Please know that I have no idea how much of this is true. It is not based on my personal knowledge of the network of churches across Addis Ababa. I offer it to you as a thought experiment. If it is useful, please adapt it, correct it, change it on the basis of your knowledge.
Six leadership profiles in Evangelical Churches across Addis Ababa
Six distinct implicit leadership profiles based on the GLOBE leadership dimensions, tailored for your evangelical students in Addis Ababa. Each profile will include explanations of how specific leadership behaviours are perceived and why they evoke particular reactions.
A detailed analysis of six distinct implicit leadership profiles found in Ethiopian evangelical churches, particularly in Addis Ababa. Each profile is structured using the GLOBE leadership dimensions and includes explanations of how specific leadership behaviors are perceived by different groups, along with their underlying rationales.
The profiles include:
The Spiritual Patriarch: Common among older Amhara believers and those from Orthodox backgrounds, valuing traditional authority, formal respect, and hierarchical structures.
The Charismatic Reformer: Found in Pentecostal congregations and urban youth, emphasising spiritual gifts, testimonies, and supernatural guidance.
The Community Elder: Prevalent in traditional Protestant denominations and Oromo communities, focusing on consensus building, relationships, and community harmony.
The Professional Visionary: Common among educated urban professionals and middle-class evangelicals, valuing strategic planning, efficiency, and measurable outcomes.
The Prophetic Advocate: Found among social justice-oriented believers, university students, and young women leaders, emphasizing equality, challenging injustice, and empowering marginalized groups.
The Biblical Shepherd: Common among Bible college graduates and theologically conservative congregations, focusing on sound doctrine, biblical teaching, and spiritual formation.
Each profile includes specific “When you say/do this, it makes us feel like this, and think that, because…” explanations to show the implications of different leadership approaches.
Implicit Leadership Profiles in Ethiopian Evangelical Churches
Understanding Cultural Expectations in Leadership
This analysis presents six distinct implicit leadership profiles found within Ethiopian evangelical churches, particularly in Addis Ababa. These profiles are constructed using the GLOBE (Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness) leadership dimensions as a framework, while incorporating Ethiopia’s unique cultural, historical, and religious contexts.
Each profile represents how leadership is perceived and experienced by different groups within the evangelical community, shaped by factors including age, ethnicity, educational background, gender, theological orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Profile 1: The Spiritual Patriarch
Primarily found among older Amhara believers, traditional denominational churches, and first-generation converts from Orthodox backgrounds
Leadership Dimensions
- Power Distance: High
- Uncertainty Avoidance: High
- Humane Orientation: Moderate to High
- Institutional Collectivism: High
- In-Group Collectivism: Very High
- Gender Egalitarianism: Low
- Performance Orientation: Moderate
- Future Orientation: Moderate
- Assertiveness: High (for leaders)
Key Expectations
- Leaders derive authority from spiritual maturity, age, and position
- Decision-making follows hierarchical patterns
- Strong emphasis on traditional family values
- Leadership is primarily male with defined gender roles
- Heavy reliance on biblical authority and established practices
When Leaders Say and Do…
“When you address us formally with proper titles and honorifics, it makes us feel respected and valued, and we think you understand proper Ethiopian Christian conduct, because in our tradition, spiritual authority requires visible acknowledgment.”
“When you make decisions without consulting the elders, it makes us feel disregarded and disrespected, and we think you are being influenced by foreign individualistic values, because wisdom resides with those of experience and standing in the community.”
“When you incorporate traditional elements from our Orthodox heritage in worship and teaching, it makes us feel that our Ethiopian Christian identity is honoured, and we think you respect our unique Christian heritage, because authentic Ethiopian Christianity maintains continuity with our 1,700-year legacy.”
“When you emphasise scripture memorisation and doctrinal precision, it makes us feel secure in our faith, and we think you are a trustworthy shepherd, because sound doctrine protects the flock from false teaching.”
