Among terms used to describe the events and experiences that contribute to the shaping of leaders is Warren Bennis’ and Robert Thomas’ ‘crucibles’. Their use of the term emerged from a series of interviews with leaders who had come of age in two distinct eras: all the leaders interviewed referred to a transformative experience that had contributed to their leadership. The aim of this research was to explore the significance of such experiences in the development of Christian leaders. A sample of fourteen evangelical leaders was selected and each leader participated in an in-depth qualitative interview. Their experiences were classified using Robert Thomas’ three types of crucible: new territory, reversals and suspension. Analysis of the experiences demonstrated how crucible experiences had a part to play in shaping both the character and calling of a leader: at times crucibles functioned as intensified learning experiences in which a leader’s beliefs took on an existential intensity. The emerging themes of character and calling are significant in both Old and New Testaments and the project reflected theologically on these. While crucibles may be significant features in the development of a leader, they do not tell the whole story: a range of factors and influences, some of which work in a more gradual way, are also part of a leadership journey.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / The basic design of the research underlying this dissertation involves an attempt to measure change, in selected areas of leadership, which may be attributed to the Institute training program of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Data were gathered from the delegates before, during, and after the Province III (Middle Atlantic States) training program to determine as accurately as possible the amount, and direction, of change in three areas--the leader role image, training skills, and the general approach to a training task. The research project had two goals: (1) the measurement of the described change, and (2) the development of instruments for such measurement. Six instruments were designed and administered. Because of the bulk of data gathered, those from three instruments were deleted in the presentation of the findings--the Trainers' Report, the Case Study, and the Categories Instrument. With the information from the Biographical Data Instrument used as background, the reported findings are based on the data from the Traits Instrument (on the leader role image) and the Training Skills Instrument. The raw score data and the score-shifts from one administration to another were tabulated and presented in frequency tables and grapha. Simple mathematical calculations furnished percentages of stability and change--the bases for the many comparisons made between various items of an instrument, groups of items, and groups of people. A coordinated statistical procedure was used to obtain t values. The personal observations of the writer throughout the Institute proved valuable in providing interpretation of the data and the findings therefrom. The findings include the following: 1. Every indication to date shows the instruments to be valid and reliable. Suggestions are made for possible revision of wording and/or the handling of the data. 2. The overall program of the Province III Institute accomplished net gains toward sponsor goals (stated norms) in most of the traits and skills. 3. In comparison with the 1964 Protestant Church Laboratory, Green Lake, Wisconsin, the data indicate that the Institute achieved greater net gains in every overall trait group and in most of the subgroups of traits. 4. In comparing the three aspects of the leader role image, the date indicate a definite patterns highest net gains in the Ideal Image, lower net gains in the Self Image, and the lowest net gains in the Social Image. 5. The rank order of net gains for the trait groups presented was: highest--those traits of greatest importance to the sponsor which also had the greatest potential for change toward the stated norms; next--those of greatest potential for change toward the stated norms (without other qualification); next--the entire group of twenty traits; lowest--those with the greatest potential for change but not of the greatest importance to the sponsor. 6. The self-scores of the participants indicated net gains in skill improvement ranging from 13.6% to 32.2%, a substantial change for such a relatively abort period of time. Research is needed regarding the following: 1. To what extent were the changes indicated by these data peculiar to this one Institute? To any and every Institute? 2. Will the measured changes endure? Did other unmeasured changes occur? 3. In what way(s) could the net gains be increased in each of the area under consideration? 4. What caused the differences in net gains between the Institute and the Protestant Church Laboratory? 5. Was the large amount of shift away from the stated norms due to the inadequacy of the norms or of the Institute program? 6. What interpretation should be placed on the presence or absence of congruity, or the increase or decrease in congruity variance, for any pair of leader role images? / 2031-01-01

In this thesis I analyze the presence of difference in the nomadic feminist theologizing of a group of eight Catholic women from an Australian diocese. This small christian community named Sophia-of which I am a member-has been meeting since October 1993 to support one another and share stories of our experiences as marginalized Catholics. In attempting to name and understand the various levels of rejection we had encountered, group members reflected on the performances of Catholic Church leaders, and we theologized on church leadership as well as other ecclesial and doctrinal issues. Participants readily agreed to be involved in the research project I was proposing, and they became interactive partners with me during the period that produced the theological discourses analyzed in the thesis. This production stage involved four phases: firstly, open or non-directed theologizing on issues raised by participants; secondly, a guided study-with myself as facilitator-of five traditional Matthean leadership texts; thirdly, a guided study of five Matthean women's leadership texts-again facilitated by me; and fourthly, a return to open or non-directed theologizing. My analysis of the group's theologizing focuses on d~'erence. Using Rosi Braidotti's work on embodied sexual difference which identifies three coexistent levels of difference, I explore and account for difference as it occurs: between women (Sophia) and men (the male representative voice of the institutional church); among women (in the seemingly homogeneous Sophian group); and within individual women (in Sophia). The analysis identifies signifiers of difference that signal Sophia ~s nomadic feminist renegotiations of dominant canonical Catholic discourses. Moreover, I account for the resisting readings mobilized by various Sophian members by exploring ideologies and key elements of interest-specifically power, conflict, desire, agency-that underpin Sophia 's theologizing. In doing this, difference, as evidenced in the multiple voices/perspectives that constitute the Catholic tradition and that feature in Sophia ~ theologizing, is valorized. The designing and de-signing of Sophia ~s nomadic feminist theological discourses in this thesis demonstrates that Sophia 's theological 'acts of going' intensified difference and engendered for participants multiple, transformative pathways and kaleidoscopic rainbows of ever so beautiful theological possibilities.

