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Communicating The Gospel Authentically: Message Transmission Between The Christian Music Artist And The Audience, Lindsey Montez Graham Dec 2022

Communicating The Gospel Authentically: Message Transmission Between The Christian Music Artist And The Audience, Lindsey Montez Graham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study seeks to establish that congruence between the Christian artist and the piece directly affects the process of Message Transmission. Artist authenticity and perceived artist authenticity are central to this study. Authentic expression must be believed in the heart and then confessed with the mouth (Romans 10:9–10; Matthew 12:34; Matthew 15:18). In the secular space there is an expectation for the artist to embody or emulate the performance piece temporarily while performing the song, but to not “be” the piece in life. In the Christian setting, however, the artist is communicating the means by which people should live their …


A Phenomenological Study In Conflict And Conflict Resolution Methods Of Rural African American Pastors, Darrell W. Rowe Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study In Conflict And Conflict Resolution Methods Of Rural African American Pastors, Darrell W. Rowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative, phenomenological by design research aimed to identify the conflict resolution methods utilized by African American pastors who serve in rural locations and shepherd a flock of one hundred or fewer congregants. The study also sought to understand the background, origin, and perceived effectiveness of resolving congregational conflict from the specified demographic. As the shepherd of the flock, the pastor has the inherent responsibility to resolve conflict within the church. The church experiences conflict from numerous external sources; however, this research sought to address conflict within the congregation. This study collected data through the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict MODE Instrument. 71.4% …


The Family Unit As A Form Of The New Temple And Reflection Of The Universal Christian Family Structure: An Exposition Of Ephesians 4:17–6:9 And Colossians 3:1–4:1, Jeffrey David Krodel Dec 2022

The Family Unit As A Form Of The New Temple And Reflection Of The Universal Christian Family Structure: An Exposition Of Ephesians 4:17–6:9 And Colossians 3:1–4:1, Jeffrey David Krodel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When focusing on the new temple after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven while studying the household codes of Ephesians and Colossians, the intent of the codes becomes clearer. Jesus transferred these codes to Christians for the Holy Spirit to dwell when He ascended to Heaven. In light of the new temple, the household codes provide instructions on how the Christian family is to work together and reflect the created order under the kingdom of God. Thus, the household codes of Ephesians 5–6:9 and Colossians 3–4:1, when viewed with the conjunction of the ascension of Christ, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, …


The Effectiveness Of Praying And Fasting, Vanessa Lynn Estes Dec 2022

The Effectiveness Of Praying And Fasting, Vanessa Lynn Estes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem is that members of a small church were not praying and fasting often. When asked to pray in a congregational setting, they were hesitant. Therefore, the researcher invited fourteen God's Chosen Generation Church members to volunteer for a six-week prayer and fasting research study. The study sought to demonstrate that when praying and fasting are applied together, Christians can hear from God and better understand His will for their life. However, three participants decided to leave the research for personal obligations. Those who continued received a prayer and fasting schedule to pray three times a day and information …


Predictors Of Online Faculty's Organizational Commitment, Anna Carroll Stevens Dec 2022

Predictors Of Online Faculty's Organizational Commitment, Anna Carroll Stevens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Online higher education is a booming industry; however, concerns have been voiced about the quality of online education. As a significant participant in the online environment, the online faculty member plays an essential role in the delivery of quality online education. Yet, research on online faculty and their experience is limited. With high turnover rates and the quality of online education coming into question, this mixed methods study sought to gain a more in-depth understanding of the predictors of online faculty’s organizational commitment. The delivery method of faculty’s previous educational experience as a student, their highest earned degree, employee status, …


Teacher Retention Crisis After Natural Disaster Trauma And A Global Pandemic, Kimberly Marie Jarrard Dec 2022

Teacher Retention Crisis After Natural Disaster Trauma And A Global Pandemic, Kimberly Marie Jarrard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Natural disasters affect the communities of over one million students and educators in the United States every year; however, school-based preparedness and prevention programs are nearly non-existent across disaster-prone areas. School-based trauma intervention programs are somewhat present in schools; however, it is more expensive and at a cost, and most public school systems do not have funds readily available to spend. However, the price is more significant on the adolescents' and educators' mental health and communities affected when they are only treated reactively rather than proactively. There are many studies on the results and after-effects of trauma on the mental …