Profile 2: The Charismatic Reformer
Common among Pentecostal congregations, urban youth, and believers influenced by global charismatic movements
Leadership Dimensions
- Power Distance: Moderate
- Uncertainty Avoidance: Low
- Humane Orientation: High
- Institutional Collectivism: Moderate
- In-Group Collectivism: High
- Gender Egalitarianism: Moderate
- Performance Orientation: High
- Future Orientation: High
- Assertiveness: High
Key Expectations
- Leaders demonstrate spiritual gifts and divine anointing
- Emphasis on vision, transformation, and breakthrough
- Value for emotional expressiveness and personal testimony
- Leadership based on spiritual authority rather than position
- Openness to supernatural guidance in decision-making
When Leaders Say and Do…
“When you share personal testimonies of God’s intervention, it makes us feel inspired and expectant, and we think you have authentic spiritual authority, because true leadership flows from genuine divine encounters.”
“When you pray boldly for healing and deliverance, it makes us feel that you truly believe in God’s power for today, and we think you are bringing the full gospel message, because Jesus promised signs and wonders would accompany true believers.”
“When you speak prophetically about Ethiopia’s future, it makes us feel hopeful and mobilised, and we think you have spiritual insight beyond human wisdom, because God reveals His plans to His servants.”
“When you incorporate contemporary worship styles, it makes us feel that our faith is relevant and dynamic, and we think you understand how to reach our generation, because the gospel must be expressed in ways that connect with today’s Ethiopian youth.”
Profile 3: The Community Elder
Prevalent among traditional Protestant denominations, rural church plants, and ethnically homogeneous congregations, particularly among Oromo communities
Leadership Dimensions
- Power Distance: Moderate
- Uncertainty Avoidance: High
- Humane Orientation: Very High
- Institutional Collectivism: High
- In-Group Collectivism: Very High
- Gender Egalitarianism: Low to Moderate
- Performance Orientation: Moderate
- Future Orientation: Moderate
- Assertiveness: Low
Key Expectations
- Leaders embody community values and maintain harmony
- Decision-making through consensus and extensive consultation
- Strong emphasis on relationships and conflict resolution
- Leadership as stewardship and service to community
- Deep commitment to local needs and contextual issues
When Leaders Say and Do…
“When you take time to greet each person individually, it makes us feel valued as a community, and we think you understand true Ethiopian hospitality, because relationships always come before tasks.”
“When you seek consensus before making decisions, it makes us feel included and respected, and we think you honour our traditional decision-making processes, because wisdom emerges from the community’s shared discernment.”
“When you share meals in members’ homes, it makes us feel that you are truly part of our family, and we think you embody Christ’s humility, because breaking bread together is the foundation of Ethiopian fellowship.”
“When you speak our mother tongue even imperfectly, it makes us feel that you respect our cultural identity, and we think you are committed to reaching our people authentically, because language carries the soul of a people.”
Profile 4: The Professional Visionary
Common among educated urban professionals, international church attendees, and second-generation evangelicals in Addis Ababa’s growing middle class
Leadership Dimensions
- Power Distance: Low to Moderate
- Uncertainty Avoidance: Moderate
- Humane Orientation: Moderate
- Institutional Collectivism: Moderate
- In-Group Collectivism: Moderate
- Gender Egalitarianism: High
- Performance Orientation: Very High
- Future Orientation: Very High
- Assertiveness: Moderate to High
Key Expectations
- Leaders demonstrate competence, strategy, and measurable results
- Value for education, innovation, and professional development
- Appreciation for organisational systems and clear processes
- Leadership through vision-casting and strategic planning
- Balance of Ethiopian values with global best practices
When Leaders Say and Do…
“When you present clear strategic plans with measurable outcomes, it makes us feel confident in the church’s direction, and we think you respect our professional capacities, because good stewardship requires intentional planning and accountability.”
“When you incorporate technology and modern management practices, it makes us feel that the church is relevant to our daily experience, and we think you understand contemporary Ethiopian realities, because effective ministry engages with current tools and methods.”
“When you acknowledge professional expertise within the congregation, it makes us feel that our secular gifts are valued in the church, and we think you see the whole person, because God calls us to serve with all the abilities He has given us.”
