N. Alexander Ruth

I am a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), currently based in Springfield, Illinois. My work at the intersection of pastoral ministry, congregational leadership, and practical theology has shaped my conviction that the health of the church depends on intentional, justice-oriented discipleship.

This research project builds directly on my 2016 Doctor of Ministry dissertation at Bethel Seminary, which examined leadership formation in a congregational context. In the years since, I have become increasingly convinced that leadership development is downstream of discipleship, which is the animating question for this project.

Why I am doing this research

I have spent years watching Disciples congregations navigate the tension between their deep commitments to justice and inclusion and the day-to-day challenge of forming people as disciples. Many congregations have rich, meaningful practices — but lack language to describe them, or resources to share them. This project is my effort to surface that wisdom and make it available across the denomination.

Academic background

My Doctor of Ministry dissertation, Engaging Leadership at Marshfield Christian Church (Bethel Seminary, 2016), studied leadership barriers and incentives in a congregational context using mixed-methods research. That work informs the methodology of this project.

Connections and affiliations

I am connected to the (future) Living Waters Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), to Disciples Men networks, and to a broader community of Disciples clergy committed to congregational vitality and faithful witness.