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This podcast episode documents Week 3 of a Dissertation-in-Praxis (DiP) project within the Ed.D. in Christian Leadership program (CLED 885) at Liberty University. The episode advances the praxis sequence by moving beyond problem identification to a disciplined examination of present organizational reality and the conditions that necessitate change.

The focus of this episode is Defining Reality: The Current Need within Anointed Connect Church. Drawing on organizational documents, leadership practices, and established planning and governance theory, the episode clarifies how informal authority structures, decision-making ambiguity, and the absence of codified accountability mechanisms have produced operational strain. The analysis demonstrates that the issue represents an application gap rather than a gap in research literature—existing knowledge has not been systematically applied within the organization’s current context.

Consistent with the Dissertation-in-Praxis model, this episode does not propose final solutions. Instead, it establishes the empirical, organizational, and theological rationale for intervention, ensuring that subsequent governance reforms are grounded in reality rather than assumption. The episode serves as an academic artifact documenting how theory, context, and reflective analysis inform action-oriented leadership practice.

Academic Disclosure

This podcast episode was developed as part of doctoral coursework for the Ed.D. in Christian Leadership (CLED 885) at Liberty University. It is intended solely for academic and educational purposes in support of a Dissertation-in-Praxis project.

Contextual Disclosure

References to Anointed Connect Church are used to illustrate a real organizational setting for applied leadership analysis. Descriptions and interpretations reflect current conditions within this specific context and are not intended to represent normative standards or best practices for other organizations.

Scope Limitation

The content presented is praxis-focused and context-specific. Observations, analyses, and insights are not generalized beyond the collaborating organization and do not constitute legal, governance, or professional consulting advice.

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• IAM of America: www.iamofamerica.org
• Anointed Connect Academy: www.anointedconnectedu.com
• Reinvest Carolina Corporation: www.reinvestcarolina.org

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This podcast serves as a praxis artifact for the Dissertation-in-Praxis (CLED 885) project and documents the organizational reality that necessitated governance redesign within Anointed Connect Church. The episode examines how reliance on informal authority structures produced decision ambiguity, delayed operational responses, and unclear accountability as organizational complexity increased. Drawing on program planning theory and governance scholarship, the discussion explains why structural clarity—rather than leadership development—was required to address the identified application gap. The episode further situates the adoption of amended and restated bylaws as the operational mechanism through which leadership authority and oversight were formally codified, establishing the foundation for the Sole Director governance model evaluated in this study.

Support the show

Together, We Build Communities and Transform Lives
🌐 Explore our projects and initiatives:

• IAM of America: www.iamofamerica.org
• Anointed Connect Academy: www.anointedconnectedu.com
• Reinvest Carolina Corporation: www.reinvestcarolina.org

📩 Stay Connected: Follow our journey and be part of the change.

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This podcast series documents the reflective practitioner process involved in the development of a faith-based governance framework within an active ministry leadership context. The episodes serve as a praxis artifact, capturing real-time leadership reasoning, biblical worldview integration, ethical decision-making, and iterative revision as governance concepts are drafted, evaluated, and refined.

The discussions focus on leadership challenges commonly encountered in ministry organizations, including accountability, fiduciary responsibility, authority structures, succession planning, and long-term institutional sustainability. Rather than presenting finalized policies or legal instruments, the series emphasizes the process of applied leadership inquiry, demonstrating how theory, theology, and professional judgment interact in practice.

All materials discussed are non-operative working drafts used solely for scholarly and educational purposes. The podcast does not provide legal advice, nor does it publish final governing documents. Its purpose is to document leadership praxis for doctoral study, faculty review, and professional reflection within a Christian leadership framework.

Ethical and AI-Use Disclosure

For transparency, draft materials referenced in this series were reviewed using Google NotebookLM as a non-generative analytical and synthesis tool to identify structural inconsistencies and support internal reflection. All substantive content, interpretations, leadership decisions, and conclusions are the sole work of the author.

Intellectual Property Notice

All frameworks, governance concepts, and leadership models discussed are original intellectual property of Jermaine E. Whiteside and are shared for reflective and educational discussion only. No permission is granted for reuse, replication, or derivative works.

Academic Context

This podcast series is designed to function as a Dissertation-in-Praxis artifact aligned with Liberty University Ed.D. (Christian Leadership / Next Generation Ministry) competencies, emphasizing ethical Christian leadership, applied organizational analysis, and reflective practitioner development.

This podcast documents the reflective practitioner process behind the development of a faith-based governance framework. Episodes capture the application of Christian leadership reasoning, ethical decision-making, and iterative revision in a real ministry context. All discussions involve non-operational drafts for scholarly purposes only and include transparent disclosure of the use of analytic tools. The series functions as a Dissertation-in-Praxis artifact aligned with Liberty University doctoral standards.

“This series is published as a scholarly reflective case study artifact and is not intended for general audience entertainment or ministry marketing.”

Support the show

Together, We Build Communities and Transform Lives
🌐 Explore our projects and initiatives:

• IAM of America: www.iamofamerica.org
• Anointed Connect Academy: www.anointedconnectedu.com
• Reinvest Carolina Corporation: www.reinvestcarolina.org

📩 Stay Connected: Follow our journey and be part of the change.