Effective leadership traits identified through protestant clergy leader conversations

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] This qualitative case study examined conversations with exemplar clergy to identify leadership traits. Twelve effective clergy leader interviews were conducted within the denomination under study. Two elite interviews were conducted with a Bishop and another national church leadership expert from the denomination. A focus group was held with the cabinet of the denomination under study. Examination of leadership theory involved the underpinning theoretical framework of trait leadership. Literature review will also included leadership discourse in the Church. An effective leadership profile was created from the discovered effective leadership themes of the study. Three research assumptions provided the framework for this qualitative case study: R.A. l. There are emergent themes of effective leadership traits in clergy, R.A. 2. Emergent themes of effective leadership traits converge with trait leadership research, and R.A. 3. Effective leadership traits converge with church discourse. The discovered themes were learning, visioning, building relationships, risktaking, and integrity. The minor themes of encouraging, preaching, conflict resolving, God's guiding, and creativity also emerged but with less redundancy. Implications involved new understandings among women in ministry, importance of mentoring relationships, leadership training, young internship opportunities shaping leadership potential, and leadership profiling.