Phenomenological research is a unique qualitative investigative approach. The goal of the researcher is to bracket all theoretical understanding in an attempt to understand the basic structure of the phenomena. Truls Åkerlund uses this methodology (Amedeo Giorgi’s variety) to understand the structure of pentecostal leadership in his native Norway.

This study is important for at least three reasons. First, Åkerlund’s literature review provides an excellent theoretical overview to the topic of pentecostal leadership. Although “few attempts have been made to present a systematic treatise of Pentecostal leadership” (30), the literature that does exists reveals a three-fold emphasis. Pentecostal leadership is:

1. Called and Empowered
2. Diverse and Contextual
3. Enigmatically Powerful

The literature review chapter alone is important reading for anyone studying or teaching on pentecostal leadership.

Second, Åkerlund explains his phenomenological methodology with remarkable lucidity. With its philosophical roots in Husserl, and Heidegger, phenomenology has a reputation for being difficult to understand. Åkerlund cuts to the chase and describes clearly the features of phenomenology which ground his study. Åkerlund even includes an Appendix where he demonstrates how he transformed phenomenological interview data into phenomenologically sensitive expressions (153–6). First-time phenomenological researchers: buy this book!

Third, and most importantly, the results of this study deserve reflection in pentecostal leadership circles. Åkerlund discovered eight structural elements of Pentecostal leadership.

1. Pentecostal leaders are motivated by a higher, divine purpose (72–4).
2. Pentecostal leadership is derived leadership (74–5).
3. Pentecostal leadership facilitates human and divine agency in a seamless interaction between rationality and spirituality (75–80).
4. Pentecostal leadership takes a pragmatic and eclectic stance toward the pentecostal tradition (80–3).
5. Pentecostal leadership requires persuasive communication (83–5).
6. Pentecostal leadership is a dialectic relationship between structure and agency (85–9).
7. Pentecostal leadership is adaptive to context (89–91).
8. Pentecostal leadership involves the leader’s entire life (91–2).

Åkerlund’s study is an academic breath of fresh-air in a world filled with bullet-point leadership gurus. His eight structural features of pentecostal leadership deserve further reflection.

Åkerlund, Truls. A Phenomenology of Pentecostal Leadership. Wipf & Stock, 2018.