Abstract: Clergy Academic Management Training in Non-Denominational Faith-Based Organizations by Patricia A. Jenks-Greene MBA, Walden University, 2010 BBA, Savannah State University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University November 2017 Abstract There is little research about how clerics manage and lead small to midsized nondenominational nonprofit organizations. The rate of clergy failures in nondenominational organizations has left many questions about what is needed to create organizational success. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of clergy manager-leaders’ management training in non-denominational organizations. Fourteen full-time clerics from Bloomingdale, Georgia, Rincon, Georgia, and Savannah, Georgia participated in face-toface semi-structured interviews. The data analysis process involved the use of Edward and Welch’s extension of Colaizzi’s data analysis procedures, which resulted in the emergence of 4 themes. The themes included: (1) management education and training, (2) experiencing the call of God, and (3) servant leadership. There was common experiences and perceptions among clerics that there was a need for management training to improve workforce productivity, soft skills, and improve the performance of the organization to match the changes in their communities. The findings provide indications from clerics responses that organizational success is dependent upon clergy manager-leaders’ effectiveness in their role as full-time clerics as perceived by the expectations of their members, followers, and community stakeholders. This study is significant in that its findings could promote awareness for the need of management training in nondenominational organizations. The potential implications for social change is an innovative work environment, organizational success, community and social responsibility.There is little research about how clerics manage and lead small to midsized nondenominational nonprofit organizations. The rate of clergy failures in nondenominational organizations has left many questions about what is needed to create organizational success. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of clergy manager-leaders’ management training in non-denominational organizations. Fourteen full-time clerics from Bloomingdale, Georgia, Rincon, Georgia, and Savannah, Georgia participated in face-toface semi-structured interviews. The data analysis process involved the use of Edward and Welch’s extension of Colaizzi’s data analysis procedures, which resulted in the emergence of 4 themes. The themes included: (1) management education and training, (2) experiencing the call of God, and (3) servant leadership. There was common experiences and perceptions among clerics that there was a need for management training to improve workforce productivity, soft skills, and improve the performance of the organization to match the changes in their communities. The findings provide indications from clerics responses that organizational success is dependent upon clergy manager-leaders’ effectiveness in their role as full-time clerics as perceived by the expectations of their members, followers, and community stakeholders. This study is significant in that its findings could promote awareness for the need of management training in nondenominational organizations. The potential implications for social change is an innovative work environment, organizational success, community and social responsibility. Clergy Academic Management Training in Non-Denominational Faith-Based Organizations by Patricia A. Jenks-Greene MBA, Walden University, 2010 BBA, Savannah State University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University November 2017 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated in loving memory of my parents, Clifford and Ernestine Jenks resting in the arms of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior. I dedicate this dissertation to my children, Antwuan Jenks, R. Sheldon Greene, and Shannon Greene. I thank you for your love, support, motivation, and pushing me toward completing my degree. I love and thank my biggest champion and supporter, my sister Sheila. I could not have completed this without your constant pricks to keep it moving. Thank you for filling our mother’s shoes, reminding me that mama wanted me to finish this dissertation. To my three brothers, Clifford, Michael, and Kenneth thank you for providing money when I needed it. Thank you for being men of honor in my life in the absence of our dad. A special thank you to my uncle, Edward Jinks, Sr., thank you for your love, evening dinner outings and being my second dad. To my family members, my best friends forever, and my loving church family, thank you for never asking more than I could give. Thank you Bishop Matthew Odum, Sr., for praying me through and standing in support of my dreams. I want to thank Pastor Rickey Temple for making me aware that I have a vision for my life. This dissertation is my vision. Thank you, Dr. Norma Wallace, for inspiring me with nuggets of inspiration to attain an advanced degree. Special thanks to the men and women of God who gave me an opportunity to collect data through in-depth interviews. Thank you for the follow-up phone calls checking on my progress and praying for my success. To my husband, Ronald, thank you for enduring the late nights and early mornings hours of reading, writing, and typing. You are a very patient man. I thank you for the Sunday morning hot cups of coffee that energized and kept me going. Acknowledgments I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, without whom this would have never been possible. I acknowledge my committee members, professionals of unique perspectives, honesty, and transparency. I am thankful to my Chair, Dr. David Bouvin for providing endless encouragements, guidance, patience, and time through every phase of this dissertation. I am appreciative and grateful for my second Committee Member, Dr. Marcia Steinhauer. Thank you Dr. Steinhauer for years of attention to every detail of my progress and your guidance towards the attainment of my Ph.D. Dr. Steinhauer began this journey with me at my first academic residency in Arlington, Virginia, March 2013. Thank you for the Atta Girl that made the difference between success and giving up. I want to thank Dr. Diane Stottlemyer, my URR, for coming on board and embracing my study. Thank you for providing the feedback I needed to complete my dissertation. I am thankful for my colleagues, my circle of PhDs, for your encouragement and support of this dream. I thank my first Chair, Dr. David Pritchard for starting me out on this journey.