Subverted Hierarchies: Towards a Biblical Theology of Leadership

Abstract

Something that is done surprisingly rarely within Christian leadership literature is the attempt to draw together biblical raw materials into a grand biblical theology of leadership. Similarly, it is astounding how little the various theologies of Old and New Testaments have to say about leadership as an aspect of biblical theology.This article seeks to answer the question then, what does a biblical theology of leadership look like? I will be looking for the broadest possible brush strokes yet taking care with the text that it is allowed to speak on its own terms within its own cultural and theological urgencies. The outcome will doubtless affirm many existing teachings on religious leadership, such as the time honoured emphasis on issues of personal integrity and servanthood, yet there may also be a few surprises or reminders, especially when we come to consider the outspoken ministries of the Old Testament prophets.In sketching out such a theology I will suggest some possible reasons why, despite our professed expertise at it, we as Pentecostals and Charismatics have such a poor track record of leadership within our churches, denominations and organisations, and to recommend what might be done to better train the Pentecostal leaders of tomorrow.