The document discusses biblical passages about failures of leadership and the consequences. It describes how Samuel's sons did not follow his ways as judges and the people asked for a king. Saul was chosen but later died for his unfaithfulness. Rehoboam did not listen to the people's requests and increased their burdens. The document asks questions about whether failures are worse for Christian leaders and discusses examples of poor leadership throughout history in the Catholic church. It closes with a prayer.

1. When Leaders Go

2. Gratitude
For what are you grateful?

3. As good Protestants we have to
begin by asking ourselves….
What does the Bible say?

4. When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over
Israel…Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned
aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice…
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to
Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘You are old and your
sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king
to govern us, like other nations.’ …. the Lord said to
Samuel, ‘… they have not rejected you, but they have
rejected me from being king over them. Just as they have
done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to
this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they
are doing to you.” 1 Samuel 8:1,3,4-5,6b-8

5. There was a man … whose name was Saul, a handsome
young man. There was not a man among the people of
Israel more handsome than he; he stood head and
shoulders above everyone else… When Samuel saw Saul,
the Lord told him, ‘Here is the man of whom I spoke to you.
He it is who shall rule over my people.’… Samuel took a
phial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him; he
said, ‘The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people
Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you
will save them from the hand of their enemies all around.
1 Samuel 9:1-2, 17, 10:1a

6. Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed
against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the
Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for
guidance. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

7. Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to
Rehoboam [grandson of David, son of Solomon], ‘Your
father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard
service of your father and his heavy yoke that he placed on
us, and we will serve you.’…[Rehoboam] spoke to them
[saying], ‘My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to
your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will
discipline you with scorpions.’ 1 Kings 12:3b-4, 14

8. Question
• Is failure of Christian leaders
somehow worse than
“secular” leaders?
• Why, or why not?

9. • Pope Stephen VI (896–897), who had his predecessor Pope
Formosus exhumed, tried, de-fingered, briefly reburied, and thrown in
the Tiber.
• Pope John XII (955–964), who gave land to a mistress, murdered several
people, and was killed by a man who caught him in bed with his wife.
• Pope Benedict IX (1032–1044, 1045, 1047–1048), who "sold" the Papacy.
• Pope Boniface VIII (1294–1303), who is lampooned in Dante's Divine
Comedy.
• Pope Urban VI (1378–1389), who complained that he did not hear enough
screaming when Cardinals who had conspired against him were tortured.
• Pope Alexander VI (1492–1503), a Borgia, who was guilty
of nepotism and whose unattended corpse swelled until it could barely fit in
a coffin.
• Pope Leo X (1513–1521), a spendthrift member of the Medici family who
once spent 1/7 of his predecessors' reserves on a single ceremony.
• Pope Clement VII (1523–1534), also a Medici, whose power-politicking
with France, Spain, and Germany got Rome sacked.

10. Question
• Do you have a story of
leadership failure that you
feel comfortable to share?
• What effect did it have on
you? On your friends? On the
community as a whole?

11. Sexual Abuse
• (ex) Dean of Newcastle
Anglican Cathedral Graeme
Lawrence
• Convicted in July of sexual
abuse of a 15 year old boy
• Seems to have covered up a
ring of paedophiles
• What does it mean for the
Diocese?

12. Question
• Why do people still defend
leaders who they know have
done terrible things?

13. Question
What does it mean for the
church?

14. • Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and
sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with
greater strictness. James 3:1
• Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to
you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their
faith. Hebrews 13:7
• “Every human community will disappoint us, regardless of how
well-intentioned or inclusive.” Nadia Bolz-Weber, Pastrix: The
Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint

15. The Story of the Blood
Relative
• Are there institutional
practices and habits of mind
that can lead to more
spectacular failures?

16. What Does Jesus Teach Us About
Leadership?
After he had washed their feet, had
put on his robe, and had returned to
the table, he said to them, ‘Do you
know what I have done to you? You
call me Teacher and Lord—and you
are right, for that is what I am. So if
I, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to
wash one another’s feet. John
13:12-14

17. Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

18. In the deserts of this world, may you find signs
of God. In the wilderness of your lives, may you
be encouraged by God. In your joy and in your
sorrow, may you rejoice in God. a
And the blessing of God, the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit be amongst us and remain
with us ever more. Amen