DISSERTATION NOTICES

Crowther, S. S. (2012). An exami-nation of leadership principles in 1Peter in comparison to authenticand kenotic models of leadership.Ph.D., Regent University.

This study examined three con-structs for leadership—authentic lead-ership, kenotic leadership, and princi-ples of leadership—from the ChristianScriptures in the pericope of 1 Peter.The study of authentic leadership as a contemporary theory of leadershipwas drawn from the leadership litera-ture. However, the study of kenoticleadership and principles from 1 Peterwas drawn from an exegetical exami-nation of particular sections ofChristian Scripture, as well as fromthe leadership literature. In thisresearch, 10 principles of leadershipwere found in the text of 1 Peter and then compared to kenotic andauthentic leadership. In this compari-son, some profound similarities withauthentic leadership were discovered,but there was enough dissimilarity todeclare them different conceptualframeworks for leadership. In theanalysis of kenotic leadership, therewas one difference with principles ofleadership as found in 1 Peter, but theevidence was that these two concep-tual frameworks for leadership wereprofoundly similar and connectedwith each other. They were bothdrawn from the Christian Scriptures,sharing many attributes of leadership,including a call for a radical depar-ture in the use of power, as well asissues of ontological change in theleader.

Derico, J. D. (2012). A Delphi study of the biblical/doctrinalknowledge that ministers ofChristian Churches/Churches of Christ consider essential for spiritual development. Ph.D.,Andrews University.

Though the primary role of theminister is to spiritually lead othersand facilitate their spiritual growth,recent trends working against thepastoral role are falling biblical litera-cy among American Christians and a shrinking ability of church leaders’preparation to convey biblical knowl-edge that can systematically andeffectively guide others in their spiritual growth. A Delphi study wasemployed to identify the biblical/doc-trinal knowledge items consideredmost essential for facilitating spiritualgrowth in church members. A selec-tion of 250 Christian Church/Churchof Christ ministers were invited toparticipate in the study. A customweb-based instrument was used toallow participants to select biblicaland doctrinal ideas they thought weremost essential for spiritual growth inchurch members. Three Delphirounds (with 43 ministers) were usedto finalize a list of 26 most-selectedbiblical and doctrinal teachings (outof an initial 600-item list) perceived tobe most essential for facilitating spiri-tual growth in church members.Literature and comments from minis-ters were used to explore possible rea-sons these biblical/doctrinal teach-ings emerged as the most essential forspiritual growth. Suggested rationalefor how each respective item con-tributes to the pursuit of spiritualgrowth was provided. Several recom-mendations were offered for pastors,congregations, ministry and theologi-cal training institutions, andresearchers.

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Hines, C. D. (2012). A study ofpastors, their leadership and theresults of their churches. Ph.D.,Dallas Baptist University.

Seventy-two pastors in theDallas/Fort Worth Metroplex whohave not earned a graduate degreefrom an accredited theological schooland 150 pastors in the Dallas/FortWorth Metroplex who have earned agraduate degree from an accreditedtheological school completed theLeadership Practices Inventory-Selfalong with a brief demographic questionnaire. Independent samplest-tests were performed between thesetwo groups to discover if there wasany statistical difference betweenthese two groups on the five leader-ship practices measured by theLeadership Practices Inventory-Self.The data analysis yielded no statisti-cal difference between the two groupsof pastors. Sixty-six of the 72 pastorswho had not earned a graduatedegree from an accredited theologicalschool and 120 of the 150 pastors whohad earned a graduate degree from anaccredited theological school hadnumerical church data available.Further, independent samples t-testswere performed between these twogroups to discover if there was anystatistical difference between the two groups on the percent change in annual church receipts, percentchange in membership totals, andpercent change in annual number of baptisms during the tenure of the pastor. The data analysis resulted indiscovering no statistical differencebetween the two groups of pastors.

Johnson, C. F. (2012). Predictingleadership practices from spirituali-ty in female leaders of corporations.Ph.D., Walden University.

