Leadership and its exercise in different cultures is a major issue in today's church. To what extent is it legitimate to use the leadership patterns of the local context and can these be challenged? This book examines Paul's ministry and writings to see how the early church contextualised leadership and to identify some of the theological principles which influenced the process. The outworking of these in the leadership of the English-speaking Methodist churches in Peninsular Malaysia is examined. Roger Senior's lucid and rigorous examination of the biblical evidence confirms that though there is no single New Testament blueprint for structures of church governance, there is a consistent emphasis on the need for all patterns of Christian leadership to reflect the servant mind of Christ. Hence, whilst there is ample scope for contextualising models of leadership to suit particular cultural contexts, no style of leadership that exalts its own authority can claim to be authentically Christian. This book will be of wide interest - well beyond the Malaysian context in which its arguments are set. Brian Stanley, Professor of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh, UK Leadership, especially Christian leadership, is a subject that needs clear, biblical, theological and contextual thinking. There is no 'one size fits all' model of leadership that will work in every context. Roger's effort in working out the Apostle Paul's leadership principles in Malaysia with its multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious contexts, is commendable. As a Malaysian, it is my prayer that Roger's book will also serve as a stimulating catalyst towards more research and critical thinking on issues faced by the church in Malaysia. Rev Dr Tony Lim, Vice Principal & Dean of the English Department, Malaysia Bible Seminary This book offers fresh perspectives on leadership in the New Testament by using Flemming's model of contextual theology as a lens. The strong biblical and theological analysis runs throughout the book which challenges both ancient and modern tendencies to take secular approaches to leadership and simply apply them to the church. The final section about Malaysia shows careful appreciation of contemporary contextual approaches to leadership and encourages the reader to assess the findings and contextualize them to their own contexts. Readers will find their understanding of the nature of contextual leadership both deepened and challenged by this study. Rev Dr Warren Beattie, M.A. Programme Leader, All Nations Christian College, UK Roger Senior worked in East Asia with OMF International for over thirty years in the training of pastors and seminary students in Korea, Mongolia, Malaysia and Singapore. He is the former principal of the Union Bible Theological College in Mongolia, and has served on the faculty of Malaysia Bible Seminary and All Nations Christian College in the UK.