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DISCOVERING AN EFFECTIVE DISCIPLE-MAKING METHOD FOR MEN
No full textThis dissertation explores the development of an effective disciple-making method for men by integrating insights from early church discipleship practices and modern missional strategies such as Disciple Making Movements (DMM) and Church Planting Movements (CPM). Rooted in biblical theology and the teachings of the Patristic Fathers, the study evaluates how obediencebased, relational discipleship shaped early Christianity and compares it with contemporary missional frameworks promoted by leaders like David Garrison, Alan Hirsch, and Steve Addison. Against the backdrop of a sharp decline in church attendance and male engagement in Western Christianity, this research identifies the need for a reproducible, movement-oriented model that resonates with men’s desire for significance, brotherhood, and purpose. Through practical implementation in a local church context, the project proposes a model that catalyzes spiritual formation and multiplication among men, reclaiming the church’s original call to make disciples who make disciples
Women Leaders, Personality Traits, Leadership Self-Efficacy, and Leader Role Occupancy
No full textThe purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationships among personality traits (extraversion), leadership self-efficacy (LSE), and leader role occupancy (LRO). Grounded in trait theory and social-cognitive perspectives, the study examined whether (a) LSE related to LRO, (b) personality traits (extraversion) related to LRO, (c) personality traits (extraversion) related to LSE, and (d) LSE moderated the personality trait–LRO relationship. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory (John et al., 1991) and the Multidimensional Leadership Self-Efficacy Scale (Bobbio & Manganelli, 2009). The correlational methodology involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, chi-square test of independence, one-way analysis of variance, and Hayes’ (2017) PROCESS Model 1 to test for moderation. Consistent with past research (Dugan, 2017; McCormick et al., 2002; Paglis & Green, 2002), the study identified a significant relationship between LSE and LRO (p \u3c .001). Individuals who reported higher LSE were substantially more likely to hold formal leadership roles, defined as a position with organizational authority. Extraversion, however, did not significantly predict LSE or LRO, and LSE did not moderate the extraversion–LRO relationship. Taken together, these findings indicate that a woman’s self-belief in her leadership capabilities may play a more central role in attaining leadership than personality traits alone. This study contributed to leadership research by integrating trait and social-cognitive theories, emphasizing LSE as a proximal mechanism for leadership attainment. Practical implications emphasize the development of women’s LSE through mentoring, experiential learning, and exposure to organizational cultures that support women\u27s leadership advancement
THE LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL TRAITS OF HEALTHY CHURCH CULTURES
No full textThe leadership and organizational cultures of local churches are crucial. Over the centuries, these cultures have been shaped by various factors, from the teachings of the Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter in the New Testament to the behaviors and practices of the Catholic Church, the influence of the Reformation, and insights from modern research. This dissertation identifies ten leadership and organizational traits that have influenced the culture of New Testament, historical, and modern-day churches. These traits were used in a quantitative survey to assess their presence in contemporary churches. Based on the research, eight strategies are presented to help pastors develop a path toward fostering healthy leadership cultures in their local contexts
DOES ANXIETY AFFECT SHARED LEADERSHIP? A CASE STUDY ON THE SHARED LEADERSHIP PRACTICES OF A PENTECOSTAL DENOMINATION
Get PDFThis study investigates the interplay between anxiety and shared leadership within the organizational structure of a Pentecostal denomination, focusing on its One Team initiative. This qualitative case study examines how anxiety and self-differentiation affect leadership dynamics and team interactions. Using the Bowen family systems theory as a conceptual framework, the research explores organizational clarity, team roles, decision-making, and relational trust. Data collection involved three phases: analysis of organizational artifacts, focus group interviews with One Team members, and individual interviews with executives. Emergent themes included organizational experiences, expressions of anxiety, self-differentiation, commitment to future development, and the importance of training opportunities. Findings highlight the critical need for role clarity, trust-building, and decision-making frameworks to enhance shared leadership practices. Anxiety-related challenges were linked to an organizational restructuring process, unclear authority lines, and remote work environments. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of shared leadership in faith-based nonprofit organizations, offering practical recommendations for implementing training programs and fostering collaboration. It also emphasizes the role of self-differentiation in mitigating anxiety and promoting effective leadership practices. Future research should expand the examination of shared leadership within diverse organizational contexts and how other Bowen family systems components impact team-member exchanges
Exploring the Perspectives of Trained Pastoral Leaders on the Perceived Role of Mental Health Conditions in Spiritual Formation
Get PDFThe call of the pastoral leader is to serve and lead their congregants through a process of spiritual formation in alignment with how Jesus led His disciples to fulfill the Great Commission. However, when an underlying mental health condition is present, it can play a disruptive role in the spiritual formation of congregants in unique ways. Mental health conditions are a global phenomenon that continue to significantly affect individuals across all sectors, including the church. Thus, pastoral leaders are seeking to employ the most effective leadership style to guide congregants in continual spiritual formation when an underlying mental health condition exists. Servant leadership is a preferred leadership method by pastoral leaders to serve their congregants as it exemplifies the ministry of Jesus, who emphasized the selfless service of others’ needs. The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore the perspectives of pastoral leaders who are trained mental health counselors on the perceived role of an underlying mental health condition in congregants’ spiritual formation. Eight trained pastoral leaders were interviewed to obtain their perspectives on the role of an underlying mental health condition in spiritual formation. Eight themes emerged from this research: identifiable conditions often maltreated, confluence of roles and philosophies, clear boundaries, cultivating spiritual resilience, discerning mental and spiritual impact, servant leader qualities, evidence of spiritual and mental well-being, and pastoral best practices. A theoretical and practical model was established as a result of these themes and recommendations for future research are provided
WHAT ABOUT US? THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MENTORS WHO MENTOR AT-RISK YOUTH
Get PDFThe purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of mentors who mentor at-risk youth. Mentoring relationships have begun to surface in many sectors including professional, residential, and educational. The current research regarding mentorship presents a critical imbalance of focus, highlighting primarily the experiences of mentee participants. This can lead to a lack of understanding regarding the experiences of mentors who mentor at-risk youth. By highlighting the shared phenomenon of those who mentor at-risk youth, mentor satisfaction, mentoring practices, mentor enjoyment, and relationship longevity could improve. The social constructivism theoretical framework was utilized to understand how the experiences of mentors shaped the realms of the reality of the phenomenon. The study included 7 participants who engaged in semi-structured interviews utilizing Otter.ai technology. The transcripts collected from the interview data was used to extract rich and robust information about the lived experience of participants. Findings of the study revealed four themes: self-development, challenges faced, benefits experienced, and mentor contributions. The findings of this study suggested that mentors who mentor at-risk feel accomplished and fulfilled by their work even in the face of ample challenges. The findings also revealed that although mentor contributions to the mentoring relationship are vast, mentors also experience a sense of self-development, as well as personal benefits
From Pulpit to Policy: Transforming Latino Evangelical Communities Through Pastoral Civic Capacity Building
Get PDFTitle of Project: One Day Seminar: From Pulpit to Policy: Transforming Latino Evangelical Communities Through Pastoral Civic Capacity Building
Defense Date: April 1, 2025
Candidate Name: Mark Vega
Personal Email Address: [email protected]
First Advisor: Dr. Emile Hawkins
Second Advisor: Dr. Bethany Peters
DSL Final Project Abstract: This project investigates the transformative potential of Latino evangelical churches in enhancing civic engagement and community advocacy through pastoral leadership. Utilizing Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model, the research identifies significant socioeconomic, cultural, and institutional barriers that impede civic participation among Latino communities. Through qualitative analysis involving Latino evangelical pastors and leaders, the seminar-based approach equips faith leaders to effectively integrate civic responsibility into their ministries. The seminar combines educational instruction, experiential testimonials, and immersive activities to promote lasting civic engagement and community transformation.
Project Type: Applied Research and Leadership Development Seminar
Project Overview: This one-day seminar addresses low political and civic engagement levels among Latino evangelical communities by empowering pastoral leaders with strategies to overcome systemic barriers. Leveraging Kotter’s Change Theory, the seminar provided practical tools and strategies that pastors can directly implement in their churches, fostering increased advocacy, community transformation, and policy influence.
Project Themes: Civic Engagement Transformational Leadership Community Advocacy Cultural and Socioeconomic Barriers Faith-driven Social Justice Kotter’s Change Management
Contributions to the Field of Leadership: This project contributes to strategic leadership by demonstrating how faith-based communities, particularly Latino evangelical churches, can effectively engage in civic advocacy and policy transformation. Applying Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model within a religious context expands leadership theory into the intersection of faith, culture, and community activism. Furthermore, it provides actionable strategies for pastoral leaders to address internal and external community barriers and enhance leadership effectiveness in community transformation.
Real-world Implications: The project\u27s implementation has demonstrated significant potential to reshape the role of Latino evangelical churches in the civic arena. The seminar has increased awareness, mobilized congregations toward civic responsibility, and prepared participants to initiate immediate and sustained civic dialogues within their communities by equipping church leaders with actionable steps for advocacy and community engagement. The project illustrates how enhanced pastoral civic capacity directly contributes to more vigorous community representation, policy advocacy, and improved quality of life for Latino families.
Keywords: Latino Evangelical Churches, Civic Engagement, Transformational Leadership, Kotter’s Change Model, Community Advocacy, Cultural Barriers, Socioeconomic Constraints, Social Justice, Faith-driven Leadership, Pastoral Capacity Buildin
THE OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PASTORAL COUNSELING AND CHAPLAINCY
Get PDFThe operation of the Holy Spirit in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy is a topic that is difficult to quantify. How and where the Holy Spirit moves is often a mystery. This dissertation seeks to understand the movement of the Holy Spirit in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy in the form of a theological and literature review looking into the history of soul care/pastoral counseling and the development of chaplaincy. It also looks at who the Holy Spirit is, how the Spirit operates, and develops a theology of the Holy Spirit within pastoral counseling and chaplaincy with a focus on spiritual gifts. This knowledge lays the foundation for original research through a mixed methodology of qualitative and quantitative research. Seven interviews focusing on the operation of the Holy Spirit in chaplaincy were conducted with chaplains. Ninety-four chaplains from the Assemblies of God also responded to a survey focusing on the operation of the Holy Spirit in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. The results of these interviews and survey were then analyzed for results and to discover themes. The data were then theorized on to understand possible implications
Exploring the Intersection of Ethical and Virtuous Leadership: An Analysis of Correlation and Interchangeability of Measurement Tools
Get PDFExploring the nuanced dimensions of leadership within contemporary organizational contexts, in this study, I delved into the correlation and interchangeability between virtuous and ethical leadership paradigms. Anchored in a methodological framework that includes a thorough literature review and a correlation research design, I assessed the relationship between perceptions of virtuous leadership (measured by the virtuous leadership questionnaire) and ethical leadership (measured by the ethical leadership scale) among leaders and subordinates across a representative demographic of the professional business environment. Drawing from a qualified participant pool of 533, I found a statistically significant, direct, and robust correlation (r = .91, p \u3c .001) between virtuous and ethical leadership perceptions. Simple linear regression analysis showed that perceptions of virtuous leadership significantly predict those of ethical leadership, explaining 83.02% of the variance in ethical leadership perceptions (F (1,531) = 2,596.06, p \u3c .001, R² = .83). These findings illuminate the close alignment between the constructs of virtuous and ethical leadership and suggest the potential use of their measurement instruments interchangeably without modification. By challenging traditional leadership models and advocating for an integrated approach to moral leadership, I highlight the critical importance of fostering both ethical behaviors and virtuous traits for effective leadership. A discussion of the implications for leadership development within organizations and outline directions for future research is provided, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to cultivating leadership qualities that enhance organizational culture and effectiveness
PERSONALITY TRAIT THEORY AND COMBAT PERFORMANCE: A RETROACTIVE STUDY ANALYZING COMBAT PERFORMANCE AND RESILIENCE AMONG USAF EOD VETERANS OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
Get PDFThe United States\u27 national security depends upon high-performing leaders within select high-stress and high-risk military functional communities. However, research into the personality traits needed to perform well in these communities is lacking. This quantitative, retrospective, nonexperimental, correlational research aimed to determine whether relationships existed between the personality traits of Air Force EOD Team Leader Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their combat performance and resilience. The theoretical foundation of this study encompassed personality trait theory, theories of human resource management and performance, and criterion measurement theories. The TAKE5 FC, a commercially available forced-choice five-factor model personality assessment, measured personality traits. Combat performance was measured using the Combat/Deployment Performance Rating Scale (CDPRS), and Resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Air Force EOD Team Leader Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan completed the TAKE5 FC and CD-RISC, whereas their Team Members completed CDPRS surveys to assess their combat performance. This study revealed that the combat performance domain of Field Readiness was best predicted by a curvilinear relationship with the personality trait of Extraversion. Resilience was best predicted by both linear and curvilinear relationships with Emotional Stability. Additional research is suggested to support these findings further, develop new theories of high-stress and high-risk leadership performance, and enact leadership development and resilience programs within dangerous career fields