Theological Reflection On The Impact Of Leadership

Question

Task:
This written piece should be a theological reflection (you should use a recognised format such as the Pastoral Cycle). You should draw from personal experience which may be from your placement or other context. However, you should also draw on appropriate academic sources to show understanding of the contemporary situation and possibilities for new forms of mission, evangelism and/or church. Students will be expected to accompany their reflection with a complete bibliography.

The written reflection must fulfil the following learning objectives;

1. Demonstrate a broadening knowledge and understanding of reflective skills, evaluating both practice and personal development
2. Critically reflect on the impact of leadership in pioneering, mission and evangelism
3. Reflect critically and theologically on issues arising from practice using a variety of sources and disciplines
4. Demonstrate an increasing ability to work independently with skills in leadership.

Answer

1. Introduction and Theological reflection on Christian Leadership
Theological reflection is all about knowing God by reflecting the words and glory of God in specific area. Pastoral cycle of theological reflection presents a cycle of actions, including experience, analyse, reflect, decide, plan, and repeat of the cycle. Moreover, this reflective essay focuses on reflecting on the impact of leadership in evangelism, mission, and pioneering. Most importantly, I am going to use the pastoral cycle to present my experience along with reflecting on the experience through analysis that can lead me to make proper decisions regarding planning.

2. Reflection on impact of leadership in pioneering, mission and evangelism
Missionaries often require to show their talent as leaders when it comes to joining or starting an organisation through mission organisation, missionary team, or pioneer church plant. It has been identified that while some missionaries become successful as leaders some cannot get optimal results. Therefore, I am going to present this reflection on the basis of Pastoral cycle:

Experience
My experience as a learner is showing that it is essential to have some qualifications to become church leaders in the form of evangelism, missionaries, or pioneering. For example, leaders in Christianity require considering the importance of serving people and humility along with the negative impact on dominating one’s followers. I have also noticed the importance of behavioural sciences when it comes to presenting the proper leadership behaviour. Therefore, leaders are required to understand the process of reaching positive outcomes on the basis of different cultures and situations.

Analyse
Identification of the principles of leadership shows that maintenance of balance between relationship and tasks depend on the leaders. Therefore, the impact of leaders depends on the decision-making process and attention of the missionaries on the quality of work and situation. Therefore, it is dependent on the leaders to manage the responsibilities and quality of work in an organisation on the basis of feedback and expertise in developing proper plans for evangelistic attitude and activities (Cabodevila, 2020). On the other hand, autocratic decisions are other critical parts that depend on the process of work of the leaders in missions. It is also not possible for the leaders in an organisation in Christianity to lead a team properly without focusing on a goal and increasing the rate of productivity that are measurable and specific.

Reflect
I have noticed the importance of communication and training programmes for the leadership management team to create better leaders in this field to increase productivity. At the same time, it is also essential for the leaders to consider appropriate delegation at the time of training. At the same time, willingness to change and flexibility are other critical parts of the change-related behaviour among the leaders as per my observation. My personal experience has taught me to become well-equipped with skills and approaches of leadership to manage the responsibilities to the overall goals of the church.

Decide
Therefore, I have decided to work on the process of managing the entire team in Christianity with positivity and flexibility. Along with that, I have come to know about the great responsibilities of leaders in this place that cannot be fulfilled without sincerity and willingness to change. Change is the only companion in this uncertain world, and it is essential to improve the capacity of others in the church through delegation.

Plan
Making quick decisions in a critical situation can help a leader to build a better plan along with getting a positive response from the team through willingness when it comes to accepting the decision (Macallan, 2021). At the same time, I have planned to eliminate misplaced priorities such as disdain for the young, insecurity, and jealousy to become a more efficient leader in the future. At the same time, it is essential to provide proper training and development to the people of the church to develop appropriate knowledge and new skills.

3. Reflection on issues arising from practice using a variety of sources and discipline
Experience
Conflict is the major issue that arises from using a variety of sources and discipline as practice. For example, the actual tendency of Christians is to find solace in the law of God whenever we face any conflict. I have also experienced this issue in my organisation while using a variety of sources and discipline as a leader. Therefore, it becomes crucial to follow the words of God to manage any situation. Most importantly, forgiveness is the key that can bring hope to the organisation in the form of words from the end of leaders.

Analyse
Passions often start to create conflict in different churches; however, it is crucial to identify the causes of the conflict and the procedure of using relational wisdom in the church. For example, conflict becomes worse due to lack of awareness about others and God. Most importantly, Christians require becoming self-aware while completing any task of leadership (Slater, 2018). From that overview, I have opportunities to become an effective leader by eliminating issues regarding conflicts by usage of different sources.

Reflect
My experience in the organisation has helped in identifying the reasons for arrival of conflicts by using variety of sources that create discrimination. Lack of self-awareness can affect the entire procedure of reaching organisational goals in a shared way (Grandy & Sliwa, 2017). However, this issue can be resolved through proper evaluation and communication. For example, evaluation of the situation can create opportunities to resolve the issues through congregational meetings.

Decide
Training and development to the people of the church regarding Christianity and proper procedure of managing the entire task to create intense emotional reaction can help in mitigating every issue. Along with that, it is also crucial for the leaders to identify unwarranted responses that can create harmful situations in future. Typical drivers of the working environment can also affect the procedure of reaching organisational goals.

