Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Religion, General (44)
- Leadership (36)
- Religion, Clergy (29)
- Discipleship (19)
- Psychology, General (16)
-
- Theology (16)
- Church (12)
- Sociology, General (12)
- Christian (10)
- Pastoral Counseling (9)
- Religion, Philosophy of (9)
- Counseling (8)
- Education, Religious (8)
- Evangelism (7)
- Religion, Biblical Studies (7)
- Burnout (6)
- Church growth (6)
- Depression (6)
- Marriage (6)
- Ministry (6)
- Prayer (6)
- Spirituality (6)
- Worldview (6)
- Anxiety (5)
- Church Growth (5)
- Faith (5)
- Forgiveness (5)
- Leadership development (5)
- Pastoral Leadership (5)
- Pastors (5)
Articles 211 - 240 of 240
Full-Text Articles in Religion
Clay-Potter Imagery In The Bible: Theological And Practical Implications For Daily Christian Life, Karl Stelzer
Clay-Potter Imagery In The Bible: Theological And Practical Implications For Daily Christian Life, Karl Stelzer
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
God, the Master Potter, uses clay-potter imagery to explain spiritual truth. These passages are ignored, explained superficially, or misinterpreted and have not had the divinely intended impact. Theologically, doctrines of Theology Proper, Bibliology, and Anthropology have been compromised. Practically, the Holy Spirit has been hindered. To demonstrate the need for clay-potter instruction, research will include a comparative analysis of information gathered through questionnaires to churches that have held a clay-potter conference and those that have not, and an examination of written material and popular presentations. This author combines professional pottery expertise and biblical training to present accurate exposition. This thesis …
Easy Effective Counseling: A Strategy For Busy Pastors, Benjamin Karner
Easy Effective Counseling: A Strategy For Busy Pastors, Benjamin Karner
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Pastors are expected to counsel various people with various problems. However, in most circumstances, pastors have little time to prepare for counseling sessions and cannot be long-term therapists. Therefore, it is critical for the pastor to be able to quickly and effectively give substantial guidance to counselees. The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a pastoral counseling program with a decision management focus. A survey will be conducted with at least one hundred (100) pastors who engage in counseling as part of their regular ministry duties. This project will develop and communicate a practical counseling approach for …
From Evangelistic Preaching To Mentoring: A Model For The Local Church, Seunghyun Yoon
From Evangelistic Preaching To Mentoring: A Model For The Local Church, Seunghyun Yoon
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Throughout Christian history, biblical and historical figures have used strategic invitation methods that focused on the needs of the people who were listening to their evangelistic appeal. This demonstrates that evangelism and the invitation process is relevant to those who respond to the message.
An Effective Prayer Training Model For Church Growth: Centered On Wangsung Presbyterian Church In South Korea, Geunbae Hwang
An Effective Prayer Training Model For Church Growth: Centered On Wangsung Presbyterian Church In South Korea, Geunbae Hwang
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this project is to investigate biblical church growth, specifically studying South Korean pastors roles concerning the healthy church and spiritual reinforcement, with a limited focus and application to WangSung Presbyterian Church and other churches in South Korea. This project primarily utilizes the New Testament, as well as literature on church growth and healthy spirituality. In addition, references specifically regarding church growth and statistical information from Korean church ministries will also be used. This project shares a new alternative way for the growth of churches: A prayer-training model as the most effective method for church growth. A healthy …
Loving Your Neighbor: A Guide To Developing And Sustaining Community Service Projects, Rickey Houston
Loving Your Neighbor: A Guide To Developing And Sustaining Community Service Projects, Rickey Houston
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A current ministry concern is mobilizing and engaging the congregation in service projects throughout the immediate and surrounding communities to spread the love of Christ and build the kingdom of God. The purpose of this project is to examine and shed light on an approach or approaches to effectively transform service beyond the walls of the congregation to intentional, appropriate, and relevant service within the community. This subject matter has the potential of transforming congregations from a predominant notion of interaction with self to interaction with organizations and individuals who are part of the church's mission field. In addition, there …
Strategy For Merging Unhealthy Churches And Leading The Merged Congregation To A Healthy Christ-Centered New Testament Church, Samuel Holdbrook-Smith
Strategy For Merging Unhealthy Churches And Leading The Merged Congregation To A Healthy Christ-Centered New Testament Church, Samuel Holdbrook-Smith
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The hypothesis of this project is that merging two or more local churches is a practical option to growing a healthy Christ-centered New Testament church as opposed to closing those declined and dying churches. This project will examine and evaluate the merger process of Charles Wesley United Methodist Church and Earle's Chapel United Methodist Church in 2005, led by the author to form a new congregation called New Life Community United Methodist Church. A post-merger questionnaire will be developed and used to evaluate the merger process. Second, a healthy growth ministry plan will be developed and implemented to lead the …
Serving God In The Midst Of Multiple Sclerosis: A Holistic And Spiritual Model For Physical Sustainment, Timothy Harville
Serving God In The Midst Of Multiple Sclerosis: A Holistic And Spiritual Model For Physical Sustainment, Timothy Harville
