<p> This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of female ministers serving in pastoral leadership within the church. This study involved selecting 12 female pastors actively serving congregations within the Richmond, Virginia, Tri-Cities area. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the details of living and serving as a female pastoral leader, and the inner motivations to achieve top-tier leadership and experiences with female-to-female mentorship. The female pastoral leaders participated in a three-tier face-to-face interview process. Prior to conducting the core research, a pilot study of two female pastoral participants tested the alignment of research questions and interview process. Including the pilot study and core research, the total number of participants was 14. The 12 participant interview transcripts were collected as data and analyzed using NVivo 10® qualitative software. Five themes emerged from the collected data: a) pastoral leadership: personal calling and motivations, b) preparedness: education and training, c) positive support: family, church, and community, d) passion: reaching and helping people, and e) preceptor: mentoring and connections with other female ministers. Five implications resulted from the study. Female pastoral leaders demonstrate self-determination and motivation. They obtain professional degrees and seminary training. Positive support from family, church, and community are major components for women achieving pastoral leadership. Female pastors have a passion for reaching people. Women in pastoral leadership need mentors and need to share their stories with other women who aspire to lead.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10172748 |
| Date | 14 October 2016 |
| Creators | White, Angel Elizabeth |
| Publisher | University of Phoenix |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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