Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Inner Sharing: Spiritual Direction And Pastoral Care, Richard E. Lamontagne

Doctor of Ministry

Spiritual direction is a way of assisting people in their growth toward spiritual maturity. Yet, spiritual direction remains a relatively unknown and undervalued link to the life of the spirit despite people's need for guidance. Often, ministers who are normally expected to offer spiritual direction are reluctant to engage in it. This dissertation proposes to reassure clergy and encourage them to risk engagement in spiritual direction. The first section seeks to clarify spiritual direction by providing definitions and distinguishing it from similar disciplines. The second section situates spiritual direction in the history, tradition, and present conversation of the Church. The …

Wesley's Groups: The Heart Of Early Methodism, Hamish Mcminn

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

A Protocol For Assessing And Developing Spiritual Formation Among Council For Christian Colleges And Universities Schools In North America, Keith R. Anderson

Doctor of Ministry

The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a protocol for assessing and developing spiritual formation among schools affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities in North America.

Problem: A paradigm that is deeply rooted in scripture, practical theology, and an understanding of spiritual formation is needed to assess programs for spiritual formation of traditional college students.

1. What is the need within its context? Articulates why a need exists among schools of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities? I will describe the historical context and provide original research from forty-two CCCV schools.

2: What is the approach …

A Way Of The Soul: The Use Of An Introductory Course In Christian Spirituality As A Path Towards Personal Ministry In The Local Parish, Newton W. Kerney

Doctor of Ministry

Committed laity in the local parish seek ministry opportunities with depth and purpose. The use of an introductory course in Christian spirituality as a tool towards personal ministry is one way to develop a more vitalized lay ministry within the local parish.

A definition of spirituality is proposed and used as a backdrop for the development of a course curriculum. The dissertation examines spiritual formation concepts in the Old Testament and New Testament with an eye to their application in daily life. Martin Luther's spirituality as expressed in scripture, catechism and hymnody is explored along with the spiritual formation concerns …

The Implementation Of A Disciple-Making Process In The Local Church, Eldon Babcock

Doctor of Ministry

The project for this dissertation is to look at a disciple-making process for the local church and how to implement this process with a suggested curriculum. In order to accomplish this project I will visit five churches with the purpose of viewing the successes and failures of the disciple-making process that they may or may not have. In the first section of my dissertation I give an introduction covering why I believe the churches need a philosophy of discipleship and in later chapters address the need for one-on-one ministry that reproduces disciples for Christ. I will give definitions for Life …

The Indigenous Worship Voice, Kelly Ballard

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

A Wesleyan Understanding Of Grace As Responsible And Therapeutic: A Path To Transformational Spirituality, Katherine Simmons Conolly

Doctor of Ministry

The ministry problem addressed in this dissertation is the need for spiritual transformation. Christians are called to transformation into the image of Christ. John Wesley's understanding of grace as both responsible and therapeutic is one pathway to this transformation. He believed that grace was the interaction of God and humanity, where God reaches out to us and we are to respond. The more we respond, the more we are able to respond. This is responsible grace. And as we grow in grace, the result is a growth in holiness, or into the likeness of Christ. This growth is not just …

Three Women In The Fourth Gospel, Debbie Lamm Bray

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Contemporary Biblical Instruction For The Early 21st Century: A Ten-Year Plan For Endurance Ministries, Inc., Jon P. Swanson

Doctor of Ministry

The purpose of this dissertation is to present a biblical, historical and personal theology on the theme of eschatological deception with the intent of serving the people of God in Jesus Christ through educational ministries that address this concern in a balanced, contemporary manner. Given Christendom's universal epistemological allegiances, a biblical theology is first presented. The Word of God continues to be that blessed lamp unto our path. After a simple exegetical consideration of key pertinent passages that speak to this theme of deceit, a brief but sufficient historical sketch of specific end-time themes relating to deception will follow. Both …

Briggs Vs Warfield & Hodge: Inspiration And The Challenge Of Higher Criticism, Jill Ashley

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Spiritual Empowerment Of Special Needs Families, Andrew Leon Meeko

Doctor of Ministry

Families with children possessing disability face crushing challenges physically, economically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Sadly, most succumb to this onslaught and disintegrate. The tragedy of these families is only amplified in that they have the potential to influence lives, churches, and nations as perhaps no other entity can.

Chapter One focuses on understanding the tragedy of special needs families. The dehumanizing attitudes and denials of basic rights that handicap those with disability are examined. Chapter Two takes a closer look at the stresses and emotional whirlpools these families endure. Stress hardiness and cohesion/control mechanisms of families are also considered in …