Contemplative Leadership
Akdel Parhusip
MAGNUM OPUS: Jurnal Teologi dan Kepemimpinan Kristen July 28, 2026 DOI: 10.52220/magnum.v8i1.422 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that contemplative leadership, rooted in the heritage of Christian mysticism, is not an escape from pastoral responsibility but an epistemological and spiritual foundation enabling church leaders to be authentically present, lead with mature discernment, and serve from spiritual fullness. Proposes three integrated dimensions: the theological roots of classical Christian mysticism, contemplative epistemology through via negativa, lectio divina, and discernment, and contextual relevance for the contemporary Indonesian church. |
Abstract
Contemporary church leadership faces a paradoxical crisis: increasingly active organizationally yet increasingly shallow spiritually. Amid escalating managerial pressures and performance expectations, many church leaders have lost the contemplative dimension that constitutes the very source of authentic pastoral wisdom. This article excavates the heritage of Christian mysticism as a theologically relevant resource for formulating a contemplative leadership paradigm for the contemporary Indonesian church. Employing a systematic-constructive theological method integrated with a historical-theological analysis of Christian spiritual traditions, this article argues that contemplative leadership is not an escape from pastoral responsibility but rather an epistemological and spiritual foundation that enables church leaders to be authentically present, to lead with mature discernment, and to serve from spiritual fullness. The article’s contribution is to articulate three integrated dimensions of contemplative leadership: the theological roots of classical Christian mysticism, contemplative epistemology through the practices of via negativa, lectio divina, and discernment, and the contextual relevance of contemplative leadership for the Indonesian church. Abstrak Kepemimpinan gereja kontemporer menghadapi krisis yang paradoksal: semakin aktif secara organisasional, namun semakin dangkal secara rohani. Di tengah tekanan manajerial dan ekspektasi kinerja yang terus meningkat, banyak pemimpin gereja kehilangan dimensi kontemplatif yang menjadi sumber autentisitas dan kebijaksanaan pastoral. Artikel ini menggali warisan mistisisme Kristen sebagai sumber teologis yang relevan untuk merumuskan paradigma kepemimpinan kontemplatif bagi gereja Indonesia kontemporer. Dengan menggunakan metode teologi sistematis-konstruktif yang dipadukan dengan analisis historis-teologis terhadap tradisi spiritualitas Kristen, artikel ini berargumen bahwa kepemimpinan kontemplatif bukan pelarian dari tanggung jawab pastoral, melainkan fondasi epistemologis dan spiritual yang memungkinkan pemimpin gereja hadir secara autentik, memimpin dengan discernment yang matang, dan melayani dari kepenuhan rohani. Kontribusi artikel ini adalah merumuskan tiga dimensi kepemimpinan kontemplatif yang terintegrasi: akar teologis dari warisan mistisisme Kristen klasik, epistemologi kontemplatif melalui praktik via negativa, lectio divina, dan discernment, serta relevansi kontekstual kepemimpinan kontemplatif bagi gereja Indonesia.