Program
Doctor of Ministry
Number of Pages
223
Year Approved
2026
First Advisor
Jeanine Parolini
Second Reader
Kate Scorgie
Third Reader
Katie Friesen Smith
Abstract
This study addressed the need for a transformational leadership strategy that engages elders in membership retention and church growth for a Seventh-day Adventist Church. This mixed-method study aimed to identify factors contributing to declining membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with the goal of informing strategies for improved member retention and potential church growth. A survey involving 30 active members was administered to gather insights into the target church’s profile. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 18 elders across four churches to evaluate leadership perspectives concerning membership retention and church growth. These data sources offered a snapshot of the target church's profile and insights into the leadership required for transformation. The study reviewed the writings of Paul and Peter to the churches, analyzed church leadership post-Pentecost, and a contemporary literature review which examined transformational leadership through the framework provided by the African concept of Ubuntu to create a model for membership retention and church growth in the target church. The insights gained from these three data sources offered the essential details needed to address the identified research problem. The gathered information provided insights into several key areas: elements influencing church climate both positively and negatively, factors that hinder church health, variables impacting strategies for advancing church mission objectives, and aspects of leadership that foster healthy congregations.
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry
Document Type
Doctoral thesis
Recommended Citation
Mungandi, B. K. (2026). Toward a Transformative Church: The Role of Elders in Church Growth in the Seventh-day Adventist Church [Doctoral thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1234
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