Burgeoning evidence has shown rapid growth of licensed and ordained female clergy within the Protestant church. Consequently, dual clergy couples have also increased in number. Research has suggested that African American female clergy have experienced greater challenges than male clergy in leadership roles in the church, including social isolation, sexism, and glass-ceiling barriers. Female clergy are also disproportionately affected by mental and physical health complications including depression, obesity, and burnout. Guided by adult personal resilience theory and its tenets of determination, endurance, adaptability, and recuperability, this interpretive phenomenological study focused on exploring the lived experiences of 13 African American female clergy leaders married to male clergy leaders. African American female clergy, recruited through both purposeful and snowball sampling, through interviews shared their stories of living in a dual-clergy marriage. Using Colaizzi's seven-step process of qualitative analysis and coding, two major themes of Resolve and Resilience, and four sub-themes including Barriers to the Church, Multiple Roles, Health and Wellness, and Adaptation were identified. Findings from this research expand the current body of knowledge on leadership and gender roles in the Protestant church, including the need for a greater understanding of the experiences of female clergy in male-dominated congregational and ministerial spaces. Implications for social change include opening conversations regarding the unique experiences of African American female clergy, supporting awareness of the social, mental and physical challenges of female clergy, and engaging in larger conversations about equal access in all areas of church leadership.

God is the ultimate leader, and the church leadership mandate and responsibility is from Him. The Lord prepares those He calls to take leadership responsibilities. He does not intend to use persons who are not properly equipped and developed to occupy high leadership positions in the church. Hence church leaders in evangelical churches in Uganda who wish to be proficiently used by God should be holistically trained in theology and leadership for effective church ministry and church growth. However, lack of proper leadership training poses a huge challenge to evangelical churches in Uganda. The traditional theological educational system in Uganda is too academic, paying too little attention to practical relevance; to pastoral ministry, mission and spiritual formation. In addition, the weak relationship of many Pentecostal leaders with theological training in Uganda has led to dead intellectualism and heresy upon heresy. As such these church leaders do not address the felt needs of the church correctly. This study commences by noting the limitations of leadership training models of ministers, and the lack of theological and leadership training, especially among many Pentecostal pastors in Uganda. It is divided into three phases. The first phase focuses on basic-theoretical principles, the second on meta-theoretical guidelines and empirical findings and the third phase focuses on critical-hermeneutical interaction between the basis-theoretical principles and the meta-theoretical guidelines. The purpose of the basis-theoretical perspectives was to explore the role played by different categories of leaders in the Bible: visionary, administrative and shepherding leaders, and to research early church fathers and other historical church leadership. Visionary leadership functioned as change agents: brought change in the church, and new life in the people of God. Administrative leadership performed the task of governance and guidance: teaching, discipline, conflict resolution and the management of resources. Shepherd-servant leadership cared for the daily needs of church family; not only the spiritually weak, but also physical sick and the needy. The autocratic leaders ruled over others and democratic leaders shared responsibilities. In the meta-theoretical perspectives a literature study was conducted of recent research in Sociology on the challenges encountered by visionary, administrative and shepherding leaders in Uganda and approaches to each. An empirical study consisting of the quantitative interviews with a selected group of Uganda evangelical leaders was also carried out to establish the challenges and approaches to these challenges. A practice- theoretical perspective offers some guiding principles to the evangelical leadership for effective church ministry and church growth. / Thesis (PhD (Pastoral Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

