Leadership as Immune System

by Jon Mullican

Peter Steinke has equated leadership to the body’s immune system.  According to Steinke, leadership establishes the boundaries of what is of self – what belongs in the body – and what is foreign – what is not of the body.  Leadership is responsible to identify behavior that is allowed and behavior that is prohibited.  Leadership that cannot do so is, in effect, not leadership, but becomes a host to viral behavior that will sicken and even destroy the body.

When a foreign entity – a virus, for example – enters the body (the church), antibodies are sent to investigate, even attack the virus.  The body may increase its temperature to fight back the virus and prevent it from taking hold.  This is a sign of health — that the body can respond by making a change to counteract the foreigner.  If the virus goes undetected, it gains a stronger hold.  Action by the body will have to be more acute to rid the body of the virus. 

At any one time, our bodies host multiple “foreign” bodies that are symbiotic and helpful to our wellbeing.  Our digestive system requires bacteria to function.  Sometimes, however, things enter us that are not helpful, but also not acute – a tapeworm, for instance.  We become a host for the foreigner and adjust to its presence, although we are certainly not well.

Leadership establishes boundaries of what belongs and what does not.  No one else in the church is positioned to do this.  Thus, defining who is Leadership is of utmost importance.  So is the communication, both behavioral and verbal, that comes from leadership, since this is the way the body learns what is allowed and what is not.

Unwittingly, leadership can become host to harmful, foreign bodies that may not kill the church, but can certainly lower its wellbeing and functioning.  By being able to take “I” positions, leadership can better establish what is acceptable and what is not.  In church, taking positions as “I” can be difficult, since our leadership model is “we.”  This makes it even more important for the leaders to continually dialogue about what is most important, what is allowed and what is not, what is appropriate behavior and what is not.  Having some of that in writing as covenant can be of immense help to a large leadership body.

The body is looking to keep things as they are (homeostasis).  Whatever current condition exists in the body, whether healthy or unhealthy, the body will respond to stimulus in such a way as to keep things the way they are.  Leadership is most well positioned to maintain health by maintaining a vigilant watch for what is of the body and what is not.  Leadership is also best positioned to respond to potential un-health by the same method.  Leadership is the immune system for the body of the church.

Jon Mullican

Jon is passionate about enhancing relationships within the church by facilitating authentic, open dialogue. He has a gift for discernment and listening in a way that allows people to be heard and understood, and provides opportunities for deep connection with God and with others. Jon has served two congregations as Executive Minister, one in Tulsa and one in Dallas. He coaches church leaders using the Enneagram and other assessments to support their personal growth and self-awareness.

Jon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from United States Naval Academy in 1985 and a Masters of Science degree in Organization Development from Pepperdine University in 2005.

In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time with his family and taking his wife, Dana, out on dates.  Jon and Dana have three grown children, Katie, Sarah, and Daniel.