Servant Leadership in the Context of the African Church - Annotated Bibliography Example

SERVANT LEADERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF AFRICAN CHURCHES- ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES Greenleaf, Robert K, Finch Karen P. The Image of God, Servant-Leadership and Forgiveness. The International Journal of Servant-Leadership 1 (2005): 2003-214. This article calls for leaders to consider the effect of their influence on the individuals that they are supposed to be serving, just as Jesus’ command of 'love your neighbor as you love yourself’ (Mark 12:31). It denotes that a servant leader should care for others, the less able and the able because this is where a society builds. He also says that considering people as worthy of care is a commensurate with the work of creation, in which God imprinted the divine image of Adam and Eve and, and that through them, on all human beings. It also seeks for forgiveness as a practice that affirms the creation unity that we share whatever differences we may have; and encourages us to view individuals in the community through eyes of hope. Practicing forgiveness ensures that servant leaders do not lead persons to conflict as well as the community. The church should actively participate in practicing forgiveness in order to unify persons, and those who were formerly enemies. Both relationships and affiliations have to do specifically with the Christian church, this unity bases on the shared image of God. Servant leaders of the church should be builders of the community. They should also raise the spirit of young people in the church; help them build their, help them realize the direction they are heading to, and the competence needed in order to send them their way. Waddell, Jane T. Servant Leadership. Servant Leadership Research Roundtable (2006): 1-8. Waddell defines servant leadership with an extension of Patterson’s model of servant leadership. For one to understand the terminology, we have to first focus on Patterson’s definition. She presents this theory as a logical addition of transformational leadership theory. She defined and developed the element constructs that entail the practice of servant leadership defining the term servant leaders as ‘leaders who focus on their followers, in that their followers are the primary concern and the organization focus are peripheral while leading an organization’ (Patterson,2003 p.5). She also defines followers as ‘individuals who are subordinate to a certain leader within an organization.’ Patterson (2003) asserts that servant leaders should be guided by seven constructs which defines them. These includes; agape love, being visionary for the followers, acting with humility, trust, altruism, empowers followers, and is serving. Waddell later extends this definition by adding other attributes of a servant leader that one should be a good listener and an introvert. A servant leader should, therefore, have the ability to seize moral principles in their abstract form and use them in the introvert style of leadership. Waddell, therefore, urges servant leaders in the African churches to be able to listen to their followers and more so be able to use introvert leadership style to demonstrate their servant leadership style such as altruism, service and humility. Spears, Larry C. Character and servant Leadership: Ten characteristics of effective, caring leaders. The Journal of Virtues & Leadership 1 (2010): 25-30. This journal explains servant leader should be tough and have superior strength of character since he/she has to make a commitment on people. A true servant leader should involve others in decision making, enhance the growth of workers as he improves the quality and caring of organizational life, and strongly based in caring and ethical behavior. It also states the various characteristics of a servant leader, which are, empathy, listening, healing, persuasion awareness, foresight, conceptualization, commitment, stewardship to the building of the community and growth of the people. This, therefore, explains that the church servant leaders should be valued for communication and decision making skills, they should be able to listen to others and empathize with them. The healing of one’s self and one’s relationship with others in the church are also essential, and he/she should have general and self awareness. A servant leader should also be one who seeks to convince others instead of coercing compliance. He should seek to nurture his ability to dream great dreams, foresee the possible outcome of a situation from past experiences, and commit himself to serving the needs of others. Murphy, J.P. C.M, Ph.D. Servant Leadership in the manner of Saint Vincent de Paul 19 (1998): 131-134 In this article by a story of Steve, a De Paul university graduate introduces the definition of servant leadership. He hosts three MBA students from Hong Kong who suffer robbery, and fracas while in his apartment. However, Steve set out to serve his visiting friends. He also offered the service of leadership which is rooted in a De Paul values respect the dignity of others and serve the poor and the unfortunate. Vientiane institutions were concerned in person to person care and respecting the diversity and dignity of others in this institution. He, therefore, views a servant leader as one who is willing to be a leader first and a servant first by making sure that you serve others people’s highest priority needs. This story on Steve denotes to the church of what one requires in order to be a true servant. They should be willing to take into consideration other people’s needs first, this can only be possible through prayer. He should listen and understand, accept and empathizes, he should never reject, have intellectual abilities not necessarily the academic way but a sense of the knowing the unknowable, and being able to foresee what is going to happen by the use of the current state of mind. Read More