Church Leaders Research Articles

Communication Styles and Leadership Conflicts in the Legio Maria Church, Ugenya, Kenya

This study explored the impact of communication styles on leadership conflicts within the Legio Maria Church in Ugenya. Effective communication is crucial for organizational dynamics, particularly in religious institutions where spiritual authority intersects with hierarchical structures. The Legio Maria Church faces persistent leadership conflicts, often exacerbated by differences in how leaders convey, interpret, and act upon information. These conflicts are influenced by the church's complex web of formal and informal communication channels, which shape power dynamics and organizational cohesion. This research identifies the diverse communication styles employed by church leaders, ranging from direct and open to indirect and informal methods. It examined how these styles impact decision-making processes, conflict-resolution strategies, and overall leadership dynamics. By understanding personal and organizational communication preferences, the study provides insights into the root causes of leadership conflicts. Practical recommendations are proposed, including communication training programs, clear communication protocols, and fostering a culture of openness and respect for diverse communication styles. These measures aimed to enhance leadership cohesion and improve the church's ability to serve its members effectively. This research contributes to the broader discourse on effective communication in religious organizations, offering valuable insights for fostering sustainable leadership practices and organizational harmony within the Legio Maria Church.

Mediating Effect of Organisational Culture on the Relationship between Innovative Leadership and Performance of Pentecostal Churches in Kenya

Mediating Effect of Organisational Culture on the Relationship between Innovative Leadership and Performance of Pentecostal Churches in Kenya

Designing a Culturally Relevant Digital Skin Cancer Prevention Intervention for Hispanic Individuals: Qualitative Exploration.

In the past 2 decades, melanoma incidence among Hispanic individuals has risen by 20%. The mortality rate of Hispanic individuals is higher than that for non-Hispanic White individuals. Skin cancer can largely be prevented with regular sun protection, and skin cancer outcomes can be improved through early detection, for example, by skin self-examination. Alarmingly, Hispanic individuals are less aware of the symptoms and harms of skin cancers, tend to have misperceptions regarding the risks and benefits of skin cancer prevention behaviors, and engage in less sun protection behaviors than non-Hispanic White individuals. This study aimed to use a community-engaged approach and conduct both group and individual interviews among Hispanic individuals and relevant key stakeholders to explore the potential design of a mobile-based skin cancer prevention intervention for Hispanic individuals. This study used a qualitative design (focus groups and individual interviews). Participants were recruited from local community organizations' social media, local events, and contact lists (eg, email). Zoom interviews were conducted to examine whether Hispanic individuals would be interested in a mobile-based skin cancer intervention and to explore their preferences and suggestions to inform skin cancer prevention intervention design. Five focus groups (2 in Spanish and 3 in English) among self-identified Hispanic individuals (n=34) and 15 semistructured, in-depth individual interviews among key stakeholders (health care providers and community leaders; eg, dermatologist, nurse practitioner, licensed social worker, and church leader) were conducted. The main themes and subthemes emerging from the group discussions and individual interviews were organized into the following categories: intervention platform, delivery frequency and format, message design, engagement plan, and activities. WhatsApp and Facebook were identified as suitable platforms for the intervention. Messages including short videos, visuals (eg, images and photographs), and simple texts messages were preferred. Recommendations for message design included personalized messages, personal stories and narratives, culturally relevant design (eg, incorporating family values), and community-trusted sources. Potential engagement and retention recommendations were also discussed. Additional details and exemplar quotes of each theme and subtheme are described. This study provides important insights and directions for the design of a mobile, digital skin cancer intervention to modify Hispanic individuals' sun protection and skin self-examination behaviors to help improve skin cancer outcomes. Insights gathered from community leaders and health care providers provided valuable additions to the community-derived data. Leveraging popular digital platforms among Hispanic individuals such as WhatsApp or Facebook could be a promising approach to skin cancer prevention. Recommendations from the community included the use of concise videos, illustrative images, clear text messages, tailored communications, narratives featuring personal experiences, designs that reflect cultural significance, and information from sources that are trusted by the community, which provided useful strategies for future intervention design among Hispanic individuals.

