Date
8-29-2025
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)
Chair
Baylor Whitney
Keywords
emotional resilience, financial literacy, physical wellness, social connectedness, whole-person discipleship, relational leadership, ministry leadership, mental health, Christian Leadership, African American church, Black Pastors
Disciplines
Christianity | Leadership Studies
Recommended Citation
Smith, Joyce A., "Integrated Growth: Developing a Sustainable Continuum of Whole-Person Discipleship for Cultivating Healthy Leaders" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7391.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7391
Abstract
Leadership, particularly within ministry contexts, involves complex responsibilities that often lead to chronic stress, burnout, and diminished well-being. These challenges underscore the need for a holistic, sustainable framework that supports leaders in every dimension of life. This Dissertation in Praxis explored a biblically grounded, multidimensional wellness initiative designed to foster integrated health among ministry leaders at The Harvest Church, a nondenominational congregation in North Houston, Texas. Framed by biblical principles of stewardship, wholeness, and relational unity, this study implemented and assessed a structured wellness program addressing four critical domains of a leader’s well-being: emotional resilience, financial stability, physical/nutritional health, and social connectedness. Interventions included counseling and resilience training, financial literacy workshops, fitness coaching, and facilitated social engagement. The project utilized mixed methods to evaluate outcomes, with data collected via pre- and post-program surveys, interviews, wellness assessments, and participation logs. The study involved six ministry leaders who fully engaged in the program, supported by a broader leadership team who contributed formative insights. Outcomes revealed significant growth in leadership confidence, knowledge, and wellness practices, along with reduced burnout and increased organizational engagement. This project offers a replicable model for faith-based organizations seeking to cultivate resilient, healthy leadership capable of long-term impact.
