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Annotated Bibliography Assignment
Mauricio G Guerra
School of Divinity, Liberty University
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Annotated Bibliography Assignment
Introduction
Every motivated Christian leader aims to have a kingdom vision; the mission and purpose
is to build a community of people from multiple cultural backgrounds and histories. As the
community of believers is empowered, the leader must ensure "repeated attention to the mission,
the vision, and the values that are essential to kingdom work" (Lingenfelter, 2008, p. 164). Every
leader led by God's Holy Spirit and leading in a multicultural context must drive the Kingdom's
Vision forward. To lead in a diverse cultural environment, the servant leader must study,
understand, and respect different cultures, beliefs, and history.
Annotated Bibliography
Anderson, D. A., & Cabellon, M. R. (Eds.). (2010). Multicultural ministry handbook:
We are connecting creatively to a diverse world. InterVarsity Press.
Every leader comes with his or her own God story. No matter the leader's race, the reality
is that in his story, people from different races have also embraced the Kingdom's Vision.
Anderson claims that if any multicultural church is to have the drive to move forward
with God’s Kingdom Vision at hand, the leader must “be called and committed deep
within to multicultural ministry.” (Anderson, 2010, p. 8).
Building a multicultural ministry calls for multiple blocks that must be in place.
Anderson says that having these blocks in place for the benefit of the body of Christ is to
have a (1) personal commitment to multicultural ministry. (2) have a clear vision, (3)
intentional pursuit of multicultural ministry, and (4) have a unified philosophy of
multicultural ministry. (p. 8). As the world becomes increasingly multicultural and
diverse, the church must be ready to let God's Kingdom Vision come in and take it to its
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original intended position—a Holy Spirit-filled community of believers from every
Nation, age group, and diverse cultural beliefs.
Belias, D., Koustelios, A. (2014). The impact of leadership and change management strategy on
organizational culture. European Scientific Journal, 10(7). Retrieved from
http://www.academia.edu/download/33454414/2996-8812-1-PB(1).pdf
This study argues that leadership is associated with culture through the Vision given to
work with. It aims to give the leader enough bibliographical tools to
be prepared to work and teach others the importance of leadership in every area of life.
This article also gives the leader an essential explanation of culture's meaning: "Culture is
the sum of the beliefs that shape norms of behavior and dictate the ways things get done
in an organization." (Belias, 2014, p. 453). Belias argues that organizational culture is
crucial in determining the success of "efforts to implement change in an institution."
(Belias, 2014, p. 453). In order to have a significant impact on as many people of
different cultures as possible and bind them together with one goal in mind, the leader
must understand the importance of organizing different people with different cultural
backgrounds so that the whole ministry can succeed in fulfilling the calling at hand.
Davids, C. A. (2015). Making disciples across cultures: Missional principles for a diverse
world. InterVarsity Press.
The servant leader must be careful not to bring his cultural assumptions into his ministry
calling unconsciously. The leader must ensure that he is serving from a place of cultural
humility and be willing to be flexible and adapt to different cultural approaches. Davis
gives the servant leader a solid framework for missional discipleship. Kingdom Vision
has to do with building the body of Christ in unity and diversity. "Every culture on earth,
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small or large, has within it that which reflects the image of God" (Davids, 2015, p.126).
Building the Kingdom Vision has to do with the leadership being able to contextualize
the gospel and evaluate cultural patterns that must be allowed to bring out the best in
everyone for the benefit of the whole body of Christ. It is clear that when the church is
willing to add other cultures, the potential to bring about fundamental changes multiplies.
"When churches work together, they can change the face of society." (Davids, 2015,
p.126).
Dempsey, R. (2015). Disciplemaking: 10 Principles for kingdom leadership.
https://disciplemakingblog.wordpress.com/2015/09/10/10-principles-for-kingdom-
leadership/
Dempsey argues that because Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus is the
supreme leader, and everyone who leads in any capacity is not a leader but a follower of
the supreme leader. As a servant leader, one must follow the ultimate leader, Jesus Christ,
and connect people to Jesus through discipleship. Going through these ten principles
gives the servant leader an excellent overview of what it takes to properly serve a
community of believers from multiple cultures and different ways of doing discipleship.
"We lead people to Jesus for salvation, and we encourage them to stay connected to Him
so that He can lead them" (Dempsey, 2025). Connecting people to Kingdom Vision and
teaching them how to serve is how the Good News will reach out to the ends of this
world.
Gruder, D. L. (2015). Called to witness: Doing missional theology. Eerdmans Publishing
Company.
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Every leader who understands his calling to serve to empower a team made up of
multiple cultures and histories must be prepared in what pertains to a critical aspect of
Kingdom Vision; that is, the primary purpose is to share the Good News. Gruder reminds
the believers that the believer's Vision, mission, and purpose is to find a way to present
the Good News in the hearer's culture, belief, and historical point of view.
To lead in a multicultural environment invites others to build the Kingdom's Vision, learn
to use the differences between cultures, and use them to advance the gospel forward.
