Leadership Emergence and Factors Preventing Emergence of Elders in the Churches of Christ in the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly

Author

Francis BrownFollow

Campus Location

Abilene Campus (Residential)

Date of Award

12-2024

ORCID

0009-0001-0911-2135

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Graduate School of Theology

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Committee Chair or Primary Advisor

Chris Flanders

Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor

Omar Palafox

Third Committee Member or Committee Reader

Paul Chimhungwe

Abstract

This study investigates the persistent absence of formally appointed elders in five Churches of Christ within Teshie in the Ledzokuku municipal assembly, Ghana, despite these congregations’ existence for over two decades. The research seeks to critically examine the factors contributing to the inability of long-serving leaders to align with biblical qualifications. Utilizing a case study methodology, the research examines leadership emergence within the congregations, exploring the discrepancy between tenure and adherence to scriptural standards, and emphasizing the causes and implications for leadership effectiveness and spiritual integrity that facilitate or obstruct the ordination of elders. The study employs a qualitative research design, collecting data through structured interviews with church ministers, key leaders, long-standing members, and heads of ministries and committees. An inductive approach, underpinned by grounded theory, guides the analysis, allowing themes related to leadership dynamics to emerge organically from the data. The data reveals a tension in church leadership development between minister-directed selection processes that emphasize pragmatic engagement and local community needs, and the biblical standards for eldership outlined in the Pauline epistles, which prioritize spiritual maturity and specific character qualifications. The limited literature on the emergence of leadership within the Churches of Christ in Ghana constrains the development of a robust theoretical framework and restricts background information and comparative analysis. This scarcity necessitates a reliance on primary data and alternative sources to build foundational insights and contextual understanding. Therefore, the interview framework draws on the scholarly literature on biblical leadership and contextualizes African leadership models and the historical context of Christianity and the Churches of Christ in Ghana. The findings underscore the influence of informal leadership structures, the difficulty in aligning with biblical standards for eldership, and the impact of cultural factors on congregational leadership development. The analysis offers insights into how these churches can reconcile their leadership practices with biblical expectations while considering cultural dynamics. The study recommends creating a streamlined guide to help these congregations develop effective leadership. This guide includes practical strategies for reassessing eldership criteria and establishing structured mentorship programs to nurture future leaders. The recommendations aim to cultivate a new generation of leaders capable of maintaining the congregations’ spiritual well-being, with implications that extend to church leadership practices beyond the Ledzokuku municipal assembly.

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Recommended Citation

Brown, Francis, "Leadership Emergence and Factors Preventing Emergence of Elders in the Churches of Christ in the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly" (2024). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 839.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/839