11 Dec 2010
Writers Block
Writing to lead
I need to write.
I have lots of different documents that I need to produce at the moment, and yet I find myself unable to get them out.
When I do sit to write, the words that come out are hollow and lifeless.
I wonder if the Apostle Paul ever felt that way?
I taught 1 Corinthians this week.
I have read the book many times, but somehow having to teach it means I engaged with it at a whole new level.
What most impressed me was what an impressive piece of leadership it was.
Paul was writing to a group of people who were divided into four camps, and only one of those camps even wanted to hear what he had to say.
It’s challenging to lead people who don’t want to listen.
A leader is only a leader when people are following them.
Paul had to write to people who weren’t following him.
Instead of trying to assert for his own place, he re-focussed the Corinthian church back on Jesus, and in doing so established his own authority.
I wonder how many drafts he did of his letter?
What I am stunned about is how, in the space of one correspondence, he can tackle so many complex issues so effectively, including his right to even be writing the letter.
I have a lot to learn about writing and I have even more to learn about leadership.
It’s nice to have models like Paul to examine and think about in that context.