P21: Cultural adaptations of an evidence-based mental health intervention for older adults with depression and anxiety in a low- resource setting in Peru

Objectives: Effectively adapting innovative mental health evidence-based community interventions is critical, yet underdeveloped, for reducing the treatment gap among older adults with depressive and anxiety symptoms. The Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) is an evidence-based community intervention designed to reduce symptoms of depression and improve quality of life among older adults. PEARLS includes 6-8 sessions of in- home visits of trained social workers to deliver a multi-component intervention: problem- solving, behavioral activation activities, and psychoeducation. We used the Framework for Reporting Adaptations andModifications-Enhanced (FRAME) to document process and changes made to adapting PEARLS, branded as VIDACTIVA (Vidas Activas y Valiosas) in an urban, low- resource community in Lima, Peru.Methods: We obtained data in two stages. First, we conducted formative interviews with several stakeholders, including older adults, health professionals, community health workers (CHWs), city officials, and church leaders from the community. Second, during the iterative pilot phase, we used a mixed-Methods approach, integrating interviews with fidelity assessments, field notes, and training evaluations. We employed an iterative, rapid content analytic approach to triangulate findings from multiple sources and stakeholders, allowing us to identify needed adaptations.Results: We made several adaptations. Most adaptations occurred during the formative phase focused on the training plan for CHWs (VIDACTIVA delivers). We also made adaptations of the components of the intervention (problem-solving) and in the way supervision sessions were conducted. Adaptations involved researchers, CHWs, health professionals and older adults. All adaptations were fidelity-consistent with PEARLS. Due to this is the early stage of implement VIDACTIVA, the most common goal across adaptations was increased feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.Conclusions: The current study is an early effort to apply FRAME in the low-income urban context in Lima, Peru. FRAME guided systematic documentation of the adaptation decision- making process while successfully balancing fidelity. These observations lend insight to continue implementation efforts of VIDACTIVA intervention, which is undergoing a pilot clinical trial.

Pentecostal leadership disputes in Zimbabwe: A pastoral challenge

Conflicts in the Pentecostal church leadership have been growing since time immemorial. However, leadership disputes have become traumatic and tragic in Zimbabwe to the extent that junior pastors are committing suicide and killing each other because of these conflicts. The article uses the practical theological framework to explore the complex intersections of conflict within the Pentecostal church, analysing the various factors and dynamics contributing to these conflicts. This work examines and addresses the ramifications of a leadership conflict within the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM). The junior pastors, who have been impacted by the leadership dispute, have endured trauma stemming from the ongoing conflict among the church’s prominent leaders, which is the central focus of this study. To better understand the lived experience of trauma among these pastors, a qualitative research design was employed. Through purposeful sampling and face-to-face interviews, participants were given the opportunity to share their narratives of leadership trauma. The result is that junior pastors are internalising the trauma, which is affecting them spiritually, emotionally and physically in ministry. This article proposes a healing methodology utilising the Gerkin and Positive Deconstruction approach.Contribution: This study leverages a practical theological framework to examine the challenges of providing pastoral care for junior ministers who were impacted by leadership disputes within AFM thereby contributing to Pentecostal approaches to care.

Community-Based Mental Health Challenges and Implications: Examining Factors Influencing Distress and Help-Seeking Behaviors among Korean American Church Leaders and Members in Greater Los Angeles.

There is limited research on the factors that impact mental distress among Korean American (KA) church leaders even though their unique social situation can create many barriers to seeking mental health assistance. This study compared factors impacting mental distress and help-seeking behaviors between KA church leaders (CLs) and church members (CMs) in the greater Los Angeles area. The respondents (N = 243) were mostly female, married, educated, first-generation immigrants with a mean age of 47.9 years (SD = 19.7). The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist 10 was used to measure anxiety and depression. Hierarchal linear regressions showed that health status exerted the strongest effect on both anxiety and depression among CLs and CMs. Beyond health status, education (only for depression), informal resource use, and resiliency impacted mental distress scores for CLs. Only resiliency and religious coping predicted depression scores among CMs. To effectively reach this population, community-based organizations and behavioral health specialists should consider collaborating with churches to promote and provide essential mental health support. Our findings also highlight that the needs of church leaders (CLs) and church members (CMs) differ, which should guide the development of culturally tailored interventions that build on the resilience of both groups.

