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Tuesday, 15 April 2008

Are my expectations unreasonable?

Jesus died a tragic death because he disappointed many powerful people. Just read what happened in today's gospel.
It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem;
it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
(John 10:22-24)
The Jews expected Jesus to be their Christ, one who would lead them up in a rebellion to drive out the Romans. Jesus disappointed them and they sent him to death.
Though Jesus' career as a Messiah among the Jews had been a failure, he had won enough disciples to dominate the Western world for nearly 2000 years. Many true believers are so devoted to him that they even give up their lives for him and his ideals. Nowadays, a number of popular management books, such as Jesus CEO, take cue from Jesus' life and draw out inspirations for business leadership. Though, I was not able to get my hand on this book, I am sure Christian leaders should not deviate too far from their Master. Therefore, I am entitled to expect certain traits from them.
Jesus said,
I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me (John 10:14). Further down, he said,
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27).
In other words, Christian leaders should know their team members who also know them. So, if the Principal always hides himself in his office, how can we teachers know him and follow him? If the Supervisor does not see the teachers and let him be seen, how can they know each other and share his vision? I doubt very much whether my boss knows what degree I hold, what weaknesses I have and what teaching experiences I had before I joined Shung Tak.
When Jesus appeared to his disciples after resurrection, he said,
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
(John 20:21-22)
In other words, Christian leaders should delegate and empower their team members to carry out the mission of their institutions. So, if the Principal wrote up the School Self Evaluation for External School Review all by himself, what can teachers contribute and be empowered? Of course, we teachers in Shung Tak should count ourselves lucky because many schools take months of long-hour meetings to write up the Evaluation. Our PhD Principal wrote up his version and submitted it to the External Assessors. In the end, we know little more than the routines of our own departments and committees. We are no wiser after the External School Review. Are my expectations unreasonable?

My sweet Jesus, I am a bitter man. Wash away this bitterness in my heart. I don't want it to spill over to my students. Grant me the wisdom to see the blessings You have in store for us in this situation. In Your mercy I trust. Carry us through, my CEO. Amen.

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