Women And Their Roles In The Church, Matthew Niles Dec 2022

Women And Their Roles In The Church, Matthew Niles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Women and Their Roles in the Church, addresses the disagreement about the roles women are allowed to serve in at Faith Baptist Church. The problem is that congregants are disagreeing about what roles women are allowed to serve in at the church. This disagreement has led to people leaving the church and finding new churches. The purpose of this study is to develop a small group curriculum to teach leading examples of women from the Bible. The purpose of the study would help expand the participants' understanding of what roles women are allowed to serve in at their local church. …


Comparing Student Perceptions In Traditional And Online Anatomy & Physiology Courses At The Community College Level, Benjamin Curtis Wright Dec 2022

Comparing Student Perceptions In Traditional And Online Anatomy & Physiology Courses At The Community College Level, Benjamin Curtis Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper is intended to compare student perceptions of learning environments within anatomy & physiology I and II courses at the community college level. Literature suggests that student perceptions vary depending on the learning environment. The purpose of this study stems from very little research within science courses. Students participating in the research will be grouped into two categories based on the type, of course, they are completing: A traditional face-to-face course or a distance education course. All learning materials within the courses are identical. The Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (DELES) will be used to gather data on student …


A Phenomenological Study On Church Leaders' Perspective Of Internet Church As A Biblical Community, Jason Lavon Rankin Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study On Church Leaders' Perspective Of Internet Church As A Biblical Community, Jason Lavon Rankin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Current events and relatively recent technological developments have caused and significantly increased the use of digital technology in most aspects of life. The digital revolution, as some have termed it, has permeated all organizations, from businesses to institutions of higher learning, including religious institutions. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to determine Christian church leaders’ perspectives on whether the internet church fulfills the biblical and theological definitions of the church or biblical community. At this stage in the research internet church, also known as online church, e-church, virtual church, etc., is defined as a group of people with shared …


Using Popular Music To Engage The Multiculturally Diverse Secondary School Band, Todd Waldon Murphy Dec 2022

Using Popular Music To Engage The Multiculturally Diverse Secondary School Band, Todd Waldon Murphy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the increasing acceptance and enthusiasm for multicultural popular music in some high schools in the United States, traditional music teachers are often hesitant to embrace this trend. Even though the United States is responsible for creating many popular music styles, European music education philosophy is ahead with popular music education. Because of the United States' changing demographics, a new strategy must be developed to address this issue and implement it to the band director's advantage. Ethnic diversity and multiculturism have been creative factors in the United States, which explains why American culture has produced a wide variety of musical …


Fire And Fury: The German Tiger Battalions On The Eastern And Western Fronts, 1942-1945, Daniel L. Moore Dec 2022

Fire And Fury: The German Tiger Battalions On The Eastern And Western Fronts, 1942-1945, Daniel L. Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

After finding their tanks outclassed in terms of firepower and armor in 1941, Germany opted to design and field a tank that could defeat any enemy tank on the battlefield while remaining nearly impervious to enemy anti-tank rounds. The Tiger I and II were more than capable of serving in this role, but by the time of their introduction, Germany was on the verge of fighting a defensive war that would require large numbers of tanks that could rapidly relocate across a vast front line. The Tiger tank family has been the subject of hundreds, if not thousands, of publications, …


Sports Podcast Consumption: A Qualitative Media Content Analysis, Eric Philip Thomas Dec 2022

Sports Podcast Consumption: A Qualitative Media Content Analysis, Eric Philip Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objective of this research is to identify the elements of a podcast production that foster and facilitate audience gratifications. The Uses and Gratifications Theory posits that consumers of media seek out desired content to fulfill their needs or gratifications. This qualitative media content analysis researches gratifications derived from sports podcast consumption by analyzing fifteen podcasts in three different categories: high-ranking, medium-ranking, and low-ranking. Through the qualitative content analysis of over 54 hours of podcast content, the emergence of four structural content elements that seem to foster and facilitate audience gratifications were identified. The implications of the findings of this …


Phenomenological Study On Use Of Sports And Exercise For Veterans With Ptsd, Hope Angelina Torres Dec 2022

Phenomenological Study On Use Of Sports And Exercise For Veterans With Ptsd, Hope Angelina Torres

