Emerging Leadership in the Pauline Mission: A Social Identity Perspective on Local Leadership Development in Corinth and Ephesus. By JACK BARENTSEN.

Abstract

This monograph aims to offer new insights into the nature of early Christian leadership through a fresh application of social identity theory: a method which starts from the observation that leadership is shaped by social and psychological processes within a group. By first examining group dynamics and local leadership patterns in Pauline congregations, Barentsen then analyses Paul’s strategy for dealing with local leadership. Paul sets an example for believers—encouraging, exhorting, and strengthening congregations through his letters. Meanwhile, he engages existing structures, sometimes affirming, sometimes correcting, but always attempting to shape local leadership to his ideal of Christ-like service. The thesis of the monograph is that a study of the Corinthian and Ephesian churches reveals a clear pattern in Paul’s strategy, as he attempts to equip leaders to be ‘entrepreneurs’ of Christian identity. In the Preface, Barentsen notes that he has produced this monograph after a career of church planting and ministry; the application of social identity theory is thus the link which joins his experiences of church leadership with the academic enterprise of finding new insights into Paul’s letters.