A STUDY OF SERVANT- LEADERSHIP IN THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES IN NYAMIRA COUNTY IN THE LIGHT OF JOHN 13:1-17.

Abstract

This research gave an extensive dimension of servant leadership rather than just leadership from the lessons learned from John 13:1-17 and other life examples that Jesus taught in the New Testament to His disciples. This was done to unfold the impact of servant leadership on the seventh day Adventist churches in relation to foot washing and to open up the benefits of the same. This research investigated from the New Testament texts about Jesus’ teachings on servant leadership. The main emphasis was in John 13:1-17 which gives a broader perspective on the servant hood in leadership. In the course of the study four objectives were ascertained, namely: the meaning of the foot-washing ritual in the context of John13:1-17, whether there is or not any relationship to servant leadership, the type and way of leadership during the time of Jesus which prompted him to emphasize on servant leadership, how the SDA leadership and membership view foot washing in relation to servant leadership, and how the SDA church practically convey the concept of servant leadership to her members as informed by Jesus’ teaching in John 3: 1–17. This research focused on the Seventh Day Adventist church, within the borders of Nyamira County. This covered fifty two parishes. Since the SDA Church Nyamira County applies John 13:1-17 in a practical manner; theoretically, what do they understand about servant leadership? This was a study which involved both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Data was collected through interviews, and questionnaires. This research therefore concluded by looking at the implications and outcomes on the followers of Jesus’ teachings on servant leadership and its effectiveness in the SDA Church in Nyamira County.