Friday, February 22, 2008 at 2:02am
Spiritual leadership from the grassroots
Column: Executive Soul
This week, Condoleezza Rice joined Kofi Annan in urging Kenyan leaders toward a power-sharing agreement. Reports from Kenya today indicate that a peace agreement is nearly finalized. Meanwhile, while these international leaders work from the top to stop the violence, church leaders work from the bottom.
Since the presidential election of Dec. 27 and accusations of rigged elections, violence has broken out in Kenya. International leaders have concentrated on persuading the government and opposition leaders to reach a negotiated settlement and create a coalition government.
Meanwhile, churches have exercised spiritual leadership from the grassroots. In addition to urging Kenyans to pray, in the belief that prayer really does make a difference, church groups have initiated peacemaking efforts on the local level and have provided aid to internally displaced people.
For example, the Emergency Relief and Reconciliation Program of the Friends Church Peace Team recently sent 30 Friends to take food to internally displaced people in the Trans Nzoia District next to Mount Elgon in the Rift Valley. David Zarembka, coordinator of the African Great Lakes Initiative of the Friends Peace Team, helped coordinate the effort to bring food to 1,600 people who had been overlooked by the Red Cross and other relief organizations.
In reflecting on the experience, he noted: "Although the food seemed to be little in relationship to the need, I still felt good, knowing that we had helped as we are able. In this kind of work, one cannot get discouraged by the unmet needs, but most focus on what one has accomplished. If people only eat well for a few days, it is still better than having to scrounge around for a little food and going to sleep hungry. Moreover, as I have learned in the past, visiting people who have been the victims of violence is perhaps one of the most important peacemaking activities one can initially do."
Even with a peace agreement in place, there still will be much healing that needs to be done in Kenya. Spiritual leadership at the grassroots level is making an important contribution, and will continue to do so. The faithfulness of these spiritual leaders will be an important part of Kenya's healing.
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Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations," works with leaders in business, healthcare, churches, government and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. Copyright 2008 by Margaret Benefiel.
Since the presidential election of Dec. 27 and accusations of rigged elections, violence has broken out in Kenya. International leaders have concentrated on persuading the government and opposition leaders to reach a negotiated settlement and create a coalition government.
Meanwhile, churches have exercised spiritual leadership from the grassroots. In addition to urging Kenyans to pray, in the belief that prayer really does make a difference, church groups have initiated peacemaking efforts on the local level and have provided aid to internally displaced people.
For example, the Emergency Relief and Reconciliation Program of the Friends Church Peace Team recently sent 30 Friends to take food to internally displaced people in the Trans Nzoia District next to Mount Elgon in the Rift Valley. David Zarembka, coordinator of the African Great Lakes Initiative of the Friends Peace Team, helped coordinate the effort to bring food to 1,600 people who had been overlooked by the Red Cross and other relief organizations.
In reflecting on the experience, he noted: "Although the food seemed to be little in relationship to the need, I still felt good, knowing that we had helped as we are able. In this kind of work, one cannot get discouraged by the unmet needs, but most focus on what one has accomplished. If people only eat well for a few days, it is still better than having to scrounge around for a little food and going to sleep hungry. Moreover, as I have learned in the past, visiting people who have been the victims of violence is perhaps one of the most important peacemaking activities one can initially do."
Even with a peace agreement in place, there still will be much healing that needs to be done in Kenya. Spiritual leadership at the grassroots level is making an important contribution, and will continue to do so. The faithfulness of these spiritual leaders will be an important part of Kenya's healing.
— — —
Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations," works with leaders in business, healthcare, churches, government and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. Copyright 2008 by Margaret Benefiel.