Date
11-17-2023
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Chair
Jesse Adkinson
Keywords
personality, leadership, pastor, senior pastor, executive pastor, Birkman, assessment, trait, component, communication, relationship
Disciplines
Leadership Studies
Recommended Citation
Conrad, Christopher Sean, "Church Leadership Personalities: A Comparative Study of the Personality Components of Senior and Executive Pastors" (2023). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 4942.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/4942
Abstract
The purpose of this quantitative correlational research was to understand the relationship between the personality components of Senior and Executive Pastors. This study collected data in a quantitative form using a personality assessment called The Birkman Method. The data was then analyzed to understand the relationship between the personality types of Senior and Executive Pastors. Research was needed to understand the relationship of personality types of Senior and Executive Pastors. Research questions derived from the problem statement and research purpose are presented as they provide the structure for the dissertation. These questions led to the gathering of information related to personality components to identify if a correlation existed between the personalities of Executive and Senior Pastors, and if one was found, what that correlation was. The population for this study was 11 Senior and Executive Pastors who had served in their current positions in Oklahoma Southern Baptist churches that had an average Sunday morning worship attendance of 500 or more. This study will add to the literature related to the development of church and ministry staff and will benefit churches and ministries in their hiring practices. Further, this research will significantly help those who work together in executive leadership positions in a hierarchical reporting structure.