“When you maintain efficient meetings and respect time boundaries, it makes us feel that you value our busy schedules, and we think you understand modern urban life, because stewardship of time is crucial in today’s Addis Ababa.”
Profile 5: The Prophetic Advocate
Found among social justice-oriented believers, university students, young women leaders, and urban intellectuals influenced by liberation theology
Leadership Dimensions
- Power Distance: Low
- Uncertainty Avoidance: Low
- Humane Orientation: High
- Institutional Collectivism: High
- In-Group Collectivism: Moderate
- Gender Egalitarianism: Very High
- Performance Orientation: High
- Future Orientation: High
- Assertiveness: High
Key Expectations
- Leaders challenge unjust systems and advocate for marginalised groups
- Value for authenticity, transparency, and shared authority
- Strong emphasis on biblical justice and prophetic witness
- Leadership through empowerment and equipping others
- Integration of social action with evangelism and discipleship
When Leaders Say and Do…
“When you address issues of ethnic reconciliation directly, it makes us feel that the gospel is relevant to Ethiopia’s deepest wounds, and we think you truly understand Christ’s ministry of reconciliation, because the church must be at the forefront of healing our nation’s divisions.”
“When you create leadership opportunities for women and young people, it makes us feel that the church embraces the full potential of all believers, and we think you are following the biblical pattern where God pours out His Spirit on all flesh, because the kingdom transcends traditional hierarchies.”
“When you engage with poverty and injustice in our community, it makes us feel that our faith addresses the whole person, and we think you embody Christ’s compassion, because Jesus came bringing good news to the poor in word and deed.”
“When you speak truth to power even when it’s risky, it makes us feel inspired by your courage, and we think you follow the biblical prophetic tradition, because faithful witness sometimes requires confronting injustice like Nathan before David.”
Profile 6: The Biblical Shepherd
Common among Bible college graduates, theologically conservative congregations, and believers focused on doctrinal purity across ethnic groups, particularly in Kale Heywet and similar denominations
Leadership Dimensions
- Power Distance: Moderate
- Uncertainty Avoidance: High
- Humane Orientation: High
- Institutional Collectivism: Moderate
- In-Group Collectivism: High
- Gender Egalitarianism: Low to Moderate
- Performance Orientation: Moderate
- Future Orientation: High
- Assertiveness: Moderate
Key Expectations
- Leaders demonstrate deep biblical knowledge and sound doctrine
- Strong emphasis on teaching and discipleship
- Value for theological training and biblical literacy
- Leadership through pastoral care and spiritual formation
- Balance of truth and grace in addressing contemporary issues
When Leaders Say and Do…
“When you base decisions explicitly on scripture, it makes us feel secure in the church’s direction, and we think you honour God’s authority over human wisdom, because the Word must be our final guide in all matters of faith and practice.”
“When you invest time in systematic Bible teaching, it makes us feel spiritually nourished, and we think you understand the pastor’s primary calling, because Ethiopian believers need deep roots in scripture to withstand contemporary challenges.”
“When you maintain doctrinal boundaries clearly, it makes us feel protected from error, and we think you take your shepherding responsibility seriously, because false teaching threatens the purity of the Ethiopian church in this time of rapid growth.”
“When you model personal holiness and prayer, it makes us feel inspired to grow spiritually, and we think you lead by example rather than just words, because character formation is the foundation of Christian leadership.”
Navigating Multiple Leadership Expectations in Ethiopian Churches
These six profiles represent overlapping and sometimes competing expectations of leadership within Ethiopian evangelical churches. Effective ministry requires recognising which profiles are dominant in specific contexts and discerning when to adapt to cultural expectations versus when to gently challenge them with biblical principles.
The profiles are not rigid categories but rather tendencies that may be more or less prominent depending on the specific congregation, neighbourhood, denomination, and individual backgrounds. Many believers will hold elements from multiple profiles simultaneously, and expectations continue to evolve as Ethiopian society changes.
Understanding these diverse perspectives can help church leaders navigate complex cultural dynamics while remaining faithful to biblical principles of leadership, ultimately fostering unity amid diversity in the body of Christ in Ethiopia.