Christianity Commons^™

The Security Dimensions Of Religious Life In Ukraine: A Focus On Orthodoxy In The Cross-Border Chernivtsi Region, Oleksandr Brodestkyi, Iryna Horokholinska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article analyzes the modern tendencies in the religious space of Ukraine with a focus on the processes that are taking place in Orthodoxy in the context of transformations in the self-identification of the faithful. Changes in the jurisdictional affiliation of the Orthodox communities in Ukraine are taken into account. The dynamics of these processes are analyzed against the background of the full-scale war that Russia has unleashed and is waging against Ukraine. Special attention is paid to the situation in Chernivtsi border region, in particular, from the point of view of the Ukrainian-Romanian geopolitical and church relationships. A number …

Why On Earth Does “Tongue(S)” Become Ecstatic Speech?, Ekaputra Tupamahu

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

This chapter deals with the history of interpretation. Why is the phenomenon of “tongue(s)” in the New Testament understood today as ecstatic speech? In the history of interpretation, there are two major modes of reading the phenomenon of speaking in tongue(s) in the New Testament: the “missionary-expansionist” and the “romantic-nationalist” modes of reading. The earliest readers of the New Testament up until those of the mid-nineteenth century commonly understood the phenomenon of tongue(s) as a miraculous ability to speak in foreign languages—often called xenolalia—for the purpose of expanding Christianity and preaching the gospel. The shift in understanding began to …

Bowers' "Christian Reflection In Africa" (Book Review), David Rawson

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Powe And Jacksons' "E. Stanley Jones & Sharing The Good News In A Pluralistic Society" (Book Review), Chip Wiley

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Billy Graham: Life And Legacy, Kerry Irish

Faculty Publications - Department of History and Politics

This 5-page overview summarizes Billy Graham's life and impact, and situates him within the American evangelical tradition.

Gustafson's "Gospel Witness: Evangelism In Word And Deed" (Book Review), Kyle D. Diroberts

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Foreign Missions: How Churches Can Engage In Global Missionary Work Without Leaving Their Communities, Stuart Alan Cocanougher

Doctor of Ministry

For three hundred years, the modern missions movement has established a paradigm in which evangelical churches, denominations, and parachurch agencies have recruited, trained, funded, and sent missionaries around the world. Taking seriously Christ’s command to reach the nations with the gospel, U.S. churches spend millions of dollars each year to send a few select missionaries to faraway nations, while most Christians are not engaged in cross-cultural ministry. But the world has changed. Now there are millions of foreigners living in the United States. I propose that evangelical church leaders consider a new strategy that involves training American Christians to minister …

Saving People From The Fiery Pits Of Hell? A Review Of “The Very Worst Missionary”, Melanie Springer Mock

Faculty Publications - Department of English

Excerpt: "As a Christian college student several decades ago, I knew without a doubt that the holiest, most sanctified majors on campus where those preparing their graduates for overseas missions. This probably explains the small twinges of guilt I felt when others gushed about their longing to serve God on the mission field. Nothing about that vocation seemed appealing to me, nor did the yearly short-term missions trips the college hosted, when vanloads of students travelled to Mexico or flew to other far-away locales to offer children a week of Vacation Bible School, or to build an outdoor baño."

Mbewe's "Pastoral Preaching: Building A People For God" (Book Review), Gary R. Peterson

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Schoentube's "Gospel In Transformation: Rethinking Of Goessner’S Insights, Lutheran Heritage In Relation To Mission" (Book Review), Gary R. Averill

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Maule's "Isesomo: God’S Servant In Congo" (Book Review), Mary Ann Buhler

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

George's "Jesus Beyond Borders: Towards A “Glocal” Christology" (Book Review), Rory Patterson

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Agang's "No More Cheeks To Turn?" (Book Review), David H. Michaels

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Ntlha's "Out Of The Shadows Of African Traditional Religion: Christ’S Deliverance Of A Sangoma" (Book Review), Gary R. Peterson

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Green, Pardue, And Yeos' "The Spirit Over The Earth: Pneumatology In The Majority World" (Book Review), Darcy R. Gullacher

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Das And Hamounds' "Strangers In The Kingdom: Ministering To Refugees, Migrants, And The Stateless" (Book Review), Leslie Starasta

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Oral Culture And Digital Natives: What The American Church Can Learn From The Mission Field, Pamela Jean Hiscock Braman

Doctor of Ministry

Digital Natives (those who have grown up with technology) are not just a new generation, they are a new culture which learns in a different way than the literate culture of preceding generations, but with significant similarities to oral cultures. Because of this, storytelling training models effectively working within oral culture can be utilized with Digital Natives for the successful training of emerging leaders within the Church. Section 1 describes the problem: Digital Natives differ greatly from the generations before them, including the way they learn. This creates a challenge to the Church in developing new generations of Christian leaders. …

Lessons Learned In Eurasia Ministry: Mostly The Hard Way, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The present article is based on a speech delivered at a conference of the United Methodist Church: “Eurasia-Central Asia – In Mission Together,” Fulton, Maryland, May 5, 2017.