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating disease that affects not only the one who suffers with MS, but also their family and relationships leaving the patient feeling depressed and without hope. If the disease is disclosed, many churches and the International Mission Board will reject the person's application because of the potential cost and medical care needed. This author was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis in 2008. This writer has experienced the obstacles described above. This model will serve as a motivational tool to help all of us who suffer with MS to use the disability for …
Transitions: Surviving Congregational Change, Reginald Weems
Transitions: Surviving Congregational Change, Reginald Weems
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The Holston Baptist Association is the oldest Baptist Association in Tennessee. Established in 1786, the Association presently boasts 106 congregations. Yet for all of its success, statistics reveal that pastoral longevity is not the norm for its churches. This project will analyze the tenure of present pastors within the Holston Baptist Association and provide a blueprint for pastoral longevity in the midst of local church transitions. It will utilize the history of Heritage Baptist Church, Johnson City, Tennessee (USA) and the present pastor's 21-year tenure as a source of research and model for successfully navigating that change. Although specifically intended …
The Fight For The Family: Biblical Applications For Navigating Life's Toughest Challenges In Ministry, Wendell Bishop
The Fight For The Family: Biblical Applications For Navigating Life's Toughest Challenges In Ministry, Wendell Bishop
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis project is an assessment of the life of a minister's family. The purpose of this project is to prepare new pastors, missionaries, and other Christian leaders so that they do not lose their own children while they are reaching the world. After careful research from contemporary ministries and research projects, the Christian leader will be aware of the challenges before him or her and have biblical applications that will help the families navigate through the difficult life of ministry. As a result of reading this thesis project, the reader will become aware of the battle that is taking …
Reducing The Divorce Rate Among Christians In America: Making Premarital Counseling Prerequisite For Marriage, Scott Vail
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
God instituted the covenant of marriage to provide the means by which two individuals become one for life. This covenant between a man and a woman is intended to satisfy the God-given longing each person has to love and be loved for a lifetime. The reality is, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2008, the divorce rate in America is nearly fifty percent. To remedy this, the church must require a formal premarital program as a prerequisite for marriage. The result would be fewer divorces and an increase in marital satisfaction. Resources formerly consumed by counseling and ministering …
Stigma And The Acceptability Of Depression Treatments Among African American Clergy, Connie Gardner
Stigma And The Acceptability Of Depression Treatments Among African American Clergy, Connie Gardner
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this cross sectional study was to investigate stigma associated with depression treatments and to approximate its association with treatment acceptability among African American Clergy. There were 109 African American clergy who completed three measures: treatment specific stigma instrument, treatment acceptability instrument, and a demographic questionnaire, anonymously. Three hypotheses were tested using descriptive statistics, Mantel-Haenszel common odds ratio estimate, Pearson correlation coefficient, and ordinal logistic regression. Statistical analysis revealed stigma did increase with the expansion of the social circle; Christian mental health counseling had the highest acceptability rate among clergy not pastoral or lay counseling and there was …
A Study Of The Utilization Of Brief And Biblically Integrated Child Parent Relationship Therapy With Mothers From Christian Families And Their 11-14 Year Old Children, Valerie Waruszewski
A Study Of The Utilization Of Brief And Biblically Integrated Child Parent Relationship Therapy With Mothers From Christian Families And Their 11-14 Year Old Children, Valerie Waruszewski
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Twenty-six mothers and their 11-14 year old children participated in the Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). Although designed for elementary-aged children, CPRT was modified for pre-teens and biblically integrated worldview. An analysis of data obtained from the Parenting Relationship Questionnaire-CA (Kamphaus & Reynolds, 2009), Conflict Behavior Questionnaire-20 (Robin & Foster, 1989), and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987) revealed meaningful trends in the decrease of frustration, levels of conflict, and negative communication within family systems. It is hoped that these findings will encourage additional research to help Christian mothers and therapists with an effective tool that …
Military Service Members: A Manual For Reintegration After Deployment, Carla Barry
Military Service Members: A Manual For Reintegration After Deployment, Carla Barry
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Deployment to Afghanistan for Marines and Sailors stationed in Jacksonville, NC is continual. The transition back to home life can be both difficult and stressful. The purpose of this thesis is to increase awareness of the dynamics of reintegration of military members and their families after deployment. Based on questionnaires sent to local churches, military families, observations, and journaling the thesis project validated a need for support. The thesis project produced a resource guide teaching pastors stressors associated with reintegration. The summary and conclusion will address behavioral and social changes by group participants.
