ODB: lateral violence
September 12, 2009
Only the one who serves is qualified to lead.
READ: Matthew 20:20-28
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. —Matthew 20:26
An intriguing article in Michigan Nurse magazine called attention to “nursing’s dirty little secret”—the incivility and verbal abuse that occurs among some nurses. This peer-level bullying (also known as lateral violence) takes the form of back-stabbing, innuendo, infighting, sabotage, verbal affronts, failure to respect privacy, and others.
Not only is lateral violence occurring among nurses, it’s a growing problem in a host of other work environments. This bullying always includes an imbalance of power, an intent to harm, and the threat of further aggression.
Of course, this would never occur in the church—or would it? Think about the personal interaction in deacon and elder boards, church office staffs, Bible-study groups, and youth ministries. Are they ever marked by the kinds of behavior that harm, denigrate, or intimidate others? And what about in our families?
When the disciples were jockeying for position in the coming kingdom, Jesus rebuked them and said, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matt. 20:26). With that attitude in all our relationships, bullying will never be found among us. — David C. Egner
Source: Our Daily Bread
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it-
RSS Feed
Related
ODJ: the humanitarian veterinarian
May 19, 2010 Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to (v.6). READ: Philippians 2:1-11 Steve Goldsmith is a veterinarian who performs humanitarian work in difficult locations around the world. It’s humanitarian work because in poverty-stricken regions healthy animals can spell the difference between life [...]
ODJ: Grumble Rumble
May 21, 2012 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat Me with contempt? Will they never believe Me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?” (v.11). READ: Numbers 14:1-11 Grumble Rumble is a website that allows you to air your complaints. It claims: “Our goal is to help you [...]
ODJ: a conservative Christian?
August 11, 2009 We have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us (v.1). READ: Romans 5:1-11 Shortly before I moved to Africa, while at a New York City film festival reception, actor Tim Robbins and I engaged in a substantive conversation. We discussed causes and effects of war, international [...]
ODJ: wisdom of a president
November 20, 2010 Do not depend on your own understanding (3:5). READ: Proverbs 1:1-7 With the death of former US President Gerald Ford in December 2006, many Americans found renewed appreciation for the man who steadfastly served following the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Many people knew that he had spent years of his life in [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米