God is the ultimate leader, and the church leadership mandate and responsibility is from Him. The Lord prepares those He calls to take leadership responsibilities. He does not intend to use persons who are not properly equipped and developed to occupy high leadership positions in the church. Hence church leaders in evangelical churches in Uganda who wish to be proficiently used by God should be holistically trained in theology and leadership for effective church ministry and church growth. However, lack of proper leadership training poses a huge challenge to evangelical churches in Uganda. The traditional theological educational system in Uganda is too academic, paying too little attention to practical relevance; to pastoral ministry, mission and spiritual formation. In addition, the weak relationship of many Pentecostal leaders with theological training in Uganda has led to dead intellectualism and heresy upon heresy. As such these church leaders do not address the felt needs of the church correctly. This study commences by noting the limitations of leadership training models of ministers, and the lack of theological and leadership training, especially among many Pentecostal pastors in Uganda. It is divided into three phases. The first phase focuses on basic-theoretical principles, the second on meta-theoretical guidelines and empirical findings and the third phase focuses on critical-hermeneutical interaction between the basis-theoretical principles and the meta-theoretical guidelines. The purpose of the basis-theoretical perspectives was to explore the role played by different categories of leaders in the Bible: visionary, administrative and shepherding leaders, and to research early church fathers and other historical church leadership. Visionary leadership functioned as change agents: brought change in the church, and new life in the people of God. Administrative leadership performed the task of governance and guidance: teaching, discipline, conflict resolution and the management of resources. Shepherd-servant leadership cared for the daily needs of church family; not only the spiritually weak, but also physical sick and the needy. The autocratic leaders ruled over others and democratic leaders shared responsibilities. In the meta-theoretical perspectives a literature study was conducted of recent research in Sociology on the challenges encountered by visionary, administrative and shepherding leaders in Uganda and approaches to each. An empirical study consisting of the quantitative interviews with a selected group of Uganda evangelical leaders was also carried out to establish the challenges and approaches to these challenges. A practice- theoretical perspective offers some guiding principles to the evangelical leadership for effective church ministry and church growth. / Thesis (PhD (Pastoral Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Summaries in German and English / Die vorliegende Arbeit ist innerhalb der Praktischen Theologie den interdisziplinären Forschungsrichtungen „Christian Leadership" und Homiletik zuzuordnen, weil sie das Thema Verkündigung aus dem Aspekt der Leitung betrachtet. Es wird erklärt, dass die Predigt ein Akt der Kommunikation des Evangeliums und daher eine gute Botschaft in Form und Inhalt ist. Sie wird aber nicht selten als eine Motivationsrede genutzt, die inakzeptablen Druck auf die Hörer ausübt und ethische Fragen rund um Macht und Manipulation veranlasst. Um diese ethische Fragen zu berücksichtigen, werden fünf Predigten aus Freien Evangelischen Gemeinden in der Schweiz nach der „Heidelberger Methode“ der Predigtanalyse untersucht unter Beachtung der Wirkung von sprachlichen Stilmitteln. Die Analyse ergab, dass die Verkündiger ihre Hörer motivieren wollen – dies geschieht aber nicht immer auf eine dem Evangelium angemessene Art und Weise. Oft werden zu viele unterschiedliche Themen angesprochen und auch undurchführbare und überfordernde Aufträge an die Hörer vermittelt / The aspect of motivating through preaching is researched within the disciplines of Christian Leadership and Homiletics in Practical Theology. It is argued that the sermon is an act of communication, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in form and content, but it also can be used as a motivational speech, often transforming the gospel one-sidedly into a law and putting pressure on the listeners. This brings certain ethical questions, such as the use of power and possible manipulation of the hearer, into the equation. With a view to these ethical questions, five sermons from pastors in Free Evangelical Congregations in Switzerland are analysed by means of an adapted version of the “Heidelberger Model of Preaching Analysis”, looking at the use of rhetoric and linguistic styling in order to motivate the listeners. The analyses show that preachers do not always succeed in motivating the listeners in a way that is appropriate to the gospel and that listeners sometimes are overloaded with impracticable or overtaxing expectations. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Christian Leadership)

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This study considers the ways in which congregational management contributes to maintaining the healthy church through the supporting role of supplying, monitoring and controlling the human, physical, financial, and informational resources needed to allow the pastors to lead the congregation-centred church to fulfil its mission. It was found that congregational managers help to prevent their churches declining into illhealth by helping the pastorate to retain current congregants and attract new ones through charisma. This requires them to first study, analyze and classify the major parts of the diverse congregation and surrounding community and then monitor them to foresee and forestall problems. They play multiple roles in efficient administration, asset management, targeted church adverting, human relations, risk management, project management, professional standards auditing and maintenance, community relations with all faiths, charity, mission, and, above all, customer relations. Recommendations are made for enhancing congregational management’s role in the healthy church. