Christian middle leadership: How the faith of middle leaders shapes and is shaped by school culture and community

Abstract

Middle leaders play a central role in the Christian leadership of their school. This research explores how nine middle leaders in three distinct Anglican Schools in Australia enact their roles, and the conditions that influence faith expression within their schools. Findings demonstrate that middle leaders shape and are shaped by school culture and community. Our theory of Christian middle leadership, derived from four key themes, shows how school middle leaders navigate the personal and institutional dimensions of faith expression, through three distinct discourses. Their responses and the responses of their school enable them to interpret their role, career and calling.