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological research was intended to explore the effectiveness of sports and exercise to decrease or manage D-PTSD symptoms in veterans. The study was framed around four research questions: How do veterans describe the impact sports and exercise have on their D- PTSD?, When there are PTSD symptoms being experienced prior to engaging in a sport or exercise, how does the veteran feel after the sport or exercise is completed?, What do veterans describe as the primary catalyst that draws them to engage in combative sports?, What is the holistic connectedness with sports and exercise for veterans with D- PTSD …


The Final Amen: Designing And Implementing A Christlike System For The Closure Of Waypointe Christian Fellowship, Christopher E. Sherwood Dec 2022

The Final Amen: Designing And Implementing A Christlike System For The Closure Of Waypointe Christian Fellowship, Christopher E. Sherwood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Like a myriad of other churches across the country, WayPointe Christian Fellowship (WCF) experienced a long decline leading to a critical question: Should the church permanently close? In the case of WCF, the answer was yes, which led to other questions about how to accomplish the task while maximizing God's glory, minimizing the pain felt by those involved, and preparing the congregation to migrate to another body of believers. This thesis project was designed to enable the leaders of WCF and other church leaders to answer these questions. In this pursuit, a comprehensive closure plan was created and implemented at …


James Monroe’S White House: The Genius Of Politics And Place, Susan Glen Amos Dec 2022

James Monroe’S White House: The Genius Of Politics And Place, Susan Glen Amos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research endeavor has discerned the origins of an enduring American nationalistic distinctiveness perpetuated by President James Monroe’s White House. A careful scholarly examination of Monroe’s White House as a cultural landscape enquires into the genesis of interdependence between place and politics. It also studies the depth of the American people’s ability to embrace, as their own, the symbolism and national vision fashioned in these spaces. The juxtaposition of James Monroe’s election as the first United States president after the War of 1812 with the resurrection of the White House manifested for him an exclusive opportunity, still fraught with perils, …


The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mental Health Well-Being Among Staff Of A Domestic Violence Shelter, Tonisia Lynette Brown-Cotten Dec 2022

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mental Health Well-Being Among Staff Of A Domestic Violence Shelter, Tonisia Lynette Brown-Cotten

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitatively study via the Case Study approach was to recognize the impact that coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) had on the mental health of randomly selected female domestic violence shelters’ board members, staff, volunteers, and counselors and therapists. To guide this study, the theory of integrating existing knowledge of a topic generated an in-depth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue. The case study aimed to answer how COVID-19 impacted higher levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the female gender. The study focused on the experiences of vicarious trauma (VT), secondary traumatic stress (STT), compassion …


How Does The Use Of Telemonitoring In Adult Patients With Uncontrolled Hypertension Improve Blood Pressure Control? An Integrative Review, Lucie Bakop Dec 2022

How Does The Use Of Telemonitoring In Adult Patients With Uncontrolled Hypertension Improve Blood Pressure Control? An Integrative Review, Lucie Bakop

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hypertension is an evolving problem worldwide and it constitutes a great risk for cardiovascular diseases. Despite the research and new drugs on the market to manage high blood pressure, hypertension remains the leading cause of disability-adjusted life and death worldwide. With many people suffering from hypertension around the world, and the burden of uncontrolled hypertension, it is imperative to find an intervention that can improve blood pressure control. To better target uncontrolled hypertension, the conventional method of management of high blood pressure based on in-person visits has shown some limitations and it must be combined with a contemporary approach that …


Pistol Packing Educators: A Phenomenological Study On Educators Desire To Carry A Concealed Weapon In School, Jaycia H. Jacobs Dec 2022

Pistol Packing Educators: A Phenomenological Study On Educators Desire To Carry A Concealed Weapon In School, Jaycia H. Jacobs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand how educators described their desires and lived experiences of carrying a firearm in a K-12 school. A transcendental phenomenological design was used in this study to examine the essence of the participants’ experiences. The theory that guided this study was Crano’s (1995) vested interest theory which established an individual’s perceived significance and hedonic relevance of an attitude-implicated action’s outcome. Attitude-behavior consistency exists when there is a strong association between opinions and actions. The central research question guiding this case study asked: What were the lived experiences of educators who desired …


Evaluating The Concepts Of The Tarde Imitation Theory And Its Impact On Training Effectiveness For Law Enforcement In Times Of Disaster, Barry D. Walker Jr Dec 2022

