1. Transformational Leadership
Managing Polarities:
a strategy for
Transformational Leadership
… an example
Joe Ramsay, the United Church of Canada
Western society is in the midst of transformation. Christian churches will either adapt in response to the transformation of society, or they will become redundant. More than ever, churches need transformational leadership for living out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.
One of the mistakes made when facing adaptive challenges is to perceive the challenges as problems that need to be fixed. Adaptive challenges are seldom problems to be fixed, but they are polarities that need to be engaged and managed as a strategy for transformation.
As an example, the following slides illustrate a common polarity in mainline North American denominations: the denominational/congregational authority polarity. When decision making power and resources are given to the wider church – whether a presbytery, diocese, or denominational office – certain advantages result. It also creates some disadvantages as well, when compared to its polarity, congregational authority. However, authority vested at the congregational level also creates both advantages and disadvantages. Tension results when church members emphasize the positive aspects of one polarity and the negative aspects of the other. Depending on the perception of which polarity currently dominates, they will either crusade for change, or resist change in order to maintain the status quo. The leadership challenge is to neither crusade nor resist, but to analyze the polarities, identity the positive aspects of each, and develop strategies for managing the tension created by using the strengths of each polarity to live out their mission.

2. Positive aspects of denominational polity
Consistency, fairness
Efficient use of resources
Unified voice – all may be one 2

3. Positive aspects of denominational polity
Consistency, fairness
Efficient use of resources
Unified voice – all may be one
Negative aspects of denominational polity
Lack of independence /choice
Generic resources
Local issues less priority

4. Positive aspects of denominational polity
Positive aspects of congregational polity
Consistency, fairness
Efficient use of resources
Unified voice – all may be one
Contextual, independent
Customized resources
Local issues important
Negative aspects of denominational polity
Lack of independence /choice
Generic resources
Local issues less priority

5. Positive aspects of denominational polity
Positive aspects of congregational polity
Consistency, fairness
Efficient use of resources
Unified voice – all may be one
Contextual, independent
Customized resources
Local issues important
Negative aspects of denominational polity
Negative aspects of congregational polity
Lack of independence /choice
Generic resources
Local issues less priority
Inconsistent, inequity
Costly resources
Fragmented, limited vision

6. Crusading Positive aspects of denominational polity
Positive aspects of congregational polity
Consistency, fairness
Efficient use of resources
Unified voice – all may be one
Contextual, independent
Customized resources
Local issues important
Crusading
Negative aspects of denominational polity
Negative aspects of congregational polity
Lack of independence /choice
Generic resources
Local issues less priority
Inconsistent, inequity
Costly resources
Fragmented, limited vision

7. Positive aspects of denominational polity
Positive aspects of congregational polity
Consistency, fairness
Efficient use of resources
Unified voice – all may be one
Contextual, independent
Customized resources
Local issues important
Tradition Bearing
Negative aspects of denominational polity
Negative aspects of congregational polity
Lack of independence /choice
Generic resources
Local issues less priority
Inconsistent, inequity
Costly resources
Fragmented, limited vision

8. Transformational Leadership:
Hearing the warnings about change from tradition-bearers
Valuing benefits of change expressed by crusaders
Leadership that draws from the positive aspects of each polarity to address the present adaptive challenges