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“What is the place of the charismatic leader?” In February 2020, a report revealed that Jean Vanier — a world-renowned spiritual leader who I used to call the “prophet of tenderness” — had been credibly accused of spiritual and sexual abuse by six different women. I’ve been thinking about the role of charismatic spiritual leaders ever since. Here’s what I wrote in the latest issue of Sojourners: “Maybe I hoped the question would become less relevant. Remember those couple of years when the good guys turned out to be the bad guys? I’d say, maybe to a friend, maybe to God, and we’d shake our heads and exhale the memory away. Or maybe I imagined the question had an easy answer: Bad theology begets bad behavior. Get rid of complementarianism and you get rid of the abuse. But it turns out abuse doesn’t pick favorites — not generationally, not theologically. What is the place of the charismatic leader? It’s a question that sparks more questions: What if vulnerability facilitates spiritual connection and sets the stage for sexual exploitation? What do I do with the books on my shelf written by Vanier and John Howard Yoder and former cardinal Theodore McCarrick and so many others? If a person who turned out to be abusive shaped my understanding of God, how has that distorted my conception of the Divine? And most important, how do we create healing for the survivors? How do we make sure no one else becomes a victim?” And I know I’m not the only one asking these questions; so many of us have felt betrayed by our spiritual leaders and are grappling with what to do next. I’d like to invite you to ask these questions with me, both by reading along in Sojourners and by listening to Lead Us Not, a new podcast I’m hosting that explores these topics. The first episode is out now; you can learn more and subscribe to the show at sojo.net/podcast.
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Our Latest ‘The Devil Conspiracy’ Is Boring as Hell (by Abby Olcese) There are many interesting depictions of hell, but Nathan Frankowski’s uninspired take on faith dulls any of its more entertaining instincts. Puss in Boots’ Nine Wild and Precious Lives (by Michael Woolf) Like Mary Oliver and St. John Chrysostom, a new film about a swashbuckling cat helps us bravely face our mortal world. Our Excessive Military Budget Builds U.S. Empire, Not God’s Kingdom (by Adam Russell Taylor) Why do social programs that uplift the most vulnerable wind up on the chopping block while military spending continues unchecked? In ‘The Whale’ and in the Gospels, We Crucify What Disgusts Us (by JR. Forasteros) Darren Aronofsky’s latest film, starring Brendan Fraser, is ripe for biblical interpretation. |
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From the Magazine How Do We Recover When Our Leaders Betray Us? (by Jenna Barnett) Charismatic leaders like Jean Vanier can inspire our faith — or make it fall apart. |
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Vibrant, engaged & passionate congregation seeking Senior/Settled Minister We are questioners & seekers, open & affirming and the progressive Christian Partner of unique Tri-Faith Initiative. You are an inspiring servant leader, ready to challenge members in spiritual growth and respectful of individual spiritual journeys. If this sounds like part of your ministerial profile, check out our church profile! Festival Center 2023 Collectives Interested in learning more about spiritual discernment, climate justice, or community organizing? The Festival Center invites you to join one of our 2023 online Collectives. Working to bring about justice doesn’t have to be daunting. You can find your call and join others who share your passion. Join us. We are looking for someone who can combine their interests in social justice and faith to initiate, maintain, and strengthen relationships with foundations to advance philanthropic support for our organization. For a complete job description and application instructions visit our careers webpage! |
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