The growing presence of women in leadership positions has sparkedan increased interest in women’sleadership practices. A limited num-ber of publications have acknowl-edged spirituality as an importantvariable in women’s leadership style.Further research is needed to examinethe relationship between spiritualityand leadership practices. This quanti-tative study sought to determinewhether leadership practices offemale corporate leaders can be predicted from their spirituality. The theoretical foundation was groundedin Fry’s spiritual leadership theory,which integrates relevant leader-and-follower higher-order needs and cul-tural and organizational effectivenessinto a causal model framework. Threesurvey instruments—the Inventory onSpirituality (IS), the LeadershipPractices Inventory-Self (LPI-Self),and the Multifactor LeadershipQuestionnaire (MLQ)—were used inthis survey. Multiple linear regressionand bivariate correlations were usedto analyze data from the surveys com-pleted by 181 female leaders of corpo-rations. Results revealed significantrelationships between spirituality andfemale leadership practices of inspir-ing a shared vision, modeling theway, encouraging the heart, and chal-lenging the process.

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D I S S E R T A T I O N N O T I C E S

Jones, G. W. (2012). A theologicalcomparison between social sciencemodels and a biblical perspective ofservant leadership. Ph.D., TheSouthern Baptist TheologicalSeminary.

This dissertation examines servantleadership and its biblicalantecedents from specific biblicaltexts and non-biblical literature. Thebiblical presentation of a comprehen-sive servant theology is consistentthrough both the Old and NewTestaments. Servant leadership theo-ry is connected with these biblical origins utilizing the lens of biblicalslavery as a model for Christian lead-ership discovered in Mark 10:42-45. In addition, the christological para-dox of “power through powerless-ness” is introduced. Differencesbetween the biblical view of servantleadership and the social science per-spectives, particularly as seenthrough the writing of Robert K.Greenleaf, are discussed. The disser-tation closes with an examination ofWalter C. Kaiser’s PrincipalizingModel for moving beyond theology topropose a means to discover biblicalprinciples of servant leadership.

Mays, R. B. (2011). Comparingturnaround leadership in a ruralchurch and in schools. Ph.D.,University of Louisville.

This qualitative study sought toilluminate successful practices of aturnaround leader in a rural churchthat are applicable cross-contextually,so as to inform the leadership effortsof various organizations seeking toreproduce organizational renewal ona wide-scale basis. This case studyutilized participant observations,mined documents, and interviewswith the pastor, three part-time staffmembers, and 24 members of a rural

congregation in a South-centralKentucky congregation that hadgrown 289% in active membershipover the last 14 years. The data fromthe study revealed that members didnot recall specific events that led toturnaround as clearly as they recalledunity and harmony; this was contrast-ed to the period of turmoil and splitimmediately before the turnaroundand the initial, devastating split it hadendured 20 years prior. They did notdescribe events as much as they didtheir pastor who helped bring peaceand a culture that was conducive torevitalization. These findings propa-gate the notion that turnaround lead-ers often bear striking resemblancesto one another, exhibiting many ofthe same personal character traits and intentional behaviors. These findings also suggest that turnaroundleadership is not so much a productof individual charismatic leadershipas it is the product of consistent, sustained attention to sound leadership behaviors.

Newkirk, D. (2012). Preparingwomen for Baptist Church leader-ship: Mentoring impact on beliefsand practices of female ministers.Ph.D., Fordham University.

Today, a growing number ofAfrican-American women are answer-ing the call to the Baptist church min-istry, but their preparation, training,and mentoring is often insufficient.This study involved interviews with10 African-American women to learnabout their backgrounds, education,support and roles as Baptist ministersin the church. Two research questionsguided the study. (1) How did beingmentored or not being mentoredaffect African-American women ministers’ perception of their effec-tiveness in ministry? (2) What rela-tionship/role, if any, do mentors

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have in preparing African-Americanwoman ministers to advance to a senior position of leadership and ministry within the Baptist Church?The findings of this study were thatfew ministers were willing to serve as mentors, although mentoring isvital for the growth in the ministry.Instead, women ministers were foundto be self-motivated and personallyinspired.

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