Pepperdine University Pepperdine Digital Commons Theses and Dissertations 2018 Elements of transformational learning in small groups of an Evangelical Christian church Richard Simpson Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd Recommended Citation Simpson, Richard, "Elements of transformational learning in small groups of an Evangelical Christian church" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 977. https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/977 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology ELEMENTS OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING IN SMALL GROUPS OF AN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership by Richard Simpson July, 2018 Michael Patterson, Ed.D. – Dissertation Chairperson This dissertation, written by Richard Simpson under the guidance of a Faculty Committee and approved by its members, has been submitted to and accepted by the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION Doctoral Committee: Michael Patterson, Ed.D., Chairperson Kent Rhodes, Ed.D. James DelleNeve, Ed.D. © Copyright by Richard Simpson (2018) All Rights Reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... viii VITA .............................................................................................................................................. ix ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Background of the Study .................................................................................................... 1 Problem Statement .............................................................................................................. 3 Purpose of Study ................................................................................................................. 4 Importance of Study ............................................................................................................ 4 Definition of Terms............................................................................................................. 6 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................... 8 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 11 Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 12 Delimitations ..................................................................................................................... 12 Assumptions ...................................................................................................................... 13 Organization of Study ....................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature.............................................................................................. 15 Transformational Learning ............................................................................................... 16 Andragogical Learning ..................................................................................................... 29 Small Group Learning....................................................................................................... 42 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 56 Chapter 3: Research Methods ....................................................................................................... 59 Research Methodology and Rationale .............................................................................. 60 Setting ............................................................................................................................... 62 Population, Sample and Sampling Procedures ................................................................. 63 Human Subject Considerations ......................................................................................... 63 Instrumentation ................................................................................................................. 64 Data Collection Procedures............................................................................................... 66 Data Management ............................................................................................................. 67 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................... 68 Positionality ...................................................................................................................... 70 Page Summary ........................................................................................................................... 70 Chapter 4: Presentation of Findings .............................................................................................. 72 Findings............................................................................................................................. 73 Summary of Key Findings ................................................................................................ 98 Chapter 5: Discussion of Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations.................................... 99 Discussion of Key Findings .............................................................................................. 99 Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 109 Implications for Practice ................................................................................................. 111 Recommendations for Further Research ......................................................................... 114 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 115 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 117 APPENDIX A: Invitation Communication to Participate .......................................................... 128 APPENDIX B: Informed Consent for Participation in Research Activities............................... 129 APPENDIX C: Interview Questions ........................................................................................... 133 APPENDIX D: IRB Approval Letter ......................................................................................... 135 v LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1. Mainstream Evangelical Small Group Models and Central Principles .......................... 49 Table 2. Demographics ................................................................................................................. 74 Table 3. Demographics Range (n = 16) ........................................................................................ 74 Table 4. Transformative Learning Scenarios (n = 16) .................................................................. 76 Table 5. Experience Themes (n = 16) ........................................................................................... 80 Table 6. Personal Transformation Themes (n = 16) ..................................................................... 80 Table 7. Elements That Fostered Transformation (n = 16) ........................................................... 86 vi LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1. Group needs model ........................................................................................................ 53 Figure 2. An elemental model for developing “classic” grounded theory .................................... 61 vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This has been an amazing journey that would not have been possible without the love and support from many individuals in my life. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to converge my education, professional career, and the work of ministry with this project. This would not have been possible without the guidance of my dissertation chair, Dr. Michael Patterson. Your direction early on in my coursework led me down this road of Transformational Learning and how it could be applied in small group ministries. Your love for the Lord and heart for ministry enhanced my work and encouraged me along the way. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge my dissertation committee members,