Abstract the Leadership of the Umc As a Prophetic
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ABSTRACT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UMC AS A PROPHETIC COMMUNITY FOR THE HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION OF POST-CONFLICT LIBERIA by Jerry Paye-Manfloe Kulah This study presents research findings conducted on the prophetic nature of the leadership of the Liberia Area of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in an effort to identify culturally sensitive and contextually relevant ways by which the church might contribute to the holistic transformation of post-conflict Liberia. Through ethnographic research, I evaluated the prewar leadership role of the UMC and the Christian community in ecclesial and national governance in general and, in particular, the prewar ministry performance of the UMC consistent with the socioeconomic, political, and spiritual needs of the community and people of contemporary Liberia. Research findings and analysis, as discussed in this dissertation, have implications for the need of a clearly defined and articulated national vision plan for the sustainable growth and development of the church and nation, the church’s commitment to developing Christ-centered, accountable, and credible leaders through discipleship, and its pursuit of community transformation through intentional social engagements and the practice of public theology. DISSERTATION APPROVAL This is to certify that the dissertation entitled THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UMC AS A PROPHETIC COMMUNITY FOR THE HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION OF POST-CONFLICT LIBERIA presented by Jerry Paye-Manfloe Kulah has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for the DOCTOR OF MINISTRY degree at Asbury Theological Seminary Mentor Date Internal Reader Date Dean of the Beeson Center Date THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UMC AS A PROPHETIC COMMUNITY FOR THE HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION OF POST-CONFLICT LIBERIA A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Jerry Paye-Manfloe Kulah May 2010 © 2010 Jerry Paye-Manfloe Kulah ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................. xi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... xii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................. xiii CHAPTER 1 PROBLEM ....................................................................................................1 Autobiographical Introduction to the Study ............................................................1 Vision Liberia 2027 .................................................................................................3 Prophetic Call to Ministers ......................................................................................4 God Bless Liberia Movement ..................................................................................5 Women in Peace-Building Network ........................................................................5 Impact of National Fast and Prayer Day on Research .............................................6 The Problem.............................................................................................................8 Purpose...................................................................................................................15 Research Questions................................................................................................15 Research Question #1 ................................................................................15 Research Question #2 ................................................................................15 Research Question #3 ................................................................................15 Definition of Terms................................................................................................16 Significance of the Study ......................................................................................20 Ministry Intervention ............................................................................................21 Context of the Study ..............................................................................................22 Descriptive Overview of the Denomination ..............................................24 iii Historical Overview of Methodism ...........................................................24 UMC in Liberia..........................................................................................25 Structure and Function of the UMC...........................................................28 Methodology of the Study .....................................................................................29 Participants.................................................................................................30 Instrumentation ..........................................................................................30 Variables ....................................................................................................31 Data Collection and Analysis.....................................................................31 Generalizability..........................................................................................32 Biblical and Theological Foundation.....................................................................33 Old Testament: Nehemiah’s Leadership in Building the Walls ................33 New Testament: Jesus—Model of Transformational Leadership .............38 Overview................................................................................................................41 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE.............................................................................................42 Introduction ...........................................................................................................42 Leadership Challenges for the New Liberia .........................................................43 Etymology of Leadership.......................................................................................43 Highlights of Leadership Theories.........................................................................44 Great Man Theory......................................................................................44 Trait Theory ...............................................................................................45 Contingency Theory...................................................................................45 Behavior, Participatory, Management, Transactional, Relationship Theories..........................................................................................45 Definitions of Leadership ......................................................................................47 iv Character and Competence of a Christian Leader .................................................48 Scarcity of Quality Leadership ..............................................................................49 The Need for Capable Christian Leaders...............................................................50 Vision and Visionary Leadership...........................................................................50 The Holy Spirit and Christian Leadership .............................................................52 The Spirit-Filled Leader and Prayer ..........................................................52 The Spirit-Filled Leader and Scripture ......................................................53 Leadership Development through Small Group Ministry .....................................53 Birth and Growth of the Small Group Ministry.........................................54 Impact of Class Meeting upon Early Methodism ......................................55 Function of Small Group Ministry in Early Methodism............................56 Small Group Concept in African Culture ..................................................57 Small Group Practice in the Early Church.................................................57 Leadership and Conflict Management...................................................................59 The Founding of Liberia: A Unique Beginning.....................................................62 The Birth of Christianity on the Grain Coast.........................................................65 Establishment of the Colony......................................................................65 Pre-Independent Era: 1822-1847 ...............................................................66 Educational Development in the Colony and Commonwealth..................69 Spiritual Development ...............................................................................70 Cycles of Generational Leadership: 1847-2007 ....................................................71 The Independent Republic and the Indigenes: 1847-1887 ........................72 The Church in Mission and National Development: 1887-1927...............77 v The Barclay and Tubman Eras of National Development: 1927-1967......78 Experience of Turbulence, Death and Deliverance: 1967-2007................79 Overview of Prewar Liberia Ecclesial Governance and Its Implications..............87 Need for a Paradigm Shift in Ministry...................................................................88 Understanding the Leadership Structure of the Church.........................................89 Understanding the Church’s DNA.........................................................................90