Factors Leading to Emptiness or Fullness by Carey D. Akin This study addresses why

196 Pages·2017·1.65 MB·English

ABSTRACT
Overflow in Young Christian Leaders:
Factors Leading to Emptiness or Fullness
by
Carey D. Akin
This study addresses why many young Christian leaders in challenging settings
find themselves spiritually depleted rather than spiritually full in ministry. To answer this
question as to why these young, effective leaders soon become depleted would result in
potential solutions to allow them to be impactful in Christian witness and ministry over a
lifetime as they serve from a spiritual overflow. The source of depletion and infilling was
explored through insights into spiritual formation and direction, mentor relationships, and
spiritually emotional health. The importance of family health and ministry networking
also lend important understanding to an infilling that led to an overflow in the life of
young Christians.
Richard Foster’s writings, in particular, Streams of Living Water, through his
historical analysis, provides a template for spiritual traditions over the history of the
church that have led to spiritual infilling and overflow.
The purpose of this study is to research this issue of spiritual depletion and
spiritual overflow through interviewing 12 Christian Leaders (nine young leaders and
three mature leaders) and perform 45 surveys with young Christian leaders across three
distinct cultures, in three different continents, to identify common denominators to
spiritual depletion and fullness.
The findings from this research conclude that spiritual fullness or emptiness was
affected most significantly by one's relationship with God and one's other relationships
with mentors, family, church, and Christian networks.
DISSERTATION APPROVAL

This is to certify that the dissertation entitled

Overflow in Young Christian Leaders:
Factors Leading to Fullness or Emptiness

presented by

Carey D. Akin

has been accepted towards fulfillment

of the requirements for the

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY degree at

Asbury Theological Seminary

Dissertation Coach Date

Director, Doctor of Ministry Program Date

Dean of the Beeson Center Date
Overflow in Young Christian Leaders:
Factors Leading to Emptiness or Fullness

A Dissertation

Presented to the Faculty of

Asbury Theological Seminary

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

Doctor of Ministry

by

Carey D. Akin
May 2017
© YEAR 2017
Carey D. Akin
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. ix

LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................x

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... xi

CHAPTER 1 NATURE OF THE PROJECT .....................................................................1

Overview of the Chapter .........................................................................................1

Personal Introduction ..............................................................................................2

Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................7

Purpose of the Project ..............................................................................................7

Research Questions ..................................................................................................7

Research Question #1 ..................................................................................7

Research Question #2 ..................................................................................8

Research Question #3 ..................................................................................8

Rationale for the Project ..........................................................................................8

Definition of Key Terms .......................................................................................11

Delimitations .........................................................................................................12

Review of Relevant Literature ...............................................................................13

Research Methodology .........................................................................................15

Type of Research ......................................................................................17

Participants ................................................................................................18

Data Collection .........................................................................................19

Data Analysis ............................................................................................19
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Generalizability .........................................................................................21

Project Overview ..................................................................................................22

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW FOR THE PROJECT .........................................23

Overview of the Chapter ........................................................................................23

Biblical/Theological Foundations ..........................................................................24

The Father of Compassion .........................................................................24

The God of Comfort...................................................................................25

Christ who Overflows into Believers Lives ...............................................26

Reliance on God and the Prayers of God’s People ....................................29

Sharing in Christ’s Sufferings Leads to Overflow .....................................30

Connection to the True Vine (Jesus Christ) Leading to Fruit ....................32

The Father as the Gardener to Create New Growth ...................................33

Old Testament Concept of Israel as the Vine
(Foreshadowing of What is to Come) ........................................................34

Remaining in Christ (A Dwelling Place) ...................................................36

Review of Literature ..............................................................................................39

The Necessity of Being Empty to Be Filled to Overflowing .....................39

The Secret to Being Spiritually Full ..........................................................42

The Secret of Being Spiritually Full Through the Body of Christ .............44

The Importance of Passionate Meditation .................................................45

Christ’s Presence Found in Community ....................................................49

Charisma – Spiritual Life Through the Holy Spirit ...................................50

Streams of Living Water as a Model for Spiritual Fullness .......................53
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The Contemplative Stream of Living Water ..............................................56

The Holiness Stream of Living Water .......................................................59

Wesley’s Major Contribution to Holistic Holiness ....................................60

The Charismatic Stream of Living Water ..................................................63

The Compassion Stream of Living Water .................................................63

The Evangelical or Word-Centered Stream of Living Water ....................66

The Incarnational or Sacramental Stream of Living Water .......................67

The Role of Culture in Relationships that Lead to Spiritual Fullness .......68

Research Design Literature ...................................................................................73
Summary of Literature ..........................................................................................75

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR THE PROJECT .............................79

Overview of the Chapter ........................................................................................79

Nature and Purpose of the Project .........................................................................79

Research Questions ................................................................................................81

Research Question #1 ................................................................................81

Research Question #2 ................................................................................81

Research Question #3 ................................................................................83

Ministry Context(s) ................................................................................................84

Participants .............................................................................................................85

Criteria for Selection .................................................................................85

Description of Participants .......................................................................86

Ethical Considerations ..............................................................................86

Instrumentation ......................................................................................................87
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Pilot Test or Expert Review ...................................................................................87
Data Collection ......................................................................................................87

Data Analysis .........................................................................................................93

Reliability & Validity of Project Design ..............................................................94

Reliability & Validity of the Interviews ......................................................95

Reliability & Validity of the Surveys ..........................................................96

Survey #1 ..........................................................................................97

Survey #2 ..........................................................................................97

CHAPTER 4 EVIDENCE FOR THE PROJECT ..............................................................99

Overview of the Chapter .......................................................................................99

Participants ..........................................................................................................102

Research Question #1: Description of Evidence ................................................106

Qualitative Semi-Structured Interviews ....................................................106

Lack of Prayer/Lack of Intimacy with God ....................................107

Overly Busy/Lack of Time .............................................................107

Reasons for Lack of Time ...................................................108

Negative Stress Due to Family .......................................................110

Habitual Sin ....................................................................................111

Physical and Emotional Factors ......................................................111

Lack of Financial Resources ...........................................................112

Isolation in Ministry ........................................................................113

Survey Findings .........................................................................................114

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Research Question #2: Description of Evidence ................................................116

Qualitative Semi-Structured Interviews ....................................................116

Spiritual Fruit in Ministry ...............................................................117

Family Spiritual Health ...................................................................118

Deep Personal Relationship with God ............................................119

Mentors and Mentoring...................................................................120

Personal Testimonies and Visions ..................................................123

Survey Findings .........................................................................................127

Research Question #3: Description of Evidence ................................................129

Qualitative Semi-Structures Interviews .....................................................130

Times of Restoration with God .......................................................132

Technology for Ministry .................................................................132

Mentoring Program .........................................................................133

Networking and Partnerships ..........................................................133

Summary of Major Findings ................................................................................135

The Signifigance of Mentors .....................................................................135

Family as a Key in Being Spiritually Full or Empty .................................135

The Value of Testimonies, Visions, and Purpose .....................................136

The Importance of Networking Relationships and Resources ..................137

The Importance of Spiritual Practices and Spiritual Traditions:
Prayer and a Personal Relationship with God ...........................................137

CHAPTER 5 LEARNING REPORT FOR THE PROJECT ...........................................140

Overview of the Chapter .....................................................................................140

Major Findings .....................................................................................................141
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