Counter-cultural Paradigmatic Leadership: Ethical Use of Power in Confucian Societies

In Counter-Cultural Paradigmatic Leadership Gary Choong challenges the reader to consider the mind-set motive and manner of leadership in any Asian setting that is suffused with contemporary practices of paternalistic authority. It provides a counter-cultural paradigm shift for the Christian leader who desires to honor God with mind and heart based on a biblical moral foundation and to lead with character biblical core values and a commitment to further the cause of Christ. The counter-cultural paradigms and practices of integrity humility and empowerment address the ills of contemporary paternalistic authority such as didactic leadership guarding and building of reputation protection of dominance autocratic control nepotism cronyism ambivalence lack of accountability overstaying ones effectiveness and underestimating ones subordinates. This counter-cultural paradigmatic Christian leadership deals first with the Christian leaders character and spiritual formation over a lifetime; second it seeks to influence and impact team members toward biblical coherence and congruence in discipleship team ministry and leadership development; third it encourages the leader to consider ways to address organizational behavioral dysfunctions and hence organizational coherence congruence and effectiveness particularly with a view toward leadership succession and organizational significance. Choongs analysis of leadership philosophy and practices within Confucian cultures that have impacted the church is a welcome case study we can all learn from. His discussion of the moral foundation for leadership found within Scripture is a powerful challenge to the ways in which our practices show subtle conformity to the world. For Christian leaders who desire to honor God in how they lead this book points out key aspects for prayerful reflection. -Kevin E. Lawson Talbot School of Theology I am keenly aware of the dilemma that a younger Chinese Christian leader faces while serving Christ in an environment that has a long history of Confucian leadership tendencies practiced in churches. Gary Choong has done an excellent job of setting forth the biblical basis of being a Christian servant in any role as a church leader. The authors commitment to practice what he has projected in this book will certainly enable him to equip servant leaders and thus leave a legacy of effective church leaders. --Sidney P. Schmidt Singapore Baptist Theological Seminary Retired Gary K. G. Choong is Lecturer of Preaching Leadership Pastoral Ministry and Bible/Theology at Baptist Theological Seminary Singapore. He is also Pastor at Covenant Community Baptist Church.