Date

8-10-2025

ESRP 9000 Professor

Sandy Underhill, Ed.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Sandy Underhill, Ed.D.

Executive Summary

Intergenerational Mentorship: A Strategic Response to Aging Membership and Sustainability in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. Carla Drake Walker, 2025. Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: Aging membership, church growth, intergenerational mentorship, leadership development, Seventh-day Adventist, and sustainability.

This strategic research project examined the urgent challenges posed by an aging membership within the SDA Church and aimed to uncover sustainable approaches to secure its long-term health and mission. By focusing on the intersection of leadership development and intergenerational mentorship, the study designed a targeted plan that addressed current needs and future growth.

This Strategic Research Project utilized a mixed methods framework to explore and address challenges related to leadership development and youth engagement within the SDA Church. The quantitative phase incorporated Internal and External Factor Evaluation (IFE/EFE) matrices to determine the relative importance of 40 key factors by assigning weighted scores. These insights guided the use of the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM), which allowed for an evidence-based comparison of strategy options based on how effectively they aligned with SWOT analysis results.

The qualitative aspect featured a thorough literature review that informed each stage of the project, from identifying the central issue to assessing potential strategic responses. Key findings revealed pressing concerns, including a predominantly older congregation, leadership succession gaps, and declining youth participation. To address these issues, the project presented a strategic action plan centered on intergenerational mentorship. This plan outlined a theologically grounded and leadership-informed curriculum, formal mentor-mentee training, and routine checkpoints for monitoring progress and maintaining accountability.

The proposed initiative aimed to develop future leaders, strengthen relationships across age groups, and foster greater youth involvement, laying the groundwork for long-term growth and continued mission effectiveness. Findings suggested that weaving mentorship into the church’s culture could foster deeper belonging, spiritual maturity, and sustained engagement across age groups. Recommendations called for leadership to prioritize mentorship efforts, dedicate resources for continued development, and ensure alignment with the church’s overarching mission.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Concentration

Higher Education Leadership

Language

English

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