Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Angels And The Future Of The Elect, Tina Ziemnick

Master of Art Theology Thesis

As a Director of Christian Education in a parish, I encountered many youth and adults who believed that people become angels at death. As I talked with them, I realized that they were looking for comfort and hope in a world filled with uncertainty and tragedy. They wanted a picture of eternity and this notion of dying and becoming an angel made the concept of eternal life tangible. As I talked with other DCEs and Pastors I found that they had similar conversations with members of their congregations.' The frequency of these conversations within my professional meetings as well as …

Congregational Caring For Those Experiencing Pain And Suffering, Nanette Dost

Master of Art Theology Thesis

Often people feel inadequate both in handling their own pain and in helping others who are in pain. It is easier to walk away and refuse to see the pain we know is there. In a world where self-help books and medical treatments abound, how can the Christian congregation offer its unique contribution of the Gospel? Christian community can help to remove pain, teach skills in coping with pain, and integrate pain meaningfully into life. A benefit of Christian community for individuals is in giving meaning to the pain they experience through Jesus' presence.

Chapter 1will explore the history and …

A Pastor And His Ministry: Gregory Thamaturgus' Address Of Thanksgiving To Origen As Pastoral Practice, Edwin Harkey

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

One such student of his times was Origen. In his writings we see glimpses that while his goal was ultimately a deeply spiritual one-no less than a union with the Divine-he seemed no stranger to a more holistic approach in his encounters with the students who placed themselves under his tutelage. One of those students, Gregory Thaumaturgus, often called the "Wonderworker," even bequeathed to the church a most revealing document that enables us to get a rare glimpse of Origen and his method and style. It is that document, Gregory's Address of Thanksgiving to Origen, that will be the subject …

The Use Of Children's Liturgy In Teaching Worship To The Preliterate, Scott Lemmerman

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The goal of this project is to teach the preliterate child to worship. To reach this goal it is necessary to assist and to reinvigorate spiritually delinquent baptized member parents so they can be nourished with Word and Sacrament. I believe adjusting an existing order of worship into a preliterate child's liturgy can do this. This would lead parents to engage regularly with the Word in the congregation's worship, as well as become the primary education provider for their children by assisting them with learning the actions, gestures and spoken words at church. I need to research the viability of …