Tranformational Leadership Major Integrative Paper
Selection B: Articulate a biblical theology, personal philosophy, and guidelines for practice with respect to biblical, transformational servant leadership.
JESUS AND HIS MINISTRY Transformational leadership has a unique place and position in the church. Since Jesus began to cast his vision, building up and creating disciples and servant leaders is a crucial component to the Christian faith and spreading the gospel. In this paper, I hope to articulate a biblical theology that will help me develop a personal philosophy and worldview for transformational leadership .
When I think about examples of a leader who was able to inspire and transform people’s values and beliefs, I immediately think of Jesus and his ministry in Palestine. Jesus was a dynamic example of transformational leadership and he was able to create a compelling vision that allows us to see ourselves and our world in a new way; through servant leadership.
In Mark 10, two of Jesus’ disciples ask Jesus if they can be seated at His left and right hand in heaven. These two disciples, James and John, saw leadership and following Jesus as an opportunity to gain a higher status but Jesus makes a statement to his 12 disciples about how “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) He was hoping to establish and set a tone for his disciples which he follows through with during the last supper. After they broke bread, Jesus began to wash his disciple’s feet. He says to them, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have
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washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:1315) Jesus had a heart for humility and servanthood above all things and he knew that his actions would have a strong effect on not only his disciples, but to many generations of Christians afterwards.
JESUS AND HIS MINISTRY Transformational leadership has a unique place and position in the church. Since Jesus began to cast his vision, building up and creating disciples and servant leaders is a crucial component to the Christian faith and spreading the gospel. In this paper, I hope to articulate a biblical theology that will help me develop a personal philosophy and worldview for transformational leadership .
When I think about examples of a leader who was able to inspire and transform people’s values and beliefs, I immediately think of Jesus and his ministry in Palestine. Jesus was a dynamic example of transformational leadership and he was able to create a compelling vision that allows us to see ourselves and our world in a new way; through servant leadership.
In Mark 10, two of Jesus’ disciples ask Jesus if they can be seated at His left and right hand in heaven. These two disciples, James and John, saw leadership and following Jesus as an opportunity to gain a higher status but Jesus makes a statement to his 12 disciples about how “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) He was hoping to establish and set a tone for his disciples which he follows through with during the last supper. After they broke bread, Jesus began to wash his disciple’s feet. He says to them, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have
1
washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:1315) Jesus had a heart for humility and servanthood above all things and he knew that his actions would have a strong effect on not only his disciples, but to many generations of Christians afterwards.