Date
8-2021
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)
Chair
Gary Bredfeldt
Keywords
Bible-reading, Christian Leadership, Modeling, Leadership Empowerment
Disciplines
Christianity | Leadership Studies | Religion
Recommended Citation
Tom, Andrea Michelle, "A Quantitative Descriptive Study of the Impact Bible Reading has on the Lives and Leadership of American Evangelical Church Pastoral Leaders" (2021). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 3112.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3112
Abstract
The purpose of this quantitative descriptive research was to ascertain both the amount of time spent reading the Bible and the perceived impact of regular reading on the lives and leadership roles of American Evangelical Christian church pastoral leaders. The central assumption guiding this study was that the Bible is a vital source for Christian leaders that provides many benefits to its readers, including leadership guidance that biblical and historical leaders have diligently applied. Because these leaders serve as role models, the theoretical foundation guiding this research was Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory of Development, which has linked learning to observing role models. As Timothy's mentor, Paul told him to remember, "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16, English Standard Version). Despite these positive aspects of God's Word, it has been found that ninety-one percent of Americans do not read the Bible, and, out of the Protestant population, only thirty percent do (Clark, 2020; Earls, 2019). There were, however, no current studies describing the Bible reading habits of contemporary Christian leaders. This study aimed to describe both the amount of time spent reading the Bible and the perceived impact of regular reading on the lives and leadership roles of American Evangelical Christian church pastoral leaders. This quantitative descriptive survey study found that most National Association of Evangelicals pastoral leaders have prioritized regular bible reading and have also found regular Bible reading has positively impacted their lives and leadership roles. Most NAE leaders also believe there is a value in observing biblical and biblically-centered leadership role models.
