Date of Award

3-11-2025

Document Type

Project Portfolio

Degree Name

Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives (DLd)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Garfield Harvey, DMin

Second Advisor

Clifford Berger, DMin

Third Advisor

Jason Swan Clark, DMin, PhD

Abstract

This doctoral project seeks to create a culture of consistent connection and belonging that benefits the social-emotional and spiritual well-being of ministry leaders within New Life Fellowship of Churches in Southeast Asia. The NPO statement guiding the project is,

New Life Fellowship of Churches ministry leaders and spouses could benefit from meaningful, practical, and more frequent opportunities for relational connection that encourage being known, accepted, and loved.

The key insight was the need for increased relational support. Stakeholders identified flexible platforms and more frequent opportunities for connection as potential solutions. Stakeholders emphasized that being listened to without judgment was of critical importance. The key benefit to meeting the need is that ministry leaders, their spouses, and families would be strengthened, and the chances of burnout and isolation lessened.

From 1986-2014, my ministry context was as a missionary and church planter in Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Vietnam. I’ve worked as a licensed mental health counselor and spiritual director in the Pacific Northwest for the last decade. My experience living in Southeast Asia, academic studies, professional training, and ongoing relationships with NLFOC ministry leaders are foundational to the development of this project.

My doctoral project is the NLFOC Ministry Leaders Listening Group and Retreat Handbook. Phase 1 is the development of the handbook which explains the basic group format and covenants for sharing life challenges, ministry struggles, and experiencing soul care in a non-judgmental and confidential space. This phase includes instruction and practice among leaders attending the NLFOC annual conferences between 2022 and 2024. Phase 2 is the Pre-launch of pilot groups among senior ministry leaders. Phases 3-5 are the official launch of the listening groups, the implementation of semi-annual retreats, invitation to next-generation leaders, and listening group multiplication.

Download

Share

COinS