Date

3-10-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership (PhD)

Chair

Brian Pinzer

Keywords

spiritual formation, total worship, volunteer ministry leader, Hispanic church, qualitative phenomenology, spiritual disciplines

Disciplines

Philosophy | Religion

Abstract

Spiritual formation transforms a believer’s relationship with Christ. For ministry leaders, especially volunteers, this process may be enhanced through worship practices. Understanding worship as a holistic lifestyle—beyond just musical or liturgical expression—had a profound influence on participants’ personal and spiritual development in this study. Despite the abundance of literature on worship and spiritual formation, a gap existed in understanding how total worship influenced the spiritual lives of volunteer leaders, particularly in culturally diverse communities. This study addressed the lack of research on the role of total worship in the spiritual formation of volunteer leaders in predominantly Hispanic, English-speaking, non-denominational, charismatic churches in South Texas. With the rapid growth of Hispanic congregations in the U.S. and the crucial role of lay leaders, this study offered timely insights for scholars and practitioners. This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study aimed to explore perceptions of how total worship influenced spiritual formation among volunteer leaders. It utilized interviews, surveys, and focus groups to collect narrative data, illuminating the lived experiences of ministry leaders and identifying key worship practices that fostered their spiritual growth. The findings revealed that total worship—expressed through Spirit-led, communal, and holistic practices—nurtured maturity, strengthened faith, and deepened leaders’ sense of calling.

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