Missional Leadership, Mimetic Desire, and a Theology of the Powers

Abstract

Abstract University of Manchester Gailand A. Woodward Jr Doctor of Philosophy “Missional Leadership, Mimetic Desire, and a Theology of the Powers” 2020 All ecclesial leadership involves the exercise of power. Theologically speaking, this power can be used legitimately by following Christ's example of holy love, or illegitimately by following the world’s example of selfish ambition. This thesis seeks to address the ‘fall’ of church leaders to such illegitimate use of power through domineering forms of leadership. The problem of domineering leadership has come to light through the failure and investigation of high profile leaders in recent years. Commentators have identified common characteristics of ‘fallen’ leaders to include pride, manipulation, status-seeking, and kingdom building. When leaders succumb to domineering leadership, people get hurt, Christ is misrepresented, and the witness of the church is damaged. This problem is exaggerated when it comes to missional leadership, which purports to be concerned about visible witness to the kingdom of God. This study seeks to provide a theological diagnosis of fallenness in church leadership, and insight for missional leaders facing these temptations. The need for missional leaders to be models that people can imitate, and the centrality of being creatures of desire, are themes that have been raised in the missional conversation, but not linked to the Powers. The biblical theme of mission and the Powers (Satan, the demonic, and principalities) has also been raised. This, however, remains largely underdeveloped, especially regarding challenges unique to missional leaders. Linking these themes holds promise for cultivating healthy leaders and life-forming discipleship for mission. Various missional thinkers draw from Walter Wink’s theology of the Powers. Wink calls the collective work of the Powers the “Domination System”, and when leaders mimic the Powers, not only do they become domineering leaders, they open the church to the demonic. Wink draws on the significance of René Girard, as he is the preeminent scholar on imitation and desire. Girard links imitation and desire to the Powers. Combining their theoretical approaches creates a new way to think through the connection between missional leadership, imitation and desire, and the Powers for the sake of mission. This thesis will address the question: How might a theology of the Powers help missional leaders to practice a spirituality which reshapes their desires for the sake of discipleship, community, and mission? Drawing on the work of Wink and Girard, this thesis develops an imitation-based conceptual framework that demonstrates how imitation and desire link missional leaders to the Powers, resulting in patterns of domination. It will be demonstrated that leaders ‘fall’ when they knowingly or unknowingly mimic the Powers due to malformed desire, which leads to unfaithfulness, wreaks havoc in the church, and a dearth of witness. Redeemed leadership is imitating Christ, through which the leader’s desires are reshaped, and the ministry is transformed, through a process of positive mimesis, healthy discipleship, a flourishing church, and a life-giving witness. There is no neutral ground, for not to imitate Christ is to imitate the Powers. Missional leadership is ultimately about being an example worth imitating.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2020
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Philip Meadows (Supervisor) & Dwight Swanson (Supervisor)