THE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES OF JOHN CALVIN FOR THE REFORMED CHURCH LEADERS IN NIGERIA

Historians tell us that past events, human activities and thoughts can help us deal with the present and the future more effectively. It is because of this that history is described as a torch light that illuminates the past and guards against the repetition of the mistakes of the past, and as a national conscience of the human race. This paper deals with a historical figure, and a Church reformer, known as John Calvin, whose leadership principles can help in dealing with leadership problem in Nigeria in this century. Calvin lived and worked in a civil and religious climate that is analogous to ours. The civil and religious leadership of his time had failed, but he restored them. Church historians say Calvin is the greatest and most successful reformer and his reformation has wide social implications. It touches every aspect of life, most profoundly on welfare state, commerce, thrift, industry, hard work, and education. Though he was never an elected member of the city council of Geneva where he lived and worked, he masterminded the establishment of democracy in that city and transformed its governance. His democratic principles have spread far and wide making more impact in the United States of America and many European countries. This paper is a demonstration that biblical principles can transform and influence social life and governance.