Plan
Plan to resolve issues regarding usage of a variety of sources and discipline is to go beyond any issues through inspiration for others being a passionate worker in a specific field. At the same time, intrinsic motivation of someone can help in becoming the bridge builders to resolve any issue in an organisation.

4. Increasing ability to work independently with skills in leadership
Experience
My experience in the Christian organisation has engraved the importance of becoming a self-starter when it comes to prove oneself as a great leader and pioneer. Most importantly, it is essential for the leaders to become motivated when it comes to helping others. Along with that, as mentioned in (Colossians 3:23), it is crucial for the leaders to work from heart, and to work for the Lord instead of any human master. Along with that, the ability to rally others towards a divine cause is another critical skill of leadership.

Working independently can only help in creating a better dimension of work and developing a better future for the workers and others. It has also been noticed that commitment and persistence are other essential aspects of becoming a more efficient leader that can help others to go beyond obstacles and difficulties. Imaginative, creative, and innovative approaches of leaders are other essential aspects for other workers and an organisation that can reach the goal along with the objectives (Slater, 2018). Mission and vision statements of an organisation play a crucial role in shaping up the values and working process of the leader.

Analyse
Conflicts are quite common in an organisation with passing time along with the time of making decisions. However, it is crucial for the leaders to prioritise the issues to resolve them. Along with that, providing proper training and development to the employees are other essential aspects of leadership. In such a condition, it is also crucial for the leadership to show the talent and skill of critical thinking through original thoughts and advanced methods. Ideas and procedures of meeting organisational needs can only help in improving the entire process of work. It has also been identified that critical concerns of leadership can show the talents, gifts, and skills with the blessings and love of God. As per Christian beliefs, God has provided unique skills to everyone, and it is essential for the leaders to find out the specific roles and activities to utilise those skills.

Strength and leadership have a keen relationship in the form of creating and developing different skills as per the requirements. At the same time, it is also essential for the leadership team to work in a place on the basis of the ethics, character, and quality of the work. However, it is also essential for the workers to work on identifying the characteristics of work and rewards for the quality and faithfulness towards God. Moreover, God is the central figure of every work that reflects the importance of the ultimate responsibilities.

Reflect
My experience on developing skills as a leader was wonderful in this organisation that reflected the importance of being a follower of God’s Will. Experience of being with God and the procedure of implementing integrity are critical aspects of being a leader in Christianity. On the other hand, it is also essential to work on the method of corrections of deeds that can affect the church negatively. At the same time, self-development skill is another critical part of being a leader in this field on the basis of modesty.

Decide
Love is the key concern of every leader in church, and I have identified the importance of seeking love for God in the heart that can lead us to peace in life. It is not possible for me to become an effective leader without having the quality of being happy and lovable for God. Love for God can lead us to the best way of life (Glassman, 2018). Inspiring others for a greater cause is another effective part of leadership that requires the skill of inspiring people along with motivating them to work for humanity.

Protecting people is a critical skill for leadership that can be done only through proper support in understanding the process of work. Along with that, I have decided to motivate and inspire people through positive approaches to work and sincere behaviour of myself. It is not possible for me to ensure better performance of others along with motivated work without ensuring my approaches and works towards any specific situation. Analysis skill is also essential factor for me that will be considered while completing entire leadership in church.

Plan
I have made plans for developing my skills and approaches as a leader only through intrinsic motivation that can help me to become more efficient in working properly through my decision making process. Most importantly, it is crucial to make decisions on the basis of imaginative, innovative, and creative ideas. Creativity can help me to analyse the overall performance of people on the basis of a proper evaluation process. It has also been identified that bridge builders' approach of leaders in this place can help in keeping the work efficient. Love is rooted in Christ, and it is also essential for me to work with love in every step of work. In this place it is also essential for me to promote love and care for humanity while making any decisions. On the other hand, it is also essential for me to become more committed. Commitment in me can only help in developing better determination among the workers to work more efficiently. Maintaining necessary procedures and systems through cooperation and support can only help in improving the entire task of inspiring others.

5. Conclusion
The reflection has presented the importance of leaders in pioneering, mission and evangelism that can help the entire church to become more productive. Performance of other workers in Christianity also depends on the performance and level of motivation among leaders. It is not possible for any leader to show their working capacity and improve their ability to reach a shared goal without getting proper support from the employees. However, in this case, the imaginative, innovative, and creative personality of a pioneer can help in becoming a better leader to feature advanced methods and new ideas. Innovative approaches towards inspiring people can only help in going beyond the difficulties.

References
Cabodevila, A. M. (2020). Leadership challenges in Christian non-governmental organisations. Hervormde Teologiese Studies, 76(2)http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v76i2.5944

Glassman, L. W. (2018). “You Help Them Out and God Gets the Glory:” Social Class and Inequality in a Fundamentalist Christian Church. Social Inclusion, 6(2), 127-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.17645/si.v6i2.1401

Grandy, G., & Sliwa, M. (2017). Contemplative Leadership: The Possibilities for the Ethics of Leadership Theory and Practice: JBE. Theological reflection Journal of Business Ethics, 143(3), 423-440. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2802-2

Macallan, B. (2021). The Openseminary Methodology: Practical Theology as Personal, Local and Transformative. Religions, 12(8), 652. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rel12080652

Slater, J. (2018). The Christian ethic of inclusive leadership within diastratic diversity: employing liminality as an analytical tool. Koers, 83(1), 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.83.1.2320