<p> This dissertation proposed a quantitative research design to determine if there was a relationship between Wesleyan ministerial education and ministerial effectiveness as measured by the Ministerial Effectiveness Inventory (MEI), an instrument validated in the Church of the Nazarene and United Methodist Church, and used in ministerial effectiveness studies throughout denominations in North America. A survey was sent to ordained senior/solo pastors in the North American Wesleyan Church who have been in service at their local church for at least three years. Participants were asked to take a self -rated MEI, and a sample of the members of their board completed the other-rated MEI. The Wesleyan Church has multiple programs of study that lead to ordination, including seminary, college/university, and adult education programs. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) found a statistically significant difference between the MEI scores of pastoral leaders who had completed adult education and those who completed college.</p>

<p> Assemblies of God USA statistics on credentialed ministers reveal an aging ministerial membership as well as a decline in the number of ministers under the age of forty&mdash;a trend that needs reversing. To address this problem, this project implements a mentoring process at Raleigh First Assembly in Raleigh, North Carolina for those sensing a call to vocational credentialed ministry. Experienced, credentialed ministers connect with thirteen ministry candidates for a six-month mentoring relationship to explore calling and provide direction in walking mentees through the steps of fulfilling their calling. </p><p> This project builds a solid biblical foundation for the mentoring process, which affirms both God&rsquo;s calling to ministry and individuals&rsquo; responses to it. Further, the project&rsquo;s research of contemporary literature reveals that effective mentoring requires both relationship and intentionality for mentee transformation. A survey of new credential applicants in the past five years also reinforces the need for mentoring. </p><p> The resulting impact of the project brings together ministry candidates in relationship with experienced ministers, providing reciprocal benefits to both mentors and mentees. Further, the project demonstrates that a connection of an emerging leader with a seasoned mentoring minister within an equipping and empowering community remains critical to their ongoing development and long-term sustained impact.</p><p>

<p> The project director chose to design a church revitalization partnership strategy. This strategy would enable First Baptist Church of Rockwood to assist another church in the Big Emory Baptist Association needing revitalization. The nature of the seven-step strategy provides flexibility, so the strategy can be used in a variety of ministry contexts. </p><p> Chapter one presents the purpose and nature of the ministry project. After listing the project&rsquo;s ministry and professional objectives, the project director described the project&rsquo;s ministry context, rationale, assumptions, limitations, delimitations, description, and definitions of terms. Through these descriptions, the project director explained the how and why of the project. </p><p> Chapter two addresses the biblical foundations for the ministry project. The project director details the benefits of a revitalization partnership from Ecclesiastes 4:9&ndash;12, the necessities for a revitalization partnership in Nehemiah 2:11&ndash;20, and an example of a revitalization partnership in 1 Corinthians 16:1&ndash;4. Each of these passages support the purpose for the strategy created through this ministry project. </p><p> Chapter three examines the ministry foundations for the ministry project. First, the project director discloses the historical foundation for revitalization partnerships. Next, the project director cites current authors emphasizing the need in revitalization partnerships for strong leaders and intentional planning. Finally, the project director details the seven-step structure for the project&rsquo;s strategy. </p><p> Chapter four details the course of work the project completed to accomplish the project&rsquo;s goals. The project director enumerates three phases of work. Phase one describes the people involved in the ministry project. Phase two explains the process of the ministry project. Phase three details the product of the ministry project which was validated by the expert panel and members of FBCR. </p><p> Chapter five analyzes the results of the ministry project. After presenting a summary of the project&rsquo;s seven step strategy, the project director evaluates various issues such as objectives, strengths and weaknesses, and the project&rsquo;s process. The project director then reflects on lessons learned and future implications for the project&rsquo;s strategy.</p><p>

<p> The author presents the problem of a lack of emotional and spiritual well-being in pastors and Christian leaders who minister in the Metropolitan District and The Christian and Missionary Alliance. In this study, he evaluated the intervention: Leader Life (SDI) Training, first recruiting 100 participants who completed the training, then using the Leader Life Evaluation Survey to measure whether Leader Life increased the self-understanding, strengthened the soul identity, and improved the relational management of participants. He interviewed nine participants and searched for indicators of emotional and spiritual development. The author discovered Leader Life (SDI) Training is an effective tool to develop Christian leaders, and offered ministry recommendations. </p><p>

<p> Although typically not responsible for leadership decision-making that impacts the spiritual growth of the entire organization, youth ministers play a vital leadership role in congregational health as leaders of smaller communities within greater communities of faith. This leadership role is threatened by numerous challenges facing youth ministers of all denominations. Specific to this study, the vital role of youth ministry in Churches of Christ is threatened by high turnover rates of those within the profession. The purpose of this study was to determine leadership practices and strategies that are employed by long tenured youth ministers in Churches of Christ, identify the challenges those youth ministers have faced in implementing leadership practices, discover how they measure successful youth ministry leadership strategies and practices and ascertain their recommendations for implementing leadership strategies and practices within their profession. </p><p> Data were collected from 15 full time youth ministers in Churches of Christ from throughout the United States. The qualitative, phenomenological study utilized a 12-question semi-structured interview format to gather the lived experience of subjects. Key study findings identified 70 themes that answered four research questions. Specifically, self-awareness was the top trait study participants used to describe themselves as leaders. Additionally, participants identified creating an others-focused environment as the top strategy or practice as a contributor to long tenure at the same church. The findings of this study have substantive implications for men and women considering youth ministry as a career or calling, and for institutions of learning that train those preparing for the youth ministry profession.</p><p>