From generation to generation : a qualitative single case study of a Pentecostal church in Central Arkansas’ successful growth and retention programs involving young adults.

Calhoun, Jason, 1973-

From generation to generation : a qualitative single case study of a Pentecostal church in Central Arkansas’ successful growth and retention programs involving young adults.

dc.contributor.advisor	Sloan, Amy M.
dc.creator	Calhoun, Jason, 1973-
dc.creator.orcid	0009-0004-9614-9316
dc.date.accessioned	2024-07-17T13:56:28Z
dc.date.available	2024-07-17T13:56:28Z
dc.date.created	2023-08
dc.date.issued	2023-08
dc.date.submitted	August 2023
dc.date.updated	2024-07-17T13:56:30Z
dc.description.abstract	In 1945, church participation in America started to decline, despite the efforts of many Christian church leaders, the problem continues to escalate (Jones, 2021; Inglehart, 2020). Research reveals that the most dramatic decrease in church participation occurs in Generation Z young adults (born 1995 to 2012; Jones, 2021; Twenge, 2017). This problem culminates into one of the most significant challenges facing the Christian church today. Until now, Pentecostal churches fared better than many other Christian denominations (Wilson, 2016). However, the phenomenon of declining church participation does not preclude Pentecostal churches. If Pentecostal churches hope for continued growth, the church leaders must proactively approach the problem of declining church participation. In this study, I used a qualitative single case study design to examining a Central Arkansas Pentecostal church’s successful practices of engaging Generation Z young adults aged 18–25. The study focused on the innovations the church’s pastoral leadership implemented to engage young adults. Therefore, the study centers on three distinct categories adapted from Gopalakrishnan and Damanpour’s (1997) innovation research theory framework: new technology, administrative structures, and new member processes. This qualitative single case study’s research findings proved the need for church leaders to employ specific innovations to engage Generation Z young adults. The participants asserted that the implementation of new technologies, administrative structures, and new member processes assisted the First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock, Arkansas, in opposing the trend of declining church participation among Generation Z. As digital natives, Generation Z young adults find the standard practices of the church uninspiring (Twenge, 2017; White, 2018). Though Generation Z young adults thrive in digital environments, the findings of this study proved that regardless of how large a church grows, young adults desired personal interaction of church leadership. The results of this case study research offer insights into engaging Generation Z young adults using specific innovations successfully.
dc.format.mimetype	application/pdf
dc.identifier.uri
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/2104/12776
dc.language.iso	English
dc.rights.accessrights	Worldwide access
dc.title	From generation to generation : a qualitative single case study of a Pentecostal church in Central Arkansas’ successful growth and retention programs involving young adults.
dc.type	Thesis
dc.type.material	text
thesis.degree.department	Baylor University. Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction.
thesis.degree.grantor	Baylor University
thesis.degree.name	Ed.D.
thesis.degree.program	Learning & Organizational Change
thesis.degree.school	Baylor University