Canonmoon

In this world of changes, the number one notion commonly talked about is LEADERSHIP. But what type of Leadership? There are so many different models of leadership in the world.

1. Monarchy - the oldest and traditionally recognised until recently after the World War last century. This is still practised in some quarters in the world but it is getting lesser and lesser. The last monarch of Nepal was just deposed a few months ago. The remaining ones are mostly constitutional monarchy. The Pope functions like a monarch.

2. Republic - the leader is commonly known as President. He does not have the absolute power as in the case of a king. His power is given to him by the people as described in the constitution. He is elected for a term though there are some staying on for life until a revolt occurs. His leadership is much like a king. The Bishop of the Anglican Church functions like a president.

3. Moderator - this sort of leadership seems good on paper but it usually finds hard to get things done together. Each leader will do according to his own likings or wishes. The Moderator is only there to moderate. He normally does not have any power at all except calling and chairing meetings. The Presbyterians have Moderator.

4. Servant-Leadership - some believe the Bible talks of Servants-Leadership. This is debatable. Some argue that the Bible only speaks of Servanthood. Which is correct? Jesus himself is a servant and also a leader.

5. Clergy - the New Testament has mentioned the offices of bishop or overseer (episkobos), elder or preist (presbuteros) and deacon or servant (diakonos). Bishop Ignatius of the 2nd Century has created the three-tier ministry which has lasted till today. This three tier-system has become the leaders of the church. Many churches today used the name Pastor instead. Basically they function similarly. It has been so effective until it has become an institution.

I am trying to relook at the Bible and see where there is another model of leadership. I call it SHARED LEADERSHIP. It is leadership of both the clergy and laity; or employer and employee; or boss and workers. For all shared leadership, there must be guidelines which are agreeable to all. All must agree to subscribe to one set of goals and vision for the whole group/church/firm. Decisions are made through discussions and sharings. Everyone should subscribe to working on their own as long as it is within the jurisdiction and realm of the agreed parameters. Shared leadership stresses on accountability and transparency.

It is not easy for the modern people to accept this new phenomenon. We are so used to the old style of ‘being told’. Many reject the idea of asking each one to make decision collectively. Generally, new ideas will take a long time for people to adopt and get used.

My idea of shared leadership is for the ministry of the church. This is the sharing of workdone. There is no area in the Bible where people are forbidden to do except sin. Since we still have the three-tier order of Bishop, priest and deacon, we should keep the priestly function to the priest. But the other ministry of the church can be jointly done by all the people. So the idea is shared leadership in preaching, teaching the Bible, prayer ministry, visitation, leading meetings, conducting activites, etc. The clergy should return to the Biblical concept of teaching and praying while the laity together with the clergy to share in the rest of the ministry.

When Jesus left the earth and ascended to heaven, He left the newly found church to his 12 disciples to do the work. They in turn selected many people to jointly lead the churches throughout the then known world. The church grew rapidly then. Many of our churches did not grow very much because we are heavily dependent on one person the clergy. When there is a change of clergy, the vision and pace changes too. This should not be the case if the leadership is shared. Work should carry on as usual because it is being carried out by the same people who are still living there.

Think and pray about it.

As I was reading this book ‘Seven Ways To Change The World - Reviving Faith and Politics’ by Jim Wallis, I have been thinking of the present world scene and what a mess it is now in. I asked myself this: Can Faith and Politics mix? Can Faith be an answer to Politics? Those of us who believe in Jesus and firmly hold to the evangelical tradition have always claimed ‘Jesus is the Answer for the world today!’ Have we seen any evangelical breaking through into the Political arena and come forth with good solution? Nowaday as we are seeing the revival of Social justice and rights is here and is to stay for a long time, what is the so called ‘Righteous Right’ or ‘Classical Christianity’ doing?

We need to rethink and seek solution for the present world and be at the cutting edge and perhaps be prophetic. Is there a ‘Progressive Evangelicalism’ where it can be a World Changer. Unless we return to our faith and reinterprete it in accodance to the light of Jesus’ days and teaching rather than literally. It should be that of what the Bible translators called it "Dynamic Equivalent". Can our Christianity be relevant to todays world?