The Victorious Christian Life: Overcoming Alcohol Dependence Through The Phenomenon Of Christian Spirituality, Michael Byrne
The Victorious Christian Life: Overcoming Alcohol Dependence Through The Phenomenon Of Christian Spirituality, Michael Byrne
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Interviews were conducted with graduates of a northeastern evangelical Christian-based treatment program to discover insights regarding the role that the phenomenon of Christian spirituality played in their recovery. Eight themes were extracted from three periods of time in the participants' lives as they related to the phenomenon of Christian spirituality: prior to treatment; during treatment; and after treatment. These themes revealed that the participants lacked resiliencies to overcome alcohol dependence themselves. All participants reported that critical aspects of Christian spirituality, such as regeneration and cultivation of a divine-human relationship through lifestyle exercise of Spiritual Disciplines and diligent application of the …
Examining Crime Among College-Aged Christians: Are Christian Religious Beliefs Associated With Low Levels Of Criminal Activity?, Paul Rickert
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this correlational study into crime among college-aged Christians in the United States is to determine if indicating higher levels of Christian spiritual growth is associated with lower levels of criminal behavior. A convenience sample of college aged Christians was given an online survey to measure self-reported criminality measured by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reports Part I and Part II and self-reported religious convictions as measured by Bufford et al.'s Christ-like Spiritual Growth Scale. This quantitative study then analyzed data generated from 57 respondents and found that reporting higher rates of Christ-like …
Effective Transitional Ministry Plan: Pastoral Leadership In The 21st Century Church, Keith Gardner
Effective Transitional Ministry Plan: Pastoral Leadership In The 21st Century Church, Keith Gardner
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The short term nature of the role of transitional pastor allows them to address spiritual deficiencies, provide spiritual corrections and prepare a congregation for change within a shorter time frame than normally required. Having served as a transitional pastor this writer believes the real calling of transitional ministry is to strengthen the church and place it on an effective path for the cause of Christ. Writing on this topic will provide an outline for what a successful transitional ministry plan should look like. This project will include pastoral surveys and interviews that identify spiritual deficiencies and provide biblical solutions for …
A Resource For Pastors And Counselors: Ministering To Spiritual And Emotional Needs Of Those In Ministry, Shirley Craven
A Resource For Pastors And Counselors: Ministering To Spiritual And Emotional Needs Of Those In Ministry, Shirley Craven
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Some pastors are in need of pastoral care and counseling; unfortunately, many will never receive the care they need. Pastors often suffer in silence because they feel they cannot trust revealing their deep dark secrets with fellow clergy. The lack of confidentiality among pastors has caused leaders to struggle in silence with the very issues they preach against: adultery, fornication, pornography, drug, alcohol, etc. The fear of exposure has driven some pastors to seek help in other states where they can remain anonymous. Providing this type of resource will enable pastors to take control of their lives, and seek the …
The Korean-American Church In The 21st Century; A How To Model For Church Growth, Dongsik Kim
The Korean-American Church In The 21st Century; A How To Model For Church Growth, Dongsik Kim
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Although Korean-Americans have high religious affiliation, they have a low religious commitment. Many Korean-Americans think of the church as a place for relaxation and social connection rather than a place of worship. With the distorted perspective towards the church, the Korean-American churches experience split and division; the church's growth stagnates or declines, and the church is no longer healthy. This project provides suggestions for becoming a healthy church through a case study of the Lord-Jesus Korean Church (LJKC) in Richmond, VA. Based on questionnaires, the project evaluates the effectiveness of the ministries of the LJKC and suggests recommendations for becoming …
Epic Families: Equipping Parents To Reclaim Their Biblical Mandate While Inspiring Children To Know And Love The God Who Made Them, Marybeth Meltzer
Epic Families: Equipping Parents To Reclaim Their Biblical Mandate While Inspiring Children To Know And Love The God Who Made Them, Marybeth Meltzer
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A review of current literature demonstrates that there is a fundamental problem in the church today: the church has taken on the primary role of discipling children, while many parents have abrogated their biblical mandate as outlined in Deuteronomy 6:6-9. Surveys of parents as well as practical ministry experience confirm that great confusion exists among parents as to the scope of their biblical responsibilities. This project reviews historical perspectives and the present situation in the church and offers guidance to both parents and ministry professionals to help parents reclaim their God-given responsibilities.
