Character for Leadership
11
desirability, participants also completed instrument items
in an attempt to consider
the effects of social desirability (Paulhus, 1984), specifically image management,
the component of social desirability that pertains to claiming desirable
characteristics for the self.
Finally, this study investigated students at various stages
of completion of
the seminary curriculum in an attempt to control for those factors that may result in
maturation effects as a function of prolonged exposure to the curriculum. The
decision not to conduct longitudinal research for this sample was made by the
researcher
for logistical reasons, even though only such a design can answer the
long-term effects of seminary preparation on the character and leadership of such
students.
Summary
Programs of spiritual formation within seminaries
often have been designed
to address the character development of students who are preparing for leadership
in vocational Christian service. These emerging leaders must develop in specific
aspects of their character in order to lead appropriately in
the Christian ministry for
which they will be responsible in the future.
