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The Humility And Glory Of The Lamb: Toward A Robust Apocalyptic Christology, Jeffrey Dickson Dec 2017

The Humility And Glory Of The Lamb: Toward A Robust Apocalyptic Christology, Jeffrey Dickson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There exists a conspicuous void in Christological scholarship both historically and more recently as it pertains to interest in what the Revelation of John has to offer one’s understanding of the God-Man. Furthermore, those works that do investigate the Apocalypse for its Christological content fail to appreciate how its central character is portrayed. In so doing, these settle for overly simplistic interpretations of unique verbiage John employs to describe Christ—particularly the Lamb (ἀρνίον). Therefore, in an effort to cultivate the clearing that exists in the Christological forest, this dissertation will endeavor to reach a robust understanding of Revelation’s Lamb. Ultimately, …


The Black Church And Community: A Model For Church Community Engagement And Development, Brye Mcmillon Dec 2017

The Black Church And Community: A Model For Church Community Engagement And Development, Brye Mcmillon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project examines the role of the Black Church in the development of the African American Community and seeks to encourage churches to embrace this role. Support for communities by churches in rural North Alabama is key to improving living conditions and achieving biblically based outreach. This project investigates the church’s theological duties for community outreach and provides a biblical mandate as a part of a larger community development model, while preparing ministry teams for outreach. This paper will consider the equipping methodology that leads to a trained ministry team able to reach, identify, and fulfill the needs of the …


An Examination Of Art In The American Evangelical Church For The Purpose Of Discipleship And Evangelism, Joshua Dugan Dec 2017

An Examination Of Art In The American Evangelical Church For The Purpose Of Discipleship And Evangelism, Joshua Dugan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christianity, in previous eras, has been the foundation of the art community. But, it has surrendered that role over the past three centuries and with it a significant potion of its influence on culture. In addition the church is not effectively reaching an entire demographic of people, those who would define themselves as creatives and artists, because it has distanced itself from the arts. This paper will research the previous methods employed by the church and the current limitations of art within the American Evangelical church through applied academic research as well as interviews with church leaders and artists. The …


Justin Martyr, Irenaeus Of Lyons, And Cyprian Of Carthage On Suffering: A Comparative And Critical Study Of Their Works That Concern The Apologetic Uses Of Suffering In Early Christianity, Aaron Kilbourn Dec 2017

Justin Martyr, Irenaeus Of Lyons, And Cyprian Of Carthage On Suffering: A Comparative And Critical Study Of Their Works That Concern The Apologetic Uses Of Suffering In Early Christianity, Aaron Kilbourn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Suffering in Early Christianity has often been highlighted in martyrdom and the stories surrounding the persecution of the Early Church. The biblical idea of redemptive suffering was not an afterthought to the Christian community or part of what Joyce Salisbury calls, “the unintended consequences of ancient violence,” but it appears to be part and parcel of the Early Christian community as they sought to live faithfully to Christ’s teachings. As the Early Church lived out redemptive suffering, it became apparent to the surrounding culture and critics of Christianity that their suffering was different and it pointed to something else. Through …


A Study Of Fatherlessness In The African-American Community In Relationship To The Positive Role Of Christianity, Kevin Smith Dec 2017

A Study Of Fatherlessness In The African-American Community In Relationship To The Positive Role Of Christianity, Kevin Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following study is a qualitative investigation into the issue of fatherlessness among African Americans and its relation to the positive role of Christianity. The primary objective of the study is to determine, understand, and describe the circumstances that brought about fatherlessness and what role Christians may play to help address the problem. Also, the study focuses on developing a deep understanding of the consequences of fatherlessness and what role Christians may play to help mitigate these consequences. The results of this research will reconnect, revitalize, recover trust, ease the pain, and implement healing for fathers, children, and all involved. …


Thailand Church Planting As A Mission Field Through The Korean Church With A Focus On The Church Of Thailand Sarang, Taewan Kim Dec 2017

Thailand Church Planting As A Mission Field Through The Korean Church With A Focus On The Church Of Thailand Sarang, Taewan Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research is a study on planting Thailand churches as mission fields, with a focus on the Church of Thailand Sarang (CTS). Christians in Thailand are estimated to be 0.5 % of the whole population. Bangkok is considered a gateway city for Buddhism in Southeast Asia; the city is strategically important for Christian mission. Thailand has had a Christian influence during the past 190 years, but the number, influence, and self-support of the churches are still weak. Therefore, the necessity for the cooperation between Korean churches in Thailand and Korean missionaries is present. The human, material, and spiritual resources may …


