Christian Leadership in Schools: An initial review of evidence and current practices - Summary Report

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

12 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This is an initial review of thinking about Christian leadership in schools considering three questions:

1.What is Christian leadership in schools?
2.What does the evidence tell us about what ‘works’ in Christian leadership in schools?
3.How strong is the evidence base?

Leadership is one of the most extensively researched of all social processes. It has generated many well-evidenced frameworks and many frameworks or approaches to leadership that have become global brands (sometimes without accompanying research). The subjects of school leadership and Christian leadership have, in recent decades, also generated a considerable amount of research. Christian leadership in schools has also begun to attract interest.

In terms of defining Christian leadership in schools, we found no single authoritative definition.

A preliminary analysis of Christian leadership in schools reveals a fragmented and diverse emerging field with very many perspectives. Perhaps because of the inevitable tensions between Biblical and secular demands, any consideration of Christian leadership in schools raises more fundamental questions than either the topic of leadership in the abstract, or leadership in schools where success is typically largely defined in terms of student achievement, can answer.

We offer a typology (Figure 1, page 9) by which the many issues raised in the literature can begin to be examined.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages13
Publication statusSubmitted - 14 Jan 2019

Keywords

  • Christian leadership
  • Leadership
  • Theology
  • School leadership
  • Christian schools
  • Faith schools
  • Worldview
  • Moral leadership
  • Discipling
  • Principled leadership
  • Ethical leadership
  • Effective leadership
  • Purpose of education
  • Flourishing

Cite this