FEED MY SHEEP, THEY ARE DYING
Transform leaders from general and spiritual leaders to servant leader
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The problem examined was leaders’ values and actions in faith-based organizations (FBOs) compromising the loss of integrity, trust, and confidence in leaders, lacking successful organizations with disruption of the leader’s gifts. The study showed that FBO leaders reflect weak influential behaviors requiring transformation recommending future researchers to explore how clergy leaders may affect lay leaders in FBOs.
The first goal of the study was able to compare Greenleaf’s (2008) servant leader theory with other theories to develop a new set of guidelines to use assisting leaders of FBO in regaining high values and developing appropriate actions. The second goal was to benefit how to increase the success and growth of FBO organizations based on leaders emulating the character traits of a servant leader. If possible, combine it with the ethical values and appropriate leadership styles proposed by other theorists. Therefore, the values and actions of FBO leaders can influence society positively or negatively overall.
The research study was to uncover and identify the characteristic traits of leaders who most likely affect attitudes and behaviors of followers within FBO’s to improve for effective leaders. Servant leadership is a phrase coined by Robert Greenleaf in his work The Servant as Leader, published in 1970 and revised in 2008. Since 1970, researchers have expanded upon Greenleaf’s concept to inform people of the benefits of acting as a servant, not a leader (Greenleaf, 2008).
Exploring the history of servant leadership gave extensive support to the concept that servant leadership is genuine leadership with defining of servant leaders attributes. It was possible to investigate leadership through articles, journals, and research documents for theories of general leadership, spiritual leader and servant leadership. Experts in Christian doctrine have implied that faith-based leaders need to be servant leaders. Historically, proponents of servant leadership have used the Bible to support the concept of servant leaders.
“But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44NLT) Published by Zondervan).
Kouzes and Posner (2004) developed the model the way theory involving five leadership practices, with comparison of Greenleaf (2008) traits appear different. The model introduces generic useful skills and abilities that are employable by any leader in any setting to enhance and motivate people to develop five practices for use by leaders of FBOs and secular organizations (Kouzes & Posner, 2004). Leaders using the five practices with character traits presents a leadership challenge providing a personal daily experience that could make a difference for 21st society for global institutions.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
The writing was a journey into the field of leadership, to introduce new constructs for improving behaviors and attitudes of organizational leaders. The media portrays a dynamic influence for the topic of servant leaders and not leaders benefiting extensive data about types of leaders from general, spiritual, to servant leadership. Metaphorically, if you take a glimpse into a faith-based organization, you will view the composition of a shepherd and sheep of about two thousand that require training with teaching. The twenty-first century gives a view through new lenses, revealing the church to have sheep scattering, some slowly dying with possibly “uncalled” shepherds. The faith-based organization is falling short of God’s Christlike representatives (servant leaders).
“The author did an exemplary job for leadership character traits that embody skills, which if applied properly will render a leader of excellence. The resource reflects the author’s conclusion to her research that servant leaders in faith-based organization serving God should influence excellence. The publication is invaluable to transform aspiring and prospective servant leaders to image traits and practices of Christ.”
—Dr. Fred Burrell, PhD, religious counsel, Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana
“Dr. Young has compiled some noteworthy evidence and research on the ideal type of transformational leadership called Servant Leadership and applied it where it is needed the most: faith-based organizational leadership. I am proud to have mentored this fine scholar as she reached for her very meaningful dreams and turned them into a reality at the completion of her earned doctorate degree.”
—Dr. Thomas H. Kemp, PhD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP – Argosy University, Orange, California
About the Author
Shirley A. Young was born in Bronx, New York, senior advocate for SANG, a mentor, retired professor, discipleship teacher at Ivy Baptist Church, Newport News, Virginia, and has three sons and six grandchildren. She accomplished her research study for Servant Leaders of Faith-based Organizational Leadership, achieving her doctorate degree at Argosy University, authoring her first book with a workbook.