Leadership, Religious

Steve Posey D.Min.

This Doctor of Ministry Project was designed to discover key leadership principles to serve as the basis for leadership training curriculum for emerging Christian leaders in the Mongolian cultural setting. Furthermore, it sought to discover effective pedagogical principals and methods to be employed in teaching the material to the anticipated participants, adult Mongolian learners.

The methodological research was based on a qualitative methods strategy. Eleven information-rich Mongolian Christian leaders were interviewed using an eight-question ethnographic protocol instrument. Two Mongolian university professors, representatives of the sociological and anthropological sciences, and two expatriate missionaries resident in the country for over ten years and involved in developing leaders were also interviewed using the instrument.

Research also included study of contemporary scholarly leadership literature, both secular and Christian. The research sought to unearth contemporary thinking about leadership’s essence and exercise in the Mongolian culture. Biblical study of representative, Godly leaders in search of the leadership principles that characterize their lives and ministry was undertaken in conjunction with the qualitative and literary research.

The key conclusion of the project research was that in spite of a cultural preponderance of dictatorial leadership, ethnographic respondents, literature, and biblical study indicated that a leadership curriculum for Mongolian Christian leaders should focus on the dynamics of servant leadership, as espoused in the Bible, and it’s practical application in Mongolian society. Pedagogically an adult learner strategy needs to be used in teaching the training curriculum comprised of leadership principles.

Lloyd Beaudoin Waldrep D.Min.

the purpose of the project was to develop a vision-driven leadership strategy for Calvary Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. The model for this project was the strategy model. The project director compared the demographics of the surrounding community to the demographics of the current leadership. The project director then researched vision-driven leadership strategies and provided a report on best practices. Third, the project director developed a vision-driven leadership strategy. Finally, the project director presented the strategy to deacons and church congregation for approval.

The project sought to expand on the project by Pastor Michael Carney in 2015 which established the vision, mission, and core values of Calvary baptist church. the vision-driven leadership strategy served as a further implementation and development of the vision. The project director served as a strategic leadership team member in 2015 and saw the need to expand the vision into a strategic leadership development strategy.

The project director sought to increase the number of church members involved in leadership while developing and growing the current leaders of the church. the project director believed an intentional strategy would accomplish this for the church.

Joel Alan Dorman D.Min.

The purpose of this DMin project was equipping the people in existing senior leadership positions to cultivate people for potential leadership positions to exercise effective leadership behaviors to contribute to the mission of First Baptist Church of Merced. The qualitative research project required Biblical and contemporary literature study in learning leadership behaviors, transferring leadership behaviors, mentoring, healthy leadership, and recognizing potential in people.
The project utilized a multi-phased approach to methodology. There was a survey and focus group discussion preceding a Leadership Lab involving the people in existing senior leadership positions. The purpose of the first phase was equipping the people in existing senior leadership positions with the skill necessary to equip others.
In the second phase, the people in existing senior leadership positions recruited mentees to cultivate them for effective leadership behaviors in potential leadership positions. A Field Guide was provided for the mentors, and data were recorded through bi-weekly meetings of the researcher with the mentors and Field Guides, Leadership Profiles, focus groups, and formal and informal interviews. The results were evaluated, and modifications for future use were presented.
The researcher concluded the process was successful in producing people who were cultivated with effective leadership behaviors for potential leadership positions by equipping the people in existing senior leadership positions. In order for the process to be undertaken subsequently in this researcher’s congregation, the first Leadership Lab and the book studied during the mentoring phase needed to change. For other congregations to benefit from the process, additional instructions would need to be provided. Even with the needed modifications, the project accomplished all it was designed to accomplish: equipping people in existing senior leadership positions to cultivate people for significant leadership positions.

Glen E. Harris Jr.

The purpose of this study was to understand how Air Force chaplains advise superior military leaders on religious and ethical matters. Specifically, the qualitative research addressed what informs Air Force chaplains’ understanding of leadership, what Air Force chaplains do as they advise military leaders, what challenges are faced by Air Force chaplains in advising leaders, and how Air Force chaplains evaluate their own effectiveness in advising military leaders.
The findings were, first, that Air Force chaplains develop their understanding of leadership advisement primarily through experience. Some rely on the theological concepts of pastoral identity to buttress their experience, but years of trial and error in the core capability is the dominant path. Furthermore, chaplains rely on a nexus of communication and collaboration with the senior leaders they advise. And they adopt an approach inclusive of both data and relationship, with the latter being paramount. They also see spiritual care and leadership advisement as being two closely interrelated acts of pastoral ministry. Next, the challenges that Air Force chaplains face in advisement involve primarily power differentials and information fidelity. Finally, chaplains evaluate their effectiveness in leadership advisement in terms of building healthy organizational climates and building trust with senior leaders, even while struggling with questions of ineffectiveness and self-doubt.
The study provided three primary conclusions. First, chaplains would benefit from scenario-based coursework early in their careers to jettison the trend of experience-only development in advising leaders. Second, integrating emotional intelligence into the corporate ethos of the Air Force Chaplain Corps synergizes future success in leadership advisement by giving chaplains the boldness and courage to wield a pastoral and yet prophetic voice. Third, for a chaplain to lead a senior leader with advisement that is both on target and on time, they must first be skilled followers or “second chair leaders”.

