A Multiple-Case Study Describing Collaborative Relations Between Adventist Pastors and Teachers in the Eastern United States
type: CreativeWork
description: Introduction. Adventist schools and churches are embedded within a system that provides them with rich opportunities to achieve their missional goals. However, this is possible only through collaboration and the use of available social networks. The purpose of this study was to identify situations where the church and school work together collaboratively and then to describe the collaborative practices between those selected Adventist pastors and teachers. In the context of Adventist elementary schools, the school principal also fulfills a teaching role. Therefore, inthis study, the term "teacher" also refers to the principal. The broad research question was, How do Adventist pastorsand teachers describe their collaborative relationship in their common purpose of ministry? The conceptual themes that guided this study were social capital, collaboration, and the importance of trust in relational theory. Social capital, according to Putnam, refers to connectedness with others. Collaboration is defined by Sharma and Kearins as "sets of conversations." Wagner and Muller describe collaborative relationships as partnerships that demand "face time." Trust, according to Connolly and James, is the key component in any collaborative relationship. Sharma and Kearins concur and refer to trust as the "critical component." Method. A qualitative multiple-case study design was used to describe the way Adventist pastors and teachers worked together. The local conference administrative team identified pastor-teacher teams that were in a positive collaborative relationship. The selection was then validated by the conference executive committee. Interviews were conducted with the teams and documents were reviewed to provide a thick description of the ways that collaboration unfolded in these settings. Findings. Adventist pastors and teachersdescribed four broad themes: (a) a sense of togetherness, (b) the ingredients necessary for a collaborative environment to flourish, (c) connections…
abstract: Introduction. Adventist schools and churches are embedded within a system that provides them with rich opportunities to achieve their missional goals. However, this is possible only through collaboration and the use of available social networks. The purpose of this study was to identify situations where the church and school work together collaboratively and then to describe the collaborative practices between those selected Adventist pastors and teachers. In the context of Adventist elementary schools, the school principal also fulfills a teaching role. Therefore, inthis study, the term "teacher" also refers to the principal. The broad research question was, How do Adventist pastorsand teachers describe their collaborative relationship in their common purpose of ministry? The conceptual themes that guided this study were social capital, collaboration, and the importance of trust in relational theory. Social capital, according to Putnam, refers to connectedness with others. Collaboration is defined by Sharma and Kearins as "sets of conversations." Wagner and Muller describe collaborative relationships as partnerships that demand "face time." Trust, according to Connolly and James, is the key component in any collaborative relationship. Sharma and Kearins concur and refer to trust as the "critical component." Method. A qualitative multiple-case study design was used to describe the way Adventist pastors and teachers worked together. The local conference administrative team identified pastor-teacher teams that were in a positive collaborative relationship. The selection was then validated by the conference executive committee. Interviews were conducted with the teams and documents were reviewed to provide a thick description of the ways that collaboration unfolded in these settings. Findings. Adventist pastors and teachersdescribed four broad themes: (a) a sense of togetherness, (b) the ingredients necessary for a collaborative environment to flourish, (c) connections…
author: Consuegra, Pamela
keywords: Education, Elementary Education and Teaching, Religion
date published: 2012-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T00:52:41Z
provider: Andrews University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Andrews University