Tukutendereze: Contextualizing Salvation in Kigezi Sub-Region

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to contextualize the concept of salvation among the Anglican Christians in the Kigezi Sub-region. It takes time to investigate whether the salvation that Jesus offers is not enough in solving the Christians’ problems in the Kigezi sub-region and if the subjective theory of salvation that the East African revival movement espoused is relevant to the Bakiga Christians today. Methodology: The researcher employed qualitative research approach. This study was conducted in the geographical jurisdiction of Kigezi Sub-region in the present-day dioceses of Kigezi, North Kigezi, Kinkizi and Muhabura. These were the cradle of revival movement in 1930s. The population for this research was the Bakiga who are the adherents to the Anglican faith in Kigezi Sub-region. the researcher used the purposive sampling technique. The key respondents in total were 8 people who included the surviving members of 1930s and 1950s Revival movement in Kigezi Sub-region, the church leaders and ordinary Christians who are only adherents to Anglican faith. The researcher used the questionnaires and interview guides. The data was analyzed by the researcher in a descriptive way Findings: The study argues that Contextualization is central to any attempt to weave the gospel to cultures together. The context in which theology takes place shapes the form and influences the contents of the theology. All people, whether they realize it or not, are shaped by the culture in which they live. Culture even shapes a person’s reception of the Christian faith. This study asserts that no one ever meets universal Christianity in itself: we only ever meet Christianity in a local form and that means a historically, culturally conditioned form. The study concludes that there is nothing wrong in having local forms of Christianity if we remember that they are local. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that, when crisis strikes, believers should not deny the existence and potency of demonic spirits, but they should not yield to them. Instead, believers should affirm their radical commitment to the sovereign Lord. There is need for all Christians to address their cultural postulated reality of crises pastorally with seriousness, sensitivity, and respect.

The Effectiveness of Pastoral Visits for the Spiritual Growth of Adolescents at GMIT Mawar Saron Liliba Klasis East Kupang City

The study seeks to evaluate the efficacy of spiritual visits in facilitating the spiritual growth of teenagers. The employed methodologies encompass quantitative approaches such as surveys and questionnaire research, as well as qualitative methods involving in-depth interviews with teenagers, parents, and church leaders. The assessment of spiritual development might be based on enhanced comprehension of religious doctrines, advancement in the practice of prayer, active engagement in church-related endeavors, favorable modifications in conduct, and enhanced mental and emotional well-being. The study's findings indicate that the inclusion of a priest has a significant and beneficial influence on the spiritual growth of adolescents. The success of pastoral visits is supported by factors such as the frequency of visits, the quality of the pastor-teenager relationship, and a personalized approach. However, there are also hindrances such as time constraints and ineffective communication. The findings of this study recommend increasing the number of visits, offering specialized training to priests, adopting a more personalized approach, engaging families, and leveraging technology to enhance the effectiveness of pastoral visits. By employing this approach, it is anticipated that pastoral visits will provide greater efficacy in directing young individuals towards enhanced spiritual maturation.

Delivering Democracy? Comparing Catholic Bishops’ Advocacy for Democracy in Malawi and Zambia, 1987–2022

Abstract As national leaders of the Catholic Church, bishops were widely recognized as ‘midwives’ of democratic transitions in many African states in the 1990s. This paper expands understanding of bishops’ subsequent political engagement by systematically analyzing their attempts to ‘deliver’ democracy during the difficult decades following transition. Focusing on Malawi and Zambia between 1987 and 2022, we situate and analyse bishops’ most influential public communications: pastoral letters. The article first illuminates the bishops’ public conceptualisations of political participation as a Christian duty, and the roles they prescribed for politicians, citizens, and Christian leaders at the outset of democratisation. We then document the bishops’ consistent commitment to civic education and voter mobilisation across countries, alongside context-specific efforts to defend or advance democracy, which led to some variation in priorities and rhetorical appeals across countries. These findings challenge influential models of religion-state relations, raise new interdisciplinary research questions, and offer insights for democratic advocates.

