered, as well as the effectiveness of the Church Scattered. It also assumes that pastoral leaders can learn from secular perspectives. ;Within wide limits no matter how leadership itself is defined, and what its context, I believe there are specific diseases that nullify its effectiveness. Naturally, we can't present these diseases with the scientific accuracy of the medical model. Leadership is an inexact science by any measure, more an art than a series of principles. As psychology, it falls under the applied behavioral sciences, where there are no universal truths like physics or chemistry. As theology, we are entering into the "mystery of iniquity", and it is foolish to assume too much. Still, medical pathologists spend years seeking the cause of various diseases, knowing that the search for the cure begins when the condition is properly named