Program
Doctor of Ministry
Year Approved
2020
First Advisor
Gibson, Stephen
Abstract
This research study looked at factors in participative decision-making that would balance congregational polity and pastoral authority. A multiple-case study was conducted with four Black Baptist churches in central Indiana. Fifteen participants were interviewed across cases and organizational documents were analyzed. Four themes emerged. They included effectiveness, unified involvement, decision parameters, and trusted leadership. Effectiveness related to support for a decision. Unified Involvement was about members’ sense of belonging. Parameters involved areas where certain groups had discretion in decision-making. Lastly, trusted leadership pertained to the calling of a pastor and the confidence members placed in that calling.
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry
Document Type
Doctoral thesis
Recommended Citation
Johnson, M. S. (2020). A Multiple Case Study: Participative Decision-Making in Four Black Indiana Churches [Doctoral thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/334
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