Assessing the Impact of Technology on Church Services and Youth Engagement

The advent of technology has revolutionized many aspects of human life, including the operation and engagement methods of religious institutions. Historically, church services were confined to physical spaces, limiting congregational engagement to in-person attendance. Traditional worship, involving sermons, hymns, and communal activities, fostered a sense of community and spiritual enrichment. However, declining attendance in traditional settings necessitates the integration of modern digital tools to revitalize worship experiences and engage tech-savvy youth. This study explores the transformative impact of technology on church services, particularly its effectiveness in engaging younger congregants, through a quantitative survey of church leaders, technology experts, and congregants across various denominations. The research examines the adoption and impact of digital innovations such as live-streaming, social media outreach, mobile apps, and multimedia worship formats. Findings highlight enhanced accessibility, participation, and connection, making faith more relevant to younger generations. Challenges such as the potential dilution of spiritual experiences and the digital divide are also identified. Applying the Diffusion of Innovations theory, the study underscores the need for strategic, thoughtful integration of technology that balances modern conveniences with core religious values, bridging generational gaps and ensuring the continued vitality of religious communities in the digital age.

Nature and causes of conflict among communities bordering in Borabu-Sotik Border Kenya

This study sought to analyse the nature and causes of conflict among communities bordering in Borabu-Sotik border Kenya. Cross-border conflicts have long existed worldwide, with recent ethnic and communal tensions affecting Africa, including Kenya. This study utilised descriptive statistics and a qualitative research design, focusing on churches at the Borabu-Sotik border, such as SDA, PAG, and Catholic, with a target population of 7,738 respondents. In the context of interfaith relations at Borabu and Sotik, churches play a significant role in conflict resolution through mediation and negotiations. Religious leaders actively mediate disputes and promote compromises between conflicting parties. Additionally, the church contributes to nation building by advocating for peace and supporting youth often involved in conflicts. The church collaborates with the government and other agencies to address social issues like land rights and ethnic discrimination, thus maintaining stability and security. The study used purposive and simple random sampling to select a sample size of 392 respondents, comprising 35 church leaders and 357 church members. Proportionate sampling methods were employed to categorize the sample according to churches. Stratified random sampling was usedto select the respondents, who were then given questionnaires. Data collection tools included interview schedules for church leaders, questionnaires for church members, focus group discussions, and a checklist. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, means, and standard deviations were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

The Indian Student Placement Program: An Assessment of Mormon Theology and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Contribution to 20th Century Indigenous Child Removal Trends

This paper examines the 20th-century Indigenous child removal trends in the United States with a specific focus on Mormon involvement and influence. Due to the important role Native Americans played in Mormon prophecy, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created programs that aimed to academically and spiritually educate Native youth. More specifically, programs such as the Indian Student Placement Program (ISPP) housed Native children with predominantly Mormon families during the school year from 1954 to 1996. However, shifts in Church leadership and attitude throughout this period strongly suggested mental and physical abuse and destruction of tribal identity. By weighing scholarly arguments and referencing the Book of Mormon, this paper will evaluate the extent to which the ISPP can be justified by theology and to what degree the LDS Church contributed to 20th-century assimilation and acculturation trends.

ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL AT PRAGUE CASTLE DURING THE PERIOD OF NORMALIZATION

This paper deals with the building modifications in the building of the Cathedral of St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas, St. Adalbert and St. Mary during the period of normalization - the 1970s and 1980s. This period has so far been neglected by researchers, although many articles and publications have been written about the history, development and artistic decoration of the cathedral. Normalization, like the entire period of communist rule in Czechoslovakia, meant the oppression of church leaders, the suppression of sacred themes in religious buildings and in everyday life. Nevertheless, the cathedral was the scene of necessary reconstruction works, as well as modifications aimed at improving the use of space and interventions based on the change of the Roman Catholic liturgy. St. Vitus Cathedral is the most important Catholic church in the Czech Republic, formerly in Czechoslovakia, and even earlier in the Czech Kingdom. Its construction, spanning almost 700 years, demonstrates the development in culture, technical possibilities, architectural and building art. The cathedral is an essential part of the Prague Castle complex and the Hradčany panorama. Prague Castle was and still is the center of secular and ecclesiastical power. This connection was symbolically fulfilled by the most important ruler ceremonies (coronations, funerals, marriages, christenings), which took place in the cathedral. One of the most beautiful and most photographed views of Hradčany is dominated by the silhouette of Prague Castle and especially the cathedral. The St. Vitus Cathedral rises from the base formed by the uniform design of the facades of Prague Castle, which was created during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa. For a long time the cathedral itself looked like a torso, as only the bell tower with a Renaissance and later Baroque helmet was built. The transept and the towers in the facade were not completed until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. On the basis of archival research, interviews with witnesses and the study of specialist literature, the reader is introduced to the interventions in St. Vitus Cathedral and the associated change in the space for the celebration of the liturgy, as well as the space for ordinary visitors to this church during the period under study. Further attention is given to the unrealised designs and other sacred buildings in the grounds of the Castle.

