Title of the research: Pursuing the Path to Shared Leadership in the African American Church
Many clergy in mainstream churches, primarily African American churches both male and female experience traditional patriarchal leadership and no longer effective in the contemporary context of the ministry. For example, the twentieth-century model focuses more on hierarchal leadership practices versus the shared, collaborative, and interpersonal leadership styles of the twenty-first century (Allen in June & Mathis, 2013). Another example would be the transition from the controlling twenty-first century leadership style to the empowering, motivating, and teaming leadership styles of twenty-first century leaders (Allen in June & Mathis, 2013). This kind of experience challenges church leaders to reconsider the concept of leadership and seek a more collaborative and shared leadership model.
With various external and internal conditions and transitions the African American church and pastors are challenged to reconsider the concept of leadership and reevaluate their practice of shared leadership.
Reference
June, L. N., Mathis, C. C. Jr. (2013). African American church leadership: Principles for effective ministry and community leadership. Kregel Publications.
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