Date

5-20-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)

Chair

Deidra Jackson

Keywords

church network, church association, engagement, cooperation, situational leadership

Disciplines

Leadership Studies

Abstract

This dissertation-in-praxis compared engaged churches with disengaged churches within the NorthStar Church Network of Northern Virginia. The study sought to find the underlying reason for the disengagement of some churches and either lead to reengagement or a recommendation for affiliation with a more compatible association of churches. The foundation of this project was the Biblical call for cooperation of believers within both the local and universal church. The praxis project operated on the belief that this call for cooperation extends beyond individual believers to churches engaged within an association of local churches in a particular area, and even further to churches within a denominational structure such as the Southern Baptist Convention. Employing a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative surveys and training in Hersey and Blanchard’s (1969) Situational Leadership Model, the proposed praxis project sought to re-engage churches that have become disengaged with the network. The results of the survey were expected to contribute to the understanding of why churches disengaged with the NorthStar network in particular and with other associations and denominations in general. The research highlighted the need for associational leaders to understand how to adjust their leadership style to meet the needs of the various church leaders within their associations. By focusing on creating leaders who can adjust their leadership style to fit the needs of their followers, the DiP aligns with the Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Christian Leadership with a cognate focus in Strategic Christian Ministry. It offers practical advice for working with pastors within a local network or association of churches.

Download

Share

COinS