Biblical Lessons for Educational Leaders: The Servant Leadership of King David, Apostle Paul, Dr

398 Pages·2016·2.06 MB·English

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Dissertations Theses and Dissertations
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Tracy D. Lett
Loyola University Chicago
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Lett, Tracy D., "Biblical Lessons for Educational Leaders: The Servant Leadership of King David, Apostle
Paul, Dr. Joe Hairston, Dr. Tim Markley" (2014). Dissertations. 901.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/901
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Copyright © 2014 Tracy D. Lett
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

BIBLICAL LESSONS FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS:
THE SERVANT LEADERSHIP OF KING DAVID, APOSTLE PAUL,
DR. JOE HAIRSTON AND DR. TIM MARKLEY

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO
THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION

PROGRAM IN ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION

BY
TRACY LETT

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

MAY 2014
Copyright by Tracy Lett, 2014

All rights reserved.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would first like to thank G-d, whom is my encourager, my friend, my
wisdom and whom supplied me with the abilities and strength to complete this
dissertation. Secondly, I would like to thank my mother, Dr. Monica Lett Ph.D.:
Housing and Community Development. Dr. Lett #1 set an example of what it
means to be Independent, self sufficient and successful in all that she does.
Because of the example you set for me mother, I have been able to survive and
live out the meaning of my name; courage! I would also like to thank my
grandfather Dr. Hensley Tann, M.D. Although I never had the opportunity to
meet him, I know his spirit to achieve, and contend with the forces of nature,
reside in me.
I also must thank the two most important people in my life; James and
Jacqueline Hill, my son and daughter. My two children taught me what it means
to serve and to love unconditionally. I love you and you all are my greatest love,
joy, experience and accomplishment. I also need to acknowledge the former
Bishop Otis Lockett and his beloved wife Sister Barbara Lockett. On November
10, 1985 at Evangel Fellowship COGIC; I yielded to G-d and allowed Him to
direct my life. It was at Evangel Fellowship that I developed a passion to know,
study, and apply the Word of G-d to my life and for that I cannot express enough
gratitude.
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I would also like to thank Pastor Ray McMillan as he has always been a
confidant and sounding board for me, particularly in the most challenging parts of
my life; thank you Pastor McMillan for your words of wisdom and direction.
Many thanks go out to Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas as he has been a great example
of tenacity and determination, possessing both a Doctorate of Ministry as well as
a Ph.D. in Communications. Pastor Frank possesses one of the rarely displayed
attributes of Servant Leadership: being a Disturber. He has defied the status quo
on many occasions; the most recent and significant which I am aware, is retiring
from ministry; healthy and whole and able to transition into a professorship at
Christian Theological Seminary; Indianapolis, Indiana; thus leading once again.
His leadership at New Faith Baptist Church led me to attend seminary and
become an active member in ministry. I am also grateful for the leadership of
Rev. Dr. Alise Barrymore as she saw G-d’s hand in my life, my love for the Word
of G-d, as well as the gift to teach, preach and lead in the church. It was at the
Emmaus Community that I learned what it meant to be a servant leader; thus, it
was my walk on the road at Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) that I can attribute the
conceptualization and understanding of servant leadership.
I would also like to acknowledge my three most prominent educational
mentors; Dr. Roudell Kirkwood, Ms. Pat Welch and Dr. Von Mansfield. Dr.
Kirkwood also identified many of my skills and gave me the opportunity to utilize
them and gain more knowledge; thank you Doc for providing me with the
opportunities to excel and shine. I love and appreciate you as a boss, mentor and
friend. I would also like to thank Ms. Welch: your engaging personality tells me
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just like it is, in the most loving way possible. You are always there to lend a
helping hand and to give me invaluable insight about myself; for all of that I say
thank you. Dr. Mansfield your insight and conceptualization is admirable and
spire to your leadership. I would be remiss if I did not thank the many students
whom I have served that encouraged my passion to teach and helped develop
me into an expert teacher: thank Rich South Stars!
Last but certainly not least none of this dissertation would have been
possible had not Dr. Janis Fine identified my passion and skill of applying the
Word of G-d to Educational Leadership; thank you Dr. Fine for allowing me to
benefit from your gifts and skills; and for standing by my side during this
dissertation journey. I would also like to thank my committee members; Dr. Janis
Fine, Director and Chair, Dr. John Cook and Dr. Michael Boyle: thank you for all
of your insight, input and support.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................... iii

ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................... ix

CHAPTER

I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1
Purpose of Study ....................................................................................... 2
Research Questions .................................................................................. 3
Servant Leadership Characteristics ........................................................... 6
Background of Study.................................................................................. 8
Methodology ............................................................................................. 9
Rationale for Methodology ....................................................................... 10
Biases of Study ....................................................................................... 17
Chapters .................................................................................................. 18

II. LEADERSHIP THEORIES ............................................................................ 20
Servant Leadership: A New Paradigm Defined ........................................ 22
The Emerging Servant Leadership Model ................................................ 26
Growing as Servant Leaders/Managers................................................... 35
Criticisms of Servant Leadership ............................................................. 37
The Ethic of Strength ............................................................................... 43
Transformational Leadership ................................................................... 47
Authentic Leadership ............................................................................... 53
Moral Leadership .................................................................................... 57
Spiritual Leadership ................................................................................. 65
Spirituality as Leadership ........................................................................ 73
Service and Stewardship ........................................................................ 75
Religion and Servant Leadership ............................................................ 77
Servants in the Bible ................................................................................ 79
King David and Apostle Paul: Problem Solving ....................................... 88
Servant Leadership in Education ............................................................. 91
Challenges of Educational Leadership .................................................... 93
Rationale for Methodology ....................................................................... 96
Limitations of Study ............................................................................... 102

