Servant Leadership: Implications for Human Resource Practices in a Church Context and Growth: A Review of Literature

Abstract

The leadership literature has significantly explored the servant leadership construct. Even though several studies linked servant leadership with organizational performance, there is inadequate literature relating servant leadership construct with human resource (HR) practices in the context of church and its growth. The paper reviewed extant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature on the subject of servant leadership and attempts to integrate it with human resource practices that ultimately affects church context and growth. The study established that servant leadership constructs impacts positively on HR practices as well church growth in spiritual, numerical and financial dimensions. The review established the significance of servant leadership in steering modern organizational growth through empowerment of followers. The paper further proposes an appropriate integrated theoretical model that links the servant leadership constructs with human resource practices, church context and growth. Nonetheless, there is need for further research on effect of other leadership styles on HR practices within the church context.