Lewis has had the great knack of deploying the illustration effectively and with precision. He reduces complex issues to their simplest forms. There is a quote where he says, and I
paraphrase, if you can’t explain what you profess, using simple language then either you don’t understand it or you don’t believe it. He was a skilled communicator, robust in debate, quick in wit , gregarious and good humoured. All traits important in leadership.
I love the piece in the Silver Chair where he deals with the delusion propagated in underworld, that there is no sun. The inhabitants in underworld are duped with the argument that since they have not seen the sun, this fictional notion has arisen only because they have projected it from the images of the dim lamps they use in the darkness of their world. Similar arguments are used in our own world in respect of things that are believed but have not been seen. Lewis has caught the gist of the arguments precisely. He exposes the arguments for the fragile constructs that they are.
His great skill is best summarised by his own description of successful writing for children. He seeks to tell children a story he would want to hear, not a story constructed because he thinks that is what the children might want. This authenticity is what wins for him an immediate acceptance with the target Audience.
On a personal level I make no claim to have developed to any extent, Lewis’s abilities as a communicator. He was rather unique. I do however, acknowledge, the descriptions of my lectures by others. The website of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (goto Belfast.com) carries an interesting description of my lecture tour. This was provided by one of their staff as an assessment of the lecture tour in terms of its suitability for inclusion as part of the Belfast literary offering for tourists. I still read it now and then with a degree of embarrassment. But at least one other person in this world has enjoyed how I communicate with audiences. I’m not sure Lewis would approve of my efforts or that he would appreciate the traits I have developed in propagating his story and work or that he would recognise them as any pale reflection of his own traits and abilities, but I do get a buzz from those who are kind enough to be complementary and I reference the testimonials on my website. (cslewisbelfast.com).
Sandy Smith
163 Will Vaus
1. How has C.S. Lewis influenced you as an individual?
Tremendously. When I was nine years old, in fourth grade, public school, in Southern California, my teacher read to our class The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. A new world was opened up to me. I was enchanted by the wintry world of Narnia.
I immediately asked my parents to buy me all of The Chronicles of Narnia. I was a slow reader at the time, but eventually I devoured all 7 books. Suddenly, I was enjoying reading for the first time.
When I was in middle school, my aunt gave me The Joyful Christian, 127 readings in Lewis.
This exposed me to Lewis’ other works in bite-sized pieces that were easy and enjoyable for me to take in.
In 8th grade, I got involved in church all because of a friend who invited me to youth group, and a great youth pastor who encouraged me to keep coming. Sonny Salsbury was a huge Lewis fan.
Thus, he introduced me to more Lewis books and encouraged my reading.
By the time I was in college, I was a certified Lewis fan. However, I also had many intellectual questions about Christianity. The summer after my first year in college, I went on a pilgrimage to the British Isles, in order to see the places where Lewis had lived and worked. On that trip, I read Mere Christianity. That book answered many of my questions and kept me in the faith.
After college I kept on reading Lewis, right up to the present. I have started three Lewis Societies in three different cities, published four books about Lewis and his work, and led others on C. S.
Lewis tours.
Lewis has shaped my theological thinking, as well as my practice of the Christian faith in countless ways.
2. What works of Lewis do you feel are particularly influential for you?
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Mere Christianity
Till We Have Faces The Great Divorce The Pilgrim’s Regress
Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer The Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis
3. Do you view C.S. Lewis as a leader (one who influences)? How?
164
Yes. Lewis has influenced me to remain a Christian and to grow as a Christian. In particular, I have been influenced by his Anglican spirituality to use the Book of Common Prayer in my daily devotional life and to seek out a confessor/spiritual director just as Lewis did. Theologically and spiritually, Lewis has made, through his writings, heaven attractive to me. His writings have nurtured my longing for God.
4. What traits do you feel are important as a leader and how has the person and the legacy of Lewis helped you in developing those traits?
Leaders are good communicators. Lewis was a master communicator. I think I have learned a lot from him about how to communicate well in writing and public speaking.
I believe the best leaders motivate others by casting a positive vision. Lewis does this. Rather than emphasizing hell as a deterrent to bad behavior, he emphasizes heaven and the love of God as a tug on the heartstrings to draw people to God.
Leaders embody vision in compelling images. Lewis was a master of illustration. However, perhaps his greatest illustration came to him in the context of a larger story. I refer to the character of Aslan who perfectly reflects the gentle strength of Jesus.
Leaders influence others to make important decisions. The most important decision of all is to commit one’s life to follow Jesus Christ. Lewis has, perhaps, influenced millions to follow Jesus Christ, and he has influenced millions more like me, who have grown up in the church, to remain committed to Christ.
165 APPENDIX C
IRB Waiver
East Tennessee State University
-1707 Phone: (423) 439-6053 Fax: (423) 439-6060
January 26, 2012
Ms. Crystal Hurd Dear Ms. Hurd,
Thank you for recently submitting information regarding your proposed project
“Transformational Leadership in the Life and Works of C.S. Lewis”.
I have reviewed the information, which includes a completed Form 129.
The determination is that this proposed activity as described meets neither the FDA nor the DHHS definition of research involving human subjects. Therefore, it does not fall under the purview of the ETSU IRB.
IRB review and approval by East Tennessee State University is not required. This
determination applies only to the activities described in the IRB submission and does not apply should any changes be made. If changes are made and there are questions about whether these activities are human subject research in which the organization is engaged, please submit a new request to the IRB for a determination.
Thank you for your commitment to excellence.
Sincerely, Chris Ayres Chair, ETSUIRB
Accredited Since December 2005
166 VITA CRYSTAL HURD
Personal Data: Place of Birth: Bristol, TN
Education: Bristol Virginia Public Schools, Bristol, Virginia The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee;
English Literature, B.A., 2001
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee;
English, M.A., 2007
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee;
Educational Leadership, Ed.D, 2012
Professional English Teacher, Abingdon High School, Abingdon, Experience: Virginia, 2006-current
Adjunct English Faculty, Northeast State Community College, Blountville, Tennessee, 2008-current
Publications: Hurd, Crystal & Renner, Jasmine (2012). “Transformational Leadership in the Life and Works of C.S. Lewis.” The Journal of Leadership Education.
(submitted and under review)
Honors and Finalist, Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities Awards: Golden Key International Honour Society
Sigma Tau Delta – National English Honors Society
Zeta Iota Chapter – Kappa Delta Pi, National Education Honors Society