Foreword To When Helping Works, Randy Woodley

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Michael Badriaki is about to take you on an important dialogical journey simply for the cost of his book. With over twenty years of experience working in Africa, Asia, the UK, Haiti, and America, Michael Badriaki knows how to go deep into the areas vexing our own souls and consciences with a gentleness that perhaps only a person who has participated in both sides of Christian mission and international development work could accomplish.

A Simple Cup Of Coffee: What Starbucks Can Teach The Church About Hospitality In How We Reach Our Neighbors, John Austin Hinkle Jr.

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation explores a local church’s implementation of Christian hospitality through the examination of a local Starbucks coffee house that successfully offers hospitality to its customers both in and outside its community. A critical problem facing mainline churches today is a decline in overall membership and worship participation. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has experienced a significant decline over the last 40 years. This decline is now being experienced even in larger evangelical churches. In this dissertation the researcher plans to explore whether a local Presbyterian Church can more effectively reach out to its neighboring community by renewing and implementing outward …

Daniel As An Example Of Exceptional Cross Cultural Leadership, Debby Thomas

Faculty Publications - College of Business

This paper presents Daniel as a prototypical model of an excellent cross-cultural Christian leader. The GLOBE project research on cross-cultural leaders is consulted and five cross cultural leadership qualities are identified based on their acceptance in all cultures studied: integrity, performance oriented, visionary, inspirational, and team builder as found in Dorfman’s research originating from the GLOBE project.1 God’s intervention in Daniel’s leadership is also considered as a significant factor in Daniel’s cross-cultural success as a leader. Exegetical analysis of Daniel 1 and 2 verifies that Daniel meets the criteria of an excellent cross-cultural leader as proposed by Dorfman. Daniel presents …

Friends In India And Asia, Ron Stansell

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Friends In Eastern Africa, Ann K. Riggs

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Friends In Central Africa, D. Elizabeth Todd

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Friends In South America, Harold Thomas

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Friends In Central America, D. Gene Pickard

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Quakers In Central America, Alvin Anderson, Lucy Anderson

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

An Expression Of Faith That Fits (Chapter 8 Of Starting Missional Churches), A.J. Swoboda

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

With a wealth of dynamic information regarding the people of his city, Pastor AJ Swoboda, of the Foursquare Church tradition, writes a compelling chapter on planting a church in the unique place of Portland, Oregon. Beginning in their living room, AJ's family pursued God's initiatives by meeting people in a local coffee shop. In three years they have missionally joined God in creating an expression of faith that fits the unique people of Portland. If you are interested in bivocational ministry or how your academic background can equip you for church planting, please continue to read.

The Nature Of Evangelism In Missional Churches, Russell York

Doctor of Ministry

Evangelism has long been at the heart of God's mission for the church. The arrival of the twenty-first century brought with it renewed interest in both the mission of the church and evangelism, a practice central to the church's mission. A leading factor in this resurgence is the decline in church attendance over the past several decades. The most influential factors leading to the decline in attendance are culture changes from modernism to postmodemism and from a Christendom society to a post-Christian pluralistic society. These culture shifts resulted in the diminishing influence of the church and non-Christians' often harboring hostile …

Dependence Versus Independence: An Evaluation Of The Relationship Between World Gospel Mission And The Africa Gospel Church In Kenya, Patrick L. Murunga

Doctor of Ministry

Africa Gospel Church has a serious problem of an unhealthy relationship with the World Gospel Mission. Since its inception, the mission has struggled to let go off the church. The church on the other hand, has been happy to see this relationship go on in the same dependent way without much concern. The Africa Gospel Church is over seventy years now and is at a place in its life where it needs to chart its own course.

This study evaluates the relationship between the mission agency and the Africa Gospel Church in Kenya. It investigates the historical challenges that might …