Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Discipleship (8)
- Leadership (4)
- Apologetics (3)
- Church (3)
- Evangelism (3)
-
- Baptism (2)
- Black Church (2)
- Church Growth (2)
- Growth (2)
- Love (2)
- Ministry (2)
- Mission (2)
- Pastors (2)
- Animism (1)
- Apocalyptic (1)
- Army (1)
- Bible Study (1)
- Biblical Family (1)
- Bloom's Taxonomy (1)
- Burnout (1)
- Catechesis (1)
- Chapel (1)
- Chaplain Corps (1)
- Children (1)
- Children's Corporate Worship Design (1)
- Children's Ministry (1)
- Children's Spiritual Formation (1)
- Children's Worship (1)
- Christ-Centered Preaching (1)
- Christian Theism (1)
Articles 1 - 30 of 34
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Unhealthy Leadership In The Christian Church: A Study Of The Divorce Rate, Curtis William Carter
Unhealthy Leadership In The Christian Church: A Study Of The Divorce Rate, Curtis William Carter
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this project is to bring healing and direction to a particular area of the Christian church that is destroying marriages and greatly emotionally damaging children and families. This specific research will look at both the divorce rate in the secular community and the divorce rate in the Christian church, thus comparing and contrasting the two. While at the same time, showing how unhealthy leadership in the Christian church continues this damage. Furthermore, this research will also illustrate which gender is most likely filing for the divorces here in the 21st century and answer the questions why, where, …
An Effective Strategy Of Family Ministry In Korean Church To Build A Biblical Family, Ikjae Jin
An Effective Strategy Of Family Ministry In Korean Church To Build A Biblical Family, Ikjae Jin
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this project is to assist churches in building a biblical family and developing an effective strategy for family ministry programs. Additionally, it will address the problems and difficulties of Korean families. The study will be based on Korean churches in South Korea. A study of what churches are doing to assist these families will be conducted. This project will suggest how to build a biblical family in Korean churches. This research will survey at least 50 Korean pastors living in Korea and will conduct research on existing family ministry programs in Korean churches based on biblical and …
Refilling The Oilpots: Developing A Program To Reverse Stagnancy In African-American Churches, Mancil Carroll
Refilling The Oilpots: Developing A Program To Reverse Stagnancy In African-American Churches, Mancil Carroll
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many African American churches in America are experiencing a decline in attendance and participation. The typical church goes through a life-cycle that includes the church's birth, infancy, maturity, stagnation, and death. However, it is possible to create a rebirth process that will restart the life-cycle from the beginning. This thesis develops a strategic plan to initiate church rebirth and build momentum for the congregation. This project's research approach will include interviews with the leaders of a medium-size African American church in Dallas's suburbs. The project will also include survey questionnaires to congregants, former church members, and random subjects selected through …
Establishing Christ Community Church As A Sent Community: Initiating Spiritual Conversation With Confidence, Relevance, And Conviction, William Leland Burch Ii
Establishing Christ Community Church As A Sent Community: Initiating Spiritual Conversation With Confidence, Relevance, And Conviction, William Leland Burch Ii
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The problem is that Christ Community Church does not see itself as a ‘sent community.’ A ‘sent community’ is one where purpose and forward movement in Kingdom work is embraced. A church must seek to involve itself in the community, delve into the needs, and speak to the emptiness with the Gospel of Jesus. The purpose of this project is to establish Christ Community Church as a ‘sent community’ by offering a sustentative engagement program which will: 1) describe the mission of Jesus; 2) assess the culture in which the church is situated; 3) answer six frequently asked theological questions; …
The Sent Life: Discovering The Mission Of God And The Christian's Place In It, Cliff Roberts Jordan
The Sent Life: Discovering The Mission Of God And The Christian's Place In It, Cliff Roberts Jordan
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The church in the West today has separated something that was never intended to be divided. This critical error impacts the very core of who a Christian is which informs and empowers what a Christian does. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you,” and in doing so He designated all Christians as “sent ones.” This means living on mission as a sent one is not reserved for a special class of Christians, but is the very calling of all Christians. Since that is true, all Christians need to understand and be equipped for the mission …
The Utilization Of The Internet In The Advancement Of Discipleship In The Traditional Black Church, Marshall Williams
The Utilization Of The Internet In The Advancement Of Discipleship In The Traditional Black Church, Marshall Williams
