Leadership style in Swiss evangelical churches in the light of their historically shaped leadership culture Translated title: Leierskapstyl in Switserse evangeliese kerke in die lig van hulle histories-gevormde leierskapskultuur

Abstract

This article is a sociological-historical study of the inter-relation between the historically developed leadership culture of democracy and leadership practice in the evangelical churches of Switzerland. Contemporary Swiss leadership style is based on the cultural inheritance of the Celts, the Romans and the Germanic tribes, the foundation of the Confederation, as well as the history of Christianity. The core values that shaped Swiss leadership culture are the idea that not too much power should vest in the individual, that there should be a democratic right of co-determination, that there should be federal freedom, and that work and achievement are very important. These same basic values still affect leadership in Swiss evangelical congregations today.

Translated abstract

Hierdie artikel is 'n sosiologies-historiese studie van die inter-relasies tussen die histories ontwikkelde leierskapskultuur van demokrasie en leierskapsbeoefening in die evangeliese kerke van Switserland. Switserse leierskapstyl is tans gebaseer op die kulturele erfenis van die Keltiese, Romeinse en Germaanse stamme, op die fondament van die Konfederasie, sowel as die geskiedenis van die Christendom. Die kernwaardes wat Switserse leierskapskulture vorm, is die idee dat daar nie te veel mag by die individu moet berus nie, dat daar 'n demokratiese reg of gesamentlike vasberadenheid moet wees, dat daar 'n federale vryheid moet wees en dat werk en prestasie baie belangrik is. Dieselfde basiese waardes beïnvloed steeds leierskap in Switserse evangeliese gemeentes vandag.