The web as a design model for leadership is not brand new with the authors. But, the thoroughness with which they discuss the nature of web organization and leadership versus the old style gives them some claim to the development of the concept.
The web is homegrown and grassroots. It is empowering, even for those at the margins. It encourages true community, which hierarchy impedes. Leaders emerge from all parts of the web, as situations develop and gifts are discovered. The web assumes God's generous nature. We find abundance in the diversity of community, not the scarcity hierarchical models often claim.
The web is inclusive (as community must be), and rejects uniformity and conformity for the spiritual unity which is diversity. The temptation for one group to oppress another group is eliminated since oppression really requires hierarchy.
The authors aimed this book at women in ministry, both clergy and laity. But, it would be a mistake for male clergy and laity to pass it by. One of the goals of the book is the revitalization of the Church through the paradigm shift from hierarchy (which means "rule by priests") to the web, which reflects the way Jesus Christ lived and worked during his earthly life.
Jesus was certainly a relational leader, meeting people where they were and loving them as they were, while trying to help them fulfill their potential as disciples. Women were very important to Jesus, and to the earliest churches. It wasn't until the end of the first century that the male-dominated hierarchy began to develop.
The big problem with the web model is that leading from the center is harder than leading from the top. Being inclusive, embracing (not just tolerating) diversity, and being a leader in relationship with all the members of your church, or all the students in your class, or all the employees in your company, is just a great deal of work. But,not only is the final result worth the extra effort, it is the only way to go.
I am very impressed with Susan Willhauck and Jacqulyn Thorpe. They are clear and focused thinkers as well as innovative and exciting educators. They present a new way of being the Church (or school or business) that is going to be monstrously difficult to sell to the people in power. But, their sustained argument is biblically grounded and very reasonable. It is radical in the original sense of that word: back to the roots. It is clearly a viable, sound and effective direction for the Church to make its way into the 21st century. I believe that this book is just the beginning of the field of literature that we will see develop in the coming decades, that will try to make sense of being the Church in the post-modern era. It is certainly a good start.
I'll close with a great quote from Charlene Ellis that opens the book: "You just have to find a way to stop doing what's stupid." Amen!
