The Nature of Christian Spiritual Discernment and the Role it Plays in Christian School Board Decision Making

Thesis by Dr Paul Campey

This research examined Christian Spiritual Discernment practices in Christian School Boards and also collected data on their more general governance practices.

The research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilising a quantitative survey of Christian Schools in Australia and New Zealand, in addition to qualitative interviews of a select number of Principals, Board Chairs, and Board Members from those schools.

In the initial phase of the research, following a global search, only one similar study could be found, and this involved Christian Higher Education boards in the USA. There has been no equivalent research for K-12 Christian schools, and there has been very little research on school boards in Australia, with nothing on Christian school boards in Australia.

Key insights:

Central findings include:

• A correlation with the size of the school, whereby the larger the school, the more likely the Board is to use Christian Spiritual Discernment in decision-making.
• A correlation with the age of the school, whereby the older the school, the more likely the Board is to use Christian Spiritual Discernment in decision-making.
• A correlation with the use of prayer during a meeting, whereby if a board stops and prays in the midst of a meeting, the more likely the Board is to use Christian Spiritual Discernment in decision-making.
• Key Christian Spiritual Discernment practices that are utilised by Christian school boards in their decision-making.
• The importance of board members skills and experience, character and their individual preparation for board meetings to enable discernment to take place.
• The importance of the use of prayer and scripture within a culture of consensus in making decisions.

Impact and outcomes: 

The research examined the role that the integration of Christian faith has in the process of decision-making in Christian school boards. Based on the findings, the researcher has developed tools to assist Christian school boards in integrating Christian Spiritual Discernment into their decision-making processes. The tools include:

1. The Tree of Discernment – an overview of what a discerning board looks like, and the key elements required.
2. The CSD Decision Framework – a process for utilising Christian Spiritual Discernment in the making of decisions.
3. CSD Assessment Tool – a series of quadrant-based models that enable boards to assess the type of board they are and steps towards becoming a more discerning board.

In the research journey of undertaking surveys and interviews, the researcher has received anecdotal feedback that, in completing these activities, boards have taken active steps to include discernment practices in their decision-making.

Research outputs: 

Published Papers

Campey, P. (2021). Seeking God’s will in board meetings, Sight Magazine, https://sightmagazine.com.au/sight-seeing/sight-seeing-seeking-god-s-will-in-board-meetings/

Campey, P. I. A. (2026). Seeking God’s will: The nature of Christian spiritual discernment and the role it plays in Christian school board decision making. [Doctoral dissertation, Avondale University]. Avondale Research. https://doi.org/10.55254/3474-4347

Conference Presentations

Campey, P. (2020, May). Christian Spiritual Discernment and board decision-making. Paper presented at the Christian Ministry Advancement 2020 National Conference, online.

Campey, P. (2021, March). Seeking God’s will: The role of Christian Spiritual Discernment in Christian School boards. Paper presented at the Christian Education Research Centre 2021 Symposium, Cooranbong, Australia.

Campey, P. (2021, April). Seeking God’s will: The role of Christian Spiritual Discernment in Christian School boards. Paper presented at the Christian Ministry Advancement Board Training Day, Sydney, Australia.

Campey, P. (2021, July). Seeking God’s will: The role of Christian Spiritual Discernment in Christian School boards. Paper presented at the Associated Christian Schools Governance Series, online.

Campey, P. (2022, March). Seeking God’s will: The role of Christian Spiritual Discernment in Christian School boards. Paper presented at the Association of Christian Schools International Global Council Conference, San Diego, USA.

Campey, P. (2022, May). Seeking God’s will: The role of Christian Spiritual Discernment in Christian School boards. Paper presented at the 2022 ASA Research Symposium, online.

Campey, P. (2022, August). Community governance and spiritual discernment. Paper presented at the International Network of Churches 2022 Leadership Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.

Campey, P. (2022, October). Christian Spiritual Discernment in school decision-making. Paper presented at the Christian Schools 2022 National Business Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.

Campey, P. (2024, March). Christian Spiritual Discernment. Paper presented at the Greenville University 2024 Leadership Seminar, Greenville, USA.

Campey, P. (2025, March). Governance & seeking God’s will. Paper presented at the Associated Christian Schools 2025 Governance and Leadership Masterclass, Brisbane, Australia.

Campey, P. (2025, October). Seeking God’s will: The nature of Christian Spiritual Discernment and the role it plays in Christian School Board decision-making. Paper presented at the October 2025 Avondale University Soap Box Shorts Seminar, online.

Campey, P. (2025, November). Seeking God’s will: Christian Spiritual Discernment in Christian School boards. Paper presented at the Association of Christian Schools International Western Canada 2025 Administrator/Board Conference, Banff, Canada.

Campey, P., & Phan, A. (2024, July). Governance and God. Paper presented at the Christian Venues Association 2024 National Conference, Stanwell Park, Australia.

Campey, P., & Trudel, J. (2021, September). Developing board members, strategic and engaged governance. Paper presented at the Christian Ministry Advancement 2021 National Conference, online.

Campey, P., & Trudel, J. (2022, February). Seeking God’s will: Spiritual Discernment and board decision-making. Paper presented at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities 2022 International Forum, Dallas, USA.

Fields of Research Codes: 

3507:  Strategy, management and organisational behaviour
3999: Other education

Status: 

Completed (2019-2026)

Sustainable Development Goals: