Christianity Commons^™

Discerning The Covenant Renewal Model, Randy Robert Butler

Doctor of Ministry

Modem Christians in the United States are products of both their environment and their past. In a time when "cultural relevancy" is the buzz word, there appears to be a desperate attempt to "get it right" with God. Modems have jumped from fads to fashions to forms, all in an attempt to find a connection with God. Yet there appears to be restlessness within the body of Christ. There is also division within the body of Christ. With the rise of postmodern Christians and the emerging church, modem Christians are left scratching their heads, searching for answers to questions that …

Igniting A Parent-Church Movement In The Congregations Of North America, John C. Bangs

Doctor of Ministry

Guided by the misleading church planting metaphor, North America's churches do not establish thriving new congregations in sufficient numbers to evangelize emerging generations effectively. A better metaphor is needed. In order to reach and disciple emerging North American generations effectively, a church parenting culture must be created in North American churches. The purpose of this project is to provide a book designed to motivate potential parent-churches to conceive, birth, and nurture daughter congregations. Section 2 establishes the priority of starting new churches in the evangelistic task. The section also demonstrates that existing churches do not establish a sufficient number of …

Recovering Spiritual Direction In The Protestant Tradition, Morris Dirks

Doctor of Ministry

The purpose of this dissertation is to foster a commitment to the development of spiritual direction in the ongoing care of pastors within the Protestant tradition. The need to recover this practice, once well established in the church, is made obvious by the increasing challenges faced in ministry and the spiritual and emotional impact now experienced by pastors. More and more leaders are losing their way as a result of the unchecked stress fostered by the overwhelming expectations, whether real or perceived, which are placed on them. Pastoral responsibilities have been significantly compounded by the increasing programmatic and executive functions …

On The Origin And Intent Of The Quaker Women's Meeting: Promoting And Preserving The Influence Of Women During And Beyond The Period Of Institutionalization, John Ross

Doctor of Ministry

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) had as a hallmark from its inception, a strong commitment to egalitarian theology and practice. As the movement took shape in the 1640s and 50s, women were prominent among their preachers, leaders, and evangelists. As the Quakers began to institutionalize in the 1660s, women Friends were in real danger of being marginalized, their voices lost behind a complex system of meetings for business and government. The answer proposed by Quaker leaders George Fox and Margaret Fell was the Women's Meeting. These meetings, settled throughout England and eventually throughout the world, mirrored the monthly, quarterly, …

Devotio Moderna: The Cornerstone Of The Reformation, Willis Miller

Doctor of Ministry

Standing up to the ecclesiastical institutions of the late fourteenth century, the Devotio Moderna formed in the hopes of reforming the Catholic church. By comprehensively reviewing the Devotio Moderna, this thesis explores the question; was the Protestant Reformation possible without the steady and penetrating influence the Devout Brothers and Sisters? In contrast to the schismatic Reformation arriving a century later, this reformation pursued spiritual renewal for both laity and clergy. The movement achieved a measure of success, but in a manner the founders might not have anticipated. The Devout Brothers and Sisters lived in stark contrast to the failing Church; …

Tensions Between Evangelical Protestants In The Former Soviet Union And America Since 1989 - A Reflective Commentary, Walter Sawatsky

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Faith In The Midst Of Transformed Societies, Charles West

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Tensions Within Religious Communities In The Balkans, Paul Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Payton's "Light From The Christian East: An Introduction To The Orthodox Tradition" And Letham's "Through Western Eyes: Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Perspective" - Book Review, Donald Fairbairn

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Aleksov's "Religious Dissent Between The Modern And The National: Nazarenes In Hungary And Serbia 1850-1914" - Book Review, Angéla Ilić

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Living On The Edge, Paul Crego

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Caree Carries Subversive Memories: Recent Reflections On Ministry In Former Yugoslavia, Gerald Shenk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

An Ethnically Well-Mixed Christian, Peter Kuzmič

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Maintaining Spiritual Connectedness Over An Entire Ministry By Elders In The North Georgia Annual Conference Of The United Methodist Church, Charles W. Green

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Wealth And Discipleship In Affluent America, Jeffrey T. Lincicome

Doctor of Ministry

The question addressed by this dissertation may be stated as follows: How do wealth and affluence affect individual and communal Christian discipleship? In response, we propose that while wealth and affluence provide some discipleship opportunities, there are many more dangers and risks to Christian discipleship connected to wealth and affluence. To be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in the midst of affluence, people must be aware of its dangers, and have a church home committed to wrestling with the challenges together. In Chapter 1, the ministry challenge is described through the narrative account of church members and a description of …

