The Balancing of Social Identity and Christian Identity in Christian Leadership: Successful Principles for Christian Leaders Operating in the Diverse Cultural Context of Ethiopia
The Balancing of Social Identity and Christian Identity in Christian Leadership: Successful Principles for Christian Leaders Operating in the Diverse Cultural Context of Ethiopia
Girma Altaye Gebremedhin | 2023
Abstract
The identity quest has intensified globally and locally (Friedman, 2000). The issues relating to identity vary from one context to another. In some western countries, sexual and gender identity-related issues have become critical (Carr, 2010). In the Ethiopian context, issues like ethnicity, language, and traditional religion have become the centerpiece of the sociopolitical life of Ethiopians (Zewde, 2004). Evangelical leaders are not exempt from these issues. The intensified identity quest makes balancing social identity and Christian identity a daily struggle for many evangelical leaders. This study intended to answer three questions: What is the proper balance between social and evangelical Christian identity in the Ethiopian context? How do exemplar leaders maintain the balance between the multiple identities they have? And how do exemplar Christian leaders manage to keep their Christian identity to be their core identity? Applying the qualitative case study method, framed by social identity theory and the related social categorization theory, and interviewing 18 exemplar leaders from the evangelical community in Ethiopia, successful principles were drawn. The study confirmed that balancing social identity and Christianity identity is a daily struggle for evangelical Christian leaders in Ethiopia. The study also revealed the growing importance of identity in leadership. Nicholson and Carrol (2013) concluded that the global identity quest resurfaced identity as an essential dimension of leadership. The findings of this study reveal that Christian leadership has to pay due attention to the issue of identity. One can argue that developing skills for balancing social identity and Christian identity has become crucial for effectiveness in Christian leadership. This study revealed some fundamental principles for balancing social and Christian identity, which are discussed.