Christian Leadership Development – J. Robert Clinton Leadership Emergence Theory
Part of the ministry resources on Christian Leadership, and more specifically, Christian Leadership Development
The term “leadership emergence,” refers to the observable stages that seem to transpire in people they become leaders. Relative to Christian leadership, it is most often tied to the work of J. Robert Clinton, long-time professor at Fuller Theological Seminary. His works are featured here, alongside a few others. Understanding emergence is important to the practice of transformational leadership and empowerment.
You may wish to view the more detailed summaries of the books that convey Clinton’s theory, which are found here: J. Robert Clinton — Leadership Emergence Theory. Below is a brief introduction.
Clinton’s theory is based on his study of hundreds of leaders, with special focus on the lives of men such as A. W. Tozer, Watchman Nee, and Dawson Trottman. He generalizes five or six phases of development over the life span of those who “finish well.” Clinton realizes not all leaders fit this typology, and he writes primarily to pastors and missionaries. So we should not over-generalize. Yet many seminary professors and leadership coaches make good use of his model. See also the ministry resources guide that lists Clinton’s biographies of biblical leaders.
- J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development – This describes Clinton’s model of leadership emergence. He proposes five or six stages through which leaders progress as God’s will unfolds in their lives. The academic manual describing the research behind the model may be found in Leadership Emergence Theory: A Self-Study Manual for Analyzing the Development of a Christian Leader
- J. Robert Clinton, Strategic Concepts that Clarify a Focused Life: A Self-Study Manual Defining and Applying Focused Life Concepts to Leaders Today — Designed as a companion to The Making of a Leader, Clinton discusses the importance of life focus in eight highly effective leaders who finished well.
- J. Robert Clinton and Richard W. Clinton, Unlocking Your Giftedness: What Leaders Need to Know to Develop Themselves and Others — A comprehensive self-study manual for Christian leadership development.
- J. Robert Clinton and Paul D. Stanley, Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need – Discusses the crucial role that mentors play in leadership development, especially in helping one overcome the five most common reasons for failure.
- J. Robert Clinton Leadership Commentary Series — A collection of books on the leadership qualities of select biblical characters.
- Neil Cole, Journeys to Significance: Charting a Leadership Course from the Life of Paul (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series) – Describes Paul as an example of how to lead “throughout a lifetime, increasing significance all along so that one finishes strong and leaves a legacy of leaders to carry on the work.” Makes use of Clinton Leadership Emergence Theory.
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