Date of Award

Spring 2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

College

College of Christian Ministries and Religion

Department

Department of Christian Ministries and Religion

Primary Advisor

Dr. Randy Helms

Second Advisor

Dr. Charles Gaulden

Third Advisor

Dr. Jim Vigil

Abstract

Although secular leadership principles and insights may benefit pastors and ministry leaders, business practices and cultural trends should not be the driving influences that guide and inform the church. Many pastors and ministry leaders are not practicing the biblical concept of kingdom leadership that Jesus modeled. Instead, they have increasingly relied on secular leadership strategies to produce successful results for their churches. This approach to ministry can often guide ministry leaders to depend on their natural gifts, marketing campaigns, and elevated production elements to grow attendance. The problem with this ministry methodology is that faithfulness and biblical truth are many times exchanged for achievement and notoriety based on growth and numbers. Secular leadership strategies are not inherently wrong; however, they are often used to replace biblically based teaching at the expense of spiritual growth and transformation. Leadership in the kingdom of God is not equivalent to leadership found in secular culture or derived from business principles. The church and its leadership are to be guided by the spiritual principles God has provided in scripture. Pastors and ministry leaders are citizens of God’s kingdom and ambassadors of Christ; therefore, they should embody his life and mission. This research aims to construct a kingdom model of leadership that can be utilized in educating and developing pastors and ministry leaders, thereby creating a biblical leadership standard established on kingdom principles and exemplified in the person and ministry of Jesus

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