Abstract

How do we define integral Christian leadership? This article examines the field of leadership theory (Bass, 1990), reviews effective leadership (Yukl, 2002), and considers the role of values and beliefs in sustainable development (WECD, 1987). Building on this foundation, this paper draws on Grenz’s (2001) social-personalistic theology and Ken Wilber’s (1995) all-quadrants model to propose that integral Christian leaders focus on four co-developing worlds of a) individual spirituality, b) behavioral competencies, c) shared organizational values, and d) external societal infrastructure.

[full paper under revision for publication]

Conclusion

This paper has proposed that Christian leadership can be renewed by rethinking its theology and its epistemology across a full-spectrum of personal, organizational, task, and societal domains. This paper began by recapping the history of leadership theory, defining leadership, and looking at full-spectrum measures of leadership effectiveness.

Building on this foundation, this paper proposed that Grenz’s (2001) social-personalistic theology and Wilber’s (1995) AQAL model offer Christian leadership a holistic framework to interrelate a) individual spirituality, b) behavioral competencies, c) shared organizational values, and d) external collective infrastructure. In the end, leadership is about nurturing both the values and beliefs that extend the kingdom of God.

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