Abstract
What if research could demonstrate how a more collaborative or transformational approach to church leadership had a positive impact on the overall effectiveness of the church? Would pastors adjust their leadership style, and would seminaries expand their pastoral training curriculum? Research continues to affirm the importance of leadership in the health and effectiveness of organizations from multiple contexts. Everything from schools to politics shows the need for leadership. Yet, little quantitative research has been done to see the impact of leadership within the church arena. Is it possible that leadership style correlates to the effectiveness of corporate America but has little correlation within the church? Should seminaries continue to focus on training pastors for exegetically-correct sermons and leave void the need to nurture and guide people to meaningful relationships within the community? Should pastors continue to lead parishioners from an authoritative position that their seminary-trained expertise might dictate, or should pastors collaborate with lay leaders to jointly develop a church atmosphere that reflects shared values developed through a collaborative approach?
Recommended Citation
Rumley, D. D. (2012). Sideways Leadership: Perceptions of the Senior Pastor’s Transformational Leadership Style and Its Relationship to Church Effectiveness. Great Commission Research Journal, 4(1), 15-33. Retrieved from https://place.asburyseminary.edu/gcrj/vol4/iss1/3
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