Leadership Research Project
Submitted to Professor Martin
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THE COURSE WRSP 530-B01
Principles of Leadership for the Worship Leader
By
Johnathon Stovall
June 26, 2020
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During this current pandemic and with all that is going on, one leader that came to mind
was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was impactful and influential when it came to leading
the people. He conducted a great ministry within the church and an outreach ministry (outside
the church).5
I chose this leader due to the significant effect he had on the people of God and those
who were unsaved. Dr. Martin Luther King's name still rings and reigns throughout the world.
We still stand on his teaching, values, morals, and famous speech. Dr. King had an excellent
ministry within the church as well as outside of the church. He had a platform that enabled
individuals across the world to hear him. The Bible states, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon
me because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind
up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those
who are bound;" ( Isaiah 61:1).1
Dr. King's Success
Martin Luther King, Jr. focused on bringing greater equality in the U.S and guaranteeing
the civil rights of people regardless of race. He publicized the primary civil rights activities by
advocating on the need for non-violent protests. His actions played a critical role in modeling
sound leadership to the civil rights movement of African Americans. By standing a pillar of hope
and modeling grace, Dr. King was able to progress the civil rights movement. As a commonly
civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a significant impact on American society
over the years. He believed in the organization of non-violent protests that helped in setting the
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movement tone. Marches, demonstrations, and boycotts effectively resulted in the passage of
different legislation against racial discrimination.
Until his assassination in 1968, he lived a brief life with various accomplishments
focused on promoting equal treatment of persons from all races. The use of a non-violent
approach to protest, the true belief in humankind's ability to live in peace, and the legions of
followers were vital in advancing civil rights during this period.2 In 1955, Montgomery,
Alabama, Dr. King was successful in leading a boycott against city buses against blacks sitting in
the front seats. This protest helped gain followers rapidly and caused a bus system boycott across
the city until there was a change in the rules. Despite the sending of Dr. King and his followers
to jail, the boycotts were successful. It led to the changing of the unfair, racist regulations that
allow segregation aboard the buses. Based on history, the Montgomery Bus Boycott was the
activity that put Dr. King on the map.
Dr. King, in collaboration with other civil rights movement leaders, was responsible for
the organization of enormous march advocating for equal rights in Washington, DC. By
gathering a massive crowd, they protested against the prevalence of racial discrimination in
workplaces and learning institutions. It included demanding a minimum wage for all employees.
His speech "I Have a Dream" made him master orator as he was able to deliver the message
effectively while referring to both the Constitution and Bible.3 It was because of the speech and
march that the citizens started pressurizing Lyndon B. Johnson's administration to push for the
passage of the civil rights laws. Dr. King was successful in advocating for civil rights and
equality, freedom, respect, and dignity.
2 Nagler, Michael N. The Search for a Nonviolent Future: A Promise of Peace for Ourselves, Our Families, and Our
World. Novato: New World Library, 2010.
3 Hunter Jr, Ron. How Martin Luther King, Jr.'s worldview-leadership transformed an engrained culture. Dallas
Baptist University, 2016.
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Dr. King's Defeat
Over the years, Martin Luther King Jr. had various successes, but his desegregation
campaign in Albany, Georgia, was not one of his accomplishments. Just as the things that are
likely to go wrong during protests, the Albany case was one of them. There was an increased
division among the black leadership based on age and government levels, among other lines. The
police force, those against the segregation at the city hall, and the local were press-savvy, a
condition that Dr. King was not prepared to handle. After making his speech at Shiloh Baptist
Church, he started losing the plot. After his arrest, the city leaders engaged the non-jailed blacks
and agreed on a deal that favored them. Although Dr. King was against the agreement because of
the perception that it did not address desegregation issues, he felt the need to honor it. Thus,
joining the Albany Movement was one of the activities that damaged Dr. King's credibility as a
leader.4 In the long run, he discovered that the campaigns were filled with various objectives and
divisions relating to the need to overtake a local sheriff. Dr. King could not lead in Albany.
