The authority of monastic or contemplative leadership has its beginning and end in loving and compassionate relationship. The people who lead are leading because they are depthing in this kind of relating. In the experience of this depth they appreciate that God is the love life in all relating. They can (more or less) operate in the everyday from this place of love and mercy – a place in all of us. The love-life of God is authoring them. This authoring is the ground of their authority to lead. >>> Read more here