I tend to believe that we all need to re-visit our theology of war (that there are enemies to be destroyed) and theology of empire (of mega-church and self contentment with the absence of social justice and mission to the poor and outcast). Until that day comes, we the traditional Christianity will not be a World Challenger let alone a World Changer.

Do you think that their are some conspiracy going on somewhere as you look at the continuous uprising of oil prices? It is very suspicious, don’t you think? Let’s look at what some people think:

Oil has broken through the landmark $100 a barrel, driven by a slumping dollar, geopolitical instability and worries over a winter fuel supply crunch. See how the price of oil has risen - and fallen - since 1970 against a background of key world events.

1973 ARAB-ISRAELI WAR

Fighting between Arab and Israeli forces sent jitters through the Middle East. Alarmed by Israeli successes, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) orchestrated the Arab oil embargo, sending prices soaring by 400% in six months. It was the first time oil had been used as a political weapon, putting pressure on the US which, in turn, persuaded Israel to accept UN mediation on the crisis.

1979 IRANIAN REVOLUTION

Months of turmoil in Iran led to the exile of the Shah and the declaration of an Islamic republic. It also led to a reduction in oil production and, at one point, the flow of crude oil from Iran was almost halted. Nervousness about the stability of Iran brought together the other major Arab oil-producing states to ensure supply and increase prices.

1980 IRAN-IRAQ WAR

Iran weakened by the revolution was invaded by Iraq in September 1980. By November, the combined oil production of the two countries was only one million barrels a day, 6.5m fewer barrels than the year before. It meant a worldwide reduction in crude oil production of 10%. The combination of the Iranian revolution and the Iran-Iraq war caused crude oil prices to more than double from $14 in 1978 to $35 in 1981.

1986 OIL PRICE CRASH

Higher oil prices led to a reduction in demand as consumers and industry looked at ways of becoming more energy-efficient. The price rise also led to increased exploration for new sources of oil outside the traditional oil-producing regions. Saudi Arabia suffered from the reduction in revenue, made worse by new Opec quotas which meant it had also been forced to reduce production. It responded by increasing production in early 1986. Crude oil prices plummeted below $10 per barrel - but the Saudi revenue remained about the same.

1990 GULF WAR

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, partly prompted by the low price of oil, led to uncertainty about production and prices spiked. Iraq wanted to gain control of the world’s third largest oil producer to give it more control over the world market. Following the Gulf war to liberate Kuwait, crude oil prices entered a period of steady decline, reaching their lowest level in 1994 for 21 years.

1997 ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS

The rapid growth in Asian economies came to a halt leading to lower consumption of oil - just at a time when Opec had begun increasing production. The combination sent prices plummeting, through to December 1998.

2001 9/11

Oil prices suffered a downturn as Russian oil production increased, and the US economy went into decline. Opec tried to stem the reduction by cutting production - but the terror attacks on 11 September sent oil prices plummeting again. Prices were down by about 35% by the middle of November. Opec delayed cutting production again until early 2002, when prices began to move upwards once more.

2003 IRAQ WAR

The American-led invasion of Iraq led to the loss of oil production in the Gulf state. In mid- 2002, there were over six million barrels per day of excess production capacity and by mid 2003, this had dropped to below two million. It dropped still further in 2004-5. A million barrels per day is not enough spare capacity to cover for any sudden drop in production and it led to an increase in prices.

2006 LEBANON CONFLICT

After Israel launched attacks on Lebanon, oil prices reached a new high of $78 per barrel. Although neither Israel nor Lebanon are oil producers, the conflict increased tension in the Middle East sending prices soaring.

2008 $100 BARREL

Geopolitical tension in Kenya, Algeria and Pakistan, as well as the threat of US sanctions against Iran have played their part. At the same time, there are fears of a cold winter in the US and Europe, and increased demand from China and India as well as the US. The falling US dollar has also driven up oil prices as they have to gain to compensate for a slide in the currency.

Do you have a clue to why the oil price is still rocketing? Some believe that it will reach $200 by 2010.