The opposition signs to the tactics employed by Dr. King were evident from the civil
rights movement that started surfacing during the Selma, Alabama demonstrations. Despite
organizing the initial march to Montgomery's state capitol building, he chose not to lead it. The
state troopers used tear gas and nightsticks to turn the marchers back. Regardless of the federal
court's injunction and Washington's efforts to cancel it, Dr. King showed commitment and
determination to lead a second march. He headed a procession of more than 1500 followers to
cross Pettus Bridge before encountering state troops. As opposed to matching on and forcing
their way through, Dr. King decided to lead the marchers to kneel and pray before turning back
4 Chalfen, Michael. "" The Way out May Lead In": The Albany Movement beyond Martin Luther King, Jr." The
Georgia Historical Quarterly 79, no. 3 (1995): 560-598.
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unexpectedly. His decision made him lose the support of the majority of young radicals who
faulted him for being too cautious.
In Mississippi and Illinois, there was an increased challenge of Dr. King, and in some
instances, the young black-power enthusiasts started deriding him publicly. While Dr. King
advocated for the use of values such as respect for middle-class, patience, and social change
measured approach, the young urban radicles preferred immediate change through confrontation.
They considered Dr. King as an older adult and a soft-spoken person in the fight for civil rights.
Dr. Kings Legacy
As a humble public servant, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. showed his dedication to the
pursuit of fairness for all the people. Through his leadership in the civil rights movements, he
successfully spurred America to live up to the equality under law and liberty for all ideals. By
righteously pursuing this goal, participants, activists, and leaders that championed for this
African cause played a critical role in making the U.S a perfect union. Dr. King's legacy
comprises important decisions, humanitarian rights, progression, and monumental actions
beyond the civil rights movement.5 As the leader of the masses, Dr. King did not show any fear
despite the challenges and frustrations he faced throughout his life. However, he was courageous
and determined to win the fight for civil rights regardless of the oppression, violence, and
ignorance he encountered. He did not allow the challenges and death threats to sway him from
his mission of ending discrimination in the U.S. However, he continued with his goal using non-
violent protests.
5 Visser-Maessen, Laura. "Getting To That Promised Land: Reclaiming Martin Luther King, Jr. and 21st Century Black
Activism in the United States and western Europe." European journal of American studies 14, no. 14-1 (2019).
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Dr. King was responsible for the maintenance of a vision for a more inclusive and diverse
America that gives all the citizens an opportunity of enjoying equality benefits. Although the
opposition was responsible for the implementation of legislation that withheld people with
color's rights and expression of hatred by killing and beating them, Dr. King continued fighting.
After his realization that violence would result in opposition's scheme, he continuously
advocated for non-violent protests. He was aware of the importance of the effect of unifying the
masses to focus on the achievement of a common goal, as it would be challenging to achieve any
significant progress. Collectively, the civil rights activists helped on impacting on policies and
influenced change across the nation. Through the leadership of Dr. Kings, the civil rights
activists in the mid-1900s in the U.S were able to realize their success, and it continues to
influence the current civil rights movement.6
Even though Dr. King and other activities were instrumental in the generation of
momentous strides for equality, pushing for civil rights continues to be one of the current
challenges facing activists. There are increased poverty levels in the cities, and people keep
fighting for equal pay despite their race or gender. There are increased cases of battling for
education inequality and the call for justice for all.5The legacy of Dr. King offers a staple model
for combating the existing inequalities in the society.
Bibliography
6 Ellis, Catherine, and Stephen D. Smith. Say It Plain: A Century of Great African American Speeches. New Press,
2007.
6
Chalfen, Michael. "" The Way Out May Lead In": The Albany Movement Beyond Martin Luther
King, Jr."5The Georgia Historical Quarterly579, no. 3 (1995): 560-598.
Ellis, Catherine, and Stephen5D. Smith.5Say It Plain: A Century of Great African American
Speeches. New Press, 2007.
Hunter Jr, Ron.5How Martin Luther King, Jr.'s worldview-leadership transformed an engrained
culture. Dallas Baptist University, 2016.
Nagler, Michael5N.5The Search for a Nonviolent Future: A Promise of Peace for Ourselves, Our
Families, and Our World. Novato: New World Library, 2010.
Visser-Maessen, Laura. "Getting To That Promised Land: Reclaiming Martin Luther King, Jr.
and 21st Century Black Activism in the United States and western Europe."5European
journal of American studies514, no. 14-1 (2019).
