Date

1-14-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology (PhD)

Chair

Robert Bugg

Keywords

Leadership pitfalls, Church unity, Ethics

Disciplines

Christianity | Ethics in Religion

Abstract

This paper will analyze the lack of alignment between Jesus's view of kingdom-centered unity and the pattern of leadership, and how these differences have affected the rule of the church according to biblical history. The paper further examines the problem of divisions driven by leadership in the modern churches, especially those in the Togolese Assemblies of God Church (TAGC). The thesis argues that Jesus's unique teachings on the Kingdom of God can be viewed as both the key organizational principle defining ecclesial leadership and unity and the final leadership paradigm that wrestles with the Old Testament and Pauline models of authority and power formation. `To establish the biblical foundations of leadership systems, this paper discusses the Old Testament concept of kingship and the leadership principles that come with it. An outline is provided to modern-day church leaders on how to address leadership issues, particularly in the TAGC. It offers a theological and practical way to overcome division and develop unity. It provides a theological and practical solution to overcoming division and creating unity. This is achieved by aligning leadership practices with the Kingdom-centered example evidenced by Christ.

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