Christianity: Reviewing Leadership by Banks and Ledbetter

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Concrete Response
Reflection
Action
Bibliography
Footnotes

Abstract

The concept of leadership has gone through various transformations, which comprise opinions held by individuals in various societies. Presently, an increasing number of people in contemporary societies are gradually developing some kind of interest in leadership. Fundamentally, leaders need to act as role models and good examples for others in the community. While leadership focuses on change, management emphasizes on establishment of order¹. Remarkably, leadership has a number of parameters that govern its execution. The current form of leadership supports inclusion of all individuals irrespective of their gender.

Paul was very instrumental in coining the issue of leadership during historic periods. In the perspective of Paul, leadership comes from God and the right ways materialize because of his leadership. Imperatively, Paul demonstrated creativity and innovation in expressing his leadership perspectives to the church. Through these perspectives, individuals understand the significance of biblical theories in effective leadership. Evidently, the modern world has witnessed profound transformations, which encompass all facets of the society and leadership. Theological and biblical practices are very influential in how individuals undertake their roles as leaders in certain areas of the society, such as churches, schools, and communities.

Individuals can employ several explicit approaches in addressing leadership issues and spiritual concepts. The explicit approaches to leadership regarding spirituality imply that the Bible is very useful in acquisition of the requisite moral values and achievement of the best leadership practices². Moreover, the Bible provides several requirements that individuals can employ to address leadership and its concepts. By using theological approaches to leadership, the concept proves to be very practical and is among some of the essential concepts that contemporary leaders need.

Since the study employs the best approaches of leadership using biblical examples, such as an example of Paul, it provides insights into practical applications. Out of intelligence, feelings, and innovations, the study initiates some of the principal elements, which comprise servant leadership, integrity, and faithfulness. These elements occasioned from the exemplary instances in the Bible were some of the leaders including Jesus demonstrated the importance of servant leadership. As a result, the study offers productive approaches to leadership complexities that take place in present societies.

Concrete Response

The book reminds me of an experience that occurred in our neighborhood when fire broke out and almost became uncontrollable in a mall. During the fateful event, I experienced high levels of anxiety and restlessness and felt that the fire was consuming a large portion of the mall and people looked helpless. I remember praying silently and telling God to save the mall from the raging fire. People ran up and down in an attempt to salvage the mall and used nearly everything that they had to put down the fire. It was until the fire brigade arrived that the fire was eventually contained.

In connection to the leadership skills from the book, I remember looking at the fire brigade leader giving orders to the colleagues and how they worked together until the fire died down. The leader not only gave orders to the colleagues, but also worked with them and demonstrated how to successfully solve the problem. Out of the act, I recalled the concept of servant and exemplary leadership discussed in the book. Moreover, I remembered how the book explained the need for leadership and how leaders became prominent during times of crisis. During the crisis, it was evident that people looked upon the leader and followed given orders.

Reflection

Some of the major questions that pop up during the process of reading the book include its religious inclination and coverage on leadership. In the question of religious inclination, it is clear that the author employs a range of biblical examples to explain the concept of leadership. The use of several biblical examples makes the book less relevant to non-Christians, who opt to purchase other books that focus on organizational leadership. Furthermore, by using various leadership approaches from the Bible, the book fails to address the question of coverage on leadership concepts and becomes less useful for people, who want to tackle issues in the liberal world.

Some of the initiatives that the author would have used to make the book better and more appealing to those in my field of service comprise balancing biblical and practical examples in leadership approaches. In addition, the author should have provided an intensive coverage on the concept of leadership.

By balancing the examples of past approaches from the Bible and contemporary societies, the author would have received the attention of all individuals. Significantly, provision of balanced examples and discussions from both practical and theological perspectives could improve the effectiveness of the book in its coverage on the concept of leadership.

Action

The two actions that describe the changes that I will make in the ministry incorporate servant leadership and change of perspectives concerning gender roles in leadership. Essentially, the actions will follow a systematic procedure and involve specific individuals, who will facilitate successful execution of the changes. The actions need to be measurable and should be achievable within a particular timeframe. Some of the key steps that will help in achieving the change regarding servant leadership include training, complete participation, and good communication.

Since several individuals, who work in my ministry, are subordinates and follow the orders that I give them, I will introduce the change gradually through series of trainings and seminars concerning servant leadership. In the seminars, the subordinates will receive a comprehensive explanation or communication on the elements that concern the significance of leading as an example.

After the training, I will commence my involvement or complete participation by walking into their respective workplaces and working with them as they undertake their activities. With this approach, the subordinates develop a positive attitude towards the leadership skills demonstrated, and thus, the ministry will achieve its objectives within the stipulated timeframe.

The action that concerns change of the perspective regarding gender roles in leadership will entail training, empowerment and involvement in decision-making process. To ensure that the subordinates in my ministry change their perspectives concerning the role of males and females in leadership positions, I will introduce seminars. Essentially the seminars will train the subordinates on the benefits of working together and respecting opinions and values of others regardless of their gender. In the seminars, the individuals will receive insights concerning the need to work together and the relevance of involving all genders in achievement of organizational goals.

Notably, the action will entail my involvement as a role model and empowerment of several individuals of different genders in an attempt to initiate the necessary change in my ministry. By leading as an example, the others will realize that change is important, and thus, will adopt it. Partial involvement or representation in decision-making is another factor that I will employ in introducing the action and an eventual change in my ministry within a given timeframe. The subordinates of all genders will participate in making some decisions on various aspects of the ministry. Their participation in decision-making process empowers them and instills the requisite change in their minds.

Bibliography

Banks, Robert, and Bernice Ledbetter. Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches (Engaging Culture). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004.

Footnotes

Robert Banks and Bernice Ledbetter, Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches (Engaging Culture) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004), 17.
Robert Banks and Bernice Ledbetter, Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches (Engaging Culture) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004), 12.

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