A Study Of Social Injustice And Forgiveness In The Case Of North Korean Refugees, Jin Uk Park
A Study Of Social Injustice And Forgiveness In The Case Of North Korean Refugees, Jin Uk Park
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The current study evaluated the psychometric utility of Decisional Forgiveness Scale and Emotional Forgiveness Scale for the North Korean refugee population and explored the relationship among social adaptation, religious commitment, unforgiveness, forgiveness style and mental health variables (trauma symptoms and depression) among North Korean refugees. Confirmatory Factor Analyses were conducted to investigate the North Korean version of DFS and EFS with collected data from 269 North Korean refugees. The forgiveness instruments, when modified with appropriate item deletions, could be considered as useful for North Korean refugees. In the Multiple Regression Analysis, four of five predictors (social adaptation, hurt characteristics, forgiveness …
The Manifestation Of Biblical Community Understanding In A Facebook Community: A Qualitative Study Among Christian College Students, Paul Perkins
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Applying theoretical studies of social capital, social presence, cognitive presence, and community helps researchers understand more fully the phenomenon of online social networks. The debate has moved from the positive and negative effects of online social networks to understanding how they fit into daily life. However, do biblical community beliefs transfer to Facebook? If Facebook is considered a community, does it exhibit the characteristics of a biblical community? Through a qualitative case study design, this research explored eight Christian college students, four men and four women, from two Midwest Christian colleges, investigating their understanding of biblical community and its application …
Insights From Charles Spurgeon's Preaching For A Changing Culture, John Lewis
Insights From Charles Spurgeon's Preaching For A Changing Culture, John Lewis
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This project has been done in order to increase the amount of literature available that demonstrates how to preach to a 21st century culture and to enlighten preachers to the timeless truths that transcend from the great 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon. A close evaluation of Charles Spurgeon's biblical preaching reveals a model for pastors to emulate in a post-modern context in the local church. Spurgeon was a master communicator and a survey of his mid to late 1800's preaching reveals those areas of his ministry that are still useful in the New Millennium. By reviewing Spurgeon's sermons and writings, …
The Father's Business Person, The Shift To Tentmaking Missions Strategy, Chris White
The Father's Business Person, The Shift To Tentmaking Missions Strategy, Chris White
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the important place that tentmaking holds or should hold in missions strategy. It is the belief of the author (supported by almost 20 years of ministry experience overseas) that visas and money are often barriers to ministry effectiveness. This paper would like to provide a solution (i.e. tentmaking) to these common tensions that most missionaries encounter. The value of the topic is very personal to the author's ministry: first because I am currently serving on the mission field (needing a visa and money), and second because of the potential tentmaking holds for …
Kingdom Consequences: Socio-Political Dimensions Of Evangelistic Preaching, Kenneth Kinton
Kingdom Consequences: Socio-Political Dimensions Of Evangelistic Preaching, Kenneth Kinton
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study examines biblical, historical, and theoretcial trends in evangelistic preaching. This has been accomplished using biblical evidence, as well as insights from theologians and scholars within the realm of society, politics, and Christianity. The study provides a suggested methodology of sermon preparation for communicating to the modern Church.
