Abstract:
The global realities regarding cultural shifts and the transition between traditional, modern
and postmodern world perspectives have particular implications for leadership in general.
In several institutions, including those in commercial, educational, medical and religious
circles, leaders face the challenges of constant change in lifestyle, relational intelligence and
responsibility. The combined impact of these changes in thought and culture, information
technology, globalisation and racial, ethnic and religious pluralism has displaced the historic
role the church has traditionally played. In this article it was argued that the church would
have to take a hard look at relationships, in order to be the successful missional church
which was demonstrated by Jesus Christ. The church needs to change, evolve and advance
in relational intelligence and leadership – and leaders should set the pace. This implies that
a paradigm shift is necessary; it is believed that this can be achieved through the proposed
relational leadership style, as clearly demonstrated in the Trinitarian discussion. The Trinity,
especially a relational Trinity, revealed the core understanding of missional ecclesiology and
leadership and showed that as a result of the total ‘oneness’ of God, there is no hierarchical
order in the Godhead and as such the church should function and operate with the Trinity as
its model and example.
