Leadership Theories
1. The Great Man Theory - This is the theory that great leaders are born and not made. Leaders are identified by the natural attributes that are born with. This naturally ostracizes some people from leadership in the church. The major problem with this theory is the the gifts to lead in the church are given by God and are not necessarily quantifiable as either being born with them or not.
2. The Trait Theory of Leadership - This theory looks at what individual characteristics we should pursue in order to become effective leaders and administrators. The positive is that this model present traits that can be learned in order to strengthen leadership in the church, the downside is that it there is no one set of leadership and administrative traits that will meet every need every time.
3. The Skills Theory of Leadership - This theory tries to identify attributes and practical skills instead of just general qualities (Trait Theory model). With this model leaders need to develop technical skills, people skills, and conceptual skills that will help them to achieve the desired results within the organization.
4. Style Theory of Leadership - This theory argues that styles lead to success, such as, being autocratic or demanding or be democratic and participatory. This model focuses on being people friendly while insisting on performance. The problem with this model is that it doesn't always lead to leadership effectiveness.
5. Situational Leadership Theory - argues that there is no one-size-fits-all model of leadership. Leaders must have the ability to recognize the needs and adapt to the situation.
6. The Contingency Theory of Leadership - this theory is differs from the Situational Leadership Theory in that it argues that the leader is stagnant and the situation is dynamic and evolving so this model must find the leader whose leadership skill set best fits the need. This theory is problematic because effective leadership is contingent upon matching the leaders style to the situation.
7. Transactional Leadership Theory - this theory implies that there is a reciprocity of behavior between the leader and the follower. People will follow based on the incentives in place, so the leaders job is to find the right mix of rewards and punishments and then monitor those he or she is leading.
8. Transformational Leadership Theory - in this theory leaders gain buy-in and commitment from encouraging for and caring for their followers, and inspiring them towards a vision. These leaders insure that they get results by transforming the environment in the relationships and cultivating follower-ship instead of paying for it or getting it via punishment.
9. Leader-Member Exchange Theory - in this theory leadership is about a fair exchange between the leader and the followers. The problem with this model is that it creates and "in" group and an "out" group with the leader and that in turn effects people's performance and their desire to stick around for the long term.
10. Servant Leadership Theory - this theory implies that if the leader makes it a priority to identifying and meeting the followers needs, serving rather than being served. This leadership model creates an environment of trust, cooperation, reciprocal service and in turn higher performance. People follow out of love and gratitude instead of compulsion or fear.
1. The Great Man Theory - This is the theory that great leaders are born and not made. Leaders are identified by the natural attributes that are born with. This naturally ostracizes some people from leadership in the church. The major problem with this theory is the the gifts to lead in the church are given by God and are not necessarily quantifiable as either being born with them or not.
2. The Trait Theory of Leadership - This theory looks at what individual characteristics we should pursue in order to become effective leaders and administrators. The positive is that this model present traits that can be learned in order to strengthen leadership in the church, the downside is that it there is no one set of leadership and administrative traits that will meet every need every time.
3. The Skills Theory of Leadership - This theory tries to identify attributes and practical skills instead of just general qualities (Trait Theory model). With this model leaders need to develop technical skills, people skills, and conceptual skills that will help them to achieve the desired results within the organization.
4. Style Theory of Leadership - This theory argues that styles lead to success, such as, being autocratic or demanding or be democratic and participatory. This model focuses on being people friendly while insisting on performance. The problem with this model is that it doesn't always lead to leadership effectiveness.
5. Situational Leadership Theory - argues that there is no one-size-fits-all model of leadership. Leaders must have the ability to recognize the needs and adapt to the situation.
6. The Contingency Theory of Leadership - this theory is differs from the Situational Leadership Theory in that it argues that the leader is stagnant and the situation is dynamic and evolving so this model must find the leader whose leadership skill set best fits the need. This theory is problematic because effective leadership is contingent upon matching the leaders style to the situation.
7. Transactional Leadership Theory - this theory implies that there is a reciprocity of behavior between the leader and the follower. People will follow based on the incentives in place, so the leaders job is to find the right mix of rewards and punishments and then monitor those he or she is leading.
8. Transformational Leadership Theory - in this theory leaders gain buy-in and commitment from encouraging for and caring for their followers, and inspiring them towards a vision. These leaders insure that they get results by transforming the environment in the relationships and cultivating follower-ship instead of paying for it or getting it via punishment.
9. Leader-Member Exchange Theory - in this theory leadership is about a fair exchange between the leader and the followers. The problem with this model is that it creates and "in" group and an "out" group with the leader and that in turn effects people's performance and their desire to stick around for the long term.
