INTEGRATING CHRISTOCENTRIC LEADERSHIP MODEL IN 1 PETER 5:1-11 FOR THE SUFFERING COMMUNITY

Abstract

In the context of suffering, Christian leaders’ temptation to emulate the secular form of leadership to the detriment of the One who called them is high. This paper constructs a Christocentric leadership model for the Church in contemporary times.The text of 1 Peter 5:1-11 reveals that the shepherd and flock both belong to Jesus Christ, whose leadership style, care, integrity and humility are worth emulating. The paper, building on this hermeneutical leadership model, focuses on Christ as the Chief Shepherd of the flock. As a humble and suffering shepherd, Jesus Christ demonstrated a leadership quality that is both physically and spiritually excellent. Through a behavioural leadership theory, the paper argued and believed that Christ’s exemplary leadership creates a society that God requires. His disciples felt the efficacy of Christ’s leadership,which gave them victory against the enemy of secular humanism and all its comrades in society. The Christocentric Leadership Model builds on integrating leadership, integrity, hope, and ethics (LIHE) as its fundamental values in extracting and interpreting the relevance of 1 Peter 5:1-11 leadership motifs in every suffering context globally. The paper would serve as a new bridge for developing Bible study and instructional materials from 1 Peter 5:1-11 based on the Christocentric Leadership Model that would transform leaders’ behaviour in discharging their duties in suffering communities.