Christianity Commons^™

National Status Of Campus Ministry In Churches Of Christ, Dylan Kirkland

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This article introduces research on the status of campus ministry in Churches of Christ in the United States, particularly related to ministry size, baptisms, and preparation of future ministers and missionaries. It then analyzes significant correlations in the data. Finally, it takes the data (based on the 2022-2023 school year) and makes comparisons with similar markers of success from Church of Christ campus ministries from roughly fifty years ago.

Haven: Asceticism, Spiritual Formation, And Youth Ministry, Brandon Pierce

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This essay reflects upon the application of a field of scholarly study—ascetic theology— to a ministerial context: youth ministry. The goal here is to offer an example of and reflections upon the application of a personal scholarly interest to ministerial contexts.

The essay begins with an assessment of the ministry context, illustrating the problems that demanded attention and solution. It then outlines the sociological and theological theories of asceticism that informed the proposed solution. Having discussed the foundational context and ideas, the next section describes in detail the proposed solution named "Haven" and elaborates on the ascetic theory behind it. …

Churches Of Christ, Spiritual Formation, And The Liturgical Christian Calendar, Wes Horn

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

For many Christian traditions, participation in the liturgical year does not seem remarkable; in fact, it is second nature being the form, or liturgy, through which congregational members grew up practicing their faith. However, for those Christian traditions, like the Churches of Christ, who have avoided the liturgical year, the inclusion of liturgical practices is a substantial deviation in worship theology, practice, and comfort.

This article recounts one congregation’s journey through the liturgical calendar as a test case for a Doctor of Ministry project. The thesis questioned whether the introduction of the liturgical Christian calendar into the worship life of …