Leading Renewal in Salvation Army Congregations in Canada
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
LEADING RENEWAL IN SALVATION ARMY CONGREGATIONS IN CANADA A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF MCMASTER DIVINITY COLLEGE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY MISSION AND RENEWAL BY CLARENCEE.BRADBURY TORONTO, ONTARIO MAY, 2001 DOCTOR OF MINISTRY McMASTER UNIVERSITY Hamilton, Ontario TITLE: Leading Renewal in Salvation Army Congregations in Canada AUTHOR: Clarence E. Bradbury SUPERVISOR: Dr. Charles Fensham NUMBER OF PAGES: 270 pages, plus appendices McMASTER DIVINITY COLLEGE Upon the recommendation of an oral examination committee and vote of the faculty, this thesis-project by Clarence E. Bradbury is hereby accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry Second Reader External Reader :t/'b~ Dean Date: April 17, 2001 ABSTRACT Bradbury, Clarence Edward 2001 Leading Renewal in Salvation Army Congregations in Canada. McMaster Divinity College, D.Min. 270 pages, plus appendices A denomination is as strong as its congregations. Some of the congregations of The Salvation Army in Canada are showing signs of emergence into a new stage of health and productivity for the kingdom. Case study research leads to a better understanding of the role that leadership plays in congregational emergence. The problem of this research project was to identify and explore the leadership dynamics that are at work in emerging Canadian congregations of The Salvation Army and to consider what the turnaround in these congregations has to say to the governance and structures of the Army. Using a 36-item congregational survey, attitudes of church members in six locations across Canada were measured on a variety of issues normally associated with church leadership. Results were tabulated through the use of the SPSS version 8.0 data management system for examining demographics. This survey was supplemented by a 90-minute focus group discussion with church leaders in each location. Additionally, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the pastors of the six congregations and various found documents were examined. Data from the interviews revealed that most of the leaders sense a need to be better prepared for leadership. Many are working hard to adopt a transformational leadership approach, as opposed to transactional leadership. Several denominational issues arose during the course of the research. A traditional style of hierarchical and autocratic leadership was found to be dysfunctional and unacceptable to most leaders. The case study research affirmed the findings from the scriptures, theology and contemporary leadership theory., that servant leadership is the most desirable approach. Research affirmed that, just as congregations are experiencing renewal by becoming transformational in leadership and structures, so the declining denomination may experience new vitality. Issues covered in the research suggest that three courses of action be taken by The Salvation Army, as a means of concerted action toward revitalization. These are 1) Refocus Leaders, 2) Renew Spiritual Life, and 3) Reform structures. We must address these three big issues if we desire health and growth for the church and the kingdom of God. Adopting these three approaches simultaneously will demonstrate the extent of our commitment to renewal. It will also involve risk and change. It is heartening to see a number of young and middle-aged pastors who are paying the price for progress in their congregations. As our divisional and national offices provide our best with affirmation and resources for effective mission, they will lead the denomination to renewal. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am deeply grateful to the national leadership of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory for various levels of support that have enabled me to engage in this program of study and practical application. Special thanks to my department leaders for facilitating flexible office hours, which have resulted in mutual benefits for the department, as well as my studies. I am indebted to my Ministry Base Committee - Major Valetta England, Mr. Jim Green, Captain Inhee Cheon, Mr. Justin Bradbury, and Major Edith Verstege, as well as the many individuals in Toronto and across Canada who assisted with my supervised field experiences and case study. To Dr. Andrew Irvine, the Director of Advanced Degree Programmes and my second reader, and the faculty of McMaster Divinity College, I acknowledge my respect and thanks for the spirit you have brought to this covenant of learning. You have recognized our gifts, affirmed our convictions, and helped to shape our vision. The McMaster experience has added depth and breadth to my life and ministry. My thesis advisor, Dr. Charles Fensham, has provided keen insight, pastoral presence and much patience in guiding me through the thesis development process. I could not wish for a more proficient and thoughtful guide. My third reader, Dr. Donald Burke, Vice-President and Academic Dean of William and Catherine Booth College, has offered many valuable insights from a Salvationist perspective. Your participation has been essential to my dissertation. May its findings be useful toward the emergence of quality leadership for the church of the 21 st century. To my wife, Linda and to Jon, Justin and Angie whose patient affirmation inspired me throughout this project CONTENTS CONTENTS CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Introduction. 