Digital Commons Network^™

Leading With Integrity Under Pressure: The Activist Leadership Model, Akinwumi Oke, Jay Brand, Shirley Freed, Erich Baumgartner

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

This article proposes that an effective activist leadership model has important significance for leaders in ethically challenging contexts. Findings from the grounded theory study present activist leadership theory and competencies or qualities exhibited by “activist leaders” in the public sector. These support the achievement of “above-the-norm” organizational performance despite the constraints of weak governance institutions within their specified contexts. Activist leadership rests on leaders’ (a) managerial and personal approach; (b) cognitive disposition to achieving good governance outcomes; and (c) pragmatic leadership approach to resolving leadership challenges in weak institutional contexts. These leaders can deliver effective leadership despite weak institutional/governance frameworks, …

Servants And Friends: A Biblical Theology Of Leadership, Erich Baumgartner

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"In this groundbreaking volume published by andrews University Press, some 20 scholars examine the sacred text of the Old and New testaments, as well as a selection of six biblical leadership narratives, to lay the foundation for a biblical theology of leadership. Each of the first three sections is composed of six chapters, providing an array of fascinating studies of leadership in the Bible. the fourth section attempts to integrate the multiple facets of leadership insight unearthed throughout the various contributions into what the editor, Skip Bell, claims to be “the most complete biblical theology of leadership available.”

The End Of Leadership, Richard Aparecido Teixeira Figueredo

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"Barbara Kellerman urges readers to consider the “other side” of leadership. the thesis of The End of Leadership is that leadership has changed and that today we must embrace a leadership marked not by commanding or controlling but by a focus on helping people (servant leadership) to achieve their goals. this is the “end” of the traditional leadership style. But Kellerman’s accompanying concern is that the “leadership industry” is more interested in making money on this issue than in providing real solutions for leadership. as such, chief among her recommendations is that readers learn more about leadership instead of how …

Beyond The Barriers Of Discipline And Culture, Erich Baumgartner

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"culture sometimes prevents us from appreciating the very gifts offered to us, at least at first. in one place i learned a dimension of friendship that my culture does not allow me to experience easily. it happened when i was teaching Leadership Development to teachers and administrators of religious organizations in India. the first thing i noticed was their eagerness to learn in the classroom and their desire to share the beauty of their city and cultural sites with me. i enjoyed both, the classroom and the time outside the classroom. But i was unprepared for a gesture of friendship …

The Need For Spiritual Leadership, Morris Thompson

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"Leadership comes in different shapes and sizes within our society. Some leadership practices are characterized as good, and other forms are toxic. however, within the 21st century, spiritual leadership is necessary as christian leaders focus on growing the next generation of leaders. this article focuses on the importance of the spiritual leader within today’s society, and will first discuss the need for dedicated spiritual leaders. it will then discuss how spiritual leaders affect the spiritual growth of others. Finally, it will discuss the need for spiritual accountability."

The Intersection Of Leadership And Spirituality: A Qualitative Study Exploring The Thinking And Behavioral Attributes Of Leaders Who Identify As Spiritual, D. S. Goldberg

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"the primary question was does spirituality influence leaders’ thinking and behaviors. the secondary questions included an exploration around ways spirituality influences thinking and behaviors. it also explored the questions as to spirituality informing the ways leaders can be challenging within their organizations, and if acknowledging one’s spirituality publically helps or hinders building effective teams. the highlights of the research include the finding that spirituality does indeed influence everything a leader does and is, whether thinking or behavior attributes, and the process of a leader’s questioning."

The Role Of Spirituality In The Leadership Style Of Organizational Leaders, A. S. Koko

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"the transcendental phenomenology research design was used to investigate the essence or meaning of these leaders’ experiences regarding their spirituality and leadership style as they were currently experiencing it. the knowledge obtained from this study explained spirituality, consciousness, and cognition’s role in leadership style, which can be applied to the fields of sports, politics, organizational management, coaching, mentoring, leadership, employee recruitment, and other areas of society or within any organization where leadership performance is important. the conclusion from this study was that organizational leaders who self-identified as being spiritual demonstrated compassion when relating with their employees and others. these organizational …

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit Of Less, Bradley D. Cassell

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"he utilizes three steps in discovering and embracing what is most important: explore, eliminate, and execute. intertwined in these steps are practical stories of corporate executives who discovered their niche and priorities by following these principles. the author gives practical counsel such as getting plenty of sleep, taking time to play, gathering the courage to eliminate things that are not important even if it offends others, and even getting into a flow or routine of doing a few things well while cutting out the non-essential priorities that others place in our path."