Gruder observes the importance of kingdom vision and its primary purpose: a call to
share Jesus Christ in every culture. “It is part of the mandate of Jesus Christ to Christians
and to the Christian Church that all that He said and stood for shall be taken seriously
and, not least, the observance of the mission…” (Gruder, 2015, p. 52).
Irving, J. A., & Strauss, M. L. (2019). Leadership in Christian perspective: Biblical foundations
And contemporary practices for servant leaders. Baker Academic.
The leader must have enough knowledge of transformational, authentic, and servant
leadership to ensure that there can be a connection regarding the Kingdom's Vision that
can overcome any indifference between different cultures. Irving and Strauss give the
reader empowering knowledge that is biblical, theological, and aligned with the Christian
faith. Leadership in Christian Perspective gives the leader a point of view in which the
Kingdom vision can be shared with everyone by being “authentic and purposeful”
(Irving, 2019, p. 24) in a way that empowers everyone involved in the kingdom vision.
This book also reminds the leader that through diversity and cultural differences, a better
way of ministry can occur to enhance the drive to share the Good News everywhere and
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to everyone. "Leaders who model what matters, engage in honest self-evaluation, and
foster collaboration” (Irving, 2019, p. 24) are destined to succeed in their calling.
Ishola, S. A., & Wojuola, K. T. (2029). Jethro-Moses Model of Leadership: A Lesson for
Effective Leadership in Church and Secular Organization. World Journal of Innovative
Research, 6(6), 42-47.
In order to serve the Kingdom's Vision as best as possible, the leader must be committed
to the Vision, mission, and purpose at hand. In this journal, one major topic is for the
leader to be efficient and to achieve goals and objectives (Ishola, 2019, p. 19). In
addition, the leader must learn to respect everyone who has embraced the Kingdom
Vision, be dedicated, and be willing to accept and share different ideas. This factor is
significant as the leader works with different people from different cultural backgrounds.
The Jethro-Moses leadership model reflects what every servant leader with a Kingdom
vision must have: good stewardship, use of the resources given responsibly, and lead
others in the right direction.
Jones, J. S., (2018). Christian leadership in a secular world. Journal of Applied Christian
Leadership, 12(2). 90-107.
As the Holy Spirit guides and helps the leader discern what is needed to do the most
effective work for the Kingdom's Vision, the leader leads with integrity. Jones argues that
in today's modern day, there are many examples of successful secular leaders who do not
espouse belief in God but demonstrate Kingdom values such as integrity. Jones claims
that our society is "blessed with many great leaders worth studying, but none greater than
Jesus Christ." (Jones, 2018, p.19). Jones's argument here is that, although there are many
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non-Christian leaders with good values, the Christian leader must always remember that
the foundation must always be on Jesus Christ, who is perfect. (Jones, 2018).
Keller, R. (2021). What is different about a leader in the kingdom of God?
https://ronkelleher.com/414-what-is-different-about-a-leader-in-the-kingdom-of-god/
Keller gives examples of the difference between secular and Kingdom Vision leaders. It
is essential for everyone in a leadership position to not only ensure that people from
different backgrounds are allowed to become an essential part of the Kingdom Vision but
also to make sure that the leadership style is coming from what Scripture primarily
teaches. Keller argues that a Kingdom Vision leader serves to lead rather than a leader
who happens to lead. (Keller, 2021). For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). From this passage,
Keller shares what Jesus Christ teaches that our demeanor must be like as a Kingdom
Vision leader.
In a multicultural environment, the leader must be ready not to lead based on a power-
based secular style but, as Jesus teaches, lead by serving.
Koo, B. O. (2029). Transitioning from an ethnic to a multicultural church: A transformational
model. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
One way for Kingdom Vision to be better understood is by having the servant leader and
every servant understand that God's will for His church is for it to be made up of people
from different cultural backgrounds united in One Spirit. Koo touches on the importance
of God’s Kingdom Vision regarding multicultural evangelism. Koo calls “diversifying
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leadership” (Koo, 2029, p.183) an ongoing process that is intended to “emphasize the
effectiveness and need for sharing the pulpit with other pastors of different races or ethnic
backgrounds.” (183). This ongoing process is essential as it builds up the whole body of
Christ as the message is shared with all groups in a diverse environment.
Another point that Koo brings forward is that evangelism in multicultural churches
happens when there is a "human network" (184). Evangelism reflecting God's Kingdom
occurs when the "church intentionally provides multiple points of entry." (184).
Kwiyani, H. C. (2020). Multicultural kingdom: Ethnic diversity, mission, and the church. Hymns
Ancient & Modern.
Cultural diversity is what every church in every Nation has to deal with today. God's
churches comprise multicultural African, Latin American, and North American diversity.
In every city, there will be a congregation from other cultural backgrounds. Even though
Kwiyani writes about churches in London, the same is seen here in America. “One of the
most striking facts of our time is the global extension of Christianity” (Kwiyani, 2020, p.
18), which can be seen in every town of every Nation.
The leader servant must embrace this shaping of the Kingdom's Vision. A “sharp rise in
the numbers of world Christians now means that the image of Christian is no longer a
white middle-class college graduate but rather a less affluent non-European man living in
Lagos or rural Brazil” (Kwiyani, 2020, p. 31).
