I do not know anyone in Christian leadership that does not take some hits.
Rejection,
Betrayal,
Mistrust of motives,
Passive-aggressive resistance,
Rage filled e-mails,
Anonymous letters,
Rumors circulated masked as prayer requests are just a few examples. I find all of these and more described by Paul in his letters to the churches and leaders he was developing. And I find he had a simple principle that guided his engagement in relationships.
2 Corinthians 6:11-12 (NLT) 11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.
This 22 minute video may give us some practical insight to living with open hearts. Watch it and then share with me your thoughts.
TED talk by Brene Brown.
Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability
http://embed.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html
What aligns with God’s truth from her research?
What is missing?
Life Giving Leadership 
Roy,
I listened you Brene Brown’s TED talk and found it to be right in line with Scripture You asked, “What aligns with God’s truth from her research?” Here’s my response:
1. Worthy of love and belonging? Yes! because we are valued by God and we belong to God. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
2. Connection is why we are here? Yes! because connection = oneness = community with God and His Church. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
3. Shame is the fear of disconnection and unworthiness? Yes! because we are disconnected and unworthy apart from God and we are hopelessly disconnected without God. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-11
4. Excruciating Vulnerability is key: Yes! because otherwise I tend to hide my shame. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 62:2
5. Numbing out the discomfort of vulnerability using addictions and belief systems: Yes! Addictions and feelings of being in control gives us fear management and the illusion of safety. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
I am interested in creating “shame-free” or “grace-full” environments to affirm the truth of Scripture: we are worthy of belonging to God, supremely valued and loved by God.
Why is it that many christian church cultures, institutions and organization are actually “shame-filled” cultures? My question is not meant to be a shaming question. It is a question that I have wrestled with along with the question, “Do I shame in ways that I am unaware?’ and “Have I been complicit in a shaming culture’s unspoken rules?” The answer is, “Yes.” and this reveals my desperate need for a Savior. 🙂
For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 1 Peter 2:6
Roy, Thanks for the opportunity to be sparked by this topic of vulnerability. My response is a little long. We should grab a coffee sometime.
Wholeheartedly worthy by the power of Christ,
John
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