| The assumption of the current study is that urban areas are of great significance in God's economy for the building of His Kingdom. For this reason, great attention should be given to the well-being of urban local churches. Primary to the effectiveness of urban churches are their leaders. Urban church leaders are either hired from the outside or developed on the inside. Regardless, both categories of leaders must understand what is required for leading an effective ministry within an urban church, but little research on these factors exist. The purpose of this study is to provide perceptions of ministerial effectiveness by leaders of urban churches in the Southern Baptist Convention.; In order to understand this phenomena, one leader from each of 100 different Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) urban congregations residing within the city limits of the twenty largest cities of the United States were surveyed using the Ministerial Effectiveness Inventory for Urban Churches (MEIUC), which was designed by the researcher. The findings provide those Southern Baptist Convention leaders' perceptions regarding ministerial effectiveness in urban churches.; An analysis of findings presents demographic data on the population and sample including facts regarding the predominate ethnic compositions of SBC urban churches in the nation's largest cities. Also presented is data involving the growth rates of urban SBC churches using the latest available data at the time this study was conducted. In addition, statistical data and interview excerpts involving four areas of ministerial effectiveness are included.; Other reported data involves findings regarding ministry calling, personal character, professional competence, and organizational chemistry. Specifically, information regarding leadership commitment to the person of Jesus Christ, ministry calling, character and integrity matters, social concern, leadership issues, theological education, denominational involvement, and the like are presented. |
