Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Larry R. Evans

Second Advisor

Stanley E. Patterson

Third Advisor

John Grys

Abstract

Problem. The research of Wong and Page (2003) has suggested that no denominational church leadership models utilize a biblical servant leadership model. Most denominational leadership models utilize some form of an authoritarian hierarchical model. This suggests the need for a curriculum that can assist a denominational leadership team to transition to a biblical servant leadership model.

Methodology. This project utilized a qualitative methodology. A curriculum was developed utilizing assessments, seminars, coaching, and group feedback in order to create an environment to transition to a biblical servant leadership model for the Potomac Conference ADCOM team.

Results. There were seven members of the ADCOM team for the Potomac Conference that participated in this project. The results of the Revised Servant Leadership Profile at the beginning of the project and then again at the conclusion of the seminar suggested that the participants did not have a cohesive understanding of biblical servant leadership to start with. The group feedback session suggested that the seminars and coaching provided the key basis for an understanding of a biblical servant leadership model for the ADCOM team. This session also demonstrated the need for more emphasis on spiritual development, a theology of emotional intelligence and power and authority, and the ingredients necessary to create a culture to transition to a biblical servant leadership model.

Conclusions. This study demonstrates the need for a well-defined biblical servant leadership model that can be used within the structure of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The capacity to lead from a biblical servant leadership model brings clarity to the (a) mission and vision, (b) the importance of effective teams, (c) the significance of healthy systems and organizational culture, and (d) the need for a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.

Subject Area

Christian leadership, Church management, Servant leadership

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dmin/83/

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