Vision is an important attribute of leadership. The near prophetic aspect of vision is the inspiration of the leader, peering into the possible and seeing the possible, but not yet. The leader may see the attainable, as others are focused on the challenges of now. Vision is life-giving. Proverbs 29:18 insists, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” However, St. Benedict realized that leaders are not the sole proprietor of vision or wisdom. He devotes the third chapter of The Rule to challenging community leaders to create space where the entire community speaks into those important issues that impact its direction.
As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall call the whole community together and himself explain what the business is; and after hearing the advice of the brothers, let him ponder it and follow what he judges the wiser course.[1]
Conventional wisdom places great value on wisdom as the product of knowledge and experience. The guidance of wise leaders should be honored. However, wise leaders also realize that wisdom is also found in the collective knowledge and experience of the group. Calling together the community for shared insights is important for many reasons. Certainly, there is greater knowledge by the group than in any one person. However, Benedict also realized that God’s Holy Spirit dwells within each of us and directs our ways. Therefore, godly guidance may be expressed through even the most junior member of the community. The function of the leaders may be to recognize truth as they hear it from others, rather than the source of all wisdom itself. There is an incarnational meekness of Christ in the leader who seeks to be influenced by the community, as well as influence it. That is the attitude of the abbot described last week in application of Chapter 2.
While seeking the voice of the community, it is important to identify and adhere to cultural norms. There are rules, a code of conduct, to guide inter-relational activities. Joan Chittister offers the word picture of a structure held in place by four guy wires: the Gospel, the teachings of the leader, the experience of the community, and The Rule itself.[2] These wires are held in tension to mutually support the dynamic nature of shared life. The meaning and purpose of the community is provided by the Gospel. The leaders offer daily direction. The experience of the community gives truth. The Rule defines the character of the community. Durable character that sustains communal life is preserved by enduring principles rather than shifting customs or practices that reflect those principles by successive generations.
In Him,
Br. Dan, OSB
[1] The Rule of St. Benedict in English, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1982. pg. 25
[2] Chittister, Joan, A Spirituality for the 21st Century, New York, NY: Crossroads, 2016. pg. 54.
