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An Analysis of Leadership and Resonance in Two Progressive Young-Adult-Filled Congregations in the Pacific Northwest

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An Analysis of Leadership and Resonance in Two Progressive Young-Adult-Filled Congregations in the Pacific Northwest University of San Diego Digital USD Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2016-1 "Intonations of their Own Language": An Analysis of Leadership and Resonance in Two Progressive Young-Adult-Filled Congregations in the Pacific Northwest. D. Bethan Theunissen University of San Diego Follow this and additional works at: https://digital.sandiego.edu/dissertations Part of the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, and the Organization Development Commons Digital USD Citation Theunissen, D. Bethan, ""Intonations of their Own Language": An Analysis of Leadership and Resonance in Two Progressive Young- Adult-Filled Congregations in the Pacific orN thwest." (2016). Dissertations. 26. https://digital.sandiego.edu/dissertations/26 This Dissertation: Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Digital USD. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital USD. For more information, please contact [email protected]. “INTONATIONS OF THEIR OWN LANGUAGE”: AN ANALYSIS OF LEADERSHIP AND RESONANCE IN TWO YOUNG-ADULT-FILLED PROGRESSIVE MAINSTREAM CONGREGATIONS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST by D. Bethan Theunissen A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy January 2016 Dissertation Committee Robert Donmoyer, Ph.D. Laura Deitrick, Ph.D. Evelyn Kirkley, Ph.D. University of San Diego © Copyright by D. Bethan Theunissen, 2016 All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT Christendom in Canada and the United States is in decline, and young adults are leaving the church in considerable numbers. This exodus is especially noticeable in mainstream religious denominations, although evangelical groups are beginning to experience a similar waning. The fastest-growing “religious” group consists of those who identify with no religion. Simultaneously, young adults are experiencing a far longer entry process into adulthood after adolescence than those who went before them. They also experience the world as unstable and impermanent. Their needs and the church’s needs could converge but instead seem to be antithetical to each other in ways that further contribute to the numerical decline. This qualitative study focused on two progressive mainstream congregations in the Pacific Northwest. Both congregations were outliers in that they attracted substantial numbers of participants aged 18 to 35. The study focused on how congregations and their leaders created webs of significance and intonations of language (Weber, as cited in Hopewell, 1987, p. 6) that resonated with those seeking a spiritual home. The research strategy, by design, was emergent. Data were gathered in this focused ethnography by conducting individual and focus group interviews with leaders and members that encouraged storytelling; by observing worship services and other church-related interactions; and by analyzing websites, bulletins/PowerPoints, and documents. Although both congregations were located in progressive young-adult-filled neighborhoods, they had almost opposite leadership, liturgical, and music styles. Consequently, two case-studies were initially constructed to portray the dynamics within each location. A subsequent cross-case analysis however, revealed that analogous sources of resonance between young adults and congregations emerged when visionary leaders freed and empowered young adults to encounter the divine through tradition, innovation, and questioning. The sources of resonance were categorized under the sociocultural milieu, leadership preferences, and developmental needs of young adults. Despite the limitations of case-study research, this study provides insight into what aspects of these religious congregations resonated with the young adults who found a home there. It offers new thought categories and working hypotheses for denominations, seminaries, clergy, congregations, young adults, and others interested in religious experience and affiliation among younger people. Dedication To Naomi, who loved and supported me throughout! To the Divine Mystery, the Presence in the Midst for beginning this good work in me and carrying it to completion, quite often despite me. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It took a village to complete this dissertation and I am immensely grateful to these “villagers.” In particular I would like to thank my committee. My supervisor Dr. Robert (Bob) Donmoyer is a social scientist/practitioner with the academic versatility and range to effortlessly supervise students from a wide range of disciplines, even pastor/theologians! His advice made my writing and the structure of this dissertation infinitely better. Dr. Evelyn Kirkley from USD’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies asked incisive questions and alerted me to some of my imprecise theological and historical thinking. Dr. Laura Deitrick, fortuitously Episcopalian, late in the journey, generously agreed to replace Dr. David Herrera whose health unfortunately required that he step aside. The faculty members in the SOLES department at the University of San Diego were a superb resource. Dr. Robert Donmoyer, Dr. Fred Galloway, Dr. Cheryl Getz, Dr. Zachary Green, Dr. Terri Monroe, and Dr. George Reed taught outstanding courses and I was fortunate to serve as teaching assistant for a few. Dr. Mary-Rose Mueller, nursing professor, further fortified my qualitative research sensibility. My fellow students were a rich source of dialogue, both encouraging and goading me into new learning. I am grateful to the Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research where I worked as a research assistant. Here the directors Prof. Pat Libby and Dr. Laura Deitrick with faculty member Dr. Mary McDonald tried valiantly to help this pastor become a researcher. Fellow research assistants, now Dr. Heather Carpenter, Dr. Lindsay McDougle, Dr. Melanie Hitchcock, Dr. Taylor Payton-Roberts, and soon-to-be Dr. Tom Cesarani became academic models and family. Assistant Dean Linda Dews, Dr. Paula vii Krist, and the exceptional staff in the dean’s office played an invaluable role guiding me through the intricacies of being an international student. I would also like to thank Beth Garofalo, Annie Guanciale, Heather Gibbs and the staff at Soles who kept me on track with cheerful determination. In Linda Vista nearby, Kathy Marpe, Cyndy Guy and their neighbor Marty Becerril offered me accommodation and much-needed logistical support. I am grateful to those who helped me financially in large or small ways: the SOLES merit awards, scholarships, and loans; Pearl Wong; Marj Parker; Shiloh-Sixth United Church; the Victor Blatherwick Memorial Bursary; John and Joanne Lougheed; and Judy Dixon made this work possible. I am also indebted to my colleagues and former congregants for their encouragement along the way. Trinity United generously attempted to create space for me to complete my writing. During the research phase of my dissertation the doors to both the sites I studied were opened to me by Bishop Greg Rickel and the leaders and boards of both churches. Ned and Jeannette Olson, and Sarah and Paul Brown provided gracious hospitality during my month at each of the two sites. During the writing phase I received important software, transcription, and editing help from Jeanie Wolfe, Denise Hankin, Dorothy Wiebe, Leenane Shiels, Nathaniel Dunigan, Naomi Lloyd, Jane Power, Cameron Duder, Karen Segal, and just this last weekend from Linda Murray, Anna Christy, Linda Henderson, Emily Rautenbach, and Bruce McCandless Davis. I am most thankful to the young adults and others from COTA and St. Paul who shared their spiritual journeys with me and trusted me to tell their stories. My greatest hope is that I have done justice to their narrative. I trust that this work will provoke stimulating thinking and conversations within and outside of the church. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... vii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1 Introduction to the Study ..........................................................................1 Background to the Problem .................................................................................................1 Studies Concerning Religious Decline and Young Adults .........................................7 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................12 Purpose of the Study ..........................................................................................................15 Research Questions ............................................................................................................15 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................16 Scope of the Study .............................................................................................................17 Delimitations ......................................................................................................................17 Membership Role of Researcher ...............................................................................18 Positionality and Personal Story ...............................................................................19 Personal Perspectives and Intuitions .........................................................................21
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