Bunkowske, J. W. (2019). An analysis of Christian transformational leadership in secular organizations. PhD, Northcentral University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 27544006.
The purpose of this qualitative narrative research study was to discover what the effects of practicing Christian transformational leadership are in secular organizations. The goal was to help Christian transformational leaders better understand how to maximize their leadership practice in secular organizations. The specific problem this qualitative study addressed was that it is unknown what the effects of practicing Christian transformational leadership are in secular organizations. This study used a narrative inquiry to collect the firsthand experience of Christian transformational leaders who work in secular organizations. The results of the study expand the understanding of the Christian segment of transformational leadership with respect to previous research and theory. Adding the element of agape love to the existing transformational leadership elements of idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation fulfills the study’s purpose of discovering what the effects of practicing Christian transformational leadership are in secular organizations. The richer understanding of Christian transformational leadership developed by adding the element of agape love to the existing transformational leadership elements may help Christian transformational leaders better understand their leadership practice and thereby learn how to achieve excellent results in their leadership practice.
Campagna, T. J. (2022). Developing tomorrow’s virtuous spiritual leaders: A case study on the development of leadership in the Christian church.PhD, Northcentral University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 29391329.
The purpose of this study was to explore potential solutions among leaders for the lack of systemic leadership development within Christian churches. The problem addressed by this study was the lack of systemic leadership development (LD) within Christian churches adversely impacting church health. Eligible individuals were over 18 years of age, a member of a Church of Christ located in North Carolina or South Carolina, and serving in one of several different leadership roles within the church. Twenty-five participants were interviewed via Zoom videoconferencing using a semi-structured interview protocol. Results indicated that leadership development strategies were in place but inadequate primarily due to three factors: difficulty in coordinating schedules of leaders, inadequate LD planning, and a lack of LD expertise. Results of inadequate leadership development adversely affected the retention and recruitment of leaders, leader health, leader effectiveness, and the church’s ability to accomplish its mission and fulfill its purpose. Participants identified three strategies to address leadership development inadequacies: become intentional about leadership development planning, focus on developing small group leaders, and development of the church youth.
De Kock, G. D. S. (2021). The practice of silence as a journey towards conscious leadership. PhD, University of Johannesburg (South Africa). ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 28668322.
Today, there is a rapidly growing sense of impending crisis with dire consequences for all humanity. The answer lies in a new kind of leader, a conscious leader. A conscious leader’s actions are based on a profound realization of a bigger picture, a sense of interconnectedness and wholeness, the result of the leader’s expanded sense of identity and compassion. The burning question is where such a journey in the process of growing and developing conscious leaders should start. The practice of silence appears to be such a way. Hence, the research question for this study: How does the practice of silence contribute as a journey towards conscious leadership? Three research objectives were set to determine an answer. A combination of literature and documentary review, together with case study analysis, formed the basis of the research. By empirically verifying the “silence and conscious leadership model,” developed by the researcher, a valuable link was confirmed between the practice of silence and the journey towards conscious leadership, thereby revealing important insights for enhancing overall leadership.
Gebremedhin, G. A. (2023). The balancing of social identity and Christian identity in Christian leadership: Successful principles for Christian leaders operating in the diverse cultural context of Ethiopia. PhD, Regent University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 30246399.
The identity quest has intensified globally and locally (Friedman, 2000). The issues relating to identity vary from one context to another. In some western countries, sexual and gender identity-related issues have become critical (Carr, 2010). In the Ethiopian context, issues like ethnicity, language, and traditional religion have become the centerpiece of the sociopolitical life of Ethiopians (Zewde, 2004). Evangelical leaders are not exempt from these issues. The intensified identity quest makes balancing social identity and Christian identity a daily struggle for many evangelical leaders. This study intended to answer three questions: What is the proper balance between social and evangelical Christian identity in the Ethiopian context? How do exemplar leaders maintain the balance between the multiple identities they have? And how do exemplar Christian leaders manage to keep their Christian identity as their core identity? The study confirmed that balancing social identity and Christianity identity is a daily struggle for evangelical Christian leaders in Ethiopia. The study also revealed the growing importance of identity in leadership.
Parker, C., III. (2021). An ex-amination of the role of eschatology as motivation for ethical behavior through a socio-rhetorical analysis of the eschatological pericopae in the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. PhD, Regent University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 28490823.
This study examined the role of eschatological motivation in relation to ethical leadership through a socio-rhetorical analysis of the eight eschatological pericopae in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 10; 2:12, 19; 3:13; 4:13–18; and 5:1–11, 23, as found in biblical literature. The research of ethical leadership was drawn from the literature addressing contemporary leadership theories focused on specifically ethical leadership and its motivational factors. The researcher followed the exegetical methodologies outlined in the appropriate textural gradations of socio-rhetorical analysis. The data were interpreted for principles linking to ethical leadership and eschatological motivation for ethical leadership based on the Pauline writings of 1 Thessalonians. The study results yielded four aspects of eschatological motivation that expanded three levels (low, middle, and high) of motivation for ethical leadership to four, with the addition of a highest level as found in the eschatological pericopae in the Epistle of 1 Thessalonians. The results of the research demonstrate a linkage between the ethical leadership and eschatological motivation.
Quitter, M. A. (2021). The role of biblical ethical behavior in leader-follower relationships in missions agencies: A phenomenological study. PhD, Carolina University, Piedmont Divinity School. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 30249826.
Without a universal standard of behavior, there is always tension in relationships based on differing moral perspectives. Tension is compounded by multiple leader-follower relationships. Biblical ethics are found to be the prescriptive foundation of leader-follower relationships, providing a consistent standard for leaders and followers. They lead to purposeful modeling of ethical behavior, developing ethical followers, and promoting ethical upward influence. As such, purposeful biblical ethical behavior models self-awareness, accountability, integrity, cooperation, knowledge, other-focus, humility, loyalty, charity, kindness, temperance, faith, longsuffering, and patience. Ethical communication ensures that each of these factors is understood and received by others. Followers can also greatly impact leader-follower relationships through ethical other-focused behavior. Ethical followers discover the strengths and weaknesses of the boss and where they can be the most helpful implementing their priorities. Honest upward communication keeps the boss informed of follower activities and intentions. Biblical ethics are found to be effective because they are right as a standard of human relational behavior, not because people agree with them. Therefore, any organization can benefit from them.