Ministry Of Memories: Keys To Pastoral Care Of Non-Cognitive Persons, Reginald Corfield
Ministry Of Memories: Keys To Pastoral Care Of Non-Cognitive Persons, Reginald Corfield
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This work is intended to examine and study the theological and moral reasons to provide pastoral care to persons who have limited or no cognition. Dementia, Alzheimer's, certain other medical conditions and the aging process cause a loss of brain function that affects memory, thinking, behavior and judgment. Most Clergy wrestle with the fact as to whether there is any purpose in ministering to such persons especially when there is no verbal or non-verbal response. This paper involves surveys, research, collection of historical and biblical data and medical science to evaluate the disease process and explore ways in which to …
Finishing Well: A Phenomenological Investigation Of Spiritual Transformation In Retirement-Age Evangelical Men, Johnny Justin Baker
Finishing Well: A Phenomenological Investigation Of Spiritual Transformation In Retirement-Age Evangelical Men, Johnny Justin Baker
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The baby boomers comprise a large segment of the United States population (78 million) but many of them are without spiritual resources to finish well in life. However, there are a few Evangelical men who have experienced spiritual transformation in retirement-age and have discovered the resources for security and significance in the spiritual dimension. Through a qualitative research design the stories of eight participants gave richness and depth to this study. These men described how they and others were impacted by the transformation experience. They discarded superficial forms of cultural Christianity to embrace authentic intrinsic change. The spiritual transformation experience, …
A Values Comparison Of Liberty University Freshmen, Steve R. Vandegriff
A Values Comparison Of Liberty University Freshmen, Steve R. Vandegriff
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
There has been debate over generally accepted values, not only in the context of education, but also within the context of those who are considered people of faith. This study is an investigation to determine if there are any differences between the two contexts, with responses being drawn from students enrolled in a required introductory university course on the campus of a Christian university. The variables of this study will be gender and ethnicity, giving a picture of student values, prior to being influenced by university pedagogy. A survey was made available by Hogan Assessments, self-titled as Motives, Values Preferences …
A Practical Guide For Pastors In The Nonverbal Communication Process, Mark Pope
A Practical Guide For Pastors In The Nonverbal Communication Process, Mark Pope
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this project is to offer pastors a practical guide in understanding the nonverbal communication process within the ministry setting. The project will bridge research in secular nonverbal communication and integrate the requirements of scripture as they apply to the pastor`s interaction with his people. For this to be accomplished the process must recognize how scripture applies to how the pastor is to interact in his daily life as well as his calling. To do so, the project will integrate secular nonverbal communication studies; questionnaires received by pastors of the topic, and biblical requirements from 1 Timothy 3. …
Holistic Healing Ministry: A Practical Guide For Korean Presbyterian Churches, Yanghyun Park
Holistic Healing Ministry: A Practical Guide For Korean Presbyterian Churches, Yanghyun Park
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study attempted to provide practical and effective advice to Korean Presbyterian churches (KPCs) for adapting Holistic Healing Ministry (HHM), not as an optional ministry but a necessary ministry for all local churches through the exact biblical concept about HHM. Through the analysis of survey for HHM conducted in many congregations of KPCs, this thesis evaluated the present reality of HHM ministered to KPCs, examined holistic health conditions of the congregations of KPCs, and identified which domain of health - physical, emotional, or spiritual - KPCs are currently interested in. Moreover, this thesis drew up a plan for KPCs to …
The Significance Of Developing Core Counseling Competencies In Pastoral Care Ministry, Craig L. Younce
The Significance Of Developing Core Counseling Competencies In Pastoral Care Ministry, Craig L. Younce
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this thesis project is to present the importance of developing four specific core competencies in the area of pastoral counseling. It is problematic that most pastors have received minimal or no training in counseling resulting in inadequate therapy when parishioners seek pastoral counseling during times of crisis. The material presented in this thesis project enables pastoral care givers to become proficient counselors through a series of learning objectives, best practices, critical tasks, and accomplished practices directed toward improving counseling competencies in the area of personal, marriage, and family counseling. Additionally, this project addresses the problem of pornography, …