Changing the dance: Improving ministry team leadership through education at Young's Chapel Baptist Church in Mouth of Wilson Virginia

How does a pastor affect change in a Ieadership system that was inherited from a previous pastorate of twenty-two years, and unreflectively adopted by the current pastor for eighteen years? One can adopt and adapt to a leadership system because congregants seem happy, the church is running smoothly, and, in this case, the pastor is responsible for ensuring all that needs to be accomplished is accomplished---from keeping the commodes from overflowing to planning fellowship meals. Such a system can continue until the pastor burns out, quits, or realizes there is a healthier way to lead.;The hypothesis of this study is that the current leadership system can effectively change through education of congregants. Concomitant to the educational component is the pastor's, renewed understanding of systems theory, providing a lens for analyzing the current system and providing guidance for what to expect when change is affected. Part of the systems theory component is a "360 Leadership Assessment," completed so the pastor's self-awareness and self-differentiation is enhanced for analysis of the church leadership system.;The purpose of the thesis project is to educate laity about ministry team leadership. A ministry team model developed out of the context of the church, and has been well received by congregants. The next step, in the development of ministry teams, was to change the leadership system so that the pastor did not remain the de facto head of each team. The workshop examines several areas: the biblical and theological basis for ministry team; discovering/affirming leadership strengths; the current system of church leadership; and how to put our discoveries into practice. A mixed methods study is used with pre/post tests and face-face interviews, which enabled an evaluation of the workshop for an increase in understanding the ministry team concept and leadership. The workshop then became the catalyst for ongoing training of ministry teams as congregants continue to develop their leadership strengths in the Body of Christ.