The 25-year-old theologian...
Illustration
Object:
The 25-year-old theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was asked to take over a boys'
confirmation class that was out of control. The aged minister who had been harassed by
the class (and died a few weeks later) brought Bonhoeffer to class and tried to force the
students into the room physically and by shouting at them. He introduced their new
teacher, Bonhoeffer. The boys shouted, "Bon, Bon, Bon!" loud and louder.
Bonhoeffer stood silently against the wall, hands in his pockets. Time passed and he didn't react to the boys' ruckus. He began to speak quietly and the boys in the front row could hear him. The noise became less enjoyable and silence fell. He told them a story about when he'd been in the United States and said that if they wanted to listen to more, to come back next time. He had no more difficulty with the class.
God's leaders don't have to bludgeon people to lead them.
Bonhoeffer stood silently against the wall, hands in his pockets. Time passed and he didn't react to the boys' ruckus. He began to speak quietly and the boys in the front row could hear him. The noise became less enjoyable and silence fell. He told them a story about when he'd been in the United States and said that if they wanted to listen to more, to come back next time. He had no more difficulty with the class.
God's leaders don't have to bludgeon people to lead them.
