Date of Award

Winter 2-25-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Philip Pendley

Second Advisor

Dr. Alan Enomoto

Third Advisor

Dr. George Giokaris

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe experiences of church leaders adapting the Scarneo (2019) intrapersonal and interpersonal socioecological influences while managing membership during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Methodology: This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach with a socioecological justification with open-ended interview questions investigating the lived experiences of the participants. This study aimed to gather data from sample size 10 church leaders in Los Angeles County, California plus a snowball sampling of referred church leaders who managed during COVID-19. In this study, the collection of narratives through semi-structured interviews provided the data which was analyzed and used to inform the conclusions and recommendations for this study.

Findings: The research findings were the influential intrapersonal and interpersonal practices (a) implementation of personal prayer, bible study, meditation, faith, and worship; (b) purposeful implementation to seek guidance; (c) daily personal implementation; (d) implementation to address personal needs; (e) implementation of collaborative practices; (f) purposeful collaborative efforts to develop mitigate various needs; (g) established meeting frequency; (h) effective collaboration was related to technology, member and non-member relations, and future planning.

Conclusions: Effective church leadership is dependent upon (a) implemented intrapersonal practices during unsettled times; (b)intentional and purposeful practices resulted in guidance from God; (c) the frequency intrapersonal practice was a key component; (d) benefits of intrapersonal practices included homiletical approaches; (e) implementation of collaborative explored ways to conduct church; (f) the intentional interpersonal practices led to new homiletical approaches; (g) The frequency collaborative communications was key to inter-developmental growth; (f) the benefits of interpersonal practices included new ways of conducting church.

Recommendations: The researcher in this study utilized the findings and conclusions to make the following recommendations to anyone holding an influential church leadership role over members and non-members: (a) develop intrapersonal practices, (b) outline the practices purposes, (c) commit to daily implementation, (d) reflect on the practice benefits, (e) develop collaborative partnerships, (f) commit to relationship building through collaboration, (g) commit achieving effective collaborative outcomes, (h) identify untapped potential and opportunities.

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