Digital Commons Network^™

The Empty Womb: A Christian Perspective On Infertility, Carl Lilienkamp

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This paper will discuss how couples can learn to cope with their infertility, some of the problems facing couples as they try to deal with it, and give biblical encouragements to you as you try to find and follow God’s will in your life in the area of children and family. Each chapter will begin with a brief scenerio of a couple’s struggle with infertility, based on the situations of many couples I have known, pastored, or who have agreed to be interviewed. The names and situations are altered to protect their privacy.

The Use Of Lament In Pastoral Care: Exploring Its Use With Those Working Through The Loss Of A Child, Cornelius J. Deboer

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

The general purpose of the thesis is to reintroduce an ancient Jewish/Christian tradition of lamenting which taps the anger and inappropriateness of death, destruction, and injustice. This ancient tradition has been lacking and has not been readily encouraged in the Christian community, even though lamenting can easily be understood as a vital part of our relationship with a covenantal God.

More specifically the thesis describes ministry to bereaved parents, and the important place of lament in this ministry. Although the psalms of lament are set forth as the main model, other creative avenues of lamenting are explored. Some prayers and …

Pastoral Emphases In Premarital Counseling, Paul Bramstedt

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Many things in life start out as being something that is optional, but as time passes they soon become a necessity. Premarital counseling is one aspect of ministry which forty years ago was considered an optional service by many pastors. Today it is viewed as a necessity.

Premarital counseling which is conducted by a Christian minister is rooted in the Word of God. Teachings of Holy Scripture in respect to marriage are at the heart and core of the counseling process. While the premarital counseling which a Christian minister conducts may cover various topics, there are distinct pastoral emphases which …

Communication Principles In Pastoral Counseling, Dieter Joel Jagnow

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

There are many elements involved in a pastoral counseling process. A handbook would include all or some topics such as a definition of pastoral counseling, its distinctive nature, its objectives, counseling techniques, and the role of God's Word in the process. In this thesis we will touch some of the basic topics of pastoral counseling. However, the main purpose is to approach an important ingredient of pastoral counseling that usually is not included as a separate topic in counseling manuals, that is, communication, particularly interpersonal communication.

This study intends to explore the pastoral counseling process as an interpersonal communication process …

Arriving At A Preferred Doctors Referral List For Use In Pastoral Counseling, Daniel Kriefall

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This Major Applied Project consists of a series of steps carried out by the candidate in order to arrive at a Preferred Doctors Referral List. The list consists of the names and locations of a select group of health care professionals in the St.Louis/West County area. The complete list (along with explanatory information) is included in the final section of the report.

The candidate selected this area for growth and development out of a heartfelt need for such a record of professional persons in his everyday work and ministry. As Director of Family Care and Counseling at St. John's Lutheran …

Burnout In The Pastoral Ministry: The Need For Clear Boundaries, Russell Weise

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

A survey was conducted of 138 pastors in The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in the Central and Southern Illinois districts in the Fall of 1991. The purpose of the survey was to determine the level of stress and burnout in the pastor's lives.

The survey revealed the following: generally pastors are very satisfied with their calling as pastors, but the findings reveal the pastor's strong proclivity to ignore his wife and family and to deny any possible warning signs of stress and burnout. The findings also uncovered that pastors are eager to have support groups but find themselves not wanting to …

Celebrating God's Grace: An Adult Information Course Which Teaches The Doctrine Of The Church As It Is Expressed In The Worship Of The Church, James Heining

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The writer did a thorough study of the ongoing relationship of worship and doctrine as an influence in the formation of Lutheran worship practices.

He developed a class entitled "Celebrating God's Grace," which summarized the basic teachings of the church as they are expressed in the worship of the church. This was part of a revamped adult education program in his congregation.

In addition to the obvious benefits for those attending the class, the writer came to better understand the centrality of grace in the Christian faith and is now better able to plan and lead worship.

A Manual For Pastoral Care Of The Seriously Mentally Ill: A Lutheran Perspective, Thomas Oie

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Persons with serious mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar, unipolar depression) have often been seen as "strangers in our midst". Because state hospitals are relocating these patients into our communities (even though the community mental health resources may not be there) and because of stigma, persons with mental illness are coming in from the "cold" to our churches. Pastors and staff need assistance in ministering to this needy population. This project attempts to define mental illness, identify persons with mental illness, and demonstrate models of ministry. Specific guidelines, helpful suggestions, and supporting evidence(appendices) will address ministry issues and concerns as they pertain …

Pastoral Premarital Counseling In A Campus Ministry Setting-Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel, University Of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Lindsay Watkins

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The goal of this Major Applied Project was to submit, articulate, and elucidate at least ten specific objectives for pastoral premarital counseling in the campus ministry setting of Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel, the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and to present a process to achieve those objectives. Four components, a "Survey of Christian Married Adults," a "Survey of Christian Singles," a study of the Scriptural teachings regarding marriage, and a study of family therapy, psychological, and counseling resources furnished the specific objectives for pastoral premarital counseling. Thirteen specific objectives and a process to achieve those thirteen objectives resulted.

Diagnostically Correct Interventions Of Aerobic Activity And Prayer In Addressing Mild Depression And/Or 'Dark Night', Linda Strozdas

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

A Church Seeking Vision: A Study To Determine Which Stage Of Its Life Cycle The La Sierra Collegiate Church Is In, To Help The Church Clarify Its Purpose And Goals And Grow Numerically, Bradley K. Whited

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

Attendance at the La Sierra Collegiate Church worship services declined for several years, then membership began to decline. Programs, finances, and morale were negatively impacted. The church had lost any evangelistic fervor it may have had in the past. The Collegiate Church lacked a focus for ministry other than the education of the children of the members, in spite of efforts at worship renewal by a new senior pastor after his arrival in 1988. There was no mission or purpose. There was no vision and work for God’s redemption in the world.

Method

A questionnaire based on David Moberg’s …