The Entrepreneurial Leader As Change Agent
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THE ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADER AS CHANGE AGENT: DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE CHURCHES A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Bryson G. Butts May 2006 DISSERTATION APPROVAL This is to certify that the dissertation entitled THE ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADER AS CHANGE AGENT: DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE CHURCHES presented by Bryson G. Butts has been accepted toward fulfillment of the requirements for the DOCTOR OF MINISTRY degree at Asbury Theological Seminary April 17, 2006 Mentor Date April 17, 2006 Internal Reader Date April 17, 2006 Representative, Doctor of Ministry Program Date April 17, 2006 Dean, Doctor of Ministry Program Date ABSTRACT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADER AS CHANGE AGENT: DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE CHURCHES by Bryson G. Butts The purpose of this study was to evaluate and explore the leadership practices, qualities, and characteristics of entrepreneurial leaders in the business world to develop a potential profile for an entrepreneurial pastor. Church leaders can be more effective by learning from the business world, specifically, first-class business entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial leaders participated by evaluating and responding to the importance of seven characteristics and identified new factors important to an entrepreneurial leader profile. The value of the stated purpose is to determine the characteristics of an entrepreneurial pastor. The research is based on a review of pertinent literature in the field of business, on nonprofit and church entrepreneurship, and on analysis of several models being developed by entrepreneurial pastors in innovative churches. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables .................................................................................................................. viii List of Figures.................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements..............................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM .......................................................1 A Beginning Scenario..........................................................................................................1 The Problem.........................................................................................................................4 Biblical and Theological Foundations ...............................................................................10 Doctrine of Creation ..............................................................................................10 Purpose Statement..............................................................................................................14 Research Questions............................................................................................................15 Research Question 1 ..............................................................................................15 Research Question 2 ..............................................................................................15 Research Question 3 ..............................................................................................15 Definition of Terms............................................................................................................15 Methodology......................................................................................................................16 Subjects..............................................................................................................................16 Variables ............................................................................................................................17 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................................18 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................18 Delimitations and Generalizations.....................................................................................18 Overview............................................................................................................................19 iii CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF SELECTED LITERATURE................................................20 Vision and Dream ..............................................................................................................22 Risk Takers ........................................................................................................................27 Moral Compass ..................................................................................................................32 Team Builders....................................................................................................................39 Overcoming Adversity.......................................................................................................48 Spiritual Dimension ...........................................................................................................56 Lifelong Learners...............................................................................................................58 Additional Characteristics......................................................................................61 Intuition..............................................................................................................................61 Difference Makers .............................................................................................................62 Creativity............................................................................................................................64 Leadership Is Essential ..........................................................................................65 Creating a Great Organization ...............................................................................66 Theological Underpinnings................................................................................................67 Doctrine of the Trinity ...........................................................................................68 The Trinity as Perichoresis....................................................................................72 Change Theology...............................................................................................................74 Jesus as Change Agent...........................................................................................77 The Entrepreneurial Early Church.........................................................................78 Historical Roots of the Entrepreneurial Church.................................................................80 Innovative Leadership........................................................................................................81 Research Methodology Precedents....................................................................................84 iv Summary............................................................................................................................85 CHAPTER 3: DESIGN OF THE STUDY ........................................................................86 Research Questions............................................................................................................86 Research Question 1 ..............................................................................................87 Research Question 2 ..............................................................................................87 Research Question 3 ..............................................................................................88 Subjects..............................................................................................................................88 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................................90 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................91 Variables ............................................................................................................................91 Data Analysis.....................................................................................................................92 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS OF THE STUDY ....................................................................94 Profile of Participants ........................................................................................................94 Age and Education.................................................................................................95 Ministry Experience...............................................................................................95 Forms of Service....................................................................................................95 Current Ministry Status..........................................................................................95 Size of Churches ....................................................................................................96 Spiritual Gifts.........................................................................................................96 Age and Education.................................................................................................96