Spiritual Formation, Corporate Spirtuality, and the Leadership Team

Trail, Frank

D.Min. (2005), Bethel Seminary

Full title: Spiritual Formation, Corporate Spirituality, and The Leadership Team: Seeking The Voice of God on the Deacon Board of a Baptist Church

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In this project the researcher sought to increase the understanding and integration of corporate spirituality into the decision making processes of the deacon board of Whitepine Baptist Church (WBC). The researcher did this by creating, implementing, and evaluating a program designed to raise the deacons’ levels of understanding of leadership, spiritual disciplines, and decision-making, and integrating this knowledge into ministry practice by creating and observing a leadership covenant.

Following a leadership retreat weekend, which involved study sessions in the areas listed above and the formation of a desired leadership covenant, the researcher and deacons sought to integrate the knowledge gleaned from the sessions into their ministry over a three year period. Following the implementation period, the deacons were interviewed to assess the results of the project.

Overall, the final evaluation of the project revealed several strengths, including a growing bond of unity and appreciation for the unique giftings of the participants. The reading program and increased emphasis on prayer were also beneficial. However, the failure to follow through with the commitment to an annual retreat and the lengthy period of time allowed for the project implementation proved to be weaknesses noted by all the participants. It was generally agreed that simply by being more faithful to the leadership covenant, the deacons would continue to grow in their commitment and ability to faithfully seek, discern, and obey the voice of God in their ministry.