Date of Award

2-2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives (DLd)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Daniel Lioy, PhD

Second Advisor

Christine Roush, DMin

Abstract

Leadership in some denominations is traditionally structured as in the corporate world. For example, the senior pastor position is synonymous to Chief Executor Officer, and the deacons comprise the Board of Directors. Church and corporate organizations both have bylaws and policies identifying their beliefs and guidelines. In building a leadership team, the corporate and church officers normally follow an interview process of candidates.

This dissertation discusses developing a leadership team that aligns with Jesus’ leadership style. A bird’s eye view of the American Baptist Churches USA churches, located in Houston Texas, traditional practices and the apostle’s traditional practices selecting leadership teams. These practices are not limited to the Baptist denomination.

Section One discusses churches’ challenges following the traditional church practices in their leader-selection process designated to administer the church ordinances. It provides insight into churches’ traditional practices observed during research. Section Two discusses the proposed solutions for developing an effective leadership team revealed in research and other resources. Jesus is the master leader; therefore, the church leadership should be Christ-like. The church should live as Jesus did (1 Jn 2:6) and, per Paul, be followers of Christ (1 Cor 11:1). Section Three contrasts traditional church leadership style and practices with the leadership styles and practices of Jesus, God, and the apostles. A strategic plan of ideas is shared to help church leaders successfully transition from the traditional to biblical church-leadership practices.

The artifact of this research, a manual, provides a detailed view of the traditional church practices versus biblical practices for developing a church leadership team, including other Baptist associations and denominations, highlighting similarities within their traditional church practices. An accompanying inductive in-depth bible study workbook will help the reader define and analyze the integral components of Jesus’s leadership style to facilitate their transition from traditional to biblical leadership.

Comments

On August 29 2022, this degree of Doctor of Ministry with a concentration in Leadership and Global Perspectives (DMin) was exchanged for a Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives (DLd), with the approval of George Fox University, ATS, and NWCCU.

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