Discipleship: The Process Of Discipleshhip

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The Leader as Mentor
Discipleship is the process of making disciples; students or followers of someone (Oxford Dictionaries, 2016). Although discipleship existed long before Jesus, the disciple-making process as expressed by Jesus is the most impactful example for Christianity. The following is an analysis of discipleship as it was applied to Jesus’ ministry, Jesus’ discipleship model in light of modern leadership theories, and a discussion of what can be gleaned from Jesus’ discipleship model.
Levels of Discipleship Shown in Jesus’ Ministry
Among the other things that Jesus did during His time on earth, He made disciples. His command to His disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) was an extension of His disciple-making …show more content…

Jesus was no different. Among the leadership strategies He used to disciple were Leader-Member Exchange (LMX), Transformational Leadership, and Situational Leadership. This “mixed strategy” allowed Jesus to reach, impact, and disciple individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds without leaving anyone behind.
Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
LMX Theory organizes followers into groups defined by access to the leader. In some ways, it is like a target with the leader as the center and each concentric circle signifying groups of followers, each with less intimacy with the leader. LMX Theory components are: the leader, the inner circle, the in-group, the out-group, and strangers (Scandura and Schriesheim, 1994). As one gets close to the leader, he/she has more access to the leader and the leader has more influence in the life of the follower. LMX theory follows Jesus’ discipleship model very closely.
Transformational …show more content…

The four quadrants of Situational Leadership correspond to the four phases of Mentorship (Hersey, 1985; Carder, et al, 1996; Hitchcock, et al, 1995; Carey and Weissman, 2010). Quadrant 1, in which the follower has no skill and the leader provides high instruction and support (Carder, et al, 1996), corresponds to Phase 1, in which the mentoring relationship is initiated (Carey and Weissman, 2010). Quadrant 2, in which the follower has limited skill and the leader acts as a teacher (Carder, et al, 1996), corresponds to Phase 2, in which the mentee becomes the mentor’s protégé (Carey and Weissman, 2010). Quadrant 3, in which the follower has advanced skills and the leader acts as a consultant (Carder, et al, 1996), corresponds to Phase 3, in which the mentor releases the mentee (Carey and Weissman, 2010). Quadrant 4, in which the follower can be trusted to act independently (Carder, et al, 1996), corresponds to Phase 4, in which the mentee and mentor enjoy a lasting friendship (Carey and Weissman,

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