Church Council Leadership for Congregational Economic Empowerment: A Qualitative Case Study at Imanuel Botang Church

Abstract

Churches in rural communities increasingly face expectations to respond not only to spiritual needs but also to socio-economic vulnerability. Recent studies show that faith-based organizations can support community empowerment when leadership, participation, and local resources are integrated. This study examines how the church council leadership model at Imanuel Botang Church supports congregational economic well-being. A qualitative single-case study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 10 key informants, participant observation, and analysis of church minutes, financial reports, program records, and the 2023–2027 strategic plan; data were analyzed through iterative reduction, thematic display, verification, source/technique/time triangulation, and member checking. The findings show a participatory, servant-oriented, and contextual leadership pattern expressed through shared decision-making, productive-skills training, joint business groups, a congregational cooperative, and family financial education. Documentary evidence indicates that 15% of church income in the first semester of 2024 was allocated to economic diaconia, while joint-business-group membership increased from 18 members in 2023 to 31 in 2024. Internal strengths included solidarity, spirituality, and local resources, whereas limited capital, market access, and external partnerships constrained sustainability. The study concludes that church leadership can function as transformative diaconal leadership when spiritual service is connected with participatory economic empowerment and institutional collaboration.