The Crisis Of Leadership In The Postmodern Era

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background To The Study

This research work is basically concern with the crisis in leadership in today’s church. The current church culture is on life support. It is living off the work, money and energy of previous generations from a previous world order. The plug will be pulled either when the money runs out (80 percent of money given to congregations comes from people aged fifty five and other) or when the remaining three fourth, of a generation who are institutional loyalists die off or both— “A growing number of peoples are leaving the institutional church for a new reason, They are not leaving because they have lost their faith, They are leaving to preserve their faith.” 

In the knowledge era, we will finally have to surrender the myth of leaders as isolated heroes commanding their organisations from on high. Top down directives, even when they are implemented, reinforce an environment of fear, distrust, and internal competitiveness that reduces collaboration and cooperation. They foster compliance instead of commitment, yet only genuine commitment can bring about the courage. Imagination, patience, and perseverance necessary in the future will be distributed among diverse individuals and teams who share responsibility for creating the organisations future.

1.2.    Statement of the Problem.

Is Leadership an ability, a relationship, or a dynamic and collaborative process, the current understanding may not allow room for the new kinds of leadership rising around us.

What kind of leadership is rising with in the emerging church?” Is it biblical? If so, does it look different from the leadership style, as seen in the past twenty years. Is Leadership still about power, confidence, knowledge, and position? The Leadership style that once dominated the culture is becoming passé. Instead of the loner Ranger, there is frodo, the Clint. Eastwards and Sylvester stallows are replaced by ordinary men. Frodo Avagorn and NCO (the matrix) are self questioning types who rely on those around them for strength, clarity and purpose. Indeed, while they have a sense of the need and a willingness to sacrifice themselves, they may not even know the first step on the journey.

1.3.      Purpose of the Study

The researcher observed that crisis in leadership are often occur because of change, fearing loss of position or influence. Hence the purpose of the study is

1. To describe the place of leadership in the plan of God.
2. To see that audiences are built and communities grow.
3. To recognize that participation matters more than quality.
4. To see that community is built. Help it, or at least let it.
5. To list characteristic typical of successful leaders.
6. To recognize examples of leadership characteristic in biblical perspective.
7. To create opportunities for Christian both young and old.
8. To explain the principles and expectations of positive leadership
9. To assess the causes of crisis of leadership in Mountain of fire and Miracles Ministries.
10. To suggest solution to the crisis of leadership in the church.

1.4.      Significance of the Study

There seems to be two extremes as far as evangelical reactions to the Postmodern era is concerned. One is fully rejecting it in the bid to bring back the glory of a previous era. The emerging church movement seeks to revitalize the Christian the Christian church beyond what it sees as the confines of modernity so that it can critics allege however that this movement  relativizing of faith has led many of its adherents outside of the bounds of orthodoxy. This research will help the following

1. The churches to establish intergenerational community as a core values.
2. Churches leaders to keep intergenerational values in balance with age specific ministry.
3. It will enable the church to achieve goals.
4. It will serve as reference material for future researchers

1.5.      Scope of the Study

This research work is focused on the crisis of leadership in the postmodern era. It aims at helping the present church become intentional in the process of building intergenerational connections with the church in the community.

The case study is Mountain of fire and miracles ministries at Parafa, Itokin Road, Ikorodu, Lagos. However, the result of the study would be applicable to other Churches.  1.6.     Research Methodology

This research work is purely a library based work, The instruments used to conduct the research are a survey related literatures such as textbooks, commentaries library research, personal observation, the use of the Holy Bible, questionnaires, oral interviews, internet and lectures on the research topic. The survey would be done in the following library.

1. The research’s Personal Library
2. LIFE Theological Seminary Library, Ikorodu
3. Personal libraries of friends.

Besides the above source of information oral interview of respondents, Personal observation, Questionaire/ interview and were used. Finally, the researchers will make great use of the internet materials in which the appropriate references would be made where applicable.

1.6       Limitation of the Study

The major limitation of this research is the difficulties faced in extracting information and data from ministers, workers and church leaders, the openness of mind through dialogue and discussion to bring out cogent reasons  churches suffer defeat in the role they play in leadership.

1.7.      Delimitation of the Study

This work of research will only cover the crisis in leadership context and of Mountain of Fire and miracle Ministry at Parafa Itokin Ikorodu North Lagos. The crisis in the Leadership of the church, the causes of crisis, effect of crisis and way out of the crisis.

1.8.      Definition of Terms

Leadership: This refers to an acceptable attitude expected by the church authority that portrays a high sense of responsibility, service, commitment, loyalty, submission, humility, dependability, trust worthiness and obedience on the part of the ministers.

Leaders:  They are the spiritual leaders, the top leaders, the church heads that appoint lower ministers. They form policies and oversee the church activities. iii. Post modern: This a particular value set, like tolerance and moral relativity.

Modern church leadership: This centralized authority, seeing the pastor as the CEO, and others as a player in the church.

Modernism: This presents a leader whose view is unilateral but claiming objectivity of this view and forcing people to adhere without thinking industrialization rests on the basis of control.

Ministers: They are subordinate leaders answerable to the head of the church at different levels. They are appointed by the church leader to execute and supervise certain delegated duties, Ministers are the people that serve God and others.

Intergenerational:- Is interaction between members of different generations this includes issues like equity, conflict and mobility.

Commentaries: A series of comments explanations, or annotation, an explanatory essay or treatise.

Revitalise: To give new life or vigor to revitalize regenerate review, re-establish on a new usually improved, basis or make new or like new.

Emerging Church: Emerging church is a Christian movement of the late 20th and early 21st centuries that crosses a number of theological boundaries participate are variously described as protestant, post protestant.

Collaborative:-Involving two or more people working together for a special purpose. The presentation was a collaborative effort by all the children in the class.

Compliance:-The action or fact of complying with a wish or command. The ways in which the state maintains order and compliance.

Dualistic:-It is any system that explains phenomena by two opposing principles, many philosophers hold to a dualism of mind and matter, or mind and body for many theologians, the two principles are those of good and evil