Modeling Servant-Leaders for Africa

Brown Ikenye

Description

This book seeks to help African Christian leaders to follow the notions of biblical leadership as servanthood and to train men and women with biblical and academic knowledge, which will be critical, practical, pastoral and applicable in the Kenyan context and participate in the discovery, transmission and preservation of knowledge and stimulate the intellectual life and cultural development of Kenya.

Informations

• Publié par: Zapf Chancery Publishers Africa Ltd.
• Date de parution: 29 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9789966040039
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

   

    

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(Continued on page 200)

Modeling Servant-Leaders for Africa LESSONS FROM ST. PAUL

Ven. Ndung’u John Brown Ikenye, PhD, DMin Senior Lecturer in Counseling Psychology and Practical Theology St. Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya

Zapf Chancery Eldoret, Kenya

First Published 2010 © Ndung’u John Brown Ikenye All rights reserved.

Cover Concept and Design C. B. Peter

Associate Designer and Typesetter Nancy Njeri

Copyediting Charles M. Ngugi, PhD Joseph Galgalo, PhD

Editor and Publishing Consultant C. B. Peter

Printed by Kijabe Printing Press, P. O. Box 40, Kijabe.

Published by

Zapf Chancery Research Consultants and Publishers, P. O. Box 4988, Eldoret, Kenya. Email: [e-mail] Mobile: [phone] This book has been printed on fully recyclable, ISBN 978-9966-7341-8-1 environment-friendly paper.

                        

 !      " #  $%""     &'(    #  $(

Foreword

By The Rev. Canon Prof. Joseph D. Galgalo

lthough there is a phenomenal growth in the churches in A Kenya today, there is also a deep gulf between our confession of faith and practical commitment to what we profess. The numerical strength is by no means a reflection of quality church growth and neither is ‘growth’ always translated into any meaningful transformation of society. The gap ‘servant leaders’ necessary for a dynamic qualitative growth guided by clear vision, between faith and practice is attributable to a variety of factors but key among this is the aridity of purpose and sacrificial service. One consequence of this is that we are engulfed by myriad of challenges inimical to the very health of our Christianity. Dr. Ikenye’s book is timely and spot on in pointing out these varied challenges. The church is vibrant and alive and the strong presence of the church is worth celebrating. But the self- authenticating nominal Christianity, that has become a happy captive to an extremely materialistic-worldly culture, characterized by deplorable social inequalities, negative ethnicity and greed for power, among other setbacks, constitutes the proverbial fly in the ointment. No one expects the church to attain absolute perfection, at least not in any complete sense before the final consummation. What is contended with is a Christianity that has comfortably become at home in this world and by its worldly character compromises the true mission of the church. Conformity is what is here seen as the malady. It is in this light that two helpful recommendations are offered: redefining mission as the all embracing activity of God, to

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be understood and applied in its holistic, transformative and inclusive sense, as well as adopting a leadership whose character and ethos are modeled on biblical principles. In addressing these issues, this book offers a thorough exploration of biblical and theological foundations of church growth. Leadership models of Jesus and that of Paul are ably expounded and presented as the basis for the argument that: effective, sustainable and quality church growth can be realized if the church today is led by servant leaders who are well grounded in the principles afforded by these models. Integrity, commitment and selfless service are particularly emphasized as the hallmark of godly, successful leaders who by their life and ministry can bring about transformation and the extension of the Kingdom of God. The outward, visible expression of such success is the ‘quality’ of church growth measured against the church’s life-changing, transformative engagements. While qualities and values of servant leadership can be caught and nurtured, it is here also argued that adequate and relevant training to equip godly servant-leaders is absolutely necessary. Accordingly, each chapter, one after the other, is replete with examples and practical tips of how meaningful success may be achieved in church growth. In my view, it is with regard to this last point that the particular strength and value of this study lies.

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Prof. Joseph D. Galgalo Vice Chancellor St. Paul’s University, Limuru

Foreword

By Bishop Gideon Githiga, PhD

am privileged to have been requested by the Ven. Dr. John Ikenye to write a forward of his invaluable book on “Church Growth and Servant Leadership.” Dr. Ikenye is both a senior lecturer at St Paul’s University, Limuru and the Archdeacon in charge of Human Development in the Diocese of Thika. I have severally listened to his lectures to both the clergy and the laity of my Diocese. The book is a fulfillment of the desire of his audience to have something they can refer to after his talks. The author attempts to bring together theory and practice in the two institutions as he teaches and interacts intensively with all levels of Christians, from the university to the local church. The write demonstrates that church growth and leadership go hand in hand. Poor leadership slows growth and sometimes leads to division and hence the mushrooming of too many denominations in Kenya. Dr. Ikenye traces the growth of the Kenyan church from the missionary/colonial era, through Independence to the present time. He argues that leadership was transferred from the missionary to African leadership in hasty manner. This led to some challenges like finances, lack of adequate theological training and constant divisions due to poor leadership. The research however appreciates that notwithstanding these challenges, the young church started moving toward self-ruling, self-supporting and self-propagation. He attributes the growth of the Kenyan church to political stability, co-operation among denominations, enhanced theological training, empowered youth ministry, rising level of literacy and

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