1 Background Factors Leading to This Project . 2 Highlight I. Early Exposure to Exemplary Models ... 2 Highlight 2. An Early Call to Leadership . 3 Highlight 3 Training College and the Asbury Revival . 4 Highlight 4 A Leadership Crisis ............. 5 Highlight 5 A Good Fit . 5 My Identity in Ministry ..................... 7 Review of the Literature .................... 8 Leadership Theory ................... 8 The Making of a Spiritual Leader: The Person in Leadership 13 Theology of Leadership and Renewal . 15 Congregational Studies ................. 18 Denominational Studies: The Salvation Army. 22 Other Materials Written About The Salvation Army . 24 The Focus of This Research. .. .. 25 CHAPTER II CHURCH LEADERSHIP IN THE BOOK OF ACTS Overview . 29 Exegesis . 31 Authorship of the Acts of the Apostles ......... 3 I Luke's Purpose . 32 Date ..................... 34 The Context of Acts 20: 17-38 . 36 The Biblical Idea of Elder . 38 In Ancient Israel and the Second Temple Period . 38 In the First Century AD . 43 From Apostles to Elders . 43 Contextualizing Structures for a New Situation. 46 Local Church Leadership by a Plurality of Elders 57 Theological Principles. 63 The Sole Authority of Scripture and the Role of Context . 63 The Priesthood of All Believers . 65 The Teaching Ministry of the Church . 66 The Role of Ethics and Values. 67 First Century Church Structure .... 68 Conclusion . 74 CHAPTER III REFOUNDING: THE SECOND COMING OF THE ARMY Introduction ........................ 76 Development of Renewal Theology Since the Reformation. 79 Pietism ... 79 Moravianism . 84 Methodism ................. 86 The Salvation Army, a Methodist Movement 90 Pentecostalism .............. 93 The Salvation Army as a Mission Movement . 98 The Salvation Army in Canada . 104 Administrative Structure .................. 113 Renewal of Organizational Structures . 116 Revitalization of Congregations in The Salvation Army ... 122 Conclusion: Three Proposals for Renewal ......... 129 Refocusing Leaders. 129 Renewing Spiritual Life. 135 Reforming Structures. 140 CHAPTER IV RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Overview: Methodology and Procedures. 146 Choosing Locations for Case Study Research . 146 Research Instruments ......... 150 Congregational Survey Development and Testing 151 Processing . 151 Interviews . 152 Site Visits and Observations ............ 154 Processing the Data .................... 160 Personal Analysis and Reflection . 160 Computer Analysis of Congregational Surveys . 161 Findings ......................... 161 Findings From the Pastor Interviews .... 161 Findings From the Focus Group Interviews. 170 Findings from the Congregational Survey 181 Summary . 185 Conclusions 186 CHAPTER V. FOOD FROM THE HUNGRY: TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF INCARNATIONAL LEADERSHIP Introduction . 190 The Problem of Church Leadership in the Postmodem Setting 192 Sources for a Theology of Leadership . 197 Ecclesiology . 198 Christology and Soteriology . 200 Pneumatology . 206 11 A Model for Church leadership in the Post-modem Setting . 210 Identity: Servant-Steward ..... 211 Task: Nurturing Health. 222 Method: Modelling and Mentoring .. 226 Conclusion . 228 CHAPTER VI. LEADERSHIP STYLE AND ORGANIZATIONAL RENEWAL Introduction:. 230 Transformational leadership. 231 The Findings of Bernard Bass on the Full Range of Leadership Commitment, Involvement, Loyalty, and Performance. 239 Stress and Transactional-Transformational Leadership. 244 Contingencies of Transformational and Transactional Leadership 243 Transformational and Transactional Organizational Culture 246 Transformational and Transactional Leadership of Men and Women . .. 249 Implications of Transformational leadership for Organizational Policies. 251 Development and Training in Transformational Leadership 253 Prediction of Transformational and Transactional Leadership. 254 Rank, Status, and Transformational-Transactional Leadership 255 Empowerment and Laissez-Faire Leadership. 256 Substitutes for Transformational and Transactional Leadership 257 Transformational Leadership in The Salvation Army Today 261 CHAPTER VII CONCLUSION . ... 264 Empowering Mission Sodalities. 264 Intentionally