Date
5-20-2026
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership (PhD)
Chair
Arlynne Perley-Huebscher
Keywords
servant-leadership, servant-leader, associate minister, servant-leadership characteristics, servant-leader principles, character traits
Disciplines
Christianity
Recommended Citation
Cochran, Rhonda Y., "The Servant-Leader: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of the Associate Minister’s Character Traits in Small Non-Denominational Ministries" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8450.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8450
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to fill a gap in the existing leadership literature by delving into the servant-leader’s character traits of integrity, sacrifice, humility, emotional intelligence, and strength (Cook, 2020) of the servant-leader. By exploring the lived experiences of associate ministers in small non-denominational ministries who are servant-leaders, this researcher intended to show how the character traits compelled the purposive population to fulfill the ten characteristics of listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community (Greenleaf, 1977) of the servant-leadership role. The theory guiding this study was Larry Spears (2020) and Vondie Cook (2020), in which the authors’ principles of standards morally and ethically governed the behaviors, beliefs, and actions of the servant-leader. Because this researcher’s study was a continuation of Cook’s qualitative single common case study and Spears’ expansion on servant-leadership, this researcher conducted in-person interviews, online interviews and group interviews using Zoom (Version 6.4.12). The population consisted of nine purposive participants who were associate ministers currently serving in small non-denominational ministries with 50 to 200 members of Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, Henry, and Spalding counties in the State of Georgia, USA who had never served in a lead pastoral role in any ministry. The researcher’s qualitative data analysis filled a gap in the existing literature by providing valuable insight into how the character traits of servant-leaders compel associate ministers to perform the functions of his or her leadership role.