An Examination Of The Necessity For Servant Leadership In The Pastoral Role: Biblical Principles Will Be Explored, Fred Jensen Dec 2017

An Examination Of The Necessity For Servant Leadership In The Pastoral Role: Biblical Principles Will Be Explored, Fred Jensen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this paper, a detailed analysis of servant leadership in the evangelical church is explored. Realizing that there is much diversity regarding leadership patterns, an examination of servant leadership is essential for impacting the lost and bringing about spiritual change in the church. It is paramount to consider servant leadership as clearly exemplified by Jesus Himself. This document addresses the necessity of servant leadership in the pastoral role as demonstrated by Jesus. This type of leadership needs to be restored to the church. In order for the church to be productive, it is imperative for senior pastors to adopt the …


Integrating Public, Private, And Homeschool Students Into A Cohesive Youth Ministry, Michael Cunningham Dec 2017

Integrating Public, Private, And Homeschool Students Into A Cohesive Youth Ministry, Michael Cunningham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parents make agonizing educational decisions for their children, and there are more options than ever before. Some opt to teach their children in the home; others pay handsomely to put their children in the best private schools money can buy. The remaining groups of parents select public, charter, or magnet schools based on those schools’ particular merits or because those schools represent their primary educational option. These subtle lifestyle decisions are building blocks upon which students develop their personality, intellectual ambition, extracurricular interests, and social networks. Neighborhoods, schools, and community activities are often as influential in the formation of a …


Corporatization Of The Church Compromises Christian’S Priorities, Purpose, And Practices, Edwin Alston Sep 2017

Corporatization Of The Church Compromises Christian’S Priorities, Purpose, And Practices, Edwin Alston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In effort to mainstream its exposure, income, agenda, and influence among the people all over the world, some churches have embraced a corporate model in operating and ministering to the masses. Corporatization advocates business mindset, which leads to less sensitivity to building a relationship with God. This trend focuses on revenue and the bottom line. By seeking a self-gratifying importance in society, a growing number of churches are no longer the institution that houses individuals who serve as the salt of the earth and light of the world. This strategy minimizes spiritual formation and discipleship in order to promote a …


Five Steps For Developing Biblical Pastoral Leadership Teams Within South Korean Presbyterian Churches, Yeongkwang Yoon Sep 2017

Five Steps For Developing Biblical Pastoral Leadership Teams Within South Korean Presbyterian Churches, Yeongkwang Yoon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to suggest five steps for developing biblical pastoral leadership teams within South Korean Presbyterian churches, which are presently stagnating and declining under their non-biblical leadership. Growth of a church is directly dependent upon a healthy body of leaders who reflect sound biblical leadership, and the senior pastors of South Korean Presbyterian churches must intentionally conform all non-biblical leadership styles within their churches to biblical pastoral leadership. This project will attempt to provide the pastors of South Korean Presbyterian churches five steps for developing a biblical pastoral leadership team by identifying the relationship between church …


A Church Based Curriculum Providing Marriage And Family Education For Stepfamilies And Ministries, Richard Helein Aug 2017

A Church Based Curriculum Providing Marriage And Family Education For Stepfamilies And Ministries, Richard Helein

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Within the American population, the Stepfamily now outnumbers that of the traditional nuclear family; a trend mirrored in the local church. Stepfamilies within the church culture struggle in navigating the relational complexities, emotional and spiritual strain, and biblical confusion inherent to the formation of a stepfamily, while church leaders lack both understanding and the training necessary to minister to this growing population. Often step-families choose anonymity or leave the local church for fear of being shunned. In synthesizing, existing research with data garnered from stepfamilies via their participation in an anonymous online survey and participatory learning activity (PLA), challenges unique …


A Study On The Factors Of Church Growth By Building Young Adults: The Case Of Busan Happy Church, Sung Kim Aug 2017

A Study On The Factors Of Church Growth By Building Young Adults: The Case Of Busan Happy Church, Sung Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to suggest a church model that can raise up young adults based on a case study focusing on Busan Happy Church, which has experienced a great young adult revival amidst the reality of a decline in Korean churches. Korea has become an aging society due to a decreasing birthrate, and the Korean church is aging more rapidly than society is because young people continue to leave church. This researcher investigates reasons for the rapid decrease in the number of young adults in the Korean church, analyzing both the social and theological aspects in order …