Evaluating The Concepts Of The Tarde Imitation Theory And Its Impact On Training Effectiveness For Law Enforcement In Times Of Disaster, Barry D. Walker Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper looks at the effectiveness of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training from the perspective of those using the training. In addition, it looks at how the Imitation Theory developed by Tarde may or may not impact effective training, specifically in response by those exposed to a large-scale disaster. The researcher accomplishes this study through qualitative analysis of interviews conducted in the Panhandle of Florida with those who have had some FEMA training and have had at least one personal experience with a large-scale disaster. The researcher discovered that it is common for those working in the Panhandle of …


Marital Satisfaction And Attachment Style: The Mediating Role Of Emotional Intelligence And Religious Commitment, Denise Dos Santos Moitinho Dec 2022

Marital Satisfaction And Attachment Style: The Mediating Role Of Emotional Intelligence And Religious Commitment, Denise Dos Santos Moitinho

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Most couples enter marriage hoping to experience happiness and satisfaction. This study acknowledges that spouses bring their worldviews, personalities, behaviors, and emotions to the marriage relationship, and for this reason, this study investigates the connection between marital satisfaction and attachment style as mediated by emotional intelligence and religious commitment in a sample of heterosexual married Christian individuals living in the United States. This quantitative, non-experimental, survey-based research analyzes data collected through Amazon Mechanical Turk from 530 married individuals to understand the relationship between variables affecting marital satisfaction. Results from Pearson’s correlation analyses show a significant relationship between attachment style subscales …


Implementation Of The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (Gad-7) Screening Tool In A Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, Ella Bosunglan Gang Dec 2022

Implementation Of The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (Gad-7) Screening Tool In A Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, Ella Bosunglan Gang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Purpose: The prevalent disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can have various negative consequences. GAD harms individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole. People with GAD frequently experience a crippling decrease in their physical and mental health. When generalized anxiety disorders are combined with the pressures of pre-existing medical conditions, the quality of life can be significantly impacted. GAD severely impairs social and functional functioning, resulting in frequent clinic appointments, doctor shopping, emergency room visits, high costs from family and employer treatment, and increased costs for global healthcare spending. Proper diagnosis is essential to effective treatment, and a …


Drug Evaluation And Classification Program: An Evaluation And Validation Study In The State Of Florida, Micah Moore Dec 2022

Drug Evaluation And Classification Program: An Evaluation And Validation Study In The State Of Florida, Micah Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Over the past several decades, the fatality rates in traffic crashes related to drug-impaired driving have increased significantly. Specialized law enforcement officers are currently being deployed to help reduce the number of drug-related traffic crash fatalities and identify drugged impaired drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) developed the drug evaluation and classification program (DECP) to certify law enforcement officers as drug recognition experts (DREs). An evaluation and validation study was conducted on the DECP in Florida. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the DECP in Florida to …


The Role Of Evangelical Beliefs In The Attainment Of Posttraumatic Growth Among Adult Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse, Sandra Jean Mcmillan Dec 2022

The Role Of Evangelical Beliefs In The Attainment Of Posttraumatic Growth Among Adult Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse, Sandra Jean Mcmillan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a post-trauma outcome that is extraordinarily complex due to the many subjective aspects and various emerging models regarding the mechanisms leading to it. Studies have led to traditional models of PTG; however, some special populations have limited data regarding factors leading to PTG. Adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) are a distinct population due to the unique sequela emerging from CSA. Religious or spiritual growth is a recognized domain that has been shown to predict PTG; however, no study to date has examined Evangelical Protestant beliefs in relation to PTG among adults with a history …


Utilizing Resilience And Persistence Strategies To Reduce African American Doctoral Attrition, Dudley Davis Dec 2022

Utilizing Resilience And Persistence Strategies To Reduce African American Doctoral Attrition, Dudley Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the attrition rate of African American doctoral students and how to improve their retention and graduation using resilience and persistence. Across all disciplines, 40–60% of students who began doctoral programs did not persist to graduation (Falconer & Djokic, 2019; Mirick & Wladkowski, 2020). A semi-structured interview format was used to collect the data from 27 African American participants, 20 females and 7 males, who had already obtained their doctoral degrees. The study sought to explain the phenomenon of African American doctoral students who persevered to finish their degree, in spite …


Through The Looking Glass: Worship Music With Indigenous Sounds In Los Angeles And Manila, Maria Rica Bartolome Silbol Dec 2022