The Significance of Relations between Hungarian and Dutch Reformed Congregations under the Single-Party State – With a Special Emphasis on the Dutch Connections of Dezső Szabó, Pastor in Káloz, in the Focus of the State Security Services

The study provides a glimpse into the ministry of Dezső Szabó, the Reformed pastor in Káloz (Hungary) in the 1960s, when he rebuilt informal church relations – independent of church leadership – with Dutch congregations. Prior to the war, Dezső Szabó studied in the Netherlands on a scholarship. The party-state authorities, however, did not approve of inter-church relations with Western churches, but in the changed environment of church politics and church law brought on by the 1960s, Dezső Szabó seized the opportunity to rekindle old ties through his former theological acquaintances. Dezső Szabó’s activity was monitored by state security, and the records also provide information on the situation of the Dutch Reformed Church. The study draws attention to dilemmas of wayfinding and identity, full of challenges, during the second half of the 20th century. Keywords: neo-Calvinism, identity, surveillance, single-party state, Káloz

Using the consolidated framework for implementation research to identify church leaders’ perspectives on contextual determinants of community-based colorectal cancer screening for Black Kentuckians

BackgroundBlack Kentuckians experience more deleterious colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes than their White counterparts, a disparity that could be reduced by increased screening in Black communities. Previous research has shown that Black Kentuckians may not be equitably informed of different CRC screening options by health care providers, making community-based screening a potentially effective option among this disparate population. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify church leaders’ perspectives of contextual factors that might influence community-based screening and explore the feasibility of using church-based screening outreach.MethodsSix participants were selected, based on leadership roles and interest in CRC screening, from five established Louisville-area church partners that had previously participated in community health initiatives. Data were collected, both virtually and in-person, in Summer 2021 using semi-structured interview guides developed with guidance from the CFIR Guide that focused on domains most relevant to community-based interventions. Data were transcribed verbatim, coded by two independent researchers, and member checked for accuracy.ResultsData were aligned primarily with six CFIR constructs: key stakeholders, champions, opinion leaders, tension for change, compatibility, and culture. Participants noted a strong tension for change in their community due to perceptions of inadequacy with clinical approaches to CRC screening. Additionally, they stressed the importance of identifying individuals both within the church who could champion CRC screening and help implement program activities, as well as those outside the church who could collaborate with other local organizations to increase participant reach. Finally, participants agreed that faith-based CRC screening aligned with church culture and would also likely be compatible with overall community values.ConclusionsOverall, our church partners strongly endorsed the need for, and importance of, community-based CRC screening. Given a history of successful implementation of health promotion programs within our partner churches, it is highly likely that a CRC screening intervention would also be effective. Findings from this study will be used to identify implementation strategies that might positively impact a future faith-based CRC screening intervention, as well as CFIR constructs that are most positively associated with CRC screening completion.

Gospel Organization: The Church Leadership of Johannes Bugenhagen (1485–1558)

Gospel Organization: The Church Leadership of Johannes Bugenhagen (1485–1558)

Awareness and Acceptability of Pre-Certified Halal Foods to Non-Muslim Students among Secondary Schools

Multiculturalism is increasingly shaping contemporary societies, yet food, a fundamental human necessity, often becomes a point of cultural and belief-based contention. The halal food industry has grown significantly, garnering support both locally and internationally. However, this burgeoning sector faces challenges related to establishing standardized regulations that acknowledge its role in nation-building and promote cultural diversity. This study aimed to assess the awareness and acceptance of pre-certified halal food among non-Muslim students across secondary schools in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study utilized a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 350 students selected through simple random sampling from seven identified schools in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. Findings indicated that despite Lambayong's diverse population, most respondents demonstrated awareness and positive perceptions of pre-certified halal food. However, some community elders and church leaders expressed reservations about allowing younger generations to consume such food. The study also observed that while many vendors and proprietors were Muslim, not all adhered to the practice of wearing hijab (for Muslim women), and some lacked necessary cooking equipment like gloves and hairnets. Furthermore, certain halal establishments were found to have inadequate sanitation and pest control measures. Ultimately, the study concluded that there exists a moderate relationship between respondents' awareness and their acceptance of halal food. Recommendations include schools collaborating with barangay and local government units to monitor the hygiene of nearby restaurants and canteens. Additionally, halal food establishments should prioritize enhancing their sanitation practices and hygiene protocols to ensure compliance and consumer confidence.

