The latest issue of *De Wekker* is entirely devoted to leadership.
In the church, we encounter leadership in all sorts of places: from Sunday school and youth groups to the church council and the synod. Several ministers and professors share their views on Christian leadership.
In his meditation, Rev. Van de Velde points to the example of Moses. “Even when doing good, a person can take on too much,” writes Van de Velde. In order to focus on his core task, Moses had to “appoint capable, God-fearing and trustworthy men”. In the New Testament, too, leadership is not in the hands of a single person.
Rev. R.G. den Hertog uses the story of Saul and David as an example. In this way, he illustrates that the servant-like nature of leadership in the Bible goes further than in modern leadership literature. “Leadership is a responsibility that is entrusted to us,” he writes.
Dick Both and Alex de Bruijn, authors of the practical guide A good example sets a good precedent – leadership in Reformed churches outline five drivers and five barriers to healthy leadership in the church. In his guest column, Dr Boele discusses the risks associated with leadership in the church.
Professor De Muynck writes about how a leader can make wise choices and allow his faith to influence those choices. Rev. Bosch focuses specifically on missionary leadership. As far as he is concerned, this involves “first and foremost equipping all members of the congregation to share the Gospel.”
Prof. Dr Anthonio was installed as a professor by special appointment at the TUA last May. The title of his inaugural lecture was Value-driven leadership as an attractive prospect. In the interview with *De Wekker*, he says that, so far, he has “always sought out a bit of a fuss” in his career.
Henk Visser is an evangelist in Albania, where a minister is due to be ordained shortly. This raised the question: Should the admission interviews and examinations be the same as in the Netherlands? It prompted Visser to conduct a study into admission to the ministry in a missionary context. He shares his findings.
At Portraits Five brothers and sisters who hold leadership roles in their congregation answer the question: Who do you consider to be an inspiring leader? Prof. Dr Van den Os also has his say. He explains why, in his view, “the synod is not going to save us.”
At the Eben-Haëzer School in ’s Gravenzande, children in yellow vests – the mediators – step in to help when there is a row. Pupils say that their ‘Peaceful School’ even has its own constitution.
At Church News Finally, you can read, amongst other things, obituaries and an article about the royal honour awarded to René and Lydia van den Berg.
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De Wekker is the official national magazine of the Christian Reformed Churches, with articles on church, faith and the world.
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