Christian Denominations and Sects Commons^™

Lessons Of The Jerusalem Council For The Church’S Debate Over Sexuality, Bill T. Arnold

The Asbury Journal

The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) gets widespread attention today as a model for decision-making in the church, especially with regard to the changing cultural mores related to same-sex practices. This study investigates hermeneutical assumptions in two scholarly treatments of Acts 15 in light of the literary and historical context of the Jerusalem Council, including a few exegetical details. The study focuses especially on the specifics of the Apostolic Decree in verses 28-29. The aim of the investigation is to evaluate the chapter’s use in current debates over sexual ethics, and to propose appropriate lessons of the Jerusalem Council based on …

New Testament Considerations On Unity And “Amicable Separation” In The United Methodist Church, Christopher T. Bounds

The Asbury Journal

This paper explores the proposal of “Amicable Separation” in The United Methodist Church through the lens of New Testament teaching on Church unity and schism. First, the concept of ecclesial oneness is examined closely in the Gospel of John, Ephesians, and other related passages. Second, every instance of schism or threat of schism is studied in Acts, I Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians, I Timothy, and I and II John to see how separation is understood and addressed. After a summary of the study is given, application is made finally to the “Amicable Separation” proposal.

From The Archives: Sunday School Cards- An Innovation In Christian Education

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Quaker Themes And Interpretations In Following Jesus: The Heart Of Faith And Practice By Paul Anderson, Carole Spencer

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Review Of The Oxford Handbook Of Quaker Studies, Paul N. Anderson

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Friends In Ireland And Europe, Johan Maurer

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Friends In Asia-West Pacific, Gerard Guiton

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Friends United Meeting, Sylvia Graves

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Friends In Eastern Africa, Ann K. Riggs

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.

Review Of Paul Buckley, The Essential Elias Hicks, T. Vail Palmer

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Tribute To Canby Jones (A Poem), Arthur O. Roberts

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

An Exploratory, Correlational, Self-Rater Study On Authentic Leadership Values Of Adventist Local Conference Chief Financial Officers In The United States, Juan R. Prestol-Puesán

Dissertations

The Problem

Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) local conference treasurers, or Chief Financial Officers, are trusted by church members to manage the finances of the church and provide financial leadership, yet the denomination does not know how treasurers develop their values and leadership capacity as financial administrators. This study examined how treasurers compare with the leadership values of morality, integrity, and fairness prevalent today in positive forms of leadership theories. It explores SDA treasurer or financial officer self-assessment with the rating that their team members provide, allowing us to know the authenticity of their values as leaders.

Method

This is a census …

Perceptions Of Leadership Characteristics Of Principals Who Influence Positive School Culture In A Midwest Adventist Union : A Qualitative Study, Evelyn P. Savory

Dissertations

Problem. Principals struggle to sustain a positive culture in their schools. Many studies have identified that principals play a key role in influencing the school culture. However, no known study has examined leadership characteristics of Adventist principals and their influence on positive school culture in Adventist schools.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to understand and describe leadership characteristics of principals, who foster a positive culture in Adventist schools in a Midwest Seventh-day Adventist Union.

Method. This qualitative multiple-case study design was utilized to explore and describe the lived experiences of principals and key stakeholders, school board chairs, and …

Factors Related To Declining Attendance At The Adult Sabbath School In The North American Division Of Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Laurentiu A. Serban

Dissertations

Problem. From the time of its inception in the 1850s until the early part of the 20th century, the Adventist Sabbath School in North America was highly attended. During those times Sabbath School reached the highest attendance rate when Sabbath School membership was sometimes even larger than church membership. Following that time, the attendance rate at Sabbath School has significantly declined. Currently it is estimated that less than 25% of the Seventh-day Adventist Church membership in North America attends Sabbath School on a regular basis. This study explores factors related to declining attendance at the adult Sabbath School in the …

Major Gifts To The Seed Company : Who Gives Them And Why, Michael E. Toupin

Dissertations

The Seed Company, a faith-based organization committed to Bible translation projects for hundreds of minority language communities, depends upon major donor support for its success and growth. There is a dearth of research available regarding philanthropic characteristics of major donors within The Seed Company resulting in a significant knowledge gap for healthy major donor programs based upon objective data. This study confirmed the value of several development approaches, particularly the importance of intentionally building a sense of community and relationship around the cause of the organization.

The study analyzed relationships between demographics, experiences related to the organization, and six independent …

Attitudes And Beliefs Of Seventh-Day Adventists Concerning Psychology, Counseling, And Mental Health Issues, Kristy Koeppe

Dissertations

Problem. As in the mainstream population, Adventists are dealing with a variety of mental health issues, and there has been no empirical research which explored their attitudes and beliefs concerning psychology, counseling, and mental health issues.

Method. A survey was used to collect data on beliefs about psychology, attitudes towards counseling, beliefs about mental health issues, and beliefs about medical care from a sample of 317 Adventist adults from the Illinois Conference. Data were also analyzed to understand the relationship between the independent variables—gender, utilization of psychological services, the Seventh-day Adventist’s degree of knowledge about the writings of Ellen G. …

The Relationship Of Family, Church, School, Peers, Media, And Adventist Culture To The Religiosity Of Adventist Youth In Puerto Rico, Edwin P. Alicea Santiago

Dissertations

Problem. No formal study that considers the influence of the family, church, school, peers, media, and Adventist culture on the denominational loyalty, Christian commitment, and religious behavior of Adventist young people of Puerto Rico has previously been conducted. Therefore, pastors, parents, teachers, church leaders, and administrators have no data on which to base their assessment of the religiosity of Adventist young people.

Method. This study used youth ages 14 to 21 from the youth sample of the Avance PR study conducted in 1995 in Adventist schools and churches in Puerto Rico. For the analysis, the sample was divided. When studying …