Religious Leadership Research Paper

Five leadership practices in James Kouzes and Barry Posner's The Leadership Challenge are model the way, inspire a shared vision challenge the process,' enable others to act and encourage the heart. The two types of leadership practices that I am going to discuss in the ministry context are model the way and encourage the heart leadership practices.

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In model, the way type of leadership in the ministry context, a leader has to clarify values of the ministry to his subordinates. A leader has to find his voice and affirm shared values that exist in the ministry among ministry stakeholders. A leader has to set the example by exemplifying values that the ministry stands for. A leader should also teach his subjects and subordinates in the ministry context to model values that the ministry stands for. A leader should mobilize others towards the achievement of shared aspirations and goals. Credibility is very important in leadership, more so in the ministry context, a good leader should exhibit personal credibility. Personal credibility will play a major role in ensuring that subordinates and subjects of a leader believe his message together with his leadership. A leader should stand up for his beliefs; he must find his voice and give voice to those values in an authentic manner. A leader should engage others towards achieving common aspirations. Leaders should build commitment by partaking in acts that create progress for the ministry as well as build momentum towards the achievement of those goals. A good ministry leader should learn to spend time with people; he should also learn to work side by side with his colleagues. A good ministry leader should be astute in handling critical matters that appertain to the ministry's affairs.

In encourage the heart leadership practice in the ministry context a leader has to encourage his subordinates and subjects to continue doing what is best for the ministry and what the ministry stands for so that the ministry's themes, vision, and mission may be achieved. A leader has to recognize contributions from his members. A leader should expect the best from his members and go ahead to personalize recognition. A leader should celebrate values and victories within the ministry. Celebrating values and victories within the ministry can be done by creating a spirit of community and ensuring that every stakeholder in the ministry is personally involved in celebrating values and victories of the ministry. A leader should remain humble and make positive contributions to the ministrys successes. A good leader is one who displays genuine acts of care and draws people forward. An exemplary leader is one who sets high standards and has high expectations from his ministry. A leader should maintain a positive outlook so as to stimulate, rekindle and ensure that peoples energies are focused. A leader should create a climate of celebration for his subordinates and subjects. Leaders should know that in a winning team, members of the team need to share rewards that stem from the member's efforts. Celebrating successes together plays a major role in ensuring that a spirit of encouragement is encouraged within the ministry's context. Leaders who base celebrations upon accomplishments and milestones made by the ministry play a major role in ensuring that peoples focus is sustained. Celebrations, when done in a proper manner creates a great sense of collective identity and community spirit that in the long run proves invaluable in the achievement of the ministry's goals.

Bibliography

Anderson, Leith. 2001. Leadership that works: hope and direction for church and parachurch leaders in today's complex world. Minneapolis, Minn: Bethany House

Kouzes, James M. 2012. Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations. Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, John.

Wright, Walter C., Richard J. Mouw, and Eugene H. Peterson. 2015. Relational leadership: a biblical model for influence and service. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.