determine the need for an alliance for small churches, a triangulation research methodology was employed to capture viable research findings. These methods consisted of the following: observational, qualitative and quantitative research. For the purpose of this study, small churches are characterized as having 3-150 members. The proposed alliance would provide the following: standardized pastorial training, financial resource information, economy-of-scale purchasing capabilities, national and regional educational conferences, and pastorial/ membership retirement benefits. In the initial phase of this project, observational research was conducted to examine the environment in which small churches existed and to assess their organizational and structural operations. Following that phase, 4 in-depth personal interviews were conducted among pastors of the target audience in the boroughs of Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. Lastly, in the quantitative phase 30 pastors presiding over small churches were interviewed over the telephone. The salient findings indicated a need for such an alliance among small churches. Pastors cited an overwhelming need for educational, networking and fellowship opportunities as well as the need for insurance and retirement benefits. The overarching research implication was the need to bring pastors of small churches together in an alliance to educate, train and support their efforts to successfully preside over their respective churches. This would enable them to better serve their constituent members and their community at large.
About the Author: Bishop Dr. Ebony G. Kirkland is the founder, President CEO of Ebony Marketing Research, Inc one of the nation's foremost marketing research firms specializing in multicultural research for business, government agency and non-profit organization within the United States and Central America. Under Bishop Dr. Kirkland's direction the firm has garnered and array of fortune 500 companies with clients such as, Proctor & Gamble, Coca-Cola, Verizon, Hallmark, and Mc Donald's. Her firm has established offices in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Miami and Costa Rica. Born of Hispanic heritage and decent in San Jose, Costa Rica; Dr. Kirkland graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Queens College, City University of New York. She furthered her education graduating with a MBA in Administration from New York University. Pursuant to her master's degree she received a degree in business management from Harvard Business School. In addition she received a master of Divinity and a master in religious education from U.T.S. Bishop Dr. Kirkland completed her Doctorate of Ministry (D. Min) degree from U. T. S. Bishop Dr. Kirkland has recently been awarded an honorable doctorate in Humane Letters from CICA. Prior to forming Ebony Marketing Research Inc., Dr. Kirkland taught and lectured at New York Technical College where she served as Director and Chairperson of the Women's Program. She later served as the assistant to the Dean at York College. Although she became an established well respected entrepreneur Dr. Kirkland continued to share her knowledge and experience by designing training programs, market courses and workshop for governmental and non-profit organizations. She has traveled extensively under the sponsorship of the Atlantic Council of U.S., The United States Information Agency and the Inet Foundation conducting training programs to inspire women entrepreneurs in Russia, Poland, China, South Africa and other countries. Her lecture portfolio includes: "Starting and Managing Your Own Business-A Prima for Budding Entrepreneurs": presented and published in Beijing, China and "Changes and Opportunity"-presented in Taipei, Taiwan. In addition Dr. Kirkland has recently co-authored a book by the name of "The Power of a Woman". Bishop Dr. Kirkland has been featured as a guess on a number of TV and radio programs and has contributed to numerous magazines and publications where she has addressed the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.