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Discipleship and technology are interrelated. Discipleship is the process of maturing in Christ through our actions, life, and words, as well as how we present ourselves to the world. This must become integral to the vitality and mission of the traditional Black Church. Technology is a resource that can assist the traditional Black Church to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20. This thesis premise is supported by applied research (survey findings from pastoral leaders within the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia), academic research (scholarly material from experts in the fields of theology, sociology, statistics, and church growth), and …
The Intergenerational Worship Model: Youth-Specific Benefits, James Alan Lott
The Intergenerational Worship Model: Youth-Specific Benefits, James Alan Lott
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
King David declared that one generation should proclaim the goodness of the Lord to another, yet what David writes of cannot take place in an age-segregated setting. Multiple generations must be present. Much progress has been made regarding the church’s acknowledgment of the significance of an intergenerational worship (IGW) model. Though each generation is precious to God and created in His image, IGW holds considerable benefits for churched youth, as it is one of the few places in society where youth can intentionally connect with older generations. Despite the importance of youth engagement in IGW, there is a limited amount …
The Hmong Spiritual Formation From Animism To Christianity, Lang Yang
The Hmong Spiritual Formation From Animism To Christianity, Lang Yang
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The research project is on the Hmong religion. Hmong people believe in a faith called "Animism – the way of the spirit," which is a created religion that they practiced and passed down from generation to generation. The Hmong like to live in the past and do not want to change their customs, traditions, and cultural practices that their ancestors practiced for centuries. They put all their hope in their dead ancestors' spirits to guide them until a new religion appeared to them, and it is called "the Christian faith." The Christian faith brings new hope to the Hmong people, …
From Ideology To Implementation: Moving One Church Staff From An Aspirational Mindset Of Developing Leaders To An Actionable Movement Of Leadership Development, Trevor Blake Hislop
From Ideology To Implementation: Moving One Church Staff From An Aspirational Mindset Of Developing Leaders To An Actionable Movement Of Leadership Development, Trevor Blake Hislop
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
According to a recent article on “The Paradox of Leadership” from Harvard University, there are more than 15,000 books in print on the topic of leadership, and the number of works written about leadership in the past decade is greater than the total number of works ever written. So, if leadership is so highly valued in our culture today, then why is there a decline in leadership development in the church? Additionally, there are a growing number of churches that have detailed programs for leadership development; however, few churches are producing new leaders. Church at Viera in Viera, Florida, embraces …
Information To Transformation: The Implementation And Effects Of Sermon-Aligned Daily Bible Study On Spiritual Growth, Stephen J. Kimpel
Information To Transformation: The Implementation And Effects Of Sermon-Aligned Daily Bible Study On Spiritual Growth, Stephen J. Kimpel
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
What would occur if the biblical text that was preached in a weekend sermon was not relegated to a singular communication of information? What would change if the life of the sermon was extended through the practice of daily, scriptural study? What growth could we expect from an individual who is involved in daily Scripture that is not only integrated in the community of faith, but also aligned with the weekend sermon? It is precisely from questions such as these, that this thesis was formed. The purpose of this project was to study the implementation and effects of Sermon-Aligned Daily …
Catechesis: Returning To A Deeper Teaching That Produces Transformed Disciples For Christ, Jeremy T. Conn
Catechesis: Returning To A Deeper Teaching That Produces Transformed Disciples For Christ, Jeremy T. Conn
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This Thesis Project addresses the lack of commitment found in many new and young believers today by providing a catechesis that engages individuals emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and experientially. After a thorough review of many biblical, historical and contemporary approaches to religious teaching, this study developed an intervention plan that merged five essential elements: (1) A culture that emphasizes the importance of baptism; (2) Adequate time to instill spiritual habits; (3) The utilization of multiple volunteers; (4) The incorporation of experiential learning; and (5) Content that encompasses both theology and discipleship. Qualitative research was conducted through the interviews of fourteen participants …
Exploring The Perceived Impact Of Retired Senior Pastors On The Ministry Of Evangelical Churches Of America, Frank France Delange
Exploring The Perceived Impact Of Retired Senior Pastors On The Ministry Of Evangelical Churches Of America, Frank France Delange
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of retired senior pastors’ (RSPs) involvement in ministry following retirement. The study sought to understanding the perceived impact of RSPs on the ministry of American evangelical Protestant church of RSPs after retirement. The rationale behind the research was the phenomenon that a significant portion of the cohort of retired senior pastors continue to serve in ministry after they have retired. The study heard and analyzed first-hand data from RSPs who had lived experience in ministry after leaving the local church they led and RSPs who had lived experience …
