Silence: A Neglected Virtue for Christian Leaders

Thyroff, Susanne and Kessler, Volker (2025) Silence: A Neglected Virtue for Christian Leaders. In: Ethical Leadership in Complex Times. Károli könyvek. Tanulmánykötet . Éditions L'Harmattan; L'Harmattan Kiadó; Károli Gáspár Református Egyetem, Paris, Budapest, pp. 97-113. ISBN 9782336540870; 9789636464202

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Abstract

Silence, often overlooked, holds significance for Christian leaders, offering a framework for reflection, ethical growth, and deeper spiritual connection. This paper examines the dimensions of silence as explored by Baldur Kirchner, a Catholic theologian whose work emphasizes silence as an essential practice for self-awareness, ethical decision-making, and attentive listening. Through Kirchner’s perspectives, silence emerges as a foundational discipline that enables leaders to engage with others, themselves, and the divine in meaningful ways This paper investigates silence’s role in leadership by focusing on its capacity to cultivate inner clarity, relational empathy, and alignment with higher values. Christian leaders, in particular Pentecostal leaders, can benefit from Kirchner’s insights on integrating silence into their decision-making processes and their interactions with others. This paper highlights the transformative potential of silence, not only as a personal discipline but also as a key to fostering authentic and value-driven leadership.

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