Will Willimon (United Methodist Bishop, author of over sixty books and over six hundred scholarly articles, prolific blogger, and popular speaker) wrote a thought provoking article about ambition, which was posted earlier today on Leadership Journal. The brief article is worth reading, but the following excerpts are especially worth pondering:
So I
can’t think of any reason why we clergy shouldn’t admit ambition, shouldn’t examine and strategize on the basis of our ambition, shouldn’t acknowledge and then realistically critique our ambition. I can’t think of any reason why ambition should not be embraced as a natural, ever present partner in our ministry—except Jesus . . . The one who modeled ministry by kneeling before his disciples and taking up a basin and towel is the one who is determined to make otherwise healthy, normal, virtually unavoidable ambition our enemy.
Jesus modeled a style of leadership that we pastors are called to emulate. Not only that, but Jesus seems to have a decided preference for those who were not wise, not powerful, not rich, in short, just the sort of people who were flops in the game of ambition. Even worse for our ambitiousness, he said repeatedly that we are to deny ourselves, take up his cross, and follow him in his own path of downward mobility. If we’re to follow Jesus and exercise our perfectly human, understandable ambitiousness, then we’ve got to be ambitious for what Jesus cares about rather than what the American Way tells us to lust for.
So What?
Ambition is universal. In the midst of constant striving, it is important to stop to reflect on and clarify our underlying motivations. Consider these questions:
For everyone:
- What are the ambitions that are considered praise worthy by the American culture?
- What are the ambitions that Jesus modeled and taught?
- If you are honest with yourself, what are your deepest ambitions and how do they impact your life? at home? at work? in your relationships?
- How should your own ambitions be reshaped by your faith — especially by your experience of Jesus?
For pastors and those engaged in vocational ministry:
- Does your ambition lead you to focus on very specific goals that, if achieved, would give you a position of greater power and prestige?
- When is the last time you engaged in genuine introspection comparing your ambitions to those of culture and of Christ?
- Does your congregation’s expectation of you and your ministry, including your annual review, reflect a proper understanding of ambition?
- What individuals and/or groups can you turn to for wisdom and guidance about matters such as this? Are you willing to do so?