Saying no to leadership opportunities, and with it increased impact and influence, is not a topic talked about very often today. For that we need to look at the work of the Holy Spirit in the history of the church.
In this podcast, I look at two towering figures in particular: Bernard of Clairvaux and Gregory of Nazianzus.
Bernard of Clairvaux was an active leader who established hundreds of monasteries in Europe by the time of his death in 1153 AD. He had little patience for an activism that was not nourished by a deep interior life with Jesus. In fact, he called it the sin of sloth because it was a busyness that refused to bear the effort demanded by a life of solitude and prayer. When one of his spiritual sons, Eugene III, became Pope, he wrote him a series of letters, warning him against being engaged in activity before the time was ripe.
Gregory of Nazianzus, a bishop and pastor, was born around 330 AD. One of the most fascinating aspects of his life was how often he literally fled from active leadership to be a contemplative in prayer at a monastery. His entire life was a succession of deep engagement with leadership and then withdrawal to be with God in prayer. He understood a pastor needs to take the time to know God, i.e. not be busy, if he or she is to minister the things of God.
Warmly,
Pete