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Die kerk, in sy bree gesien, is tans in 'n 'nie-groei-kultuur' vasgeval. Daar is by min gemeentes 'n opregte las vir verlorenes te bespeur. Leiers het 'n gemaksone van professionalisme en instandhouding betree waar die groei van gemeentes me hoog op hul agenda geplaas word nie. Hierdie instandhoudingsingesteldheid en derhalwe 'n uitsluitlik na-binne-gerigte bedieningsfilosofie, het grootliks tot geringe groei en soms ook agteruitgang bygedra. Die omvangryke veranderinge in die samelewing gaan nie deur die kerk vrygespring word nie. Vandag kan kerke nie meer vanselfsprekend op die tradisionele ondersteuning en lojaliteit van mense sowel as die samelewing aanspraak maak nie. Die kerk is in 'n groot mate uitgeskuif en geniet nie meer dieselfde kollig as in die verlede nie. Groot 'kerklike grondgebied' is reeds afgestaan. Leiers is deel, en gevolglik ook 'n produk, van die huidige kerklike situasie waar belangeloosheid ten opsigte van gemeentegroei dikwels 'n algemene verskynsel is. Vanwee strukture soos die herder-kudde-model, is lidmate vir jare buite bedieningsgeleenthede gehou. Die bediening was as die verantwoordelikheid van leiers beskou. Die rol van lidmate is tans besig om groot veranderinge te ondergaan, aangesien gewone lidmate toenemend in dienswerk opgeneem word. Vrae wat reeds gevra word, is: Wat gaan die unieke rol van leiers in die toekoms wees? Wie is vir groei-inisiatief verantwoordelik? Die probleem waarmee leiers tans te make het, is hul behendigheid om die uitdagings en eise van 'n nuwe kerklike paradigma te ontmoet, veral in 'n mondering wat vir 'n uitgaande paradigma bedoel is. Baie kritiek word teen opleidingsmodelle gerig, maar wesenlik is die probleem in 'n gevestigde "mind-set" gesetel. Groeiende gemeentes wereldwyd toon dat hul leiers 'n sleutelrol in die groeipotensiaal van die gemeente speel en leiers van hierdie gemeentes het die voortou geneem om nuwe moontlikhede en modelle van leierskap uit te stal. Daar sal totaal nuut oor leierskap gedink moet word indien ons die groei van gemeentes ten doel het. In hierdie navorsing word leierskaptendense in die algemeen, asook leierskaptendense spesifiek in groeiende gemeentes, ondersoek. 'n Teorie vir 'groei-leierskap' word dan hieruit ontwikkel en aangebied. / The church is not experiencing a lot of growth at the moment. A number of congregations have no urge to find the lost ones. Growth is not a priority, due to leaders maintaining instead of expanding the congregation. This philosophy to maintain resulted into an inward practice which contributed to little growth, more seriously even a decline in total membership. The numerous changes experienced by the community at large will also fall the church to victim. The church has lost support simply because of a total lack in the so-called traditional loyalty and support. The church is no more the focus as in the past, it has been side-lined. The church has already lost greatly. Church leaders, as such products of the present day situation in the church, have been part of this culture of non-interest in the growth of the congregation. The typical evangelistic model of shepherd and flock left the ordinary members of the congregation out in the cold. The ministry was the responsibility of the church leaders, however the role of the ordinary members of the congregation is changing as they too are becoming more involved in ministry. Questions such as the following come to the fore: What is the unique role of church leaders going to be in future? Who's going to be responsible for growth inisiatives in the church in future? The problem facing church leaders of the day, is their total lack to meet the challenges and demands. The new evangelistic paradigm especially calls for an outgoing approach. Criticism has been given against the training of leadership but most probably the problem lies within their established mind-set". Globally, congregations which are experiencing large growth, has proved their leaders to play a paramount role in exploiting their growth potential. Such leaders were in the forefront of new leadership exhibiting the same qualities. If the growth of the various congregations is of importance, then the whole issue around leadership will have to be adapted and renewed. This research contains leadership tendencies in general, as well as leadership tendencies in growing congregations. A theory for "growth-leadership" will be developed and presented from this. / Practical Theology / Th.D. (Practical theology)