Leach, T. B. (2021). Radiant church: Restoring the credibility of our witness. InterVarsity Press.
Nobody can deny that the church is struggling with its decline in attendance, and most of
the time, walls are being raised due to cultural differences. This problem must be dealt
with as the cultural differences come from our children. The difference between our
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parents' and millennial cultures is that many people must work on the Kingdom's Vision.
Leach, a millennial herself, casts a radiant [Kingdom] Vision for Christians to recapture a
vigorous way to embrace the Good News's Vision, mission, and purpose again. Leach
reminds us that we have been "chosen to give the world a preview of God's perfect
kingdom." (Leach, 2021, p. 61). The leader who leads in a multicultural environment
must make sure that the gap between cultures and generations is filled with the
understanding that, as kingdom citizens, we live under the reign and rule of King Jesus
and that our unity in Christ is much more than our cultural differences.
McNeal, R. (2018). Kingdom collaborators: Eight signature practices of leaders who turn the
world upside down. InterVarsity Press.
Kingdom vision is only successful when servants and leader servants are collaborating in
unity and order to fulfill the calling. Building a strong culture that supports the Vision,
mission, and purpose of expanding God's Kingdom in today's culture will require Cross-
generational interaction. Silos that have been built by yesterday's generations must be
broken, and a new way of building the ministry must be enforced. Indeed, youngsters
need the insight and life skills achieved by older generations. However, the older
generation must be open to allow the younger generation to "help navigate the new world
created by the rise of digital technology." (McNeal, 2018, p. 63). Combining old and new
ideas is necessary for accomplishing the Kingdom's Vision. This requires the leader
servant to find a way to shift cultural differences and turn them into something positive
for the mission at hand. McNeal encourages the leaders to look beyond what the ministry
limits themselves to work with. "Artist, cultural architect, pioneer, explorer… look at
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your strengths, talents, personality, and passion that can expand and enrich your
leadership narrative." (McNeal, 2018, p. 63).
Plueddemann, J. E. (2009). Leading across cultures: Effective ministry and mission in the
global church. InterVarsity Press.
In order to positively affect the Kingdom Vision calling, the servant leader must be aware
that there is no room for individualistic egocentric practices. The work is done in God's
Kingdom Vision as a team effort. Plueddemann argues that the well-being and mission of
the global church depend on effective multicultural leadership working without any
personal agenda. Plueddemann encourages the readers to refrain from allowing their
cultural values to dictate how things should be done and to discover the cultural values of
other people involved in the mission. Plueddemann also says that as long as "Biblical
principles of leadership come from the whole of Scripture" (Plueddemann, 2009, p. 63),
the servant leader can find leadership values from differing views. One biblical principle
is that every leader must love and care "for those they lead." (63). The starting point of
Kingdom Vision is to love God and love one another. This principle will ensure a
positive outcome and an effective ministry.
Roberts, M. D. (2021). How to lead in the kingdom of God. The High Calling.
https://www.theologyofwork.org/the-high-calling/how-lead-kingdom-god-part-1/
Being a humble servant in the Kingdom Vision provides the opportunity to advance the
Kingdom Vision. Leading people with different ways of seeing life can be challenging.
The right attitude will always allow the leader to go far ahead. Roberts makes his case by
going to Scripture and reminding the servant leader how important it is to serve humbly.
"Those who are greatest among you should take the lowest rank" (Luke 22:26). With this
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passage, Roberts argues that Jesus is calling on every leader in any multicultural
environment to be willing to serve from a humble position and not a position where he
can look down on others.
Treat, J. R. (2019). Seek first How the kingdom of God changes everything. Zondervan.
God's Kingdom Vision involves every aspect of life—work, family, and relationships. To
seek God's Kingdom first is to follow Jesus Christ's Vision. It is not only eternal life but
also includes an unshakable identity here in this life so that other people may want to
come along. This identity in Christ is "connected to change and growth." (Treat, 2029, p.
151).
If the leader is to positively impact the lives of those who have embraced the Kingdom
Vision, the leader must become more like Jesus by living out what Jesus is calling His
followers to do. "In Christ you are pure, so live purely; in Christ you are light, so let your
light shine" (151). Treat writes about this growth about the servant leader understanding
that his growth is not about changing into something he is not but about becoming Christ-
like.
Winston, B. (2021). Faith and the marketplace: Becoming the person of influence god
intended you to be. HigherLife Publishing.
Kingdom vision can only be as successful if a team of servant leaders and
servants is prepared. God is calling on every one of His children to be in a level of
fruitfulness and authority. Winston gives the reader a Kingdom leadership
playbook in this book that will help the leader work with different cultural
backgrounds. Through Scripture and personal stories, the leader can see how God
empowers His people to fulfill the calling. "Every human being was created to
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lead in the area of their gift and to fulfill a specific purpose and assignment in
their lifetime." (Winston, 2021, p. 150)
The leader leading in a multicultural environment or any other setting must think
differently than most people around him or her. The Vision is what makes the
difference. "Leadership in any sphere of influence begins with Vision. Vision is a
snapshot of your future or a picture of circumstances that do not exist. It is a
strong mental image of something beyond what you can see right now." (150).
