Date
5-20-2026
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership (PhD)
Chair
Michael Pardue
Keywords
Kotter Leadership Model, Knox County Association of Baptists, Change
Disciplines
Leadership Studies | Religion
Recommended Citation
England, Luke, "The Perceived Effectiveness of Kotter’s Change Leadership Model in the Knox County Association of Baptists Churches" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8456.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8456
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the perceived effectiveness of Kotter’s change leadership model in Southern Baptist churches in the Knox County Association of Baptists located in East Tennessee. This phenomenological study utilizes a qualitative research methodology to uncover the perceived effectiveness of Kotter's eight-step change leadership model in Southern Baptist churches in the Knox County Association of Baptists in East Tennessee. This research seeks to understand the five major challenges Senior Pastors believe to be the greatest impairment to instituting change within the local church. Moreover, this research uncovers the perception of pastor’s agreement towards the need for change within the Southern Baptist church. Finally, this research additionally seeks to uncover the perceived efficacy of using Kotter’s eight-step change leadership model to bring about change in the local church. This research utilizes an interview-based research method. During the interview process a private and secure meeting spot was established to maintain the integrity of the interview and peace of mind for those who were interviewed. This researcher utilized a sample size of at least 15 selected churches. With the Knox County Association of Baptists having approximately 150 churches within its boundaries, 15 churches allowed this researcher to have an ample amount of data while keeping the scope of the research in a workable format. Purposive, maximum-variation sampling is utilized. This researcher utilizes Cresswell Data Analysis Spiral. Moreover, this researcher utilizes Delve KDA software for data coding. Finally, this researcher utilizes the Moustakas Method of verifying the research data collection process.