Two Way Discipleship Curriculum: Correlation Of Discipleship With Pastoral Counseling For South Korean Churches, Yoonsu Lee Aug 2017

Two Way Discipleship Curriculum: Correlation Of Discipleship With Pastoral Counseling For South Korean Churches, Yoonsu Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In South Korea, many churches create and run discipleship programs. The programs help many people to focus on Jesus, but the programs come with significant problem. . If a person is experiencing a mental problem like stress, depression, or addiction, that person has a much more difficult time focusing on Jesus Christ rather than the struggles in his or her own life. Most discipleship programs ignore these prevalent mental issues, but including mental care in the course is vital to develop true disciples. Pastoral counseling has various mental care methods that address the problems facing many of its participants. South …


A Study On Church Growth Through Social Work As A Contact Point Of Community, Young Lee Jul 2017

A Study On Church Growth Through Social Work As A Contact Point Of Community, Young Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objectives of this study is to provide a vision for developing the churches in South Korea and to develop a method to recover the missional function of churches through non-profit organizations. Although Korean churches have achieved a remarkable growth both quantitatively and qualitatively, they have been busy maintaining their status in an immature fashion, resulting in the loss of their influence around the rapidly diversifying world. This study aims to provide a direction and an alternative for the church to recover its mission and approach to the world by studying the ministry associated with non-profit organizations. In order to …


A Study Of Worship Renewal Through The Blended Worship Style In Small Churches, Sun Kim Jul 2017

A Study Of Worship Renewal Through The Blended Worship Style In Small Churches, Sun Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The topic of this study is to research and discuss the potential of worship renewal through blended worship in small churches. Renewal to inspirational worship is a powerful demand from all churches. This researcher proves whether the researcher’s experience can be applied to the worship renewal of other small churches in the same way. For this purpose, this study first provides a Biblical discussion about the concept of praise, the significance and potential capability of praise in worship, and prepare a theoretical basis by reviewing related books and preceding research materials. Along with this, this researcher obtains statistical data by …


Case Studies Of The Participation And Results Of Professional Visitation To Schools By Youth Ministries Of Local Churches In Korea, Young Cho Jul 2017

Case Studies Of The Participation And Results Of Professional Visitation To Schools By Youth Ministries Of Local Churches In Korea, Young Cho

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to get results from youth ministry participation in local churches through a school visitation ministry. Youth ministry faces a crisis in Korea because the number of church attendees is decreasing. In fact, the number of church members in Korea is decreasing, but the numbers of people in the youth group are much smaller than other age groups. Thus, the study shows the failure of education from church and home. The researcher experienced this issue in his own church and tried to find alternative methods. Upon closer study, he found hope for a youth …


An Introduction To The Free System Corollary: A Theistic Response To The Abductive Problem Of Evil, Peter Morgan Jun 2017

An Introduction To The Free System Corollary: A Theistic Response To The Abductive Problem Of Evil, Peter Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Two important theistic defenses, the Free Will Defense and the Expanded Free Will Defense, provide valuable thought in defense of theism but are insufficient for addressing specific cases of intense evil, as the non-theistic evidential/abductive arguments from the problem of evil are want to do. However, theodical suggestions from systems of regularity, as a necessary part of living out a free will existence, provide a theistic defense that correlates with free will defenses and more fully accounts for the existence of good and intense evil. This Free System Corollary is derived from a starting point of two basic goods in …


A Study Of The Principles Of Missional Pastoral Leadership For South Korean Churches, Ilkeun Lee Jun 2017

A Study Of The Principles Of Missional Pastoral Leadership For South Korean Churches, Ilkeun Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 2000, the Korean Church has increasingly lost public confidence. The reason for this is that pastors have focused on church growth. They have entirely missed the essence of missional ecclesiology. However, the church is generated from the mission of the triune God to redeem all creation. The church should not be identified as a building or a place but as the people of God who are to be sent into the world to participate in the mission of God. The purpose of this thesis project is to present the principles of missional pastoral leadership for an existing Korean church …


Ministry Longevity, Family Contentment, And The Male Clergy Family: A Phenomenological Study Of The Experience Of Ministry, Allen Lee Jun 2017

