LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC Modern-Day Korahites in Crisis: Causes and Consequences of Moral Failure in Worship Leaders A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the School of Music in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Worship Studies by Adely Thélus Charles Lynchburg, Virginia December 2020 DOCTOR OF WORSHIP STUDIES THESIS DEFENSE The committee has rendered the following decision concerning the defense for, (Name of Student) Adely T. Charles , on the Thesis, (Title) MODERN-DAY KORAHITES IN CRISIS: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF MORAL FAILURE IN WORSHIP LEADERS as submitted on (Date) December 7, 2020 : a. X Full approval to proceed with no revisions. The document should be prepared for submission to the Jerry Falwell Library. b. Provisional approval pending cited revisions. The student must resubmit the project with cited revisions according to the established timeline. c. Redirection of project. The student is being redirected to take WRSP 889 again, as minor revisions will not meet the expectations for the research project. Dr. Jerry L. Newman 12/10/2020 Print Name of Advisor/Mentor (MUSC 889) Signature Date Dr. Rodney D. Whaley 12/10/2020 Print Name of Reader Signature Date © 2020 Adely Thélus Charles All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT In the Bible and throughout the history of Christianity, examples of moral failure in ministry leadership demonstrate a negative impact on the leader's family, congregations, faith traditions, and ministry efficacy. This qualitative study examines the causes and consequences of moral failure in worship leadership by considering the biblical account of Old Testament leaders who morally failed and apply psychological principles to assess moral fragility that may be faced by some worship leaders. Finally, this study offers biblical principles and practical strategies that target the potential pitfalls of leadership in an effort to hinder moral failure among worship leaders. i Acknowledgments I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the administration, faculty, and staff of Liberty University for their counsel, encouragement, and tutelage during this doctorate journey. I would like to specifically thank Stephanie Pritchard for her assistance with the many questions I had throughout. I am also grateful to Dr. Jerry Newman, my advisor, for guiding me through this thesis journey. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Rodney Whaley for taking the time to read my thesis to prepare for its completion. To my parents, retired Salvation Army pastors Majors Jean Metelus & Adeline Charles, thank you for raising me to love the Lord. To my soulmate and loving wife, Maggie Charles, thank you for your love, understanding, care, and countless encouraging words to keep on striving during the many sleepless nights of study. I am blessed to have had you cheer me on all through this five-year journey, and I celebrate this milestone with you. I love you. To my sons, Christian and Josiah, thank you for helping dad make it through his studies and being patient through the process. I am also grateful to Lt. Colonel Kenneth Johnson, former leader of The Salvation of the Florida Division, for your support from day one of this doctorate journey. Thank you also to Lt. Colonels Ken and Dawn Luyk for your support of this educational journey. Heartfelt gratitude to Major (Dr.) Marion Platt III, my mentor, and brother in Christ, for your wisdom and challenges during this pursuit. My friend and librarian extraordinaire Jan McMahon, for our enriching conversations and your support with literary resources throughout my classes. To my Salvation Army lunch crew, Emaniel Brifil, Darryl Crossland, Sabrina Kemper, Cherika Gregory, Tonya Stickney, and former supervisors Captains Matt and Jamie Satterlee, Major John Murphy – thank you all for listening, encouraging, and advising me. ii Finally, I would like to thank Jesus Christ, my Lord, and Savior, for the gift of new life in Him, which has made this journey possible. I thank Him for the strength, guidance, and illumination of His Spirit in me as a witness for His renown. May the labor of this educational enrichment bring forth fruits for His Kingdom as I continue to minister in The Salvation Army. iii Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................... ii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................1 Background of the Problem .................................................................................................3 Statement of the Problem .....................................................................................................6 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................9 Research Questions ............................................................................................................10 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................11 Method/Design ...................................................................................................................12 Research Plan .....................................................................................................................16 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................16 Limitations .........................................................................................................................17 Assumptions .......................................................................................................................17 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................18 Section I: Biblical Theology of Personal Identity ..............................................................19 The Dark Side of Leadership .................................................................................22 Section II: Biblical Leaders ...............................................................................................24 Moses: The Compulsive Leader & Servant of Yahweh…... .................................26 Saul: The Paranoid Leader & First King of Israel .................................................27 David: The Depressed Leader & A Man After God’s Own Heart ........................29 Solomon: The Narcissistic Leader & World’s Wisest King ..................................30 Samson: The Codependent Leader & Nazirite ......................................................31 iv Jonah: The Passive-Aggressive Leader & Envoy to Nineveh ...............................33 Section III: Causes of Moral Failure ..................................................................................34 Pride & Seduction for Success ...............................................................................34 Isolation & Loneliness ...........................................................................................38 Ministry Stress .......................................................................................................40 Lack of Accountability & Transparency ................................................................43 CHAPTER THREE: METHOD ....................................................................................................45 Section I: Biblical/Historical/Psychological Research Method .........................................45 Old Testament Examples .......................................................................................46 Section II: Qualitative Research Method ...........................................................................49 Research Questions ................................................................................................49 Causes of Moral Failure .........................................................................................54 Consequences of Moral Failure .............................................................................55 Practical & Preventative Strategies ........................................................................57 CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH FINDINGS ...............................................................................59 Section I: Exploring the Biblical/Historical/Psychological Research Findings ................59 Literary Review on the Dark Side of Leadership ..................................................59 A. Leadership’s Dark Side Redemptive Process ........................................63 B. Biblical Means of Grace for One’s Dark Side .......................................65 Literary Review on Personality Dysfunctions .......................................................70 Literary Review on Psychological Assessors ........................................................74 Section II: Exploring the Qualitative Research Findings ..................................................78 v Literary Review on Pride in Worship Leading ......................................................78 Literary Review on Desire for Ministry Success in Worship Leading ..................83 Literary Review on Burnout in Worship Leading .................................................86 Literary Review on Family-Related