Formal Leadership Theory (Tyler)

Leadership Substitutes Theory

The leadership substitute theory could do really well at Davis Wesleyan Church. The environment of that church is set up perfectly for a leadership substitute. In fact, the way the church is designed, the leadership substitute theory would actually be the only way the church could be ran efficiently. Aaron is the only "leader" in the church and while it is a small church, it remains a difficult task to attempt to organize and arrange everything for the church by himself. Luckily there seems to be a leadership substitute concept that is integrated into the church in order to relieve some of the pressure on Aaron. There are many people in the church that simply accomplish so many tasks because they have the natural ability to lead. This ability is so necessary for the survival of the church. If it wasn't for the leadership in the congregation, there would be so many things that would fall through the cracks. Something that I believe that Davis Wesleyan Church could do better is to specifically assign people to certain tasks. There are so many leaders that are willing and able to accomplish different things for the church, but they have not been asked or told how or what to do. If the leadership at Davis could simply instruct some people and guide them in some of their tasks, then there would be so much more completed. The amount of drive and willingness that I see in the community at Davis is astounding. They love their church. They love their pastor. There is so much willingness to serve and lead. I couldn't think of a more perfect environment to implement a leadership substitute theory. It would flourish. It just needs to be implemented in a careful and efficient fashion.