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Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology
Redeeming Pastoral Evaluation: A Comprehensive Approach To Annual Pastoral Evaluation In A Congregation-Led Church, Drake Andrew Caudill
Redeeming Pastoral Evaluation: A Comprehensive Approach To Annual Pastoral Evaluation In A Congregation-Led Church, Drake Andrew Caudill
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Surrendering to the biblical mandate and God's call to pastoral ministry produces profound joy. However, pastoral burnout intensifies, and pastors leave the ministry at a staggering rate. Adding to the pressure of pastoral ministry, many churches implement an annual pastoral performance review policy. Imitating secular employment performance reviews, many churches base successful pastoral ministry on numerical metrics, performance goals, and preaching effectiveness. The researcher evaluated various pastoral evaluation forms across different denominations. Additionally, the researcher investigated the biblical theology of pastoral leadership. The action research project aimed to design a comprehensive, intentional, and biblical pastoral evaluation strategy for a congregation-led …
Pastoral Prose And Civic Engagement: Crafting The Call To The Public Square, Christopher Ian Thoma
Pastoral Prose And Civic Engagement: Crafting The Call To The Public Square, Christopher Ian Thoma
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis explores the relationship between creative writing techniques employed by pastors and congregational engagement in the public square. The central thesis posits that if pastors incorporate creative writing methods in extended weekly communications with congregants, then the necessary factors for engagement in the public square will be fostered, leading to attitudinal shifts demonstrated by increased congregational interest or participation in civil affairs. Through an extensive literature review, the thesis fairly examines historical and contemporary views of church and state, the Two Kingdoms doctrine, concepts relative to public square participation, Christianity’s waning cultural influence, communication science, developmental theory, literature familiarity, …
Increasing Church Growth Potential Through Education And Implementation Of The Biblically Defined Roles Of The Pastor And The Body Of Christ, Gregory Alan Kincaid
Increasing Church Growth Potential Through Education And Implementation Of The Biblically Defined Roles Of The Pastor And The Body Of Christ, Gregory Alan Kincaid
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This action research project focuses on church growth. It posits that if a congregation is taught and implements the biblical roles of the pastor and the church Body, then the church should grow quantitatively and qualitatively. To test this assumption, the roles of the pastor and that of the Body were delineated, taught, and practiced throughout a year-long study. Emphasis was placed on how God equipped every member of the Body to perform ministry within the church and outreach from the church. To reinforce the differences in the roles, study participants were required to actively participate in life groups with …
A Strategic Spiritual Formation Study Based On The Book Of Malachi, Rand Muender
A Strategic Spiritual Formation Study Based On The Book Of Malachi, Rand Muender
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A review of current literature on spiritual disciplines demonstrates the need for a pastor to successfully implement an exegetical preaching methodology toward spiritual formation. The goal of this project is to answer: “What impact would a strategic spiritual formation study based upon the Book of Malachi implemented by a pastor have on a local church that is below 200 in attendance?” Incorporating the results of surveys sent to pastors within The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia having below 200 in attendance, this project will review theological, historical, and exegetical, perspectives and principles for a biblical methodology for spiritual formation.
