Date of Award

3-11-2025

Document Type

Project Portfolio

Degree Name

Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives (DLd)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Holley Clough, DMin

Second Advisor

Aaron Friesen, PhD

Third Advisor

Jason Swan Clark, DMin, PhD

Abstract

Midlife arrives with a tsunami of life transitions and a myriad of internal shifts that need processing. Furthermore, the lengthening lifespan, negative impacts of ageism and inadequate framing of midlife’s intention can leave the midlife journeyer unaware of the deep transformation, fresh purpose, and future prospects that God intends the journey to bring.

Ministers are no exception to this journey. However, they contend with the unique pressures of being a constant Godly example for others often with few trusted relationships to authentically process with. In addition, many lack the necessary awareness of tools that foster strategic approaches to weathering transitions well while building transitional intelligence. In addition, many don’t realize that the lengthening age span is producing a monumental shift from an old three-stage linear mindset to a new multi-stage, non-linear mindset where age is not confined to a stage but necessitates discovery and exploration in unconventional ways.4

My current context is the Potomac Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, consisting of over 1070 ministers with 59.55% currently in midlife. Through the synthesis of scientific research and qualitative and quantitative measures including surveys, stakeholder meetings, and interviews, my NPO was formed: Credentialed midlife ministers, facing major life transitions, need relational coaching frameworks to help process their identity, purpose, and future possibilities.

This dissertation addresses the need with the development of a relational coaching framework called The Minister’s Midlife Quest (MMQ) which utilizes the effective feature of group coaching to bring varying layers of relational processing around midlife transitions. The project includes a facilitator’s guide, PowerPoint presentation, Minister’s Midlife Scorecard and White Paper which have been created to be utilized at a three-day retreat.

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