Shared Leadership: Best Practice in a Ministry Context

Abstract

This qualitative, multiple case study was concerned with the best practice of

shared leadership in a ministry context. Four specific churches were considered for this

study between September and November 2014. Data was gathered from the four churches

through online questionnaires administered to leaders, on site interviews with leaders and

staff, published material from each church, notes documented while observing, sermons

on shared leadership, training materials, bylaws, and other pamphlets or material to

discover and isolate the number of occurrences of the established best practices, as well

as possible unique best practices in each ministry context. The top three highest

occurrences of established best practices in a ministry context were spiritual giftedness,

relational support, and biblical shared leadership. Unique best practices were discovered

and isolated as well. It is hopeful this study will assist leaders and others interested in the

best practices of biblical shared leadership.