A case study of leadership practices of elders in South Florida Churches of Christ.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate, describe, and analyze the leadership practices of elders in three growing South Florida Churches of Christ. The objective of this descriptive case study was to present findings that would enable the development of leadership training for elders in the Churches of Christ.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1997.

A qualitative, multiple-case study design was utilized. Data were gathered from each site through interviews with elders and ministers, formal and informal observations of elders' leadership practices in meetings and interactions with their respective congregations, and a review of relevant documents used in the ministry of each congregation. Data were analyzed for each church individually and then collectively.

A qualitative, multiple-case study design was utilized. Data were gathered from each site through interviews with elders and ministers, formal and informal observations of elders' leadership practices in meetings and interactions with their respective congregations, and a review of relevant documents used in the ministry of each congregation. Data were analyzed for each church individually and then collectively.

The purpose of this study was to investigate, describe, and analyze the leadership practices of elders in three growing South Florida Churches of Christ. The objective of this descriptive case study was to present findings that would enable the development of leadership training for elders in the Churches of Christ.

The collective analysis converged on four findings that described the leadership practices of elders. The convergent findings involved the following four relationships: (a) relationships of a shared vision with the elders and congregations that manifested itself in the lives of the members by their participation in ministry, (b) open relationships that were developed by positive, frequent and reciprocative communication, (c) relationships that were built on a mutual trust between elders and members, and (d) a balanced relationship between the functions presbuteros, episkopos, and poimen that leaders practiced. From the findings of this study, it was concluded that elders whose leadership practices remained in balance with the biblical functions of leadership, related in an open and trusting way with the congregation, and were relevant in ministering biblical principles to a changing society facilitated the growth of the church. Church elders for the twenty-first century must be willing to develop if they expect the congregations they oversee and shepherd to grow.

School code: 0119.

hdl

The collective analysis converged on four findings that described the leadership practices of elders. The convergent findings involved the following four relationships: (a) relationships of a shared vision with the elders and congregations that manifested itself in the lives of the members by their participation in ministry, (b) open relationships that were developed by positive, frequent and reciprocative communication, (c) relationships that were built on a mutual trust between elders and members, and (d) a balanced relationship between the functions presbuteros, episkopos, and poimen that leaders practiced. From the findings of this study, it was concluded that elders whose leadership practices remained in balance with the biblical functions of leadership, related in an open and trusting way with the congregation, and were relevant in ministering biblical principles to a changing society facilitated the growth of the church. Church elders for the twenty-first century must be willing to develop if they expect the congregations they oversee and shepherd to grow.