2004
John Thomas Sorensen
The Role of the Bridge Minister in Leading Diocesan Change: Creating the Diocese of Albany Spiritual Life Center
This thesis examines the application of congregational development theory at the diocesan level. When the Episcopal Diocese of Albany sought to redevelop its conference center ministry as an integral part of a comprehensive diocesan renewal initiative, the author served on the “Futures Committee” assigned to manage the project. This thesis examines the process of finding and purchasing a new conference center site, evaluating its conceptual innovations-development, interweaving narrative with applications of Arlin Rothauge’s theories on Congregational Life Cycle, Parallel Development and Bridge Ministry. Everett Rogers’ innovation diffusion theory is used to examine and expand Rothauge bridge ministry concepts, and the enlisting of innovation attributes as a theoretical tool to speed diocesan adoption of the “Spiritual Life Center” concept is demonstrated. The role of conflict within the innovation development team is examined using Thomas-Kilmann conflict modes, evaluating the roles of bridge minister and innovation champion in leading the team to a true collaboration that results in a decision acceptable to 86% of diocesan clergy.