Respect: Earning it, keeping it, getting it back?

[steve-in-kville]

Some of the other recent threads regarding church leadership got my mind rolling. I am not gonna restrict this thread to just our perception towards church leadership, but towards anyone in our lives, whether they are in a leadership position or not.

Tossed it around on making this a poll, but I think an open-ended essay would be better. To that end, and in your opinion:

1- What causes you to loss respect for a person or organization?

2- Once a person or organization has lost your respect, is it possible for them to earn it back?

Discuss, comment, banter, whatever

[barnhart]

For me there needs to be visible change.

[NedFlanders]

When a leader sees themselves as the one doing all the work. An attitude like this makes me lose respect in how a leader sees themselves and how they don’t seem to recognize the whole church as labourers:

All of these passages seem to suggest that the idea of supporting those who labor in Kingdom work should come from those who benefit from that work rather than the one doing the work expecting or asking for the support.

[RZehr]

Number 2 - yes, if they see and apologize for the failure that caused the respect to become lost. They are give back some respect for that. And if, over time, they show that they aren’t doing that thing anymore, then more respect is given. But this takes time.

[steve-in-kville]

A lack of integrity is at the top of my list. As far as getting my respect back, as others have mentioned, it takes sincere change and time.

[MaxPC]

I prefer mutual respect to avoid cults of personality and hero worship. Hero worship is one method some employ to avoid improving themselves and stepping up to the task. If there's a hero to do it, they do not have to do it.
The only true HERO is JESUS.
All men fall short of the Glory of God. I respect those communities willing to help a fallen individual to correct his life again.
YMMV.

[Ernie]

Some of the other recent threads regarding church leadership got my mind rolling. I am not gonna restrict this thread to just our perception towards church leadership, but towards anyone in our lives, whether they are in a leadership position or not.

Tossed it around on making this a poll, but I think an open-ended essay would be better. To that end, and in your opinion:

1- What causes you to loss respect for a person?

1. Using other people for one's own agendas.
2. Taking credit for something that was a group effort or a gift from God.
3. Blaming others for one's own contributions to the problem and/or not taking responsibility for one's actions.
4. Acting as if others on the team don't exist and then making the other team members suffer for his/her lack of teammanship.
5. Showmanship. Putting on a good show or public presentation, but not admitting what things look like behind the scenes.
6. Not being willing to accept the decision of the group.
7. Constantly badgering or pressuring people to think like them.

or organization?

Not being honest about how funds are spent.
Not being candid with stakeholders about what is going on.
Christian non-profits bypassing or usurping the church in order to do what they want to do.

2- Once a person or organization has lost your respect, is it possible for them to earn it back?

Yes. I love changing my opinion or perspective on individuals and organizations. But as already mentioned, I need to see fruit. Apologies don't cut it unless it was a rare mistake. I'm even ok with someone failing repeatedly if they feel bad about it.

[steve-in-kville]

Does anyone else buy into the idea of "respecting the office but not the man" ?

[ken_sylvania]

Does anyone else buy into the idea of "respecting the office but not the man" ?

Makes sense when the person in office is a woman I guess.

I don't think there is any Bible backing for the idea.

[steve-in-kville]

Does anyone else buy into the idea of "respecting the office but not the man" ?

Makes sense when the person in office is a woman I guess.

I don't think there is any Bible backing for the idea.

Please do explain on the Bible not backing it. I'm curious on your views on this