Christian Leadership Styles, Leadership Theories
Part of the ministry resources on Christian Leadership
- Introduction
- Standard Textbooks on Leadership Theories and Leadership Styles
- Leadership Theories, Leadership Styles
- Related Ministry Resources
Introduction
Many materials on Christian leadership build on theories from the academic field of leadership studies, primarily from the business and education sectors. One finds terms such as transformational leadership, adaptive leadership, vision leadership, empowerment, and many others. In most cases, these are applications of established leadership theories to Christian ministry contexts. It sometimes helps to go to the root of these theories to better understand their applicability.
The saying, “of making many books there is no end,” is especially true with regard to leadership theories and leadership styles. It is why executive book summary services are so popular. This list of ministry resources hundreds of useful titles, but is selective based on those that emphasize biblical principles as well as other secular paradigms that integrate well with a Christian worldview and are commonly regarded as helpful for Christian ministries.
**Resources listed in recommended order, unless alphabetical
Standard Textbooks on Leadership Theories and Leadership Styles
LifeandLeadership.com does not provide a full exploration of leadership theories. To get that kind of overview, I recommend standard textbooks. The following suggestions are recognized academic works. Remember, they do not train one how to lead, but survey and review what others have thought about leadership.
- Robert Banks and Bernice Ledbetter, Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches – This is the best academic overview of leadership theories from a biblical and theological perspective.
- Mike Bonnem, In Pursuit of Great AND Godly Leadership: Tapping the Wisdom of the World for the Kingdom of God (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series) – An excellent integration of biblical and marketplace leadership principles.
- Bernard M. Bass with Ruth Bass, The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications, Fourth Edition — Recognized by many as the “Bible” on leadership studies. It is a 1,500-plus page, dense, and comprehensive volume, but not difficult to read.
- J. Robert Clinton, Conclusions on Leadership Styles — An older, self-published work that surveys popular leadership theory up until the date of publication (1986) and comments on their value for Christian leadership. One may also be interested in the extensive collection in the Clinton Leadership Commentary Series.
- Robert N. Lussier and Christopher F. Achua. Leadership: Theory, Application, and Skill Development, Fourth Edition. South-Western College / Cengage Publications, 2009. — Not the most heralded volume, but in my opinion one of the most accessible for the self-guided leader who wants to understand theory, apply it in exercises, and go to the next level of skill development (just as the title suggests). It is designed for an undergraduate course on leadership, and the chapters build off each other. Full of helpful exercises for academic reflection and application.
- Peter G. Northouse, Leadership Theory and Practice. Fifth Edition. Also by the same author, Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice — Northouse is a best-selling author in the field of leadership studies. Leadership: Theory and Practice provides a thorough and readable overview of all major leadership theories. It is used by over 800 colleges and universities worldwide. Introduction to Leadership: Theory and Practice is designed as a practical guide toward more effective leadership through interactive exercises that bring the theories to life. It includes an extensive collection of self-assessment tools.
- John Shtogren, Skyhooks for Leadership: A New Framework That Brings Together Five Decades of Thought-From Maslow to Senge – An interesting presentation of the major leadership theories of the last five decades.
The resources in LifeandLeadership.com represent only those theories that are helpful to the practice of ministry leadership, at least in terms of the references by authors and practitioners in this field.
Main Theories
Forms of Transformational Leadership and Empowerment
- Adaptive Leadership (Heifetz)
- Character-Based Leadership (Thrall, Covey)
- Courageous Leadership (Hybels)
- Emotional Systems, Self-Differentiated Leadership, Non-Anxious Presence (Friedman, Marcusson, Scazzero, Steinke)
- Inspiring Leadership (Maxwell)
- Interpretive Leadership (Cormode)
- Intuitive Leadership (Townsend)
- Leader-Manager Continuum (Bennis, Kotter)
- Learning Organization (Senge)
- Level Five Leadership (Collins)
- Missional Leadership (Frost/Hirsch)
- Narrative Leadership (Golemon)
- New Science, Complexity Theory (Wheatley)
- Organizational Culture (Schein)
- Power-Imbalanced, Subordinate Roles (Kritek, Maxwell)
- Primal/Resonant Leadership/Emotional Intelligence (Goleman, Boyatzis)
- Questions, Leading With (Marquardt)
- Self-Differentiated Leadership (Friedman, Marcusson, Scazzero, Steinke)
- Servant Leadership (Greenleaf, Wilkes)
- Shepherd Leadership (Anderson)
- Situational Leadership (Blanchard)
- Spiritual Leadership (Sanders, Blackaby, Nouwen)
- Strengths-Based Leadership (Buckingham, Rath)
- Steward Leader (Rodin)
- Team Leadership (See Ministry Teams)
- Type-Based Leadership (DISC, Myers-Briggs, etc.)
- Visionary Leadership, Leader-Directed (Nanus, Stanley)
- Visionary Leadership, People-Directed (Rainer)
Related Ministry Resources
See Ministry Resources on Christian Leadership:
See Resources on Over 100 Areas of Christian Leadership: