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The purpose of this study is to examine the succession processes and experiences of senior pastors in megachurches. The term succession is used in the study to refer to the transition in which one leader leaves an organization and another one takes her/his place. The term process speaks of the sequence of individual and collective events, actions, and activities unfolding over time in context (Pettigrew, 1985). The term senior pastor is used to refer to the top leader in churches with multiple pastoral staff. The term megachurch is used here as a descriptive term to refer to Protestant churches with 2,000 or more attendees in their worship services each week (Thumma, 1996). Few changes have greater impact on an organization than the change of the senior leader. Historically, succession processes in churches have been disruptive events often leading to temporary or, in many cases, permanent decline (particularly when the predecessor led the church to a perhaps unprecedented time of growth). Succession was often an undiscussed matter until the departure of a predecessor. Since the proliferation of megachurches is a relatively new social phenomenon, little is known about the succession processes of senior pastors in these churches. This study on succession process seeks to address a gap in the literature regarding succession in megachurches by offering first- hand descriptive accounts by those who have lived through the succession process. Further, this study seeks to enrich the literature by seeking to integrate current leadership theory with this succession study. Examination of the processes of succession and the nature of the proposed research questions favor a qualitative approach methodologically. Since this is an attempt to holistically describe what is going on and to build a knowledge base for developing theory rather than test hypotheses, the methodology adopted needs to allow maximally for serendipitous discovery, description and explanation. This study proposes to describe, analyze and compare the succession processes and experiences of senior pastors in three megachurches through in-depth interviews with those most immersed in the succession process, through document review, archival review and through a basic organization profile survey. / Communication Sciences

The purpose of this work is to chronicle the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from its earliest beginnings in the late 1930s to the events surrounding the revelation on the priesthood in 1978. This thesis will show that as the Church in Rio became less American and more Brazilian, Church growth accelerated. When missionaries first began working in the city, its membership, leadership, culture, and even language was based on North American society and practices, and the Church struggled to establish itself. Only as these aspects of the Church became more Brazilian did it begin to have greater success in the area. This survey history of the Church in Rio de Janeiro will begin in 1935 with the influential work of Daniel Shupe—a North American Church member who lived and worked in Rio and translated the Book of Mormon into Portuguese. We will then examine the work of the missionaries both before and after World Warr II, the growth of Brazilian Church leadership in the city, and how the Church established itself as a center of strength for the Church. Finally, our study will conclude with the 1978 revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy male members regardless of race and the immediate influence of that shift on the Church in the city. The focus of this work will be on the major factors and most influential individuals that affect Church growth and stability in Rio, thereby providing an in-depth study of the effects of language, culture, leadership, and race on the Church in this intriguing and influential city.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-153).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1996. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 275-277).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-153).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill., 1999. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-227).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-153).

The 21st century is marked by the widespread influence of post-modernism and the relativisation of truth. As such, confidence in the truth of Scripture is flagging, and nowhere is this felt more, ironically, than in the appointment and the working of pastors of the Word of God. Movements such as the historical Jesus research abroad, and the so-called “New Reformation” in South Africa, are calling into question long-held tenets of the Christian faith, as well as the inerrant nature of the Bible. The failing trust in the Scripture has also led to a diminished reliance on exposition of the Bible. This again relates to the training of pastors, as theological training today is marked by greater disdain for biblical subjects and a threatening rift between practical theology and biblical exposition. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how the trend might be countered, by applying an exposition of portions of the book of Titus relevant to the selection, appoint, and task of the pastor, to the current situation as it exists today. The exposition focused on the following excerpts from the epistle: 1:1–2:8, 3:12–15. The pastor was discussed as the exemplification of the Church elder, but it was also noted that all that applies to the pastor, equally applies to all elders of the Church. Emphasis was laid on the character of the pastor, the biblical requirements for the ministry, the appointment of pastors, the biblically mandated task of the pastor, the role of the pastor in defending and teaching sound doctrine, and how the teaching of the pastor is to filter down through the congregation, through the older men to the younger men, the older women to the younger women, and how a general ethos of relational ministry is to pervade the mindset of the whole Church (pastor and congregants) in all that they do. Through the exposition, it is seen that biblical exposition is still relevant, and has a role to play in all spheres of life and theology, including practical theological concerns such as the appointment and task of pastors. / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

It is no secret that the North American church has seen a decline over the last twenty years. This is especially pronounced in the younger generations. Significantly fewer people walk through the doors of a church each week. There are a myriad of factors that are driving this decline. One area that needs to be explored is the disengagement of young adults in church leadership. Engaging young adults in leadership is a proven way to engage them in the church. By listening to the voices of Canadian young adults, this dissertation offers a starting point for leaders. Making space for young adults to serve in leadership will both strengthen the church and reengage a lost generation.