III. THE DEMONSTRATIONS OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
CHARACTERISTICS: KING DAVID, APOSTLE PAUL,
SUPERINTENDENT HAIRSTON AND SUPERINTENDENT MARKLEY ... 104
Chapters Format .................................................................................... 104
Purpose of Chapter ................................................................................ 105
King David and Call ............................................................................... 106
Servant First ................................................................................ 111
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Listening and Understanding ...................................................... 114
Persuasion, Conceptualization and Knowing the Unknowable ... 116
Building Community and Healing ................................................ 120
Initiative and Vision ..................................................................... 123
Commitment to Growth of People ............................................... 128
Foresight ..................................................................................... 129
Power and Authority and Empathy .............................................. 130
Awareness .................................................................................. 131
Disturber and Power and Authority ............................................. 132
Withdrawal .................................................................................. 136
Apostle Paul and Call............................................................................. 138
Building Community, Servant First and Goals ............................. 140
Understanding, Know the Unknowable and Disturber ................. 146
Conceptualization, Foresight, Understanding and Awareness .... 148
Persuasion and Building Community .......................................... 150
Empathy and Commitment to Growth of People ......................... 156
Withdrawal .................................................................................. 159
Power and Authority .................................................................... 161
Healing, Initiative and Listening................................................... 163
Conclusion .................................................................................. 168
Superintendent Hairston and Call .......................................................... 168
Servant First, Initiative and Goal ................................................. 171
Awareness and Conceptualization .............................................. 176
Commitment to Growth of People ............................................... 178
Disturber ..................................................................................... 179
Listening ...................................................................................... 181
Building Community .................................................................... 183
Persuasion .................................................................................. 188
Foresight and Know the Unknowable .......................................... 190
Withdrawal and Healing .............................................................. 193
Conclusion .................................................................................. 195
Superintendent Markley ......................................................................... 196
Servant First, Goal and Persuasion ............................................ 197
Building Community .................................................................... 201
Listening ...................................................................................... 202
Healing ........................................................................................ 204
Awareness .................................................................................. 208
Commitment to Growth of People ............................................... 209
Conceptualization and Foresight ................................................. 213
Persuasion .................................................................................. 215
Initiatives ..................................................................................... 217
Disturber ..................................................................................... 220
Withdrawal .................................................................................. 223

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IV. EVIDENCE OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS: KING
DAVID, APOSTLE PAUL, SUPERINTENDENT HAIRSTON AND
SUPERINTENDENT MARKLEY ....................................................................... 225
Chapters Format .................................................................................... 225
Purpose of Chapter ................................................................................ 226
King David ............................................................................................. 227
Calling, Listening, Initiative and Visionary ................................... 227
Persuasion, Understanding and Conceptualization ..................... 234
Awareness .................................................................................. 238
Healing and Disturber ................................................................. 240
Empathy, Foresight and Commitment to Growth ........................ 243
Power and Authority .................................................................... 245
Building Community and Listening .............................................. 248
Servant First, Know Unknowable and Withdrawal....................... 249
Awareness and Withdrawal ......................................................... 253
Apostle Paul’s Call ................................................................................. 257
Understanding ............................................................................. 259
Awareness, Vision and Disturber ................................................ 262
Withdrawal .................................................................................. 263
Foresight, Initiative and Conceptualization .................................. 264
Commitment to Growth of People and Goal ................................ 266
Empathy and Healing .................................................................. 271
Understanding and Empathy ....................................................... 273
Persuasion .................................................................................. 275
Servant First, Know the Unknowable and Listening .................... 277
Superintendent Hairston and Call .......................................................... 282
Healing, Servant First and Listener ............................................. 285
Servant First and Build Community ............................................. 289
Understanding and Empathy ....................................................... 291
Power and Authority, Disturber and Commitment to Growth ....... 295
Awareness and Understanding ................................................... 299
Conceptualization and Foresight ................................................. 300
Know the Unknowable ................................................................ 301
Goals and Initiative ...................................................................... 303
Persuasion .................................................................................. 306
Withdrawal .................................................................................. 306
Superintendent Markley and Call ........................................................... 308
Servant First and Building Community ........................................ 311
Persuasion .................................................................................. 314
Power and Authority .................................................................... 315
Awareness and Vision ................................................................. 316
Initiative, Foresight and Conceptualization .................................. 319
Listening and Commitment to Growth of People ......................... 321
Empathy and Healing .................................................................. 322
Disturber ..................................................................................... 323
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Withdrawal .................................................................................. 324
V. SUMMARY AND FINDINGS OF THE SERVANT LEADERSHIP
CHARACTERISTICS OF KING DAVID, APOSTLE PAUL, SUPERINTENDENT
HAIRSTON AND SUPERINTENDENT MARKLEY: BIBLICAL LESSONS FOR
EDUCATIONAL LEADERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE
RESEARCH ………………………………………………………………………… 327
Chapters Format .................................................................................... 327
King David (Demonstrate) ...................................................................... 328
Apostle Paul (Demonstrate) ................................................................... 331
Superintendent Hairston (Demonstrate) ................................................ 335
Superintendent Markley (Demonstrate) ................................................. 337
King David (Evidence) ........................................................................... 340
Apostle Paul (Evidence) ......................................................................... 343
Superintendent Hairston (Evidence) ...................................................... 345
Superintendent Markley (Evidence) ....................................................... 347
Servant Leadership Characteristics and Challenges ............................. 348
Additional Findings ................................................................................ 349
Biblical Lessons for Educational Leaders .............................................. 350
Recommendations for Future Research ................................................ 368

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................... 369

VITA ................................................................................................................. 384

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