Introduction: Biblical Perspectives on Leadership and Organizations

Abstract

Over the last two decades there has been increased interest in the spiritual implications of work, employment, and organizational life. This interest has been marked by at least three major publishing milestones within the academy. A Spiritual Audit of Corporate America (Mitroff & Denton, 1999) provided the first survey of spiritual beliefs and practices among corporate managers and executives. This work identified several models for integrating the energy of individual spirituality into the context of organizations. In 2001, the Management Spirituality and Religion interest group was formed within the Academy of Management to provide a forum for collaborating on leading-edge research, publications, dialog, and practices around the nature, role, and influence of spirituality and religion in management and organizations. This group led the effort to launch the Journal of Management Spirituality and Religion in 2004. In 2005, Jody Fry served as the editor of The Leadership Quarterly’s special edition on Spiritual Leadership.