SERVANT LEADERSHIP IN 1TIMOTHY 3:1-13: THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: Religion And Human Relations

CONTRIBUTORS:

Chibuogwu, J. O. O.
Chieboka, A. B.C

ABSTRACT:

This dissertation titled “Servant leadership in 1Timothy 3:1-13: The implication for the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)” was inspired by the evident deviation from the biblical leadership model set by Christ for his followers today. The church has been bedeviled by leaders who either may have forgotten their calling or purposely derailed from it in pursuit of earthly possessions and recognition. The lobbying and politicking for power and fame has caused a lot of discord among the leadership and faithful in the contemporary church. Servant leaders are primarily motivated to serve others rather than to be served and worshipped.Thechurch leader therefore should be a servant leader because he isthe world’ compass of leadership not because he is better, but because he has a better example he is emulating that is his master Jesus Christ. But it is sad to note that leaders with humble and serving attributes are fast disappearing in the Church today. Due to this misconception in leadership today, this study attempts to resonate what should be the core of Godly leadership by producing a model of leadership that encompasses Pauline teaching in 1Timothy 3:1-13 governed by Greenleaf’s servant leadership concept. This will result in a new philosophy in the sacred office of the church leader. In order to do justice to this all important topic, primary and secondary sources were used thus: oral interview, participant observation, library data, and literature review, exegetical analysis of the main text 1Timothy 3:1-13 were used. Greenleaf’s servant leadership concept was used to produce a workable template for the 21st century Christian leadership. This study revealed that the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is in dire need of servant leaders because lack of servant minded leaders is the cause of most crises that exists within the Church today. Therefore if the provisions of 1Timothy 3:1-13 and the principles of Robert Greenleaf’s servant concept is applied, a new model known as the Christian servant leadership model will emerged as a way forward to move the church faster and accomplish her God given task of reconciling men to God in a more peaceful atmosphere.