Date

6-2021

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Morris L. Baker

Keywords

Burnout, stress, ministry leadership, balance, resilience

Disciplines

Leadership Studies | Religion

Abstract

There is a significant problem with stress and burnout in ministry leaders. The purpose of this study was to develop a self-check model for ministry leaders to help them with life-balance and resiliency. To have and know peace in one’s life is to draw close to God and live by His design. Loving God with all one’s heart, mind, soul, strength and loving one’s neighbor as one’s self is critical for a healthy, well-balanced life and ministry. The researcher introduced a simple self-check model to enable ministry leaders to develop balance and resilience in their lives called the Star Model. The researcher sampled ministry leaders, who are defined as clergy, staff members, and volunteers who oversee programs, people, or ministries in churches or Christian organizations. The study participants interacted with a virtual seminar where the Star Model was introduced. Participants also completed a pre- and post-seminar survey based on the Likert scale. The results of the study confirmed the problem of stress and burnout in ministry leaders as well as validated the Star Model as a useful self-check model for the development of balance and resilience in ministry leaders. David Kolb’s experiential learning theory and Jack Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory were useful instruments in the presentation and interaction with the Star Model seminar. This thesis project made a model available to ministry leaders to aid in their own self-care and wellness. Keywords: Christian leadership, leadership, stress, burnout, balance, resilience, wellness

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