Joel David Hathaway

The purpose of this study was to explore how assistant pastors navigate challenges of adaptive leadership when the church loses its senior pastor, and the assistant pastor is expected to lead through the transition. A qualitative research methodology was employed to explore the scope of this topic. This study found that the exiting senior pastor, existing assistant/interim pastor, incoming senior pastor, and congregation all play active roles in guaranteeing success during pastoral transitions. This sh1dy also identified steps churches and pastors can take to retire outdated leadership models while integrating collaborative leadership methods that prepare congregations for periods of transition.

Timothy J. Brand

The purpose of this study was to explore how Senior Pastors experience the implementation of the Carver Policy Governance Model in their congregations. Every Christian congregation has a system of governance, an agreed upon method to administer and manage the day to day operations, and exercise the ministry in good order. Many congregations and pastors face great challenges and unrest because of church governance issues. This issue is critical for pastoral health and longevity, as well as, congregational vitality and viability.
This study utilized a qualitative design using semi-structure interview with seven pastors from various denominations who served their congregations as senior pastors for ten years or longer. The literature review and analysis of the seven interviews focused on three key areas: the implementation of the Carver Policy Governance Model into the Congregation, the unique advantages of the Carver Policy Model, and the unique challenges of the Carver Policy Model.
This study concluded that there are eight components necessary to implement a policy based Board of Directors as the governing body of a congregation: outside resourcing, biblically based content, special pastoral character, full implementation of the Carver Model with the addition of an elder’s board (or its equivalent), clear separation of the administration and spiritual components, a high level of relational trust, a continual use of evaluation, and the implementation of teams.

Justin Hiebert D.Min.

The American church is largely segregated and homogenous. This has not only stunted the growth of the church but led to an ineffective and limited mission vision. The contemporary American church must reclaim the biblical mandate to be both ethnically diverse and missionally minded. Through a qualitative research methodology this research project focuses on creating a healthy and sustainable multiethnic identity and leadership structure. Through interviewing and visiting some of the leading multiethnic churches of the Central Valley of California, the researcher lays out a clear understanding and argument for multiethnic churches. This paper examines the book of Acts, interviewing insights from key pastoral leaders, and provides a key table and summary of actionable next steps.
The insights from the book of Acts reveals that God’s original intent for the church is to be both multiethnic and missional. Contemporary literature highlights the necessary traits and qualities for healthy and sustainable leadership. Finally, interviews with leaders engaged in ministry show the foundational attitudes and characteristics leaders must possess to lead their churches through a successful transition to multiethnic.
For leaders engaging in multiethnic ministry, there are five key leadership characteristics that they must practice: humility, personal holistic health, community engagement, an intentionality in seeking out different voices, and a celebration of diversity.

Joshua James Tilley D.Min.

Objective: To grasp the characteristics and essence of authentic leadership as seen and experienced through the lives of those who have served under and/or over those they perceive and identify as “authentic” or “high quality” leaders.

Method: A literary review and a biblical review were conducted to establish the current scholarship related to authentic leadership. A new phenomenological study was conducted in October of 2018. 12 individuals were interviewed either in person, by phone, or via a video chat.
Results: The result was a literary study, a biblical review, and a new phenomenological study of authentic leadership.

Conclusions: Through the phenomenology and subsequent qualitative research, the researcher came to the conclusion that authentic leadership is provided, felt, and acted upon in different ways by different people in different cultures, but the one universal essence of authentic leadership is the paradox of “relief” and “peace” preceded by a sense of “anxiety” and “pressure,” which is provoked within the follower by the leader. Trust is built through the process.
A model of existential peace is offered to demonstrate this meaning, but no model for creating an authentic leadership is presented as a phenomenology does not provide the groundwork needed to establish such a theory. All cultures represent leadership in different ways, so further research would need to be conducted to create such a model.

Nathaniel Alfonso Hall Jr.

Oftentimes the mission, vision, purpose, and plan of God lives longer than an individual. To see it achieved, it must be effectively passed to the next generation. No generation stands independent of its predecessors or those that follow. In fact, generations overlay and overlap one another. Each is uniquely equipped with men and women created by God for that generation. Every single generation stands on the shoulders of those who went before them. People build on and must not destroy the foundation that is laid before them. Therefore, the church's success is determined by and dependent upon the successful transition of its leadership. This research will explore the good, the bad, and the indifferent regarding this subject matter and document best practices for a successful leadership transition.

Wai Kei Lee D.Min.

This study is intended to explore the importance of spiritual discipline of pastors regarding their ministry and inner spiritual life. Without building a strong relationship with Heavenly Father, one cannot easily stand firm when facing the challenges from work or temptations from the world especially in this postmodern 21st century metropolitan Toronto. Interviews with pastors who are held highly in reputation and have long lasting ministry experiences have been conducted. Their rich and real life sharings definitely will serve as a precious resource for this dissertation. A list of spiritual discipline practices that are relevant and suitable for current 21st century setting at metropolitan Toronto will be provided at final.