Living with Paradox: Religious Leadership and the Genius of Double Vision - Softcover

Malony, H. Newton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0787940577 ISBN 13: 9780787940577

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 1998

Synopsis

Individuals who are in religious leadership positions will immediately recognize the dilemmas or paradoxes described in this book. The good news is that Malony offers sound practical advice on how to deal with them. This book is accurately descriptive and helpfully prescriptive.
--Douglas Lewis, Wesley Theological Seminary

Malony suggests ways to turn destructive conflict into creative tension. A helpful guide for every religious leader struggling to make sense out of the colliding interests that buffet many congregations and other not-for-profit institutions.
--William E. Hull, Samford University

As a leader you must also challenge individuals to make uncomfortable choices in the service of doing God's work in the world.

Maloney identifies eight central paradoxes that all religious leaders--both lay and ordained--must confront. The author shows how these paradoxes, when viewed as either/or choices or struggled against, can whipsaw the leader, tearing the ministry apart. However, embracing paradox and accepting it as a gift allows religious leaders to deal successfully with conflict in their roles, and in so doing, break through to a more powerful connection with those to whom they minister.

H. Newton Malony is senior professor of psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, a licensed psychologist, and an ordained United Methodist minister.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"I have written this book to reconstrue the role of religious leaders in management terms as they face what I consider to be the most critical aspect of their role, namely, the paradoxical nature of the religious environment. . . .The ones who succeed best are those who face the paradoxes in their environment and attempt to live with the double truths they represent."―H. Newton Malony, from the Preface

For every important truth about effective religious leadership, there is a seemingly opposite assertion that is also true. It is true, for example, that effective religious leaders must manage profitable organizations; but it is also true that they need to minister without concern for cost. And while it is true that effective religious leaders give comfort and nurture, it is also true that they challenge their followers to make uncomfortable choices in the service of doing God?s work in the world. Perhaps the central paradox is that religious organizations are based on otherworldly concerns and yet must function in this world.

The manner in which religious leaders deal with paradox can make or break a ministry. In this perceptive book, H. Newton Malony outlines the critical skills needed to identify and embrace paradox?a key to effective leadership. He assures readers that living with paradox is a skill that can be learned. And he examines the various paradoxes one might encounter.

Religious leaders can be oppressed by thinking that they always have to choose between the two sides of a paradox. Malony asserts that there is genius in seeing both sides without becoming disoriented?and in coming up with workable options that respect both. Living with paradox, he says, "requires double vision. It asks leaders to move beyond ?either/or? to `both/and.?" This both/and thinking accepts the contradictions of a paradox and affirms that each side contains truth.

While acknowledging the unique aspects of the religious enterprise, Malony?s approach is grounded in sound management theory. And it is informed by his many decades of experience as a psychologist working in religious organizations. Filled with the stories, examples, and keen insights of a wise teacher, Living with Paradox promises to take leaders from "the tyranny of the or to the genius of the and."

About the Author:

NEWTON MALONY is senior professor of psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, a licensed psychologist, and an ordained United Methodist minister. He earned his Masters of Divinity degree at Yale Divinity School, and he received his Ph.D. degree from George Peobody College at Vanderbilt University. Malony has written numerous books on psychology and religion, including Win-Win Relationships and the Psychology of Religion for Ministry. He and his wife live in Pasadena, California.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0787940577
• ISBN 13: 9780787940577
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160