2001
John Joseph Sheffield
Internal Transformation of Leadership at a Critical Growth Barrier
This thesis explores the internal changes of four priest/leaders who faced a critical growth barrier (200 Sunday attendance) in their churches. After in-depth interviews, it was revealed tat these leaders share remarkably similar experiences of inner transformation with respect to:
1. Relinquishment of control
2. Realizing authority thru authentic servanthood
3. Handling the chaos growth stimulates in churches
This study maintains that each of these internal transformative experiences contributed to the success of breaking past barriers to growth. It also invites further research into the nature of transformation in crunch leaders at critical growth barrier events.