Ethical church leadership : a conversation with the Beatitudes

Abstract

This research paper seeks to consider what contribution can the Beatitudes make in developing an ethical paradigm within leadership structures in ecclesiological settings. Therefore, the research will appropriate some exegetical processes as part of its methodology in treating aspects of the passage in Matthew chapter 5 which deals with a section of the beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount. The research will also attempt to answer the question “How might ethical leadership principles, derived from The Sermon on the Mount, enhance mentorship capability in the church? Osmer’s (2008) four tasks of practical theological interpretation which are: the descriptive-empirical task, interpretive task, the normative task, and the pragmatic task will be used to develop a practical theology of leadership in answering this question. The four tasks will also help the research in drawing some ethical leadership principles from the study of the Beatitudes and suggest virtues that can be helpful as mentorship lessons to church leaders. It is interesting to note that Matthew 4, the chapter before the “Great Sermon”, records the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, which involves the calling of His first followers. Immediately following their calling, the disciples had to sit and listen to Jesus teaching on the Sermon on the Mount, which would serve as a philosophy of moral and ethical leadership model for them and the followers after them. This paper will therefore seek to understand the discord between what these disciples observed from Jesus’ leadership and its exerting influence on them and the apparent lack of such ethical and moral values amongst church leaders today.