Original Research

Relational leadership and the missional church

Jacob J. Breedt, Cornelius J.P. Niemandt
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 34, No 1 | a819 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v34i1.819 | © 2013 Jacob J. Breedt, Cornelius J.P. Niemandt | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 13 December 2012 | Published: 03 October 2013

About the author(s)

Jacob J. Breedt, Department of Science of Religion and Missiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Cornelius J.P. Niemandt, Department of Science of Religion and Missiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

The global realities regarding cultural shifts and the transition between traditional, modern and postmodern world perspectives have particular implications for leadership in general. In several institutions, including those in commercial, educational, medical and religious circles, leaders face the challenges of constant change in lifestyle, relational intelligence and responsibility. The combined impact of these changes in thought and culture, information technology, globalisation and racial, ethnic and religious pluralism has displaced the historic role the church has traditionally played. In this article it was argued that the church would have to take a hard look at relationships, in order to be the successful missional church which was demonstrated by Jesus Christ. The church needs to change, evolve and advance in relational intelligence and leadership – and leaders should set the pace. This implies that a paradigm shift is necessary; it is believed that this can be achieved through the proposed relational leadership style, as clearly demonstrated in the Trinitarian discussion. The Trinity, especially a relational Trinity, revealed the core understanding of missional ecclesiology and leadership and showed that as a result of the total ‘oneness’ of God, there is no hierarchical order in the Godhead and as such the church should function and operate with the Trinity as its model and example.


Keywords

Missional leadership; Relational leadership; Relational intelligence; Triune God

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Crossref Citations

1. Complex leadership as a way forward for transformational missional leadership in a denominational structure
C.J.P. Niemandt
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 71  issue: 3  year: 2015  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v71i3.2951