Christian missions requires leadership that is theologically sound, inter-culturally appropriate and effective. Bernard Bass’ transformational leadership is a well-studied contemporary leadership theory and has the potential to be a significant theoretical basis for missions leadership. Transformational leadership must undergo a thorough critique before leaders attempt to apply the theory in missions contexts. This study is an assessment of transformational leadership theory for missions purposes. The theory is assessed from three perspectives: theoretical, theological, and cultural-anthropological. This research demonstrates that Bass’ transformational leadership theory is a sound theory, but one with significant limitations for Christian missions. Bass did not design his theory as a tool for Christian missions and it lacks key biblical notions that make the theory, as is, a poor choice of leadership in missions. Transformational leadership has been studied in many intercultural contexts and the general principles appear to work in these environments. Through the use of Hofstede’s dimensions of culture, this research demonstrates that Bass’ transformational leadership theory is a variform universal—the principles are maintained interculturally but with various mediations, modifications, and moderations. This research presents two new typologies by which to assess transformational leadership theory—the first is a leadership theory typology and the second is a leadership theology typology. These typologies may be useful to other researchers in their attempt to examine other leadership theories for use in missions. As a result of this research process, this study presents a roadmap for future research in leadership theory for missions.

Principles of “transforming leadership” have been widely promoted since the publication of James McGregor Burns’ book Leadership, especially among Christian leaders. The purpose of this study is to examine the ethical foundations of his model and Bernard Bass’ “transformational leadership”. Imprecise use of the terms “transforming”, “charismatic”, and “transformational” leads to an adoption of methods without adequate understanding of the underlying value system. This literature review compares and evaluates the source texts within a framework of world view, intention, character and menschenbild, as well as the Christian ethical mandates of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Valuing the imago Dei in others has significant implications for a leader-follower relationship. Bonhoeffer’s mandates will help leaders reflect their position within their organisations and the wider society. Though the incentive for this research was leadership within the context of the Wycliffe Global Alliance, its findings will be relevant to Christian leadership in general, especially in intercultural contexts. / Philosophy & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Theological Ethics with specialisation in Christian leadership in context)

Principles of “transforming leadership” have been widely promoted since the publication of James McGregor Burns’ book Leadership, especially among Christian leaders. The purpose of this study is to examine the ethical foundations of his model and Bernard Bass’ “transformational leadership”. Imprecise use of the terms “transforming”, “charismatic”, and “transformational” leads to an adoption of methods without adequate understanding of the underlying value system. This literature review compares and evaluates the source texts within a framework of world view, intention, character and menschenbild, as well as the Christian ethical mandates of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Valuing the imago Dei in others has significant implications for a leader-follower relationship. Bonhoeffer’s mandates will help leaders reflect their position within their organisations and the wider society. Though the incentive for this research was leadership within the context of the Wycliffe Global Alliance, its findings will be relevant to Christian leadership in general, especially in intercultural contexts. / Philosophy and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Theological Ethics with specialisation in Christian leadership in context)