Program
Doctor of Ministry
Number of Pages
277
Year Approved
2025
First Advisor
Katie Friesen Smith
Second Reader
Jeanine Parolini
Third Reader
Kate Scorgie
Abstract
This study addressed the relationship between emotional health and abuse in Evangelical ministry contexts in the United States. A mixed-methods design explored how the emotional health of leaders contributed to organizational dynamics within ecclesiastical and nonprofit ministry settings. The theological review examined Pauline epistles, emphasizing emotion’s role in leadership and the biblical expectation that Christian leaders exhibit Spirit-led, Christlike character and emotional maturity. A conceptual heuristic was developed to interpret Pauline teachings on emotionally unhealthy dispositions such as selfishness, domineering tendencies, and irascibility. While not labeled as abuse in Paul’s context, these traits correspond to emotional patterns that often underlie abuse in contemporary ministry settings. The literature review synthesized research on emotional health in leadership, highlighting how emotional health promotes organizational wellbeing, and emotional unhealth leads to dysfunction and harm. Special attention was given to structural vulnerabilities and nuances unique to ministry contexts. A survey instrument gathered data from participants with ministry experience, integrating Likert-scale items with open-ended narrative responses to provide an empirical snapshot of how emotional dynamics manifested within ministry contexts. The findings revealed a consistent pattern in which emotionally unhealthy leadership contributed to environments that enabled abuse and organizational dysfunction. Conversely, emotionally healthy leadership was found to lead to organizational and individual wellbeing. Key conclusions emphasized that emotional health is not a tangential issue but a central component of biblically faithful and spiritually mature leadership. Furthermore, Evangelical ministries may be uniquely vulnerable to abuse due to theological and cultural dynamics that lead to power asymmetry and hinder accountability. The research surfaced a need for training in emotional skills, implementation of clear accountability structures, and theological reframing of leadership expectations. The study contributes to the emerging conversation about abuse in ministry by offering a biblically sound, emotionally literate framework for healthier leadership and organizational reform within Evangelical contexts.
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry
Document Type
Doctoral thesis
Recommended Citation
Haveman, T. J. (2025). Emotional Health as a Preventive Measure to Reduce Abuse in Evangelical Ministries [Doctoral thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1198
Terms of Use and License Information
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