Is Lent the Christian Version of Ramadan?

This was the topic of discussion that brought out a number of people to participate in Resto van Harte’s dinner in Schiemond last evening. Resto is a unique organisation whose aim is to create community in rather disparate neighbourhoods by hosting weekly dinners and conversations. The gatherings take place in a local community centre amongst Rotterdam’s crowded government apartments. Last night’s presentation was just as interesting and multifaceted as the diverse group of people who came.

The speakers included a Muslim Imam, Jewish Rabbi, Christian Pastor and a special address from Rotterdam’s first Moroccan mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb. The Rabbi shared about the significance of Yom Kippur being a time of fasting for atonement, while the Imam shared how Ramadan’s fast helps a follower to attain virtues like humility, while the Pastor spoke about Lent being a time of reflection and prayer to prepare for Holy Week and the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. It was hard to understand everything that was said (because it was spoken in Dutch and I am still struggling to learn) but I found it interesting that the Imam kept mentioning samenwerk, or team work as a theme of Ramadan.

The people I sat with were also full of colour and conviction. Across from me was a man and woman who became friends through a recovery home. Marion shared that she was from Surinam and had lived in Rotterdam for 36 years. She has four children she rarely sees because of her struggles with addiction. Otto is a young man who recently moved from the home to navigate his life from the perspective of sobriety. There were some older women at the other end of the table but the language barrier kept us from sharing. The three ladies were quite happily engaged in their own conversation.Seated behind me was a table of women, mostly related, from Morocco with their children. They were very friendly and open to sharing about their culture and faith. Each stated that they rely on each other for support since they live about 100 km from their families.

I asked everyone I spoke with what they felt was needed the most attention for change in their community, they all echoed the same frustration - crime and drugs brought to their neighbourhood by young men from bordering areas. They believe these young men leave their own neighbourhood because they fear their families’ punishment for their abhorrent behaviour. Most of these youths are out of work and spend their days on the street causing havoc and being especially tyrannical towards women. Otto said, “I would find it hard to be a woman living here, you do not have the freedom to live your life on your own without being bothered.” It seems to be pretty endemic to the poor urban centres throughout North Holland. Should Reckoning be invited to partner with organisations like Resto and GreenGraffiti I am sure we will have the opportunity to touch on this issue.

The evening was well worth the lengthy train ride. It was great to meet and share life with others and organisations that are trying to impact and empower communities. Resto’s weekly dinner program allows people an opportunity to come together in a safe environment. Jim Bowes was sitting at table next to an elderly man who recently lost his wife. When he spoke about being alone, Jim shared that the man seemed to fold into himself at the mention of solitary life. Resto is providing a platform for otherwise isolated or marginalised people to integrate with others. It will take time and effort for some to engage those who are “different” but it is good that Resto van Harte creates a place for all people share a meal and conversation.

Picture from Resto van Harte’s Picasa Gallery

What Makes A Real Leader?

Gandhi, Clinton, Mason, Malcolm X, Hitler, Obama, Mandela, Bush, King Jr., and Bin Laden; they all had power because they said something that made people want to follow them – but were they truly leaders…how would you define a true leader?

In Reckoning’s quest to inspire and foster leadership,we have been exploring, educating, examining and executing the dynamics influence. At our core we desire to be transformative in our leadership – meaning incorporating holistic change in others and ourselves. In the books we have read (and there have been many Burns, Hagberg, Autry, Block McIntosh & Rima to name a few off the top of my head) they all keep circling around two main core principles: integrity and morals.

If these are the two harbingers of true leadership then not everyone who leads can be defined as a leader in the purest sense of the word. Have we become too fast and limiting as we label people in terms of leadership? If people follow you is that enough to be a real leader or can someone actually lead from behind? Do you need a position and title or can authority at times undermine the process? These are some of the things we wrestle with daily. If we chose to use integrity and morals as our anchors then a glance at the names above would cause an immediate divide. In James Mac Gregor Burns’ “Transforming Leadership,” he categorizes leaders as either transactional or transformational. Transactional leaders are bound to those they lead by an exchange of some valued entity (usually tangible – ex. I will give you lower taxes if you give me your vote) where as transformative types are closely involved with those they lead centered around a purpose that encourages the elevation of mankind by fostering higher levels of (yes you guessed it) morality and integrity. Transparency and mutual empowerment definitely separates the men from the boys. Idi Amin, Stalin and the like would quickly fall away even though they wielded power.

So if transformational leadership is the destination, then how point out leaders would shift things dramatically. Might we see people at the helm we never imagined? Wouldn’t have less to do with power, prestige or status. Portraying perfection would be ridiculous because every one on this planet can improve on something no matter who or where you happen to be. Being the CEO of a company may mean that you are a great manager but a questionable leader. We might recognize the janitor, who gives his time and energy to know and encourage the students, as the most pivotal and real guide at a prep school. True inspiration does not wait for the paycheck or title to lead, it just does.

Can you imagine what accountable, tireless, holistic, self-less, servant driven leadership might compel people towards? Can you imagine how it might shift the paradigms of people, communities or nations? You do not have to try hard to remember how one or two people have turned the world upside down in this fashion leading to an overwhelming and at times unexpected leap in consciousness. I do not know about you, but I am putting my bets on the dark horse; I believe in the end they will pay out, even if it means they lose everything to succeed.