Through The Looking Glass: Worship Music With Indigenous Sounds In Los Angeles And Manila, Maria Rica Bartolome Silbol

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the Philippines’ wonderful indigenous music and talents, Manila Baptist and Los Angeles Baptist churches do not utilize indigenous sounds in typical worship practices. This paper contends that the untapped resources of cultural sounds may contribute to a dynamic worship experience that resonates more effectively as Filipino. This study investigates the absence of indigenous sound in two Filipino Baptist churches from Los Angeles and Manila (QC). It analyzes relevant ethnic music components and each church’s response to the fusion of indigenous and traditional music in the worship experience. The explanatory sequential mixed method will focus on an artistic-creative study to …


A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Christian Mothers Navigating Through Societal Worldviews And Social Movements, Holly Amber Neavitt Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Christian Mothers Navigating Through Societal Worldviews And Social Movements, Holly Amber Neavitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study will investigate the lived experiences of Christian mothers as they navigate through various societal worldviews and influences. By examining the available studies on the misuse of Christian doctrine that facilitate the patriarchal worldview and the feminist movement to abolish faith-based gender assignment, the need to investigate the experiences of Christian mothers will be identified. Moreover, the burden of social conformity will be examined. Motherhood can feel like unfamiliar territory as mothers take on their role of motherhood. Investigating these influences and identifying the common experiences mothers face will help to better support Christian mothers. Investigating these lived experiences …


The Lived Experiences Of Intercultural Couples' Attachment To Their Respective Culture And Its Influence On The Success Or Dissolution Of Their Marriages, Emmanuella Etienne Denis Dec 2022

The Lived Experiences Of Intercultural Couples' Attachment To Their Respective Culture And Its Influence On The Success Or Dissolution Of Their Marriages, Emmanuella Etienne Denis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience of intercultural couples’ devotion to their cultures and how it influenced the success or dissolution of their marriages. The theories guiding this study included cultural attachment and intersubjectivity. The cultural attachment theory helps couples explore their childhood experiences because not all attachment is solid and dependable. Intersubjectivity theory suggests that every person is influenced by their friends, family members, and surrounding culture. Worldwide, when couples enter a relationship straying away from their culture instead of staying connected to their native culture, intercultural couples face a dilemma. However, when …


The Jewish Basis For The Born Again Experience In John 3, Francis-David Athelstan Scalzo Dec 2022

The Jewish Basis For The Born Again Experience In John 3, Francis-David Athelstan Scalzo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The dissertation’s objective will be to analyze what Nicodemus—as a Pharisee who was knowledgeable of the Hebrew Bible and the prevalent Jewish theology of his period—should have understood, given his position, concerning Jesus’ teaching of being born again. By examining the Old Testament (the TaNaK) and Intertestamental Jewish theology, it will be argued in the dissertation’s six chapters how Nicodemus, as a prominent Pharisaical religious instructor, should have understood the concept of spiritual rebirth as well as the scriptural significance of water and the Spirit, including the guidance and obedience inherent in Jesus’ teaching on the wind. As an introduction …


A Phenomenological Study Of African-American Students' Spiritual And Identity Development At Predominantly White Institutions, Jeffery Clayton Smith Ii Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of African-American Students' Spiritual And Identity Development At Predominantly White Institutions, Jeffery Clayton Smith Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to document the lived experiences of African American (AA) students attending predominantly White institutions (PWI’s). The importance of capturing these experiences is to better understand how PWIs are properly equipped to serve the needs of their AA students. This study describe how AA students are experiencing spiritual and identity development while they are enrolled at a PWI. The two guiding theories of this study are Fowler’s Faith Development Theory and Erikson’s Identity Development Theory. These guiding theories have been paired together to address students’ spiritual development during their emerging adulthood years. The …


Perspectives Of Middle School Band Members On High School Band, Frank J. Poolos Dec 2022

Perspectives Of Middle School Band Members On High School Band, Frank J. Poolos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Student retention is essential for band programs at any level to succeed and grow. This study includes results of student surveys of current high-school students who took band during their middle school years, seeking essential factors affecting student perceptions about continuation into high school band programs. Research into band student enrollment and retention exist, yet limited resources focus on transitioning from middle to high school. Studies indicate that participation in large music ensembles, such as bands, provides social, emotional, and academic benefits. Increasing student retention across this transition could yield improved student experiences and achievement in music and beyond. Existing …