View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Asbury Theological Seminary DISSERTATION APPROVAL This is to certify that the dissertation entitled EQUIPPING WOMEN FOR LEADERSHIP IN A WESLEYAN CHURCH Presented by J. Gaile Smith has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for the DOCTOR OF MINISTRY degree at Asbury Theological Seminary ____________________________________ ________________________ Internal Reader Date ____________________________________ ________________________ Director, Doctor of Ministry Program Date ____________________________________ ________________________ Vice President for Educational Development; Date Mentor ABSTRACT EQUIPPING WOMEN FOR LEADERSHIP IN A WESLEYAN CHURCH by J. Gaile Smith Women, as part of the priesthood of all believers, have been given the spiritual gift of leadership. These women should be involved in the leadership of the local church and provided with leadership training for their development and release into ministry. The purpose of this research was to implement and evaluate the impact of the “Women in Leadership” seminar. It is an evaluative study conducted in a descriptive mode utilizing semi-structured, researcher-directed interview protocol with focus groups. The findings of this study demonstrate that women’s leadership training results in significant changes and, therefore, is highly recommended. EQUIPPING WOMEN FOR LEADERSHIP IN A WESLEYAN CHURCH A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by J. Gaile Smith May 2003 © 2003 Judith Gaile Smith ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Tables . .vii List of Figures . .viii Acknowledgements . .ix Chapter 1. Overview of the Study . .1 Background . 1 Context. .2 Problem . 4 Purpose . 5 Research Question #1 . 6 Research Question #2 . 6 Research Question #3 . 6 Definition . .6 Project . 6 Methodology . 7 Design Type . .8 Subjects . .8 Instrument . .8 Data Collection . 8 Delimitation and Generalizability . .9 Theological Foundation . 9 An Outline of the Study . .13 iii 2. Precedents in the Literature . 14 Theological Foundation . 15 Old Testament Priests . .15 Christ Our High Priest . 18 Priesthood of All Believers . .20 Spiritual Gifts . .. 25 Gift of Leadership . .29 Women in Leadership in the Bible . .33 Old Testament Women Leaders . 33 Deborah . .33 Esther . 35 Huldah . .37 New Testament Women Leaders . 38 Mary Magdalene . .38 Phoebe . .40 Lydia . .41 Women Leaders Today . .42 Women Leaders in Society . .44 Women Leaders in the Church . .49 Women’s Ways of Learning and Knowing . 57 Methodology . 60 Conclusion . 61 3. Design of the Study . 62 Summary of the Problem . 62 iv Purpose . 63 Research Questions . 63 Research Question #1 . .63 Research Question #2 . .64 Research Question #3 . .64 Population and Sample . .64 Methodology . 65 Instrumentation . .66 Data Collection . .67 Confidentiality . 67 Delimitation and Generalizability . .67 Data Analysis . 68 4. Findings . .69 Profile of Subjects . .69 Pre-Seminar Leadership Experiences . 69 Prior Leadership Training . .73 Post-Seminar Focus Groups . 75 Four-Month Leadership Experiences . .77 Summary of Major Findings . 86 5. Discussion . 88 Major Findings . 89 Leadership Training . 89 Attitudes, Knowledge, and Understanding . .92 Areas Better Equipped . 94 v Resulting Changes . ..