On Growing Leaders And Leaders Growing, Petr Cincala

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"Reading through this issue you will encounter and reflect on a number of leaders from the biblical times such as Nehemiah, Barnabas, Paul, timothy. Our goal is to connect theory and practice in life and ministry in the hope that they will open new insights towards more effective leadership development. as Bob Logan says in his article, “Just like you cannot learn to swim in a classroom, so you cannot learn to do ministry in a classroom.” So how then does it work? are some people born leaders and some not? What makes a good leader? how can one obtain …

Work With Me: How To Get People To Buy Into Your Ideas, Deeann Bragaw

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

"The strengths of this book include the concept that true buy-in means people have a genuinely voluntary choice and say “yes” because they want to, not because they have to (loc 385). Real buy-in is not manipulation or coercion. Real buy-in wins devotion and energy as advocates."

The God Dimension In Leadership, Erich Baumgartner

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

One of the most challenging insights of the servant leadership approach for christian leaders is the fact that god himself chose to approach humanity that way. Christian theology has long maintained that who god is determines how he acts. Jesus dying on the cross for humanity reminds us of the inexhaustible mystery that by his very nature god is a servant. the nature of god—more specifically his Trinitarian nature—is the central paradigm of thought in this issue of JACL. Does God’s Trinitarian nature have anything to say to Christian leaders about leadership? Get ready for some meaty reading.

The Decision Maker. By Dennis Bakke, Tom Stone, Charity Stone

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

THE DECISION MAKER. By Dennis Bakke. Seattle, WA: Pear Press (2013). Hardcover, 218 pages.

Bakke argues that the long-standing view of leadership has been that of a dictator—the boss makes the decisions and tells the underlings what to do and how to do it. The underlings grudgingly do exactly what the boss wants (eliminating creativity but supposedly increasing productivity and quality). In the traditional model, the boss micromanages the employees (which in actuality can lead to hurried, half-hearted, busy work). This model is not always (if ever) ideal. If decisions are made at the top by people who do not …

Leadership As Practice: Theory And Application. By Joseph A. Raelin (Ed.), Herman Leon Davis Sr.

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

LEADERSHIP AS PRACTICE: THEORY AND APPLICATION. By Joseph A. Raelin (Ed.). New York, NY: Routledge (2016). Paperback, 310 pages.

... practice leadership, as described in this text, relies heavily upon integrated communication, such as is reflected in shared, distributed, and relational leadership. Such interaction, dialogue, collaboration and shared learning reflect what the text refers to as holarchy, which is an ethically grounded relationship between unity and diversity. In such a context, the whole and the parts are equally valued.

Boundaries For Leaders. By Henry Cloud, Osei Daniels

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

BOUNDARIES FOR LEADERS. By Henry Cloud. New York, NY: HarperCollins (2013). Kindle Version, 272 pages

This book has solidified for me the almost terrifying but freeing truths of leadership, that i am “ridiculously in charge,” and it’s up to me to get the team going where it needs to go. I’m still learning how to shift my mind from the worker-bee to that of the leader, putting first things first in establishing the goal of what we’re trying to accomplish, and developing a road map for each step of how we’ll be getting to our destination. I’ve learned that my …

Influencer: The Science Of Leading Change. By Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron Mcmillan, & Al Switzler, Gabriel Gutierrez Jr.

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

INFLUENCER: THE SCIENCE OF LEADING CHANGE. By Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, & Al Switzler. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education (2013). Paperback, 299 pages.

The five authors demonstrated that true leadership has primarily to do with change. Being able to change personally and helping others to change are at the heart of true leadership. It was clear that anyone with the desire to influence others toward positive change is able to accomplish this. The key is in following the three main ideas undauntedly and consistently—focus and measure, find vital behaviors, and engage all six sources of influence—as …

Learning Leadership: The Five Fundamentals Of Becoming An Exemplary Leader. By James M. Kouzes & Barry Z. Posner, Stefan Dinu

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

LEARNING LEADERSHIP: THE FIVE FUNDAMENTALS OF BECOMING AN EXEMPLARY LEADER. By James M. Kouzes & Barry Z. Posner. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley (2016). Hardcover, 272 pages.

