2003
Philip Paradine
Leadership during Rebuilding at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Christianburg, Virginia: A Rector’s Tale of Organizational Empowerment through the use of Benedictine Spirituality
This thesis tells how the Rule of St. Benedict informed, guided, and sustained organizational empowerment during rebuilding of a parish hall. Insights from writers indicating organization and spirituality as key to parish success are applied at a key stage of congregational revitalization. The theological basis for organizational empowerment is developed from the confirmation rite of the Book of Common Prayer. Benedictine spirituality is explored as a means of addressing stresses on clergy and laity during reconstruction projects. Models of leadership incorporating spirituality and organizational empowerment are examined as alternative approaches to conflict management.