Relational Stewardship

Embodied Life Together

Relational stewardship serves as the foundation of Christian leadership by emphasizing that since all humans are made in God's image, they should be treated with honor rather than viewed as assets to control.

Leadership goes beyond vision casting and institutional direction because it involves nurturing relationships which define and give purpose to community life. In my previous writings about embodiment I have demonstrated that faith extends beyond abstract beliefs to become an embodied practice which unfolds through real relationships.

Leadership must exist as a fully embodied experience instead of functioning as a mere transactional interaction. Leadership should develop through deep relationships and participatory processes while maintaining humility in stewardship.

Leaders practicing relational stewardship must understand that people hold intrinsic value beyond utility and communities serve purposes beyond institutional advancement. Relationships stand as divine gifts that God has woven throughout the entire creation.

As members of the Church we unite with God to co-create a world defined by justice and mercy and filled with love. Leaders manage a sacred trust by serving as caretakers of the space where people meet God and each other rather than functioning as managers of people.

This perspective redefines leadership to focus on cultivating growth instead of exercising control. Leaders must establish environments where people thrive and advance their faith while working towards shared goals.

True stewardship focuses on building relationships that respect individual dignity and emulate Christ's self-sacrificing love rather than ownership or efficiency. Relational stewardship reaches its full expression in community settings. Leadership requires connection because people cannot reach their potential without meaningful relationships.

The true strength of community lies not in accumulating influence or resources but rather in its capacity to transform individuals. When we participate in community life we discover grace and accountability while we engage with the continuous process of reconciliation.

Jesus’ ministry exemplifies this: He creates a community instead of just leading a movement. He leads people through open invitations like “Come and see,” “Follow me,” “Abide in my love” rather than using force to command. He exercises his power through active engagement and presence instead of relying on traditional command structures. He accompanies His followers in their walks and meals while healing them and teaching among them. Modern leaders need to recognize that community power stems from its ability to demonstrate Christ's promised abundant life. This means: Leaders need to demonstrate vulnerability and authenticity instead of using leadership as a tool to control others.

Leaders ought practice active listening instead of relying solely on their positional authority. Leadership demands the creation of opportunities for others to guide and participate while understanding that true leadership focuses on community prosperity rather than individual achievement.

Leadership in our consumer-driven society faces the risk of treating people as resources to maximize but must instead focus on nurturing their lives. Institutional operations become influenced by market thinking which results in relationships being evaluated based on their productivity and efficiency.

Relational stewardship stands against the idea of using people for specific outcomes by upholding that individuals are valuable in their own existence because God loves them for their true identity rather than their productivity. Relational stewardship functions independently of any control mechanisms. Our relationship stewardship exists not to gain material benefits from others. We steward relationships because of their sacredness.

Leadership that understands this principle focuses on being present rather than powerful and works together instead of competing while valuing love above any metrics. Leaders who practice relational stewardship must develop their relationships with love and patience while resisting efforts to treat them as commodities. This requires:

1. Leaders must adopt God's perspective on people which does not view them as exploitable resources but acknowledges them as cherished children of God.

2. True leadership requires understanding that control has boundaries because authentic leadership focuses on nurturing entrusted relationships rather than influence or outcome management.

3. Leadership requires community involvement because Christ's relational approach shows that leading others cannot be done alone.

Relational stewardship requires leaders to embrace their communities with open hands while trusting that God operates beyond our strategies and plans. The strength of community derives from its witness not from its benefits because our mutual love reflects Christ's love for us which demonstrates God's kingdom where we live.