Date

2-29-2024

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Chair

Leonard S. Momeny

Keywords

Complexity Leadership, Christian leadership, Generative, Administrative, Community Building, information gathering, information using, social network dynamics, Christian Crisis leadership, Scriptural focus, COVID-19, crisis decision making

Disciplines

Christianity | Educational Leadership

Abstract

This phenomenological study aimed to explore the in-depth perceptions and insightful reflections of 12 International Protestant Convention leadership team members to explore and investigate their lived experiences and leadership decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of Complexity Leadership Theory. The 2020-2023 COVID-19 pandemic changed the world when the emergent fast-paced virus disrupted and overwhelmed societal life, creating pre- and post-COVID bifurcation points that will shape world dynamics and social interactions for years (Warren, 2022; Christianson & Barton, 2021; Harari, 2020; Pierce, 2020). For this research, complexity leadership interactions, social network dynamics, and information flow were studied to discover emergent leadership themes and how information flowed through the convention and church networks to make these church leaders successful at operating their churches through turmoil and turbulence (Garretsen et al., 2022; Veldsman, 2020; Borgatti et al., 2018; Uhl-Bien & Arena, 2017). The research discovered that despite the sudden shock of the global crisis and societal lockdown that impacted the International Protestant Convention leadership team members' leadership approach and decision-making in responding to the crisis, the leaders remained resolved to lead with God’s guidance, direction, comfort, and refuge.

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