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An Entry Level Lutheran Liturgy For Members And Guest, David Preuss

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Influences inside and outside the Lutheran Church are pressing for change in worship style from liturgical to some free form alternative. Often the purpose is to make it easier for guests without a liturgical background to participate. How can Lutheran congregations and pastors make their worship service more "user-friendly” without abandoning their liturgical link with the church of all ages and places?

First, establish the essence of Lutheran liturgical worship. How did the Lutheran Reformation deal with the need for changes? How are pastors today attempting to resolve the issue? How do we evaluate these endeavors?

One resolution is to …

Principles To Assist The Introduction Of Change In Congregational Worship, Paul Borgman

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Change affects people, which is also evident in worship. Helping them to assimilate change in worship is this project’s purpose.

Two examples of change were considered. The first was quality improvement. This addressed those responsible for the conduct of worship. While significant changes did not result, it did prove that people are more responsive when interest is shown in them.

The second was introducing a new setting of the Divine Service. The results indicated that, with proper planning, change can be introduced positively.

Change does not have to be disruptive. It can be spiritually beneficial if handled sensitively.

An Exegetical, Historical And Practical Study Of New Testament Terms For Pastor And People At Trinity Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee, Ronald Wiese

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

There is a confusion among clergy and laity over their precise function in a congregation. This is an exegetical, historical and practical study of ten New Testament terms used for pastor and people at Trinity Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee. The conclusions were that the pastor's primary role is the public administrtion of the Word and Sacraments, that the laity hold a high calling of the Lay Apostolate, and that the office of deacon should be reinstated in the congregation.

A Vacation Bible School Curriculum With Special Emphasis On Mission Work In Kazakhstan, Thomas Baker

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The purpose of the study is to demonstrate a specific technique in teaching a Vacation Bible School course for the purpose of increasing cognitive and affective learning. In the cognitive area, the students are to learn more about what the Bible reveals as well as the opportunities for mission work in Kazakhstan. In the affective area, the students are not only to become aware of the reason for their own inner struggles but also to become concerned about reaching out to those who have as yet not heard the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the area …

Using Parents In Preparing Their Children For Confirmation And First Communion, Wayne Wentzel

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The theme of this paper is the involvement of parents in the spiritual life of their children as they prepare for confirmation and first Communion. A problem exists in most churches where these very vital steps are left to the pastor and the church. Through a study of the Scriptures, the writings of Dr. Martin Luther, and the history of the Christian Church, the extent to which parents are to be involved in this process is determined, as well as the age at which the child is ready to begin. Several surveys were conducted at Faith Lutheran Church to determine …

Welcome To Life! Knowing God And The Truths Of His Word, James Witt

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Welcome To Life is a Bible Information class intended to be used as a Christian instruction course for those seeking to join or reenter the church and as a refresher course in Christian doctrine for members who wish to be renewed and strengthened in faith. The course was developed over a 15-year period to address a need for a clear, comprehensive, orthodox and practical study of the biblicalChristian faith. Welcome To Life aims to present the major truths of God's Word in an informative and engaging manner so that learners will readily understand the Bible’s life-giving teachings and apply these …

Recognizing The Law, The Gospel, And Gospel Application In The Sermon: A Seminar On Preaching, Gilbert Duchow

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The importance of making the proper distinction between Law and Gospel clear in the sermon is nothing new for Lutheran pastors, especially in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, thanks to Walther's theses on Law and Gospel. However, the people in the pew still do not generally recognize that distinction in the sermon. There is also considerable confusion among the laity about the proper relationship between the Gospel and the application of the Gospel in a sermon. In addition, pastors often fail to include or keep in balance all three components in the sermon (Law, Gospel and Gospel application). Therefore, I designed …

A Study Of Bioethics For Christian Students At A Secular University, Edward Krauss

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The tenets of humanism have been incorporated into classes that deal with bioethical issues at public universities. Christian students are faced with the dilemma of maintaining their Biblical ethics or adapting tithe philosophy of humanism when studying genetics, or matters of abortion, or suicide, or euthanasia.

This study examines secular humanism and ethical systems and presents a Biblical focus for Christian students when confronted with opposing views. A series of Bible studies and discussion questions on these bioethical issues follows each of the chapters for use in small groups on college campuses.