On Inter-Church Dialogue In Hungary - Current Situation, Angela Ilić

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Ideology Or Isolationism? Russian Identity And Its Influence On Orthodox-Catholic Relations Part Iii: Pope John Paul Ii And A Prospective Visit To Russia, Catherine Clare Caridi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Liturgy And Revolution Part Ii: Radical Christianity, Radical Democracy, And Revolution In Georgia, W. Benjamin Boswell

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

The Fingerprint Of Denominational Secondary Schools - Sector Specific Features Among Graduating Students In Universities And Colleges, Gabriella Pusztai

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Setting The Background: An Assessment From North Of The Border, James R. Payton Jr.

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

On Inter-Church Dialogue In Serbia - Current Situation, Luka Ilić

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Communique, Jubilee Velehrad Congress Towards Deeper Solidarity Among Christians In Europe

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Ideology Or Isolationism? Russian Identity And Its Influence On Orthodox-Catholic Relations Part Ii: Russian Identity And Roman Catholicism, Catherine Clare Caridi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Orthodoxy And The New Russia, Jonathan Clarke, Duncan Reid Thd, Med

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This paper examines the contemporary phenomenon of the reemergence of the Orthodox Church not only as the leading religious institution of post-Soviet Russia, but also as a core marker of identity. The disappearance of the Soviet Union has produced a profound crisis of idemity in Russia. Traditional markers of identity, particularly the Orthodox Church, have assumed an importance hardly anticipated before the collapse of the USSR.

Being A Christian Or A Muslim -How?- The Question Is Now, Marko P. Djuric

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Christianity and Islam can do a great deal for the cause of human justice and interethnic peace. The most important task today is to work on reconciliation and on creating an atmosphere of mutual t1ust. This is the only way in which we can avoid the Balkans being once again, in the future, a region with an "excess of history." But as regards the Church and Islam, they must work on a theology that will ensure mutual respect and eliminate mutual prejudices. However, a theology of this kind has yet to feature in our Eastern Orthodoxy.

Murzaku's "Catholicism, Culture, Conversion: The History Of The Jesuits In Albania (1841-1946)" - Book Review, Dermot Quinn

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Liturgy And Revolution Part 1: Georgian Baptists And The Non-Violent Struggle For Democracy, W. Benjamin Boswell

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Pastoral Care, An Effective Front Porch For The Postmodern Church, Mark B. Hale

Doctor of Ministry

For over 18 years, Disney has offered over a million alumni the opportunity to benchmark the philosophies of the Walt Disney World resort. Since I am implementing the metaphor of the front porch as an integral part of the overall care model of the church, I ask, who better implements a welcoming, front porch atmosphere than Disney? Where Disney has elevated the mouse as its icon of celebrating and welcoming, I propose that Jesus is the icon for the front porch.

Rex Miller in The Millenium Matrix reminds us, "That original thinking will certainly include experimenting with past mediums of …

Spiritual Formation: An Emerging Narrative In Clinical Supervision Of Counseling And Family Therapy, Evangeline Willms Thiessen

Doctor of Ministry

Clinical professionals in the disciplines of counseling and family therapy, despite the many decades of separation between spirituality and science, currently face the challenge to attend to the spiritual realities and resources of clients' stories. As spirituality, an aspect of therapeutic diversity, moves increasingly to the forefront of counseling and family therapy literature, many clinicians still find it uncomfortable or difficult to negotiate the experiential path of addressing spirituality in practice. Although the need to address spirituality and religion is recognized, there continues to be a lack of conceptualization and methodology to guide the training experiences and preparation of clinicians. …

Creating An Environment For Growth: Utilizing Classical Spiritual Disciplines Within A Spiritual Formation Curriculum For A Postmodern World, John R. Morley Jr.

Doctor of Ministry

The postmodern college students of today are highly tolerant of others, technologically advanced, overly protected, and exceedingly busy. Excitedly though, many of these young men and women, desire to live in community and are returning to more traditional Christian values. These spiritually sensitive students are looking for ways to grow in their personal relationship with Christ and serve others in the world. They are coming to traditional Christian colleges in record numbers in search of opportunities to deepen their walk with Christ, but many of these students do not possess the necessary tools to do so. To help these young …