ABSTRACT

Brueggemann argues that it is the memories, or tradition, of the prophetic community which can sink it deep into its past and enable the coding of a rich discourse by which to articulate an alternative consciousness. This chapter reads the memories of chapters 4 and 5 through the lens of questions furnished by the leadership definition established in chapter 1: namely, what is the telos, or goal, of incarnational ecclesial leadership and what is its process of influence? Leadership’s process of influence is shown here to be a relational and kenotic praxis which influences persons towards the telos of deeper participation in Christ’s ministry of neighbour-love, by bringing the eschatological reality of life in the Spirit to bear on the present reality of those being led. This relational praxis, celebrating relationships of love for another in their particularity, demands a sharing of one’s very self with the desire for eventual mutuality. Such a leadership praxis grounds a new language of hope: that of friendship.