Are We Addicted to Leadership?

Guest Bios Show Transcript Why is it that we have so many bullies and heavy-handed leaders in the church? Perhaps it’s because we’re addicted to leadership—and have elevated a model of leadership that has everything to do with the world and nothing to do with Jesus. In this edition of The Roys Report, Julie discusses Christians’ addiction to leadership with Lance Ford—a pastor, church-planter, and co-founder of the Sentralized Conference in Kansas City. In 2012—long before bully pastors like Mark Driscoll and James MacDonald were exposed—Lance wrote a book called UnLeader, warning about what he sensed was a misplaced emphasis on leadership. Lance noticed that Christian books on leadership were hitting the New York Times best-seller lists. Church conferences on leadership were booming. But books on discipleship and being a servant like Jesus—sadly, they were about as scarce as the servant leaders they aimed to create. Lance also had some experiences that confirmed his concerns. These included meeting with pastors at Driscoll’s former Mars Hill Church months before the church imploded. Lance also saw a friend and pastor, Darrin Patrick, transform as he followed Driscoll’s top-down, unbiblical model. Today, we’re living with the results of decades of our leadership addiction, Lance says. We have pastors made in the image of superstar CEO’s. We have leaders who may be sincere in their love for Jesus, but they’ve drunk “punch (that’s) been spiked.” What does it mean to lead like Jesus? And how do we wean ourselves off this toxic addiction? These vital questions are at the heart of my discussion with Lance Ford. This Weeks Guests Lance Ford Lance is the co-founder of the Sentralized Conference in Kansas City. He blogs at www.sentralizedgathering.com. With over two decades experience as a pastor and church planter, Lance is a writer, coach, and consultant who has designed unique training systems currently being used by networks, seminaries, and leaders throughout the world. His passion is to give himself to resourcing and equipping churches and leaders anywhere and everywhere as they develop missional lifestyles. Lance holds a Masters Degree in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. His book, Right Here Right Now: Everyday Mission for Everyday People, was co-authored with Alan Hirsch. He serves on the National Leadership team for Forge America Missional Training Network. Show Transcript SPEAKERS JULIE ROYS, LANCE FORD JULIE ROYS  00:04 Why is it that we have so many bullies and heavy handed leaders in the church? Could it be that we’ve elevated a model of leadership that has everything to do with the world, but nothing to do with Jesus? Welcome to the Roys report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. I’m Julie Roys. And joining me today is Lance Ford, a pastor/church planter/blogger and co-founder of The Centralized Conference in Kansas City. Lance is also the author of the 2012 book UnLeader, which was published long before the bully pastor phenomenon became daily news. It was before scandals involving Mark Driscoll or James McDonald or Dave Ramsey. But back then Lance began noticing something amiss in evangelicalism, it seemed everyone was obsessed with being a leader. books on leadership hit the New York Times bestseller list, conferences on leadership were booming, but books on discipleship and being a servant like Jesus, well, sadly, they were about as scarce as the servant leaders they aim to create. And now we’re living with the results. We have pastors made in the image of superstar CEOs, or as Lance writes, we have leaders who are addicted to leadership. They may be sincere in their love for Jesus but in Lance’s words, they’re drinking punch that’s been spiked. So friends, what does it