Confucianism and its influence on culture in East Asia has profoundly impacted Chinese churches and the development of their leaders. As a cultural force it continues to affect the perceptions and practices of Chinese pastors and how they lead. This work seeks to build an indigenous approach to developing church leaders by understanding the theoretical, and the situational foundations, of relational leadership from both cultural and biblical perspectives. The research is further enriched through case studies and interviews observing the practices of leadership in contemporary Chinese churches.