10. Servant Leadership Theory - this theory implies that if the leader makes it a priority to identifying and meeting the followers needs, serving rather than being served. This leadership model creates an environment of trust, cooperation, reciprocal service and in turn higher performance. People follow out of love and gratitude instead of compulsion or fear.
Dr. Bob Burns - Covenant Seminary - How did Jesus Model Leadership?
Dr. Bob Burns - Learning to Lead as a Follower of Jesus
D. A. Carson - Elders and Deacons in the Church
My Theology of Christian Leadership
by: Clay Bishop
Christian Leadership has it’s roots in desperation and is born in solitude with God. If anyone is to be a great spiritual leader of people, they must get away from people to be with God. Much of what we are doing in life is to find some solution for our loneliness. Whether we try to fulfill it with entertainment, sexuality, friends, busyness, or work, we soon find that it will not bring about the proper response to our loneliness. As Augustine said, “My heart is restless until it rests in you, O Lord.” Christian Leadership begins when we recognize that purpose, destiny, fulfillment, life, and every other thing we desire is found only in God. We become desperate for Him. It is in this desperation that God sees one that he can begin to use for His purposes. Our realization of the fact that we are sick and in need of a physician will drive us to separate from all to be with the one who can make us whole.
In solitude, being with God, we begin to discover who we are. God begins to remove all of the clutter from our lives that has tried to define us and confuse us. There, in the secret place with God, he begins to speak to us about our true identity. We are set free from our false selves, and the world so that we might then serve the world for the sake of Christ. The secular world believes that it can take care of itself. People are choosing less and less to to look for spiritual answers to practical questions. If we are to help the world realize it’s need for God and spiritual answers we must be pioneers in living out of our own desperation for God, knowing that only in Him can truth be found. It is then that we will emerge as leaders with truth from the secret place with God that will bring life to others as well.
My own ministry was born out of a time of desperation for God, and learning to be in solitude with Him. I was delivered from my bondage in that place with God. I am finding now that I must retreat to spend time with Him in His Word, in prayer and fasting to draw continued spiritual strength that I might effectively lead others from the heart of God. The world and people around us can begin to pollute or minds, emotions, and intentions. We must separate from those we lead not because we don’t love them, but because we do. In the secret place with the Father our hearts are recalibrated to His, and we begin to see Him, ourselves and those we lead the way He does.
Christian Leadership is built on mutual, meaningful, authentic relationships. In order to be relevant in this world, one must somehow keep up with the pace. As Christians, even we are susceptible to getting caught up in the rat-race and to buy into the lie that says you've got to go, be, do, get things done, have things, know things, say things, be places, etc. in order to be effective and successful in life, work, ministry, and relationships. The temptation to be relevant in our society and culture can bring in such a barrage of unnecessary activity that ministry leadership just becomes a lot of work with no real meaning. Ministry just becomes doing more tasks and not growing in love. Relationships now seem to have an agenda rather than simply sharing the joy of life together in God. Leaders should not see themselves as individual shepherds trying to lead a flock of sheep, but as those who have realized that ministry is a communal and mutual experience.
Spiritual Leaders recognize that though Jesus considers them under-shepherds, Jesus himself is that shepherd whom all of us are following. We go from the place of leading to being led in hopes that others will follow where we are going. In this place we learn that we are not the professionals who are ministering to everyone, but we are all ministering to one another as we enter into deep personal relationship. We become transparent, and authentic before one another, sharing our hopes, fears, dreams, failures and struggles, confessing and praying for one another that we may be healed. Nouwen points out that when the members of a community of faith cannot truly know and love their shepherd, shepherding soon becomes a way of exercising authority over others. The type of leadership that Jesus demonstrated is radically different from that of the world. His model clearly shows that a leader is a vulnerable servant who needs the people as much as they need their leader.
I am finding more and more in my ministry that the people I am able to see the most spiritual growth in are the people that I have been able to share the most of myself with. As I am open, and vulnerable about the entirety of my life with others I am not simply ministering to them, but I am allowing them to minister to me. It is out of that relationship that we begin to become like Jesus together.