Experiencing God: Engaging Elementary-Aged Children In Corporate Worship, Laura Rushing Hancock
Experiencing God: Engaging Elementary-Aged Children In Corporate Worship, Laura Rushing Hancock
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The engagement of children in meaningful worship has been neglected, despite the investment of modern churches in essential safety protocols and digital media in children’s ministry. The twenty-first-century consumerist mindset is driving worship design, essentially undermining the worship leader’s role as the shepherd of a child-centered and Christ-focused approach. Many churches are neglecting the biblical instruction to cast vision and express value for children’s corporate worship. A sense of awe and wonder is notably absent in many corporate services designed for children. Drawing upon biblical principles, educational theory, and corporate worship practices throughout history, this qualitative historical study seeks to …
The Jewish Origins Of The Ordinances Of Christianity: Worship Within Baptism And The Lord's Supper, John Edward Ross
The Jewish Origins Of The Ordinances Of Christianity: Worship Within Baptism And The Lord's Supper, John Edward Ross
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The modern evangelical denominations have worship services that include many forms of worship and functions to bring the worshiper into communion with the living God as a disciple of Christ. These worship forms include the two ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Generations of denominational congregants have participated in these ordinances with little knowledge of the origin of these two rites. This qualitative historical study focuses on the roots of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper formed within Christianity during the early church years. Using research from Christian and Messianic Jewish scholars along with Jewish sources, this …
Positive And Negative Uses Of The Exodus Motif In Prophetic And Apocalyptic Biblical Literature, Charles Joshua Parrott
Positive And Negative Uses Of The Exodus Motif In Prophetic And Apocalyptic Biblical Literature, Charles Joshua Parrott
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In the following pages of this dissertation, I address two questions: 1) How do biblical authors reuse the exodus motif in positive and negative ways? 2) What does theological reflection on these uses yield? In Chapter One, we will see that the historical exodus is not only contextually plausible, but it is also particularly doctrinal. The exodus reveals noteworthy truths for God’s people today, and these truths need to be continually affirmed. Chapter Two shows that collectively, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel had an understanding of Israelite history, and they trusted God’s sovereign control of that history. These prophets also had …
Pastoral Stress: The Urgent Need For Self-Care, Remiel Lockwood
Pastoral Stress: The Urgent Need For Self-Care, Remiel Lockwood
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Pastors are called to the ministry of helps while also needing help. The care and counseling they offer others can also be beneficial to them. Unfortunately, they are often so busy helping others they may neglect themselves and their families. Consequently, what is meant to be a blessing becomes a curse. Pastors often suffer with the silent frustrations of their call, personal temptations, family pressures and career desires while struggling to hold it together. The pastor may be limited in who can be entrusted with the deep concerns of their hearts. Everybody needs someone they can talk with and the …
Strategies And Biblical Principles To Keep Church Plants From Closing Its Doors Within The First Three Years, Damian Billups
Strategies And Biblical Principles To Keep Church Plants From Closing Its Doors Within The First Three Years, Damian Billups
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Christians are commissioned to disciple the nations. Many attempts to fulfill this commission encounter variables that hinder the fulfillment of this dictum. Statistics indicate significant proportions of church planting endeavors are challenged to survive beyond one year. This project will expose reasons church planting efforts struggle to thrive and will provide strategies and biblical principles to remedy the identified obstacles. The data will be utilized for current and future church planting efforts. The goal of this project is to reduce factors that cause church plants to close prematurely. Church laity and clergy will be surveyed for their perspectives regarding church …
Philosophy Of History, Historical Jesus Studies, And Miracles: Three Roadblocks To Resurrection Research, Benjamin C. F. Shaw
Philosophy Of History, Historical Jesus Studies, And Miracles: Three Roadblocks To Resurrection Research, Benjamin C. F. Shaw
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Jesus’ resurrection is considered by many to be a historical event, but objections are often raised regarding to such inquiry into the past. Philosophy of history is thus an important field in which various roadblocks to resurrection research have been raised. These philosophical questions related to the study of the Jesus’ resurrection have become more prominent recently and seek to undermine the very act of historical inquiry into Jesus’ resurrection specifically and the past more generally. Accordingly, the issues addressed here have implications beyond resurrection research. This work seeks to identify and assess three common roadblocks to such research. The …
Army Retirees At The Hunter Army Airfield Chapel In Savannah, Georgia, Will Gain The Confidence And The Basic Skills Necessary To Form Spiritual Mentoring Relationships With Young Soldiers Through A Constructivist Interview And Back-Brief Process, Derek William Murray
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Army retirees choose to live in close proximity to a military installation, because living close provides many benefits, such as: continuing to shop in the discounted commissary, remaining in the military medical system, enjoying many other recreational benefits offered at military installations, and remaining as close as possible to the world they love. Thus, most Army garrisons across the entire Army enterprise have retirees who have chosen to permanently remain close to the Army posts at which they honorably served. Homesteading near a military installation gives a retiree the opportunity to live among those with whom they existentially identify. Some …
Original Monotheism: A Signal Of Transcendence Challenging Naturalism And New Ageism, Daniel Roger Cote
Original Monotheism: A Signal Of Transcendence Challenging Naturalism And New Ageism, Daniel Roger Cote
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Where once in America, belief in Christian theism was shared by a large majority of the population, over the last 70 years belief in Christian theism has significantly eroded. From 1948 to 2018, the percent of Americans identifying as Catholic or Christians dropped from 91 percent to 67 percent, with virtually all the drop coming from protestant denominations. Naturalism and new ageism increasingly provide alternative means for understanding existential reality without the moral imperatives and the belief in the divine associated with Christian theism. The ironic aspect of the shifting of worldviews underway in western culture is that it continues …
Transformational Leadership: Equipping Small Churches To Make Disciples By Integrating Wesleyan Principals, Ronald Kent Wise
Transformational Leadership: Equipping Small Churches To Make Disciples By Integrating Wesleyan Principals, Ronald Kent Wise
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This ministry thesis project will use qualitative research to address Wesleyan Transformational Leadership and how to apply the principles to equip churches to make disciples for Jesus Christ. The principles addressed within the project are defined by the acronym L.E.A.D: L-Love, E-Educate, A-Adapt and D-Duplicate. In today’s politically correct culture, the persecution of the Christian worldview occurs in communities, politics, and the church. Transformational leadership introduces biblical principles in conjunction with time-tested leadership principles to promote and strengthen individual and corporate growth. Individual and corporate growth transforms lives of individuals as relationships and stories are shared. As transformation takes place, …
The Use Of Apologetics In The Book Of Isaiah, Daniel Robert Sloan
The Use Of Apologetics In The Book Of Isaiah, Daniel Robert Sloan
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Isaiah used apologetics in three distinct areas: Yahweh’s creation and sovereign control (Past), Yahweh’s divine intervention in delivering Judah (present) and Yahweh as the controller of the future (Immediate, Exilic, Messianic and eschatological) to argue that Yahweh was the one true God, unique and superior to all pagan deities, to both his contemporary audience and to future generations. In chapter one, the research questions are addressed, a literary review is presented, and the methodology of the dissertation is given. In chapter two, the dissertation addresses how the book of Isaiah argues apologetically that Yahweh is the Creator and therefore is …
Discipleship As Understood And Practiced By Worship Leaders, Pastors, And Congregations Of Selected Southern Baptist Churches, Bridgette Lashawn Yancy
Discipleship As Understood And Practiced By Worship Leaders, Pastors, And Congregations Of Selected Southern Baptist Churches, Bridgette Lashawn Yancy
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite the growing interest in Christian faith development through Bible study, prayer groups, literature, and other media, there has been little to no research completed in the area of discipleship of worship leaders. This study will be an examination of discipleship activities that are offered within the Southern Baptist churches and the average duration of engagement of these activities by worship leaders. How the discipleship of the worship leader affects the ministry of the worship leader, participation in leadership-focused activities, and the personal and professional growth of the worship leader will be examined through questionnaires for both pastors and worship …
Special Revelation In Cinema: The Imago Dei And Divine Transcendence In Contemporary Film, Durrell Nelson
Special Revelation In Cinema: The Imago Dei And Divine Transcendence In Contemporary Film, Durrell Nelson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Cinema can motivate soul restoration, alter political views, and confirm or contradict personal religious beliefs. The intention of this dissertation is to show that it is plausible for the transcendent power of special revelation from God to be communicated through the medium of cinema in concert with the imago Dei in humankind. The relationship between a viewer and cinematic characters potentially becomes a visceral experience creating empathy in the viewer with the characters in the story. This relational interaction has the potential of instigating a transcendent experience as both viewer and the protagonist in a film share qualities of the …
