7.1 Dissertation Notices – The Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Crowther, S. (2013). An Examination of Leadership Principles in 1 Peter in Comparison to Authentic and Kenotic Models of Leadership [Dissertation Notice]. JACL, 7(1), 124-124.

This study examined three constructs for leadership authentic leadership, kenotic leadership, and principles of leadership—from the christian Scriptures in the pericope of 1 Peter. the study of authentic leadership as a contemporary theory of leadership was drawn from the leadership literature. however, the study of kenotic leadership and principles from 1 Peter was drawn from an exegetical examination of particular sections of christian Scripture, as well as from the leadership literature. In this research, 10 principles of leadership were found in the text of 1 Peter and then compared to kenotic and authentic leadership. In this comparison, some profound similarities with authentic leadership were discovered, but there was enough dissimilarity to declare them different conceptual frameworks for leadership. In the analysis of kenotic leadership, there was one difference with principles of leadership as found in 1 Peter, but the evidence was that these two conceptual frameworks for leadership were profoundly similar and connected with each other. they were both drawn from the christian Scriptures, sharing many attributes of leadership, including a call for a radical departure in the use of power, as well as issues of ontological change in the leader.

Derico, J. D. (2012). A Delphi study of the biblical/doctrinal knowledge that ministers of Christian Churches/Churches of Christ consider essential for spiritual development. Ph.D., Andrews University.

Though the primary role of the minister is to spiritually lead others and facilitate their spiritual growth, recent trends working against the pastoral role are falling biblical literacy among american christians and a shrinking ability of church leaders’ preparation to convey biblical knowledge that can systematically and effectively guide others in their spiritual growth. a Delphi study was employed to identify the biblical/doctrinal knowledge items considered most essential for facilitating spiritual growth in church members. a selection of 250 christian church/church of christ ministers were invited to participate in the study. a custom web-based instrument was used to allow participants to select biblical and doctrinal ideas they thought were most essential for spiritual growth in church members. three Delphi rounds (with 43 ministers) were used to finalize a list of 26 most-selected biblical and doctrinal teachings (out of an initial 600-item list) perceived to be most essential for facilitating spiritual growth in church members.

Literature and comments from ministers were used to explore possible reasons these biblical/doctrinal teachings emerged as the most essential for spiritual growth. Suggested rationale for how each respective item contributes to the pursuit of spiritual growth was provided. Several recommendations were offered for pastors, congregations, ministry and theological training institutions, and researchers.

Hines, C. D. (2012). A study of pastors, their leadership and the results of their churches. Ph.D., Dallas Baptist University.

Seventy-two pastors in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex who have not earned a graduate degree from an accredited theological school and 150 pastors in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex who have earned a graduate degree from an accredited theological school completed the Leadership Practices Inventory-Self along with a brief demographic questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests were performed between these two groups to discover if there was any statistical difference between these two groups on the five leadership practices measured by the Leadership Practices Inventory-Self. the data analysis yielded no statistical difference between the two groups of pastors. Sixty-six of the 72 pastors who had not earned a graduate degree from an accredited theological school and 120 of the 150 pastors who had earned a graduate degree from an accredited theological school had numerical church data available.

Further, independent samples t-tests were performed between these two groups to discover if there was any statistical difference between the two groups on the percent change in annual church receipts, percent change in membership totals, and percent change in annual number of baptisms during the tenure of the pastor. the data analysis resulted in discovering no statistical difference between the two groups of pastors.

Johnson, C. F. (2012). Predicting leadership practices from spirituality in female leaders of corporations. Ph.D., Walden University.

The growing presence of women in leadership positions has sparked an increased interest in women’s leadership practices. a limited number of publications have acknowledged spirituality as an important variable in women’s leadership style.

Further research is needed to examine the relationship between spirituality and leadership practices. this quantitative study sought to determine whether leadership practices of female corporate leaders can be predicted from their spirituality. the theoretical foundation was grounded in Fry’s spiritual leadership theory, which integrates relevant leader-and- follower higher-order needs and cultural and organizational effectiveness into a causal model framework. three survey instruments—the Inventory on Spirituality (IS), the Leadership Practices Inventory-Self (LPI-Self), and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ)—were used in this survey. Multiple linear regression and bivariate correlations were used to analyze data from the surveys completed by 181 female leaders of corporations. Results revealed significant relationships between spirituality and female leadership practices of inspiring a shared vision, modeling the way, encouraging the heart, and challenging the process.

Jones, G. W. (2012). A theological comparison between social science models and a biblical perspective of servant leadership. Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

This dissertation examines servant leadership and its biblical antecedents from specific biblical texts and non-biblical literature. the biblical presentation of a comprehensive servant theology is consistent through both the Old and New testaments. Servant leadership theory is connected with these biblical origins utilizing the lens of biblical slavery as a model for christian leadership discovered in Mark 10:42-45. In addition, the christological paradox of “power through powerlessness” is introduced. Differences between the biblical view of servant leadership and the social science perspectives, particularly as seen through the writing of Robert K. Greenleaf, are discussed. the dissertation closes with an examination of Walter c. Kaiser’s Principalizing Model for moving beyond theology to propose a means to discover biblical principles of servant leadership.

Mays, R. B. (2011). Comparing turnaround leadership in a rural church and in schools. Ph.D., University of Louisville.

This qualitative study sought to illuminate successful practices of a turnaround leader in a rural church that are applicable cross-contextually, so as to inform the leadership efforts of various organizations seeking to reproduce organizational renewal on a wide-scale basis. this case study utilized participant observations, mined documents, and interviews with the pastor, three part-time staff members, and 24 members of a rural congregation in a South-central Kentucky congregation that had grown 289% in active membership over the last 14 years. the data from the study revealed that members did not recall specific events that led to turnaround as clearly as they recalled unity and harmony; this was contrasted to the period of turmoil and split immediately before the turnaround and the initial, devastating split it had endured 20 years prior. they did not describe events as much as they did their pastor who helped bring peace and a culture that was conducive to revitalization. these findings propagate the notion that turnaround leaders often bear striking resemblances to one another, exhibiting many of the same personal character traits and intentional behaviors. these findings also suggest that turnaround leadership is not so much a product of individual charismatic leadership as it is the product of consistent, sustained attention to sound leadership behaviors.

Newkirk, D. (2012). Preparing women for Baptist Church leadership: Mentoring impact on beliefs and practices of female ministers. Ph.D., Fordham University.

Today, a growing number of african-american women are answering the call to the Baptist church ministry, but their preparation, training, and mentoring is often insufficient. this study involved interviews with 10 african-american women to learn about their backgrounds, education, support and roles as Baptist ministers in the church. two research questions guided the study. (1) how did being mentored or not being mentored affect african-american women ministers’ perception of their effectiveness in ministry? (2) What relationship/role, if any, do mentors have in preparing african-american woman ministers to advance to a senior position of leadership and ministry within the Baptist church? the findings of this study were that few ministers were willing to serve as mentors, although mentoring is vital for the growth in the ministry.

Instead, women ministers were found to be self-motivated and personally inspired.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INtERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission. all rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of christian Education of the National council of the churches of christ in the United States of america. Used by permission. all rights reserved.

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