Steward Leadership in Action: Growing a Sense of Belonging within the English Ministry of a Chinese Canadian Church in Vancouver, Canada

Abstract

This research portfolio focused on fostering a sense of belonging within the English Ministry (EM) at Lord’s Love Church (LLC), a non-denominational Chinese Canadian church in Vancouver, Canada. As an EM pastor, the author witnessed struggles in creating unity and belonging among EM leaders. The premise of the study was that church leaders must nurture their congregants by fostering an environment and ethos where everyone could flourish in their faith. This nurturing began with the church leader taking the posture of a steward leader, which was defined as someone who led with the conviction that they were accountable for the well-being of what God had entrusted them with in everything they did. Over twelve weeks, the research involved twenty-three EM leaders and applied Participatory Action Research (PAR) principles through Appreciative Inquiry (AI). The study had three phases: appreciative interviews, an appreciative summit, and implementation. Clarity, unity, vulnerability, togetherness, and spiritual engagement were discovered to be critical elements in cultivating a sense of belonging. Recommendations for reinvigoration of the EM included regular check-ins, sharing meals, leaders applying the practices of AI in their ministries, creating a virtual community board, and increasing time spent between ministries and outside the church context.