Learning to lead: Segmentation of attendees to a Christian leadership conference

Abstract

Christian leadership conferences are religious events in which attendees can improve their leadership skills in their current or potential area of ministry. Despite considerable anecdotal evidence, there is limited empirical research that has determined why attendees are motivated to attend these events and if they can be differentiated based on their personal characteristics and year of event attendance. To address these research gaps, 335 questionnaires were collected at an Australian Christian leadership conference during the 2013 and 2014 events. To better equip me in my current leadership role and to feel encouraged to learn more about God were the two dominant motivations identified by respondents, regardless of the year of data collection. Motivational differences also existed based on respondents' personal characteristics. This study has provided theoretical and practical implications for religious nonprofit organizations relating to these issues and provides future research opportunities.

Religious tourism and spiritual leadership development: Christian leadership conferences

“…Spiritual leadership is usually promoted as the key theme for these religious events. Further, knowledge, character, skills and emotions are incorporated into the event design and activities (Tkaczynski, Arli, & Hussey, 2017).…”

“…Identifying tourists' motivations is important when organisations seek to drive visitation from tourists to a religious event. Whilst tourists may be motivated be better equipped in their current role (Tkaczynski et al, 2017), other motivations that are either altruistic and/or self-gratifying may be relevant. Furthermore, these religious event motivations may be differentiated based on each tourist's experience in their ministry role.…”

Take me to church: What ministries are of perceived value for attendees from a nonprofit marketing perspective?

“…Volunteers, like paid staff, can also be problematic due to a certain level of maturity that is required to share a common church vision regardless of their own agenda or interests. Conversely, although their passion may remain, family and other employment responsibilities can limit what time they can give to their local church (Tkaczynski et al, ).…”

“…Sermons are the core component of church for most denominations (Cameron, ), and this ministry is usually performed by a paid minister. However, other ministries such as youth group, young adults, and music, which were identified as relevant in this study to leaders, are highly labour and time intensive and are usually performed by volunteers, particularly those that are young (Tkaczynski et al, ). Church planting ventures and social aid also require extensive human resources due to their outward, external focus away from the current daily operations of the usual church (Sanders, ).…”

“…Conversely, although their passion may remain, family and other employment responsibilities can limit what time they can give to their local church (Tkaczynski et al, 2017).…”