Neotenal Leadership
The word neoteny ne•ot•e•ny, noun, meaning “the retention of juvenile characteristics in the adults of a species” is normally used in scientific terms of organisms or animals that mature physically without losing some or all of their younger physical traits.
In recent years, the terms has been borrowed by social scienctists to refer to certain human psychological traits. Bennis and Thomas, in their book GEEKS AND GEEZERS use the term to refer to elders who keep their edge by staying youthful in their thinking and attitudes. They contend, in particular, that older leaders who remain effective leaders do so not solely because of all their many years of past experience, but rather by keeping an open mind and eagerness to embrace new experiences.
We could learn a thing or two from neotenal organisms. There are ways we should mature and then there are others ways we should stay young. To more effectively lead our families, our business, our churches, we need to add to our years of wisdom and experience a youthful eagerness to embrace new experiences.
After all, as Scripture declares, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins” (Mark 2:22).
God's Concerns Are All-Embracing
“God’s concerns are all –embracing—not only the ‘sacred’ but the ‘secular,' not only religion but nature, not only His covenant people but all people, not only justification but social justice in every community, not only His gospel but His law.”
Likewise, we should all strive to achieve a balanced and open-minded approach to life.
Empty Vessels
Check this out ...
"We bought a house FULL of JUNK...!! What did we get ourselves into?"
The internet is filled to overflowing with stories just like this one — people buying homes at auction or in foreclosure, only to have to deal with all the old furnishings and junk that were left behind.
A house filled with old junk and clutter is not fit for habitation. It would be of little value to us until it is emptied of its contents. We need an empty house in order to properly set up housekeeping and make a house a home.
The Lord has little use for people who are full of themselves, their past "junk," and old, worldly ways. He needs an emptied vessel so that He can come and productively make His home within us.
In his ministry, Jesus loved to use empty vessels: empty boats, empty nets, empty jars, and empty tombs!
Are you ready to empty yourself to be filled with HIS fulness?
"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses [empties] himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:20-21, ESV).
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ... [who] emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:5,7, NASV).