The end of leadership?: The shift of power in local congregations

Ian Nell

doi:10.4102/hts.v71i3.2934

Abstract

In a qualitative study recently carried out by the author amongst ministers in a Circuit of Dutch Reformed Congregations in a suburban context in the Western Cape, South Africa, respondents were asked whether they sensed a ‘shift of view’ concerning the role of leadership during the past 20 years in their respective congregations. The research results paint a picture of ‘the end of leadership’ at least in some form. One can also sense a ‘shift of power’ over the past two decades in these local congregations, indicating the changing dynamics of leadership. There seems to be a shift of power from the individual leader to the team, the group and the network. The aim of this paper is, firstly, to present some of the empirical results and then to reflect on the underlying reasons for this shift of power by giving a description of some broader philosophical and sociological perspectives influencing this state of affairs. This will be followed by a description of, and reflection on, theological developments on the Trinity and power that might help to understand the ‘end of leadership’ in some ways. The paper concludes with some thoughts on the role of power and leadership processes at work in local faith communities.

Highlights

In the first issue of the Mail and Guardian of 2015, Peter Vale wrote an interesting article with the title ‘Wanted: Leaders to heal SA’
The research design for the empirical research that I used operates from an interpretive perspective in qualitative research with its roots in hermeneutics as the study of the theory and practice of interpretation (Henning, Van Rensburg & Smit 2004:19–21)
When we turn to the Scriptures and the Christian tradition for some guidance on the understanding of power, it is very ironic that the primary insight that we find, especially in the New Testament, is the fact that Christian leadership is not in the first place about leadership but about being a follower, known in the Christian narrative as discipleship (Foss 2002:95–100)

Summary

Introduction

In the first issue of the Mail and Guardian of 2015, Peter Vale wrote an interesting article with the title ‘Wanted: Leaders to heal SA’. The article was insightful in two ways. The first is that, according to Vale’s perspective, we are currently experiencing the ‘end of leadership’ within the political arena in South Africa. He illustrates how, two decades ago, one could recall quite a number of names if asked about potential leaders that could lead the country. Two decades ago, one could recall quite a number of names if asked about potential leaders that could lead the country Some of these people include Thabo Mbeki, Chris Hani, Cyril Ramaphosa and Tokyo Sexwale, to name but a few. In trying to come up with a similar list for the present time, hardly anyone comes to mind

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Conclusion