Greed Breed Phylogenetics

Tormentors, are more common than mentors. They are the products of an evolutionary jump. These X-men are classified taxonomically as Homo cannibalis. They are stratospheric by ego, and statuspheric in language. Those who hold apex positions have been separately classified into two vigorous species called the Chairmanosaurus rex and the Velociraptor treasurorus. These are essentially septuagenarian and superannuated and cannot leave their chairs they hold. They have a covenant commitment with the chairs they hold called -- "Till-death-do-us-part."
     The males have the Saul-syndrome dominant allele found in the X Chromosome. And in women, who usurp the administrative control of their husbands, this allele produces the Jezebelase enzyme. This was first detected in the DNA analysis of the archaeological remains of an ancient breed of Saluki dogs. It was great puzzle to many of the scientists at that time as to how human DNA could have been found in the intestinal villi of these dogs. But collateral research in the Ancient Near East showed it to be the smashed remains of the wife of Ahab (2 Kings 9: 30 - 37). However, the gene that produces the Jezebelase enzyme is now more prolifically found in the urban zones today. The enzyme gives them superior skills in the science of shift-and-lift and swipe-and-hype (1 Kings 21).
     Now at the end of a dog's day, when you are dog tired it might be easy to say that the world has gone to dogs. But, its refreshing to know that are still processes and counter-currents that aim to make a healing difference. There is the Christian Business Mentor's Connection who work to mentor and bring healthy Biblical values into the marketplace. And then there is also the Mentor-link an organization that aims to provide a mentoring process of accountablity and spiritual growth among christian leaders.
     When they succeed in creating a new generation of leaders then there is sure to be hope. One thing is sure however, you cant teach an old dog new tricks.

Three Rules on Leadership from a Mother - Proverbs 31: 1 - 9

"1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. 2 O my son, O son of my womb,O son of my vows, 3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings."

Rule 1: Do not dissipate your energy in unworthy directions
Anything could cause waste, TV, movies, PC games, massage parlors, Facebook, Internet etc. The point is that you need to find out where you are wasting your energy.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. 5 For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.

Rule 2: Do not swerve your inclinations in directions where your call and responsibilities are compromised
Booze is thicker than water. Gossip is far more effective with booze. And it is also the time when great injustices are concocted.

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. 9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
Rule 3: Do not stay silent for those who do not have a voice
There is always a cost in becoming a voice for the voiceless. But in the end it is rewarding. In the end it distinguishes great leadership from good.

10 Commandments for Administration from Deuteronomy 17: 15 - 20

1. Not to accumulate or be status-driven (16a). The horse & the chariot in the ancient world was state-of-the-art. In todays world this has been substituted by a mania for gadgets, vehicles, mobiles, and any flashy import product. The paradox is that while they have all these gadgets they may not even know, fully, how to use them
2. Not to create a consumer-driven society (16b). "...make his people return to Egypt" means not to be instrumental in marketing capitalism & consumerism to the detriment of local economy.
3. Not to make people practical-atheists (16c). "you are not to go back that way again" is a reference indirectly to that obnoxious golden calf, and their demand for meat instead of manna. Practical atheism is the lip-service of religion, coupled wth spiritual jargon and devoid of genuine spirituality. It is what Paul defines as "having a form of godliness but denying its power." And Egypt was a potent symbol of religion without God.
4. Not to engage in extra-marital relationships (17a). Here is clearly a call for high moral standards. King Solomon violates this command (I Kings 11: 1-6)
5. Not to let proximal relationships influence administration (17b). I know of many people who fear the wife, more than the Principal or Director. This is a common disease in most Christian institutions or organizations. Sometimes, and eventually, these structures become into dynasty ministries!
6. Not to hoard large amounts of liquid cash (17c). I know of one Christian leader, who never moves around, anywhere, without having two lakhs cash.
7. Keep a copy of this law (18). This involves the role of a priest in mentoring leadership. Leaders are lonely people. And it can cause great healing to have a good priest to confess and be mentored. All of us need it. Thats why we always need someone else to scratch our back.
8. Read it all his life -- as a benchmark for obedience (19a). This is the principle of the plumbline. Everyday we must weigh and measure our actions against this backdrop.
9. Not airing superiority, but engaging in servant-leadership  (20a). No comments. Self-explanatory. But then how much grief is caused because of ego!
10. Precision-obedience to scripture (20b). Not to turn left or right from the Law. Absolute dependence on scripture. It just means that, even if everything is explicit, we must seek HIS confirmation for decisions. Its obedience with precision. 

The Benevolent Dictator

     The Benevolent Dictator is a person who calls himself as benevolent, while everyone thinks he is a dictator. Therefore he is the benevolent dictator, for everyone's ironical satisfaction.
     He is the perfect mascot for the maxim - "The boss is always right." This comes from having been always right for a thousand years or at least having thought so. He is like a man at the mountaintop, everybody looks small to him and he looks small to everybody else.
     During first century Palestine people took their leadership cues from a power-crazed Roman Empire. So it seemed a paradox for the disciples to watch Jesus. Today too, unfortunately, we emulate oppressive models prominent in our culture -  whether it be the CEO model of business tycoons, the Indian Guru-shishya mindset, the Tribal Chief of the North East, the Communist Dada in Bengal... and, of course the benevolent dictator, who knows what is best for the rest of the imbeciles. And who is incapable of any form of partnering in leadership.
     What a contrast then, a refreshing contrast, for Jesus to say -

"You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage." (Matthew 20: 25-28 The Message)

     So what kind of leader do you want to become? No point in talking about what kind of leaders you have. No point in washing dirty linen in public. No point in going on a fault-finding spree. No point in attempting to teach an old dog new tricks. It is better to become the one who can make a difference, and take on true Christ-likeness.