Leader Development Among Protestant Bulgarian Dasikane Roma

Abstract

The problem addressed in this research dissertation was to understand the development of Protestant Bulgarian Dasikane Roma leaders. Part I reviews literature about Bulgarian Dasikane Roma culture, the dynamics of adult learning, and leader development stages and strategies. Part II discusses field research conducted among Bulgarian Dasikane Roma pastors and lay leaders in Southwestern Bulgaria. Research methodology was anchored in a commitment to qualitative inquiry, and was conducted through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and focus groups. Data was analyzed using an iterative process of condensing, displaying, and drawing conclusions from the data (Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña 2020, 8).

The major findings of the field research focused on the growth and development of Bulgarian Dasikane Roma leaders who assume responsibility to help care for and develop other leaders; these leaders are identified in Bulgarian as nastavnitsi (mentors/instructors). First, the leader identity of nastavnitsi is significantly influenced by their Christian conversion and calling. Second, the authority of nastavnitsi is a function of their character, track record, relationship with God, and ability to influence others. Third, the motivation for nastavnitsi to pursue personal growth includes comparison, hearing from God, and embracing challenges. Finally, personal growth strategies employed by nastavnitsi include working with a nastavnik, nurturing developmental habits, personal reading and study, and church-based learning.

The contextual application of this research was the design of a developmental community model called a Leadership Discovery Group. A Leadership Discovery Group is a resource for nastavnitsi (mentors/instructors) to use in the leader development of their uchenitsi (students/disciples). In addition to the Leadership Discovery Group model, this research is also significant to the development of Protestant Bulgarian Dasikane Roma leaders by contributing to the discussion of non-formal leader development training for Bulgarian Dasikane Roma and intercultural relationships between Roma and non-Roma.