I’ve been in similar situations, and it seems to me that things go sour because its so difficult to unlearn our dependence on a personality. Thats probably over simplifing, but it has to be a huge part, especially within the churched community. I dont think it would be as much of an issue in a secullarly based community.

I think that the most challenging obstacle is going to be overcoming the assumptions and preconceived perceptions of ‘leadership’. Most people are going to gravitate toward the old paradigm like being sucked into a black hole. Decades of “leadership training” and all the positional ranking systems that so many leaders have over-protected to ensure a way of life finally collapse; along with them, most Christians understanding of spiritual leadership. Not many people have another model to learn from. Leading is a job for the leader, not the Christian (or at least, that what seems to have subtly been taught for a long, long, long time).

The other thing that i wonder is if its good to think that an emerging church expression should neccessarily run or gather or whatever indefinitely. It might be a mistake to assume that once its started it will just continue and grow. My circle of relationships seems to change over time, maybe that flux is right in our church communities too :?:. In some of the more “leaderless” things that I’ve been involved in there seems to be a natural life cycle.
khilmerson wrote:

What went wrong? I think when we talk about leadership there are some questions that need to be asked. Do people need human leadership? In my experience the answer is yes.

maybe not as much went wrong as is thought. i agree w/ you about human leadership, i just still question that leadership means leader. :?