Ten Essential Lessons Learned When Transitioning From A Long-Term Tenured Pastor In The African American Baptist Church, Marcus Allen
Ten Essential Lessons Learned When Transitioning From A Long-Term Tenured Pastor In The African American Baptist Church, Marcus Allen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
When a pastor has a served long tenure at one church, the members hold this individual in high regard. He has conducted many marriages and countless burial ceremonies, baptized most of the membership, and have been there for the members and their families during their most difficult moments in life. When pastors are called to these churches, they are faced with several challenges. The church is unsure of the leadership ability of the new pastor, their expectations are high, congregants are hesitant to change things, and refuse to be challenged with new methods of doing ministry. This research is based …
The Aging Process And How That Affects Judgement And Choices In Youth Ministry, Ricky Harris
The Aging Process And How That Affects Judgement And Choices In Youth Ministry, Ricky Harris
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis will explore the correlation between developmental life stages and how these stages affect student ministers’ approaches to ministry in southern Baptist churches. The rationale for this thesis is to help student ministers realize that longevity in their vein of ministry is achievable and also to provide a guide for how they may process aging in ministry. Search committees will be able to use this information while seeking to fill this staff position, considering the needs of their congregation and students. Books and journals will be reviewed for content on developmental life stage characteristics. Student ministers will be surveyed …
The Pastor's Faithless Child: Strengthening Methods For Hurting Parent-Pastors, Ryan Ayers
The Pastor's Faithless Child: Strengthening Methods For Hurting Parent-Pastors, Ryan Ayers
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Parent-pastors face challenges when balancing vocational and familial responsibilities every day, and when faithless adolescent children are part of their family dynamic the hardship is magnified. These pastors often experience debilitating critique from their faith communities and colleagues while carrying the burden of raising a rebellious child. Utilizing a phenomenological study process, one hundred transparent interviews with parent-pastors are used to identify assumptions and realities surrounding the hurting parent-pastor's dilemma. Leading principles that have helped other parent-pastors cope with the overwhelming affects of their child's behavior will be introduced, empowering those who are hurting identify their stress points and overcome …
A Pastor's Approach To Discipleship And Its Effect On The Local Church: A Three-Step Approach To Biblical Discipleship, Daniel Smith
A Pastor's Approach To Discipleship And Its Effect On The Local Church: A Three-Step Approach To Biblical Discipleship, Daniel Smith
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The current condition of the local church is in need for revitalization. The process of discipleship within the church has been viewed as an underlining issue for the local church. The purpose of this project is to determine the ways in which the pastor influences discipleship in the local church in the areas of formation, transformation, and application. The pastor's practice of ministry is reviewed by looking at both the pastor's and members' perspective concerning the pastor's approach to discipleship. The pastor's approach to discipleship is observed in three areas, including formation, transformation, and application. Through careful observation, a three-step …
Homegrown Pastors: Seven Timeless Reasons Why You Should Consider Starting A Church In Your Community, Joshua Turner
Homegrown Pastors: Seven Timeless Reasons Why You Should Consider Starting A Church In Your Community, Joshua Turner
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis is an investigation into the advantages of planting churches in the lead planter's hometown. According to Dr. Jim Slack, missiologist for the International Mission Board, "The only feasible and viable means of planting enough churches to gain on the yearly population gains and the primarily unchurched/unsaved basic population is to plant indigenous, generationally multiplying neighborhood, `house' churches initiated by neighborhood laymen who can pastor those new churches." This claim is reinforced by the understanding that the best person to reach a national is a national within that people group who already possesses valuable connecting resources through family and …
Pastoral Care: A New Model For Assessing The Spiritual Needs Of Hospitalized Patients, Douglas Robinson
Pastoral Care: A New Model For Assessing The Spiritual Needs Of Hospitalized Patients, Douglas Robinson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Hospitalized patients are at an elevated risk of suffering from spiritual distress. Patients value and expect having spiritual and emotional needs met when hospitalized. A direct correlation exists between spiritual and physical health, making spiritual assessment and care a pastoral priority. Research indicates a lack of proper training for pastors making hospital visits. The purpose of this project is to provide pastors with resources and understanding of spiritual assessment of hospitalized patients. This project also provides pastors with a template for a new model of spiritual assessment to aid with establishing a spiritual assessment tool to meet their ministry needs, …
An Examination Of Key Foundational Elements For Pastoral Identity As Found In The Life And Writings Of The Apostle Paul, Carl Taylor
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The challenges of pastoral ministry can be seen since New Testament times. Studies reveal that an alarming number of pastors leave the ministry each year. Those that remain in ministry often see their families in turmoil as a result of the hardships of ministry. The Apostle Paul's ministry challenges are detailed and described for today's pastor through the New Testament. Today's pastor can learn a great deal from Paul's example in regard to how to finish the race of ministry. Through an examination of Paul's writings, writings about Paul in the book of Acts, surveys with pastors, and a review …