An Evaluation of Cultural Concepts in Swahili Translated Texts: An Example of Walioteuliwa by White.

This paper evaluated the cultural religious translated concepts in Walioteuliwa This book is read and studied among the SDA believers and interpreted differently among the same believers of same denomination. The objective of the study was to evaluate the difficulties in translating cultural concepts from English into Kiswahili. The study was qualitative and quantitative. Therefore, following cultural concepts were analyzed: ecological, material culture, religious concepts, linguistic concepts, figures of speech and proverbs. Seven SDA churches were purposefully selected to take part in the study. The respondents filled questionnaires and the leaders were interviewed. The actual sample size was 140 participants. Thus, 42 church leaders and 98 church goers were involved. Participants who read and write in Kiswahili only participated in the study. The skopos theory guided this research. It states that the process of translation is determined by the function of its product. Thus, that function is specified by the addressee. The results of this study showed that the strategies used by the translator posed problems in translated cultural concepts among the readers of the selected text. Therefore, this study contributed to the understanding and interpreting of cultural concepts in religious texts.

Experiences of divorced people in Pentecostal churches in Botswana

Background: Cases of divorce are on the increase across societies and within the Pentecostal churches. Pentecostal church doctrine disapproves of divorce, and the people experience discrimination consequently. Despite the overall impact divorce has on the spiritual well-being of the victims, Pentecostal churches do not provide sufficient support to them.Objectives: The objectives of the study were to explore the lived experiences of divorced people in Pentecostal churches and the impact divorce had on their spiritual well-being.Method: A qualitative phenomenological design was utilised. The study recruited six divorced people, three pastors and 24 men and women from three Pentecostal churches. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to select the sample. A thematic content analysis was used to analyse data.Results: The study revealed four major effects that divorced people face such as psychological and emotional effects, social effects, spiritual effects and economic effects.Conclusion: The study’s findings unearthed the impact that divorce has on the divorcee’s spiritual well-being. Although the Bible disapproves of divorce, some research indicates that divorce may have positive outcomes in some instances, and therefore, it should not always be viewed negatively.Contribution: The findings of the study would possibly assist Pentecostal church leadership in coming up with effective interventions that can support divorced members in the church.

Enabling abilities in disabilities: Developing differently abled Christian leadership in Africa

It is heartening to realise that Christianity is inclusively membered by differently abled people. Paradoxically, although the Church has cared for, and engaged with persons living with disabilities (PWDs) throughout history, African Church leadership has been exclusively made up of predominantly identically abled persons. Researchers report that ecclesial, infrastructural, leadership, and ministerial structures do not accommodate PWDs, mainly because of misunderstandings about disabilities, discriminatory traditions, hermeneutics and theologies. Disabilities are often generalised as repercussions of disobedience, sin, curses or defeat by evil spirits and witchcraft. Consequently, PWDs are misjudged as lacking abilities to be effective ecclesial leaders. While calls for inclusivity are loud globally, little research has been done to reconcile disabilities and abilities in ecclesiology and Christian leadership. If the Church merely proclaims but neglects demonstrating inclusivity, the gospel can be mistaken as paying hypocritical lip service in this regard, and rendering the Church exclusive, insensitive and imprisoning when it should be inclusive, sensitive and liberating for everyone, regardless of their impairments and (dis)abilities. Drawing from the inclusivity of Jesus Christ, missionary demands of the Church to minister to, with all creation as well as eschatological reflections, under grounded theory and reviewing related literature, this article unpacks the significance of inclusivity, identifies (dis)abilities and argues that Church authorities should consider, appreciate, accommodate, empower, develop, and enable PWDs to be part of ecclesial leadership for inclusionary transformation in and beyond Church walls.Contribution: This article advances transformational inclusivity in ecclesiology and Christian leadership.