The central theme of this great book orbits around the message that leadership is everyone’s business, pulverizing the five myths that keep people from boarding the vessel of leadership: talent, position, strengths, self-reliance and it-comes-naturally. “Leadership potential isn’t something that some people have and other people don’t”.

Leadership Pain: The Classroom For Growth. By Samuel R. Chand, Melissa Silva

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

LEADERSHIP PAIN: THE CLASSROOM FOR GROWTH. By Samuel R. Chand. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson (2015). Kindle edition, 250 pages.

First, he looks at the main causes of pain in leadership— namely, external sources, personal unrelieved stress, and a growing organization. But he does not stop there. He spends a good deal of time looking at how to analyze and recognize the painful experiences that we have and how they help us grow. This is important because, without it, a lot of pain we suffer can be in vain. Finally, the author encourages leaders by reminding them that there are privileges …

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together And Others Don't. By Simon Sinek, William K. Koomson

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

LEADERS EAT LAST: WHY SOME TEAMS PULL TOGETHER AND OTHERS DON’T. Simon Sinek. New York, NY: Portfolio/Penguin (2014). Hardcover, 244 pages.

The author discusses multiple points of views, from political leaders, business leaders, and military leaders to society in general, employees, and managers. According to Sinek, many organizations are failing because their work has become a numbers game, rather than shifting their focus toward developing and understanding the needs of people who work in the organization. “If the leaders of organizations give their people something to believe in, if they offer their people a challenge that outsizes their resources but …

Biblical Foundations Of Christian Leadership: Part 1, Stanley E. Patterson Phd

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

The Biblical foundations of leadership begin to be laid in the first chapter of Genesis and conclude with the declaration of a kingly leadership position (Rev. 1:5, 6) for God’s people in Revelation. These books and those in between reveal the deeds and misdeeds of leaders throughout. We see the massive deterioration of leadership behavior in the rebellion of Lucifer against God, but we also observe the incredible demonstration of leadership in the descent of the Messiah into the greatness of transformational service. The model demonstrated by Christ is a model of service. The followers of Jesus are called to …

Developing Leaders For Effective Cross-Cultural Christian Leadership In East Asian Ccontext, Scott Seong-Cheon Bang

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Dissertation Notice

Full Text of the Thesis available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global

Will the increased understanding of effective Christian leadership practices in the East Asian context increase the confidence of leaders who intend to lead within that culture? In order to discover the answer, leaders of Los Angeles United Church were invited to participate in a training seminar which focused on strengthening theological understanding of Christian leadership and raising anthropological awareness of culture in a leadership situation.

A Theology Of Missional Leadership In The Book Of Revelation, Gyeongchun Choi

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Dissertation Notice:

Full Text of Dissertation

This study aims to establish a theology of missional leadership through motifs inherent in the cosmic conflict between God and Satan in the Book of Revelation, examining the Apocalypse and comparing it with relevant leadership theories. The Book of Revelation is a valid source of understanding pastoral and missional leadership because it contains leadership terminologies and concepts and reveals the Lamb’s leadership behavior and exposes the counterfeit leadership of the Dragon.

For The Flock: Impetus For Shepherd Leadership In John 10, Nathan H. Gunter

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Following the prophets’ declarations concerning the need for right-hearted shepherds, the four Gospels portray Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Shepherd to save Israel (Ezek. 34:23). John’s Gospel extends the pastoral imagery of the Old testament, most notably in the Good Shepherd discourse (John 10:1-21). John’s development of the shepherd motif presents Jesus both as the Good Shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep and as the model after whom other shepherds ought to pattern their leadership. contrary to contemporary conversations concerning christian leadership, though, John’s gospel places greater emphasis on the shepherd’s …

Reflections On Mentoring And Multi-Generational Ministry, Gordon Macdonald

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

" I would challenge the multi-generational leaders. I would ask the young people to engage the older people and say, “tell me your story.” I would say to the older people, “You need to listen to the young people because they will build enthusiasm into you. they will give you fresh ideas. and tell them your story. Let them ask you questions. Don’t give them advice unless they ask for it, so we can bring this all together.'”

