Implications of Embracing a Life Anchored in Christ as a Leader: Discovering the Impact of Parental Relationships in Transmitting Faith to the Next Generation in a Korean Immigrant Church Context

Abstract

This research portfolio presents a culmination of my transformative journey as a leader, shaped by continuous learning, spiritual development, ministry experience, and research conducted within the Doctor of Ministry program at Tyndale University. It traces my personal and professional growth through the lens of Robert Clinton’s five-phase model, elucidating significant milestones in spiritual formation, leadership refinement, and active ministry engagement. It includes an exegesis of my ministry context and its challenges and opportunities, particularly regarding the engagement of the next generation in Korean immigrant churches. It contains a reflection on the theological and philosophical dimensions of Christian leadership, focusing on the principles of servant leadership, authenticity, and cultural adaptability. Finally, it includes a summary of my DMin research project, which used Narrative Research methods to investigate the pivotal role of parental relationships in the transmission of faith, examining how parental spiritual mentorship and models of faith significantly impact the spiritual development of children. The findings underscored the essential nature of intentional parental involvement and supportive congregational environments in fostering the retention of faith among younger generations.