Date of Award
4-2007
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Department
Seminary
Abstract
The Church is facing a crisis ofleadership. For the past several hundred years the Church has embraced an ontology, or basic understanding of the nature ofleadership, based on a modern interpretation of the world. With the emergence of the postmodern world, Church leaders need to embrace a new, ancient/future ontology ofleadership based on Jesus' teachings on the kingdom of God. This will enable the Church to be relevant in the twenty-first century. Chapter two will evaluate Jesus' teaching regarding the kingdom of God. This examination will reveal four characteristics of that kingdom which will serve as the basic framework for the ontology of leadership. In chapter three Saint Augustine's monumental work, City of God will be analyzed. His descriptions of the differences between the city of man and the city of God will be compared, revealing these same four realities, further supporting their use as foundational to this ontology of leadership. Attention will then be given in chapter four to the developments of the modern world and the impact they had on the Church. Evidence will show how the Church adapted to the modern era by embracing the opposite of each of the four characteristics, thus adopting a modern ontology of leadership for that time. Chapter five will outline the significant changes happening in the world with the emergence of the postmodern era. Facts will show how this postmodern world devalues each of the characteristics embraced by the modern ontology of leadership, but elevates each of the original traits found in the kingdom of God and the ontology of leadership. In chapter six, four metaphors will be introduced which correspond to the characteristics of the ontology, delineating their implications for church leadership. The final chapter will provide a basic synopsis of what has been covered in this dissertation and will draw it to a conclusion.
Recommended Citation
Campbell, Stephen A., "The Kingdom of God: An Ancient/Future Ontology of Leadership for the Twenty First Century Church" (2007). Doctor of Ministry. 515.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin/515