The Sankofa Bird And Reflection, Appiah Kubi Kwarteng

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

As a minister of the Gospel, I have often reflected on the tension between Paul’s counsel in Philippians 3:13, 14 (forgetting those things that are behind, I press toward the mark) and Ellen G. White’s (1902) counsel that “we have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history” (p. 196). On the one hand it seems that we should forget the past, while on the other hand we are advised to remember our past and the way the Lord has led us in …

Consumerism: A Challenge For Christian Leadership?, José A. Aleby, Hugo Ernesto Quiroga

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

This article is motivated by an academic work and a field research project developed by Hugo E. Quiroga (2012; personal communication, 2015) on oneomania as a challenge for christian leadership. Our intention is more to raise questions than to provide easy-sounding answers. The term oneomania may not be well known in theory, but its practical effects are recognized around the world. Oneomania, from the Greek onéo = to buy + mania = insanity, mental disorder (Taylor, 1950), is the scientific and technical term for the disease of consumerism, for the compulsive desire to shop, which is a progressive addiction to …

Developing Relational Leadership: Resources For Developing Reflexive Organizational Practices. By Carsten Hornstrup, Jesper Loehr- Petersen, Joergen G. Madsen, Thomas Johansen, & Allan Vinther Jensen, Stanley E. Patterson Phd

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

DEVELOPING RELATIONAL LEADERSHIP: RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING REFLEXIVE ORGANIZATIONAL PRACTICES. By Carsten Hornstrup, Jesper Loehr- Petersen, Joergen G. Madsen, Thomas Johansen, & Allan Vinther Jensen. Chagrin Falls, Ohio: Taos Institute Publications (2012). Kindle edition, 225 pages.

The book is presented in two general sections: theory that informs the practice of relational leadership and application of relational leadership in practice. Since most leaders do not emerge as leaders in the relational model, the constructionist implications would suggest that it is possible to become a relational leader. Though this rationale is not clearly articulated in the Preface, it is nonetheless implied in the …

Rebuild: Reset Your Life, Renew Your Church, Reshape Your World. By Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen, Shawna Henry

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

REBUILD: RESET YOUR LIFE. RENEW YOUR CHURCH. RESHAPE YOUR WORLD. By Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press (2015). Paperback, 176 pages.

ReBuild offers not only guidance but encouragement for leaders who feel impressed to step out and be a change catalyst for God. Though the vision God sets before us often can seem overwhelming, We are reminded that if we persist, resist opposition and distraction, and persevere, God will see us through to the completion of the “wall.”

Thriving In Leadership: Strategies For Making A Difference In Christian Higher Education. By Karen A. Longman, Denise Ross Haynes

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

THRIVING IN LEADERSHIP: STRATEGIES FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION. By Karen A. Longman (Ed.). Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University Press (2012). Paperback, 336 pages.

Editor Karen Longman, together with “seventeen seasoned senior-level college and university administrators,” offers “fresh perspectives on what is required to thrive in leadership and to shape institutions where both employees and students flourish” (p. 25). Besides being practical, resourceful, and relevant, this work has a nextlevel profundity in the way it invites the reader into a personal dialogue about her personal leadership calling. While most of the current literature discusses leadership primarily as …

The Pastor As Leader: Assessment, Change, And Growth In Pastoral Leadership Style And Ability, David C. Crawford

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

D.Min. dissertation, Asbury Theological Seminary, 2014.

Full Text of the Dissertation

This study explored the leadership perceptions of a sampling of Nazarene pastors who were predominantly newer in ministry in terms of years of service in the Southwest Ohio District. This qualitative analysis sought to measure their self-reported leadership style and self-described leadership ability both prior to and following a leadership seminar devoted to the development of pastoral leaders.

A Holistic Process For Leading Organizational Change, Robert John Eschlemann

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Ed.D. dissertation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Full Text of the Dissertation

With over two million resources available for organizational change, and an emphasis on church revitalization by organizations as such as NaMB, is it possible the disconnected variations of organizational change have created so much confusion that it prevents a simple, comprehensive, and comprehensible understanding? In order to explore this question, and to advance a preferred method, case studies of organizational change within the Bible were conducted, and secular organizational change studies were evaluated. context analysis was used to review current change theory literature. Six functions of change were …