By Maurice A. Buford, Ph.D., D.Min., Captain (Retired) | USN | CHC
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has always stood at the forefront of innovation in ministry —spiritually, socially, and organizationally. From Richard Allen’s bold vision to the global expansion of our Zion, we have remained a connectional church that believes in empowering people for transformational leadership. Yet, in a rapidly changing world marked by communication breakdowns, workplace conflict, and relational fatigue, the need for tools that help our leaders shepherd, unite, and mobilize the people of God has never been greater.
One such tool — widely used in the business sector but deeply applicable to the work of ministry — is the DISC Assessment.
An Overview of DISC
DISC is a simple but highly effective behavioral assessment that categorizes communication and work styles into four primary tendencies:
- D – Dominance: Task-oriented, direct, decisive
- I – Influence: People-oriented, inspirational, expressive
- S – Steadiness: Supportive, patient, relational
- C – Conscientiousness: Analytical, detail-driven, consistent
The goal of DISC is not to label people, but to increase self-awareness, improve communication, and reduce unnecessary conflict. It helps individuals understand:
- How they are motivated
- How they respond to stress
- How they make decisions
- How they naturally relate to others
When leaders understand their own style — and the styles of those they serve — the result is healthier teams, more effective ministry, and stronger relationships.
Organizational Benefits for the AME Church
Across districts, conferences, and local congregations, the AME Church is an interconnected spiritual ecosystem. When that system communicates well, alignment and effectiveness follow. When it struggles to communicate, bottlenecks and burnout take root.
Implementing DISC across our boards, ministries, clergy, and auxiliaries can:
- Reduce church conflict through clearer expectations and communication
- Build stronger ministry teams by placing people where their strengths thrive
- Enhance staff performance and morale by improving relational intelligence (RQ)
- Increase clarity in decision-making from the local level to the Episcopal seat
- Support succession planning and leadership development for future generations
In short, DISC helps the Church operate with unity of spirit and clarity of function, reflecting Paul’s vision that “every joint supplies” (Ephesians 4:16).
Why Fortune 500 Companies Embrace DISC
Companies across the globe — including Boeing, Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and thousands more — use DISC because it delivers measurable results. In corporate environments, DISC has been shown to:
- Improve leadership effectiveness
- Streamline communication
- Decrease employee turnover
- Increase productivity and performance
- Boost team cohesion and trust
These corporations understand a timeless truth the church also embraces — people are the mission, and people power the mission. If secular institutions invest in tools to understand better and lead people, how much more should the Church — whose mission is eternal — do the same?
How DISC Can Aid the Bishop in Vision Casting and Godly Judgment
Bishops carry the sacred responsibility of leading vast territories with spiritual wisdom, administrative clarity, and pastoral care. DISC becomes a valuable companion to episcopal leadership by:
- Revealing how people best receive communication
- Helping assign leaders by spiritual gift and behavioral strength
- Improving clarity in cabinet discussions and ministry alignment
- Supporting godly judgment through understanding temperament and tendencies
- Enhancing change management, especially during appointment season
Discernment is spiritual, but communication is practical. When paired together, vision flows more freely, congregations respond more willingly, and leadership moves more effectively.
How Pastors Can Use DISC to Increase Spiritual Productivity
Local pastors can apply DISC immediately to strengthen congregational health. With it, pastors can:
- Lead more effective stewardship, discipleship, and evangelism teams
- Shepherd couples, families, and ministries with greater insight
- Reduce ministry volunteer burnout
- Mentor leaders according to their wiring, not their weaknesses
- Resolve conflict biblically and swiftly
When pastors communicate in a way people can hear — not just in a way they can speak — the church grows, engagement rises, and unity flourishes.
A Final Word
The AME Church has always equipped leaders for liberation, edification, and transformation. DISC is not a replacement for prayer, Scripture, or the Holy Spirit, but it is a wise and practical tool that helps leaders “know well the condition of [their] flock” (Proverbs 27:23).
In this season of opportunity, we must invest in tools that strengthen our clergy, empower our congregations, and sharpen our collective witness in the world.
Call to Action
To learn more, schedule a workshop, or bring DISC training to your Conference, District, or local church, visit www.TheServantsTouch.com or email mauricebuford10@gmail.com. Together, let us build stronger leaders, healthier churches, and a more united connection — to the glory of God and the strengthening of our Zion.
