Pastoral Leadership

 Pastoral Leadership

In his book Leadership in the Church, Cardinal Walter Kasper reflects on the essence of priestly life. He emphasizes that the significance of a priest lies not in his contributions to the institutional structure of the Church, but in how he reflects the love and compassion of Jesus through his life. Kasper states, “There is nothing for us to make... all we can do is to offer ourselves for the purpose of representation. Priestly existence is existence as a witness and as a sign, not only with our lips, but with the whole of our existence.” According to him, it is not material accomplishments that matter, but how a priest embodies Christ in his daily life.

This idea finds resonance even in secular fields. Harvard Professor Clayton M. Christensen, in discussing leadership and fulfillment, echoes a similar sentiment: “What provides happiness in our careers is not money; it is the opportunity to learn, grow in responsibilities that contribute to others, and be recognized for achievements... the metric by which God will assess my life is not dollars but the individual people whose lives I have touched.” For Christensen, the desire to care for people is the hallmark of a good and effective leader. It’s not about amassing wealth but about how one has impacted and cared for others.

One exemplary figure of this principle is the late industrial leader Ratan Tata, who demonstrated profound care for the well-being of others. During the aftermath of the tragic Taj Hotel attack in Mumbai, Tata extended financial support to the family of one of his managers who lost his life. He provided educational assistance to the children, offered a job to the widow, and continued to send the family the same salary the husband had earned. This is a reflection of true leadership—concern for people over profit.

This is precisely what Jesus asks of his followers: to serve others. He teaches us to wash the feet of others, as He did for His disciples. Jesus clearly stated that He came to serve, not to be served. This has inspired a management style known as Servant Leadership, rooted in His teachings. Through the parable of the Good Shepherd, Jesus illustrated what it means to lead a community: a leader must be protective, compassionate, and committed to the holistic development of those in their care, always seeking out the lost.

As leaders in the Church, parents, teachers, and religious figures, we are called to live by Jesus's teachings. Our preaching is not limited to words but also conveys the silent testimony of lives lived according to Gospel values. The words of St. John Chrysostom, spoken centuries ago, remain relevant today: “If you don’t see the beggar at the Church door, you cannot find Christ in the Chalice.”

Instead of engaging in quarrels, whether among different denominations or within our Church, we should focus on living out the teachings of Christ. These disputes do little to advance our Christian witness. Our attention should be on the urgent task of building our lives according to Christ’s example, for the time given to us is brief.