Christian leadership possesses a heart and mind that is forged in the Word of God and theological reflection. It seems that more and more, fewer ministers think theologically. Many are more influenced by behavioral sciences such as psychology and sociology. Strenuous theological reflection allows us to discern critically where we are being led. Without the mind of Christ future leaders will be little more than pseudo-psychologists. Ministers don't merely help men and women to cope with the strain of everyday living, but we speak in the name of Jesus Christ who came to redeem humanity from the curse, sin, and death. We must address life's situations from the foundation of Christ crucified. We proclaim how Jesus is bringing is people out of slavery through the desert and into the promised land. It is not self-help but learning to put our trust in Christ and his presence with us in the conflicts that we find ourselves in. It is inviting God's Truth and Presence into every situation of life. We reject the notions of the secular world and realize that in all things Christ has the preeminence and is drawing us, through every situation, to Himself, to know Him. We must know Christ in order to do this, and we must have the mind of Christ. Theological reflection is just that. Exercising our minds in such a way that we allow it to be shaped and formed by the Spirit and the Word. We think Christ's thoughts and begin to know HIs heart and bring people into an awareness of HIs presence and His life as it intersects our own. Theological reflection will train us to discern where it is that God is leading us. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God that we might freely know the things that are given to us by God.
How shall anyone come to know Jesus and have true confidence in God? Romans 10:17 says, “Faith come from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.” Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Faith in God is rooted in His word. Christian Leaders must meditate on the Word of God and pray for spiritual illumination. I find that in ministry, without such, my faith will soon grow weak, my love will languish, and no one around me will truly be moved to glorify God because of what Christ is doing through me.
Christian leadership is sustained by the faithfulness of God empowering our faithfulness to God. Christian leaders are those who are building a history with God. They have moments with God that have marked their lives for the better. These moments all build upon one another in such a way that they can look back and say, “God is faithful.” As we build relationship with God through the years it is impossible for him to not show Himself faithful. As we begin to see His goodness and faithfulness to us, our faithfulness reciprocates back to Him. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit. A Christian leader is one who is bearing all fruits of the Spirit, but faithfulness is that which will carry us across the finish line.
A faithful person is one who steadily follows God and obeys Him consistently. Our faithfulness to God maintains our personal stability in life and is the evidence of our purpose given to us by God. It demonstrates that we are committed to God because he has designed us, given us purpose, and called us with a holy calling. God’s assignments become utmost priority in our lives, and those around us begin to take note. Intelligence and gifting are great to have in Christian leadership, but neither of them will ever allow one to reach their full potential in Christ. Without faithfulness we may find ourselves taking shortcuts and coasting, doing what we like to do rather than what God has called us to do.
We are faithful out of gratitude for what God has done for us. We recognize daily that Jesus has freed us and given us new life, and it is out of our thanks that we press toward the calling that he has brought us into. Our faithfulness to Him is revealed in our responsibility to what he has entrusted to us. I continue to find that God’s revelation and resources are in proportion to only what we have been proven faithful in. When we ask for the oak tree, God will give us the acorn to see if we will plant, water, nurture and be patient for it’s growth. Healthy leadership is developed over a time of testing in faithful stewardship. Faithfulness to God eliminates distraction intentionally so that we might be single-mindedly focused on God. We must not merely want to accomplish a good thing, but a “God thing.” We should not get caught up in the multiplicity of words and tasks, but be still and silent to find the word and the task that comes from God. Our radical obedience and faithfulness to God will bring power and influence to our ministry that others might find the will of God for their lives as well.
In solitude, being with God, we begin to discover who we are. God begins to remove all of the clutter from our lives that has tried to define us and confuse us. There, in the secret place with God, he begins to speak to us about our true identity. We are set free from our false selves, and the world so that we might then serve the world for the sake of Christ. The secular world believes that it can take care of itself. People are choosing less and less to to look for spiritual answers to practical questions. If we are to help the world realize it’s need for God and spiritual answers we must be pioneers in living out of our own desperation for God, knowing that only in Him can truth be found. It is then that we will emerge as leaders with truth from the secret place with God that will bring life to others as well.
My own ministry was born out of a time of desperation for God, and learning to be in solitude with Him. I was delivered from my bondage in that place with God. I am finding now that I must retreat to spend time with Him in His Word, in prayer and fasting to draw continued spiritual strength that I might effectively lead others from the heart of God. The world and people around us can begin to pollute or minds, emotions, and intentions. We must separate from those we lead not because we don’t love them, but because we do. In the secret place with the Father our hearts are recalibrated to His, and we begin to see Him, ourselves and those we lead the way He does.
Christian Leadership is built on mutual, meaningful, authentic relationships. In order to be relevant in this world, one must somehow keep up with the pace. As Christians, even we are susceptible to getting caught up in the rat-race and to buy into the lie that says you've got to go, be, do, get things done, have things, know things, say things, be places, etc. in order to be effective and successful in life, work, ministry, and relationships. The temptation to be relevant in our society and culture can bring in such a barrage of unnecessary activity that ministry leadership just becomes a lot of work with no real meaning. Ministry just becomes doing more tasks and not growing in love. Relationships now seem to have an agenda rather than simply sharing the joy of life together in God. Leaders should not see themselves as individual shepherds trying to lead a flock of sheep, but as those who have realized that ministry is a communal and mutual experience.
