Abstract

The need for effective leadership and the need for effective teaching continue to be two important issues facing many school districts across the nation. In order to address the current need in educational leadership, individuals who possess the necessary attributes for effective leadership and instruction must be identified and placed where they are needed most. ;Leaders who are seeking to develop their leadership skills have a plethora of theories and styles from which to choose. One such model is the leadership model demonstrated by Jesus Christ. However, much of the existing literature regarding the attributes of effective leaders places the emphasis on characteristics that are identified in leadership models other than Jesus' leadership model. In theory and in practice, Jesus' leadership model is overlooked. ;The purpose of this study is to use grounded theory research to examine the characteristics of Jesus' leadership and teaching methods in order to develop a model for leadership and teaching. The intent of a grounded theory study is to generate or discover a theory that relates to a particular situation. Grounded theory provides the researcher with the means to capture a theory from active data collection rather than beginning the study with a theory that subsequently needed to be proved or disproved. ;This research has examined the relevant literature regarding several theories that illustrate the different ways experts define effective leadership. This study has also used qualitative techniques of descriptive research using the literature of the writings of Jesus, the writings of other authors about Him, and the writings of leading scholars. It includes current research in servant leadership, as well as a biographical introduction of Jesus Christ and identifies the attributes of the leadership style He demonstrated, as it is recorded in the King James Version of the New Testament in the Bible. The findings present the theoretical scheme, or model. In this case, the leadership behaviors of Jesus data, as recorded in the four Gospels has provided a framework of Jesus' leadership attributes that are subsequently used to develop a model for effective 21st century leadership and teaching practices