Influence of spiritual participation to transformational leadership : towards developing a model program for spiritual formation for pastors in South Philippine Union Conference

Abstract

The primary purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between spiritual participation to transformational leadership of South Philippine Union ' Conference pastor-leaders. Secondarily, the study was also aimed at knowing the level of SPUC pastors' spiritual participation and transformational leadership, and to find out their needs in spirituality and leadership as basis for developing a spiritual leadership formation program. The biblical and theological models along with the theories in spirituality and transformational leadership were established to serve as the foundation of the study. alidation of these models and theories was conducted in SPUC context with 135 pastors and leaders. Three validated instruments were used: the Christian Spiritual Participation Profile of Thayer (2004), the Pastoral Transformational Leadership Behaviour Instruments for Pastors, Pastoral Transformational Leadership Behaviour Instrument for Church officers and the Spiritual Formation Need Assessment Instrument. The result of the study indicated that although SPUC pastors are spiritually participating in most spiritual disciplines in their practice of transformational leadership, there is a need for them to have intentional and deep spiritual involvement especially in their practice of leadership. The data also shows that spiritual participation influences their transformational leadership. On the basis of the findings, a Pastoral Spiritual Leadership Formation Program was designed with components in group dynamics, spirituality seminars, divine touch sermon, Bible reading journaling, and administrative spirituality initiatives. The program is linked to the ministerial function of SPUC to ensure full support and sustainability.