TITLE:
Are Contemporary Concepts of Leadership Relevant to Christian Ministers in UK Baptist Churches?
AUTHORS:
Simon A. Black
KEYWORDS:
Faith Leadership, Organizational Design, Systems Thinking, Servant Leader, Baptist Church, Competencies
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Leadership,
Vol.12 No.4,
December
29,
2023
ABSTRACT: The Baptist church is one of the largest religious
denominations in the United Kingdom and part of the wider global Baptist
congregation. This study offers an initial exploration of whether contemporary
concepts of leadership are relevant in the role of ministers in the Baptist Church in the UK. A
qualitative review of literature examines both contemporary and biblical
sources of leadership knowledge, to identify
potentially relevant concepts of leadership which are then examined
initially through the lens of inappropriate approaches (which ministers
should avoid), followed by contrasting helpful ideas which can be
aligned with principles of Christian faith. Final analysis asserts the
relevance of both perspectives (negative elements to actively un-learn on one
hand, and helpful areas to learn on the other) to enable the best development of ministers, by summarizing
a set of ten aspects of leadership which are suggested as suitable approaches
in Baptist ministry.