Ministry Longevity, Family Contentment, And The Male Clergy Family: A Phenomenological Study Of The Experience Of Ministry, Allen Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences and the perceptions that affect family contentment and longevity of ministry for clergy families who are currently active in Christian ministry; in particular, those that may affect family contentment and longevity of ministry. Of particular interest was the clergy family’s perception of the phenomenon of living as a unit within the vocational context of Christian ministry. Data were collected using digitally recorded and transcribed semi-structured interviews. Likewise, personal journals were submitted and transcribed, adding to the data. Two clergy families consisting of specifically a male clergy member, his clergy …


The Aging Process And How That Affects Judgement And Choices In Youth Ministry, Ricky Harris Jun 2017

The Aging Process And How That Affects Judgement And Choices In Youth Ministry, Ricky Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis will explore the correlation between developmental life stages and how these stages affect student ministers’ approaches to ministry in southern Baptist churches. The rationale for this thesis is to help student ministers realize that longevity in their vein of ministry is achievable and also to provide a guide for how they may process aging in ministry. Search committees will be able to use this information while seeking to fill this staff position, considering the needs of their congregation and students. Books and journals will be reviewed for content on developmental life stage characteristics. Student ministers will be surveyed …


Aberrant Relationships In The Book Of Genesis: The Pollution Of The "One Flesh" Relationship As Found In Genesis 2:24, Robert Evans Jun 2017

Aberrant Relationships In The Book Of Genesis: The Pollution Of The "One Flesh" Relationship As Found In Genesis 2:24, Robert Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Genesis is a book of beginnings. Furthermore, Genesis describes the beginning of the relationship between man and woman. That relationship, as found in Gen 2:24, becomes the standard ideal for the one-flesh union set forth by God. Sadly, Genesis 3 tells of the beginning of sin, and how sin damaged the ideal union. And, although sin has persisted and flourished, the standard of Gen 2:24 never changed, nor was it replaced. Thus, the following dissertation seeks to locate, examine, and discuss the various one-flesh, man-woman relationships in Genesis. The first chapter of this research examines the one-flesh relationship found in …


A Study Of Pastors’ Exhaustion And Restoration: The Case Of Goshin Pastors In Kyungnam, Korea, Kang Hwang May 2017

A Study Of Pastors’ Exhaustion And Restoration: The Case Of Goshin Pastors In Kyungnam, Korea, Kang Hwang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Korean churches, having experienced an unusual spike in growth in the 1980s, have fallen prey to slower and slower growth since the 1990s. Pastors, who had been in the center of the churches, took all the responsibility for the slowdown in growth. Hence, conflict has intensified among Christians, leading to phenomenon of pastors’ exhaustion. The problem is that the exhaustion has a great impact on churches as well as the pastors themselves. In addition, most pastors are experiencing this currently or will be experiencing it soon. Therefore, the researcher will study the biblical Sabbath, God’s prevention and healing through God’s …


Burnout Among African American Pastors: A Biblical And Practical Solution, Ronald Strong May 2017

Burnout Among African American Pastors: A Biblical And Practical Solution, Ronald Strong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pastors are dropping out of the Christian ministry at an alarming rate. These spiritual leaders often experience burnout due to excessive demands, which lead to physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion, impairing their pastoral effectiveness. Qualitative and quantitative surveys and interviews were used to determine the relationship between burnout and ministry effectiveness by focusing on three mitigating factors: physical, emotional, and spiritual rest. The results identified overall fatigue as the primary cause of spiritual aridness and pastoral failings. Using this research, this thesis provides a model for holistic health with specific solutions for ministry burnout, thereby, improving pastoral effectiveness.


A Church Planting Church In South Korea: A Case Study On Missional Outreach, Deokjong Bang May 2017

A Church Planting Church In South Korea: A Case Study On Missional Outreach, Deokjong Bang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Gallup Korea, in 2015, reported that 30% of people under 30 years old had stopped attending churches in South Korea during last ten years. The primary reasons that young people leave a church is secularization of growth-oriented churches represented by huge buildings, power-oriented pastors and lack of morality of Christians. Therefore, a new church model that will engage young people is required for Korean Christianity. The missional church movement can be an alternative model for churches in South Korea. That is because the movement pursues a small church, a non-power-oriented pastor, and real life as a disciple of Jesus. Based …


