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 …

Armenian Christology And The Council Of Chalcedon, Joseph Watson

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

The purpose of this study is to trace the historical and theological development of the Monophysitic Christology of the Armenian Church, especially as it is related to the Armenians' rejection of the Council of Chalcedon.

The first section of this paper will be devoted to a brief history of the Armenian Church, especially St. Gregory the Illuminator's role in Armenia's conversion to Christianity. The second part is devoted to the Armenian Church and its involvement with the first three ecumenical councils. The third portion of the paper will focus on the events leading to the Council of Chalcedon. Finally, the …

Virtue Ethics And The Place Of Character Formation Within Lutheran Theology, Joel Biermann

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

This study strives to provide a way for all parish pastors to reconsider the task of providing ethical training in a parish setting. The intent of this investigation is to encourage a shift in perception that will allow training in ethics to be evaluated and eventually adopted as both practically positive and theologically valid. Failing that ambitious goal, the study can at least prompt further discussion of the appropriate place of training in ethics, that is, teaching the practical matters of living the Christian life. Understood scripturally, the goal is quite simply to provide a way for congregations faithfully to …

Manasseh In Scripture And Tradition: An Analysis Of Ancient Sources And The Development Of The Manasseh Tradition, Steven A. Graham

Seminary Masters Theses

This is an examination of the history of the interpretation of King Manasseh in 2 Kings 21:1-18; 2 Chronicles 33:1-20 and several related verses. This study is undertaken in order to answer three related questions. First, why are there two differing accounts of Manasseh - one painting him as the model of evil and the other as the model of repentance? Next, what is the Manasseh tradition, and how has it developed within the textual histories of both Jewish and Christian milieus? Finally, what is the discrepancy between the biblical presentations of Manasseh and his reputation according to tradition? The …

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.

Holistic Approach To Mental Illnesses At The Toby Of Ambohibao Madagascar, Daniel A. Rakotojoelinandrasana

Doctor of Ministry Theses

The Church is to reclaim its teaching and praxis of the healing ministry at the example of Jesus Christ who preached, taught and healed. Healing is holistic, that is, caring for the whole person, physical, mental, social and spiritual. Healing is a part of the full salvation in Jesus Christ.

Mental illnesses or disorders affect one fourth of human beings in the world and their prevalence is far from declining. This thesis describes the model of Ambohibao and suggests it as a way for the church to do healing ministry, and particularly, as a way to approach the problems of …

Keys To Effective Resolution Of Staff Conflict In Christian Schools, Sandra De Jong

Master of Education Program Theses

The purpose of this project is to outline some keys to effective resolution of staff conflict in Christian schools. This project begins by introducing the problems that can occur in Christian community when conflict does not get resolved effectively. This is followed up by a closer look at God's will and purpose for Christian community in resolving conflicts that may threaten to tear them apart. This discussion is followed up with the identification of the characteristics of conflict and the trends that people generally follow when seeking to resolve their conflicts. Since the Bible is known to be a study …

The Development Of The Concept Of Salvation In Lutheran And Seventh-Day Adventist Parochial, Secondary-School Students, Megan G. Brown

Dissertations

Problem. This study took an initial look at the development of the concept of salvation in Lutheran parochial school adolescents, comparing them with Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) parochial school adolescents. This was the first study to compare denominations using the Salvation Concept Interview (SCI).

Method. This study was descriptive and comparative. The SCI was used to interview 16 Lutherans and 21 SDAs ages 15 to 18. Subjects also completed a religious activities survey and a drawing. Parents completed a survey of demographic data and personal and family religious activities. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.

Results. The concept …

The Perception Of Religion Teachers Regarding The Effect Of Religious Education Curriculum On The Self-Esteem Of Adolescent Girls, Florence S. Pisano

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Welcoming Congregation Movement And The Experiences Of Lesbian Women In The Christian Church, Kathryn Lynn Dykeman

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This research project examines the church experiences of seventeen lesbian women who were participants in at least one of the following groups: Christian Lesbians Out (CLOUT), the Brethren and Mennonite Council for Gay and Lesbian Concerns (BMC), and Olive Branch Mennonite Church. This paper noted the existence of some literature about the experience of gay men, but little was found about the experiences of lesbian women. The paper focused on the ethic of radical inclusion and avoided discussions about sexual ethics. A primary premise of the paper is that a general consensus about a sexual ethnic about homosexuality is unlikely …

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 …