TUL620 URBAN POOR MOVEMENT LEADERSHIP

How Timing and Context Mould a Leader

Fowler developed an analysis of the Stages of Faith, an untested theory based on other theories of development by Levinson, Erikson, Piaget and Kohlberg.

There are historic precedents across the globe:

Confucius says:

Early ministry develops qualities of Leadership. Successful execution of leadership become a basis for wider scopes of movement leadership. The context of various phases moulds the leader, training him in rpinciles and skills. Critical turning points mark the leaders commitment and vision. We will examine several leaders in order to identify some of these elements.

Part of effectiveness is understanding our humanity, and the seasons of physical and emotonal development and decline.

TIMELINE ANALYSIS

THE AGES OF A LEADER

From child to schoolboy, to young buck, to maturity, to sage to grandfather, there are seasons to leadership. What is common to each of these?

The Sayings of the Fathers (from the Talmud)

Read the summary of four stages of life in The Seasons of a Man's Life by Levinson.

MEGA-CULTURAL CONTEXT: TRIBAL-URBAN-POSTMODERN CONTEXT

  Band Tribal Peasant Urban
Group Structure small group Interlinkied clans Lord and peasants Individualized
Formalized Structures
Leadership Totemic Leader and consensus Chief and elders Lord rules consensus among villagers Big Man,
instituions
Individualised decisions
Spiritual Structures clan worship Tribal gatherings Rural church Mega church or house church
         

There also has to be a mapping between the level of a leader's operation and the context they are operating in.

The process of building leadership is one fo capital formation at each point. Capital may be formed morally, organizationally, financially. People resources may be garned within organiztions or through networks. In this I am indicating capital as capacity to get and sustain multiplying movment dynamics.

  Personal/ Local Church / NGO Cluster Movm’nt in City City National/Internati’l
Moral Authority Resources Symbolic Action   Turning Points   Cultural Analysis Confrontation with Systemic Evil Complex Systems Analysis  
Spiritual Resources Divine Intervent’ns   Theological Breadth   Visionary Leadership Engagement with Powers National Prophetic
People Resources Team Multiple teams Network Coalition National Network Leaders
Structural Resources Church or NGO Multiple Churches Multiple Projects Denom’n City Network Nat/Global Networks
Coalition Resources Elders/ Deacons/ Cell Leaders Cluster Leaders Coalition / Consortium Partnerships   Networking  

Other current popular models

All of the above are theories based on observation.  There is no hard science here, but there are attempts at scientific approaches. The number of variables are so extensive that this is unlikely to ever develop a globaly integrated theory. Hall has attempted this admirably.

Readings

Students will examine a biblical character and their own "leadership capital" growth by mapping their own timelines, identifying turning points, key theological commitments, spiritual experiences, and contextual learning of critical principles.