The Trinity...The Biblical Mandates For Preaching, Teaching, Worshipping And Evangelism In The Local Church, Pedreto Graham-Brown May 2017

The Trinity...The Biblical Mandates For Preaching, Teaching, Worshipping And Evangelism In The Local Church, Pedreto Graham-Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Trinity is viewed as the bedrock of the Christian faith. Notwithstanding, the worship of the Trinity in local churches today are hardly mentioned by pastors in their sermon. The researcher chose this topic to introduce the importance of assimilating the worship of the Trinity in the areas of the four key biblical mandates. The researcher surveyed 50 Southern Baptist Pastors and 10 members were selected from each church to participate. It was discovered that both pastors and members lack the essential understanding of incorporating the worship of the Trinity in these four areas of the ministry. The results of …


The Development Of A Quiet Time (Qt) Manual For The Growth Of Urban Churches, Gwe Hong May 2017

The Development Of A Quiet Time (Qt) Manual For The Growth Of Urban Churches, Gwe Hong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aims to investigate the effects of a quiet time (QT) ministry on the growth of Korean churches and develop a program to help urban churches grow through QT. Korean churches are in a severe slump these days; beyond stagnation, they are in the critical situation of evident and serious decline. The encroachment of secularization on the church, the spiritual corruption of pastoral leaders, and church splits caused by the lack of trust among church members all result from weakened relationships with God. The researcher has provided QT ministry for Siheung-dong Sarang Church for the last twelve years as …


A Study On The Use Of Church Building Space On Sundays And Weekdays: The Case Of Yongin Jeil Church, Byeong Im May 2017

A Study On The Use Of Church Building Space On Sundays And Weekdays: The Case Of Yongin Jeil Church, Byeong Im

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objective of this study is to propose alternatives for better utilizing church space. It aims to help the church space serve multiple purposes during weekdays in addition to Sundays, and meet the needs of both the local community and the next generation. In many places in South Korea, the church buildings are too big to deliver the pastoral philosophy and the spirit of the times. Consequently, the South Korean public oppose building large churches. Furthermore, the church buildings are typically used only during the weekends, an inefficient use of space for their size. In order to improve such use, …


Is Jesus Of Nazareth The Predicted Messiah? A Historical-Evidential Approach To Specific Old Testament Messianic Prophecies And Their New Testament Fulfillments, Douglas Scott May 2017

Is Jesus Of Nazareth The Predicted Messiah? A Historical-Evidential Approach To Specific Old Testament Messianic Prophecies And Their New Testament Fulfillments, Douglas Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The primary purpose of this dissertation is to establish if critically acceptable historical-evidential reasons exist for believing that Jesus Christ is the direct fulfillment of the specific OT messianic texts included in the study. The study presupposes many of the conclusions of historical-critical scholarship and employs historical-evidential criteria to evaluate the evidence and attempt to establish the historical warrant for affirming such belief. Secondarily, this study seeks to find minimal facts related to these specific OT prophetic texts. To qualify as a minimal fact, two conditions must be met: (1) there must be more than adequate scholarly evidences usually consisting …


Before God And These Witnesses: An Evangelistic Guide To Weddings, David Anderson May 2017

Before God And These Witnesses: An Evangelistic Guide To Weddings, David Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Every year, according to the Center for Disease Control, an average of 2.3 million couples wed in the United States, while nearly 900,000 divorces occur. One fourth of couples marry outside of a church. Though most ceremonies take place in a church building, the church’s presence is small. An opportunity exists to reach receptive engaged couples and provide needed counseling services to those marrying outside of the church. Premarital counseling reduces the risk of divorce approximately 30 percent. To impact marriages and see growth, the church must take a proactive and evangelistic role in providing premarital counseling and weddings services …


A Study On A Missional Church In A Business Corporation: The Case Of The E-Land Group In Korea, Kyo Kum May 2017

A Study On A Missional Church In A Business Corporation: The Case Of The E-Land Group In Korea, Kyo Kum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study considers a new form of the church that can influence the society with the gospel in a more proactive way; it is a church in a corporation. As evangelism is becoming more difficult in Korea, Korean churches need to discover the contact point for the gospel. Existing churches attempted to make nonbelievers come to them, but the church in a corporation reaches out to nonbelievers in the workplace. Existing churches are established around people’s dwelling environment, but the church in the workplace provides a nexus for social life. There surfaces a need for a new form of the …