[Pastoral Leadership Effectiveness]

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

In this study multiple variables as they relate to pastoral leader effectiveness were examined. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), NEO-Five Factor Inventory (FFI), and Spiritual Transcendence Scale (STS) were used to measure the leadership styles, personality, and spirituality of 93 pastors and assess which variable predicted pastoral leadership effectiveness. The results indicated that transformational leadership style showed significant correlations with pastoral leader effectiveness; only one dimension of the MLQ's transformational leadership scale (individual consideration) was a significant predictor of pastoral leader effectiveness. Other limited findings suggest that personality and spirituality also contributed to pastoral leadership effectiveness.

ABSTRACT4

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION6

1.1 Problem Formulation6

1.2 Research Aims and Objectives9

1.3 Hypothesis Development9

1.4 Purpose Statement9

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW10

2.1 Personality and pastoral leadership10

2.2 Spirituality and pastoral leadership effectiveness11

2.3 Church Leadership in Teams13

2.4 Pastoral Leadership in Teams14

2.5 Pastoral Role/Responsibility15

2.6 Pastoral Ministry and Relationships16

2.6.1 Love and Services to People16

2.7 Paul and the Thessalonians17

2.7.1 Background on the Apostle Paul17

2.7.2 Paul's first letter to the church at Thessalonica20

2.7.3 Legacy leadership: a conceptual investigation of leadership qualities from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians20

2.7.4 Worthy of imitation22

2.7.5 Boldness amid opposition23

2.7.6 Pure motive25

2.7.7 Authentic and sincere27

2.7.8 Active, not passive28

2.7.9 Follower-centered, not self-centered29

2.7.10 Changed lives: the real measure of leader effectiveness29

2.8 Personality Traits and Leadership Style31

2.9 Behavioral Leadership Theory34

2.10 Visionary Leadership Guides the Congregation through Change37

2.11 Visionary Leadership Maintains a Tension between the Old and the New39

2.8 Methods40

2.8.1 Measures42

2.8.2 Procedure44

REFERENCES47

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Problem Formulation

In today's Christian community pastors are responsible for spiritual guidance and development, motivation, restoration, care, correction, protection, unity, and encouragement of parishioners (1 Peter 5:1--4). Many are also responsible for the organizational development of the church. They oversee the management of the daily operations, develop leaders and establish a vision for the church. Pastor Horace W. Sheppard, Jr. (personal communication, July, 2000) stated that effective pastoral leaders are those who develop leaders within the church body in addition to performing shepherding duties such as preaching, counseling, worshipping, etc. He believed that the development of effective pastoral leaders is needed; unfortunately, some pastors equate effectiveness with being a good preacher and are oftentimes they are unprepared to deal with administrative challenges (Nysted 1997).

Identifying variables that contribute to pastoral effectiveness is challenging because things such as leadership style, personality, ability to preach a good sermon, knack for increasing membership and revenue, and interpersonal skills seemingly all play an important role. However, in this study pastors' transformational/transactional leadership style, behavior and personality will be looked at in relation to pastoral leader effectiveness.

Because the dynamics of pastoral leadership effectiveness is complex multiple secular and non-secular theoretical approaches ...