This study considers the ways in which congregational management contributes to maintaining the healthy church through the supporting role of supplying, monitoring and controlling the human, physical, financial, and informational resources needed to allow the pastors to lead the congregation-centred church to fulfil its mission. It was found that congregational managers help to prevent their churches declining into illhealth by helping the pastorate to retain current congregants and attract new ones through charisma. This requires them to first study, analyze and classify the major parts of the diverse congregation and surrounding community and then monitor them to foresee and forestall problems. They play multiple roles in efficient administration, asset management, targeted church adverting, human relations, risk management, project management, professional standards auditing and maintenance, community relations with all faiths, charity, mission, and, above all, customer relations. Recommendations are made for enhancing congregational management’s role in the healthy church. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Die kerk, in sy bree gesien, is tans in 'n 'nie-groei-kultuur' vasgeval. Daar is by min gemeentes 'n opregte las vir verlorenes te bespeur. Leiers het 'n gemaksone van professionalisme en instandhouding betree waar die groei van gemeentes me hoog op hul agenda geplaas word nie. Hierdie instandhoudingsingesteldheid en derhalwe 'n uitsluitlik na-binne-gerigte bedieningsfilosofie, het grootliks tot geringe groei en soms ook agteruitgang bygedra. Die omvangryke veranderinge in die samelewing gaan nie deur die kerk vrygespring word nie. Vandag kan kerke nie meer vanselfsprekend op die tradisionele ondersteuning en lojaliteit van mense sowel as die samelewing aanspraak maak nie. Die kerk is in 'n groot mate uitgeskuif en geniet nie meer dieselfde kollig as in die verlede nie. Groot 'kerklike grondgebied' is reeds afgestaan. Leiers is deel, en gevolglik ook 'n produk, van die huidige kerklike situasie waar belangeloosheid ten opsigte van gemeentegroei dikwels 'n algemene verskynsel is. Vanwee strukture soos die herder-kudde-model, is lidmate vir jare buite bedieningsgeleenthede gehou. Die bediening was as die verantwoordelikheid van leiers beskou. Die rol van lidmate is tans besig om groot veranderinge te ondergaan, aangesien gewone lidmate toenemend in dienswerk opgeneem word. Vrae wat reeds gevra word, is: Wat gaan die unieke rol van leiers in die toekoms wees? Wie is vir groei-inisiatief verantwoordelik? Die probleem waarmee leiers tans te make het, is hul behendigheid om die uitdagings en eise van 'n nuwe kerklike paradigma te ontmoet, veral in 'n mondering wat vir 'n uitgaande paradigma bedoel is. Baie kritiek word teen opleidingsmodelle gerig, maar wesenlik is die probleem in 'n gevestigde "mind-set" gesetel. Groeiende gemeentes wereldwyd toon dat hul leiers 'n sleutelrol in die groeipotensiaal van die gemeente speel en leiers van hierdie gemeentes het die voortou geneem om nuwe moontlikhede en modelle van leierskap uit te stal. Daar sal totaal nuut oor leierskap gedink moet word indien ons die groei van gemeentes ten doel het. In hierdie navorsing word leierskaptendense in die algemeen, asook leierskaptendense spesifiek in groeiende gemeentes, ondersoek. 'n Teorie vir 'groei-leierskap' word dan hieruit ontwikkel en aangebied. / The church is not experiencing a lot of growth at the moment. A number of congregations have no urge to find the lost ones. Growth is not a priority, due to leaders maintaining instead of expanding the congregation. This philosophy to maintain resulted into an inward practice which contributed to little growth, more seriously even a decline in total membership. The numerous changes experienced by the community at large will also fall the church to victim. The church has lost support simply because of a total lack in the so-called traditional loyalty and support. The church is no more the focus as in the past, it has been side-lined. The church has already lost greatly. Church leaders, as such products of the present day situation in the church, have been part of this culture of non-interest in the growth of the congregation. The typical evangelistic model of shepherd and flock left the ordinary members of the congregation out in the cold. The ministry was the responsibility of the church leaders, however the role of the ordinary members of the congregation is changing as they too are becoming more involved in ministry. Questions such as the following come to the fore: What is the unique role of church leaders going to be in future? Who's going to be responsible for growth inisiatives in the church in future? The problem facing church leaders of the day, is their total lack to meet the challenges and demands. The new evangelistic paradigm especially calls for an outgoing approach. Criticism has been given against the training of leadership but most probably the problem lies within their established mind-set". Globally, congregations which are experiencing large growth, has proved their leaders to play a paramount role in exploiting their growth potential. Such leaders were in the forefront of new leadership exhibiting the same qualities. If the growth of the various congregations is of importance, then the whole issue around leadership will have to be adapted and renewed. This research contains leadership tendencies in general, as well as leadership tendencies in growing congregations. A theory for "growth-leadership" will be developed and presented from this. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / Th.D. (Practical theology)