A theological concept I've been reflecting on lately is from 2 Corinthians 4:7 that mentions we have this treasure in earthen vessels. I've been reflecting on how the power of God puts on skin to interact with the world and God's love may use our life story and brain chemistry.
For leadership, this means to me that it is necessary to embrace your humanity to be a spiritual leader. That while I strive to minister with the presence God and invoke spiritual power, this earthen vessel is a part of the story. I view this as a corrective to the thinking of my past tradition which would suggest that our humanity is inherently evil and that to effectively minister we must empty ourselves of our humanness and negate our biology.
This then would allow me to carry this treasure. I also believe that as leaders we must treasure the gifts of God. This means taking time to appreciate them, appreciate God's goodness, and be in God's presence. We do this because it is treasure not to continually and incessantly hammer away on a mission. The treasure and the vessel are reconciled in an open and affirming faith to what God may do through our humanity.
The upside is that this is life affirming and offers balance. This allows one to fully embrace the multiple facets of their humanity and personhood.
The downside is that this can be messy and complicated. This approach to life and leadership doesn't always do the safe thing. It doesn't follow a script on piety and holiness that a lot of people think is what Chritianity is supposed to mean. It can be risky to insist on room for your humanity. People make mistakes and have conflicts and fail. This approach makes failure an option and can allow for ambiguity in direction or even how to be. Ambiguity doesn't not easily translate into action items or committee agendas. This approach requires a certain humility and fallibility. Leading from that place can be difficult. It requires vulnerability which is scary.