The Priority Of Homiletics In Preaching Teams: A Strategy For An Effective Homiletical Process For Christ-Centered, Gospel-Driven, Expository Sermons, Bob C. Greene
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this thesis project is to propose an effective strategy for preparing Christ-Centered, Gospel-Driven, Expository Sermons (CGES) by developing an effective methodology for redemptive sermon preparation. Many contemporary churches today often have multiple preaching pastors and preaching teams, many of which have little to no seminary training in homiletics, yet even those that do, recognize that a seminary education does not necessarily mean that competency in preaching exists merely due to the education or degree earned. Due to talented and gifted pastors with multiple approaches to sermon preparation, it is imperative that preachers have a proper homiletical process, …
Universal Leadership Model, Derwin Lamont Hickman Sr
Universal Leadership Model, Derwin Lamont Hickman Sr
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The Great Commission is the call of Jesus to his people to go out into the world and make disciples. The universal leadership model presents an opportunity for disciples/leaders to step up and fulfill the Great Commission. The church should be involved in discipleship training, outreaches and supporting the issues that are aligned with Christian ideology and important to people in the communities they serve. An effective universal leadership model should include diversity, training, desired change, accountability and effectiveness of change. In so doing, the church can then find parishioners within the church who may be transformed into disciples/leaders and …
The Correlation Between Pastors’ Leadership Style, Their Organizational Change Commitment, And Their Organization’S Readiness For Change, Jerusha Smith Drummond
The Correlation Between Pastors’ Leadership Style, Their Organizational Change Commitment, And Their Organization’S Readiness For Change, Jerusha Smith Drummond
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this non-experimental correlational study was to determine whether a relationship exists between pastors’ perceptions of transformational leadership, pastors’ organizational change commitment, and their organization’s readiness for change, controlling for gender, age, education, tenure, and geographical location of lead pastors in the South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBC) churches. Leadership and change are intertwined; thus, pastors’ commitment to organizational change and their organization’s readiness for change highlights dynamic leadership in the management of church life. The pastor must possess a leadership style that moves the church toward organizational change while keeping parishioners in attendance. The study answers the following …
Judge Jesus: Interpreting Jesus’ Role As Judge In The Gospel Of John Through An Early Jewish Mindset, Jeremiah Stallman
Judge Jesus: Interpreting Jesus’ Role As Judge In The Gospel Of John Through An Early Jewish Mindset, Jeremiah Stallman
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Jesus proclaimed that the Father gave him the authority to judge because he is the “Son of Man” (John 5:22, 27). This proclamation is spoken to an immediate Jewish audience that would have had preconceived theological beliefs concerning eschatological judgment and messianic expectation. However, these are not the preconceived beliefs of the modern reader. The modern reader of the Gospel of John will better understand John’s presentation of Jesus’ words concerning his role as messianic judge through an Early Jewish interpretive lens. The first century Jew in John’s audience would have been infused with two to three centuries of preconceived …
Provision Of God In Our Lives: Examining Impact Of Church Memorials, Jeffrey William Johnsen
Provision Of God In Our Lives: Examining Impact Of Church Memorials, Jeffrey William Johnsen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The study assumes that church memorials have significant meaning in our faith journey, are visible within the church, and have little meaning if no interpreter is present. If the membership is aware of a memorial’s history, it draws them to understand the memorial as a provision of God. The study’s research question is, “Will people remember the provision of God in their lives when engaging a memorial regularly with an interpreter present?” Memorials used in the study were within Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church. The Bible was the primary literary resource in God’s provision to redeem and restore humanity. The …
An Aggressive, Arrogant, And Argumentative Society: A Biblical Perspective From African American Pastors Of Carolina Low Country, James Mack Jr
An Aggressive, Arrogant, And Argumentative Society: A Biblical Perspective From African American Pastors Of Carolina Low Country, James Mack Jr
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In a nation mired in racial violence, how can African American churches reach the divided communities with the love of Jesus Christ? What methods can African American pastors use to enlighten their communities and seek racial unity within the greater community? How can African American pastors share this single truth with their communities: As long as America is divided by racial bigotry, economic disparity, and cultural indifference, every citizen is injured, and our nation is bound to fail. Although similar questions are asked nationwide, this thesis focuses on the perspectives of African American pastors and their churches from the Gullah …