A comparative analysis of role priorities of educational ministers serving in purpose driven model churches and classical programmatic model churches

Abstract

This dissertation compared the role priorities and curricular values identified by educational staff ministers serving in purpose driven model churches as compared to those serving in classical programmatic model churches within the Florida Baptist Convention.

The study consisted of educational ministers serving in churches identified by their local Director of Mission as expressing either a purpose driven church model or a classical programmatic church model. A review of the precedent literature revealed that while the purpose driven model is a significant church methodology utilized by church leaders; little has been published regarding the role priorities of educational ministers serving in these churches.

Demographic differences were noted in the age and gender of the two groups however, they had similar educational backgrounds. Educational ministers serving in purpose driven churches were significantly younger and had a larger representation of females than their classical programmatic model counterparts.

Of the ten identified roles, the study found a significant difference only in the role of growth agent as classical programmatic model educational ministers rated this role as their highest priority. Purpose driven model educational ministers rated the role of equipping as their highest priority. Educational ministers serving in both church models rated the roles of evaluating and initiating their two lowest priorities, indicating a deficit in the area of critical reflection among church educational leaders.

Two out of the nine identified conferences represented a significant difference between the two groups. These conferences focus on outreach strategies and partnering with denominational agencies. Both groups had lower curricular values scores than roles priorities indicating a gap between conferences provided by their state convention and their role priorities.