Spiritual Leaders recognize that though Jesus considers them under-shepherds, Jesus himself is that shepherd whom all of us are following. We go from the place of leading to being led in hopes that others will follow where we are going. In this place we learn that we are not the professionals who are ministering to everyone, but we are all ministering to one another as we enter into deep personal relationship. We become transparent, and authentic before one another, sharing our hopes, fears, dreams, failures and struggles, confessing and praying for one another that we may be healed. Nouwen points out that when the members of a community of faith cannot truly know and love their shepherd, shepherding soon becomes a way of exercising authority over others. The type of leadership that Jesus demonstrated is radically different from that of the world. His model clearly shows that a leader is a vulnerable servant who needs the people as much as they need their leader.
I am finding more and more in my ministry that the people I am able to see the most spiritual growth in are the people that I have been able to share the most of myself with. As I am open, and vulnerable about the entirety of my life with others I am not simply ministering to them, but I am allowing them to minister to me. It is out of that relationship that we begin to become like Jesus together.
Christian leadership possesses a heart and mind that is forged in the Word of God and theological reflection. It seems that more and more, fewer ministers think theologically. Many are more influenced by behavioral sciences such as psychology and sociology. Strenuous theological reflection allows us to discern critically where we are being led. Without the mind of Christ future leaders will be little more than pseudo-psychologists. Ministers don't merely help men and women to cope with the strain of everyday living, but we speak in the name of Jesus Christ who came to redeem humanity from the curse, sin, and death. We must address life's situations from the foundation of Christ crucified. We proclaim how Jesus is bringing is people out of slavery through the desert and into the promised land. It is not self-help but learning to put our trust in Christ and his presence with us in the conflicts that we find ourselves in. It is inviting God's Truth and Presence into every situation of life. We reject the notions of the secular world and realize that in all things Christ has the preeminence and is drawing us, through every situation, to Himself, to know Him. We must know Christ in order to do this, and we must have the mind of Christ. Theological reflection is just that. Exercising our minds in such a way that we allow it to be shaped and formed by the Spirit and the Word. We think Christ's thoughts and begin to know HIs heart and bring people into an awareness of HIs presence and His life as it intersects our own. Theological reflection will train us to discern where it is that God is leading us. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God that we might freely know the things that are given to us by God.
How shall anyone come to know Jesus and have true confidence in God? Romans 10:17 says, “Faith come from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.” Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Faith in God is rooted in His word. Christian Leaders must meditate on the Word of God and pray for spiritual illumination. I find that in ministry, without such, my faith will soon grow weak, my love will languish, and no one around me will truly be moved to glorify God because of what Christ is doing through me.
Christian leadership is sustained by the faithfulness of God empowering our faithfulness to God. Christian leaders are those who are building a history with God. They have moments with God that have marked their lives for the better. These moments all build upon one another in such a way that they can look back and say, “God is faithful.” As we build relationship with God through the years it is impossible for him to not show Himself faithful. As we begin to see His goodness and faithfulness to us, our faithfulness reciprocates back to Him. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit. A Christian leader is one who is bearing all fruits of the Spirit, but faithfulness is that which will carry us across the finish line.
A faithful person is one who steadily follows God and obeys Him consistently. Our faithfulness to God maintains our personal stability in life and is the evidence of our purpose given to us by God. It demonstrates that we are committed to God because he has designed us, given us purpose, and called us with a holy calling. God’s assignments become utmost priority in our lives, and those around us begin to take note. Intelligence and gifting are great to have in Christian leadership, but neither of them will ever allow one to reach their full potential in Christ. Without faithfulness we may find ourselves taking shortcuts and coasting, doing what we like to do rather than what God has called us to do.
We are faithful out of gratitude for what God has done for us. We recognize daily that Jesus has freed us and given us new life, and it is out of our thanks that we press toward the calling that he has brought us into. Our faithfulness to Him is revealed in our responsibility to what he has entrusted to us. I continue to find that God’s revelation and resources are in proportion to only what we have been proven faithful in. When we ask for the oak tree, God will give us the acorn to see if we will plant, water, nurture and be patient for it’s growth. Healthy leadership is developed over a time of testing in faithful stewardship. Faithfulness to God eliminates distraction intentionally so that we might be single-mindedly focused on God. We must not merely want to accomplish a good thing, but a “God thing.” We should not get caught up in the multiplicity of words and tasks, but be still and silent to find the word and the task that comes from God. Our radical obedience and faithfulness to God will bring power and influence to our ministry that others might find the will of God for their lives as well.