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">The researcher has drawn on his personal experiences, both in the church as well as in the business world, as a basis for conducting this study. Situating the study within the field of Practical Theology, <font face="Arial Narrow">Zerfass&rsquo / model is used to address the theoretical, co</font><font face="Arial Narrow">ntextual and practical aspects of the research </font>problem. In determining what each section and each chapter should contain, the following questions <font face="Arial Narrow">are used as a guide: What is it that the reader should know, recognise and acknowledge after reading the particular section or chapter? How does a section or a chapter contribute towards exploring the </font><font face="Arial Narrow">stated hypothesis and how are the research steps outlined in Zerfass&rsquo / model used to guide the </font><font face="Arial Narrow">coherence of the project? The research process was initiated with the placing of the &quot / problem&quot / within the context of the UCCSA. Special attention was given to the definition of certain phrases used in UCCSA. Furthermore, the form of government operating in the church was also considered. A comparison was made with other </font><font face="Arial Narrow">church models. As the researcher&rsquo / s interest is the election process, the weaknesses in the current </font><font face="Arial Narrow">election procedures was discussed. A brief biblical perspective on elections was also stated. The findings of this process was that the UCCSA is 'governed' by its understanding and acceptance of the covenant relationship that exists between God and the people as well as between the members of the church. This relationship, therefore, also informs the election processes in the church.</font></p>

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">The researcher has drawn on his personal experiences, both in the church as well as in the business world, as a basis for conducting this study. Situating the study within the field of Practical Theology, <font face="Arial Narrow">Zerfass&rsquo / model is used to address the theoretical, co</font><font face="Arial Narrow">ntextual and practical aspects of the research </font>problem. In determining what each section and each chapter should contain, the following questions <font face="Arial Narrow">are used as a guide: What is it that the reader should know, recognise and acknowledge after reading the particular section or chapter? How does a section or a chapter contribute towards exploring the </font><font face="Arial Narrow">stated hypothesis and how are the research steps outlined in Zerfass&rsquo / model used to guide the </font><font face="Arial Narrow">coherence of the project? The research process was initiated with the placing of the &quot / problem&quot / within the context of the UCCSA. Special attention was given to the definition of certain phrases used in UCCSA. Furthermore, the form of government operating in the church was also considered. A comparison was made with other </font><font face="Arial Narrow">church models. As the researcher&rsquo / s interest is the election process, the weaknesses in the current </font><font face="Arial Narrow">election procedures was discussed. A brief biblical perspective on elections was also stated. The findings of this process was that the UCCSA is 'governed' by its understanding and acceptance of the covenant relationship that exists between God and the people as well as between the members of the church. This relationship, therefore, also informs the election processes in the church.</font></p>

No abstract available / Dissertation (PHD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

<p> In a post Christendom Canada, the church finds itself in a place where it must turn to the biblical witness and discern theologically about the course of the church in an ever changing society. This thesis explores passages that speak about the incarnation such as John 1:14, and the Christ Hymn in Philippians (Phil 2:6-11) and points out that the incarnation is a testimony of the missional nature, and work of God. This thesis also expands upon this point to develop an understanding of how the church today can be described as incarnational. The remainder of the study is devoted to understanding the critical role of leadership in cultivating an incarnational church, and developing the incarnational leadership model needed for it. The model explores what it means for a leader to live incarnationally, and provides a framework for how it shapes their life, ministry and congregations.</p> / Thesis / Master of Divinity (M.Div)

Leadership plays a significant role in the advancement of the church, the followers, and the community that the church serves. If the church fails to train leaders, growth within the church becomes hindered, and its mission becomes aborted. The problem researched in this study is the declining support church leaders are receiving from the community. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore church leadership effectiveness in meeting the expectations of followers, the local church community, and the church. The target population consisted of 3 nondenominational church leaders located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conceptual framework for this study was leadership that captured the connection between effective leadership, organizational growth, financial stability, and success for the local church. Interviews were conducted, and the research questions revealed the best practices, procedures, and leadership behaviors used by the study church leaders for the success of the 3 local churches. Based on the methodological triangulation of the interview data, 10 themes emerged after the using NVivo 11 data analysis software: (a) people-centeredness, (b) communication between the leader and followers, (c) good morals, (d) prayer life that involves constantly talking with God, (e) strategic planning, (f) Christ-centeredness that causes the leader to acknowledge God at all times, (g) love, (h) integrity, (i) God, and (j) Biblical education. As a result of the findings from this study, the potential contributions to social change can include a blueprint for developing future church leaders, increased strategies for creating employment opportunities, and strengthening the family unit through leading people to follow the laws of God and man.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1999. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-194).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2001. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 209-211).