Practical Theology Commons^™

Beyond Mindfulness: Expanding Integration Of Spirituality And Religion Into Psychotherapy, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Since the publication of Bergin’s classic 1980 paper “Psychotherapy and Religious Values” in the Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, an enormous amount of quality research has been conducted on the integration of religious and spiritual values and perspectives into the psychotherapy endeavor. Numerous empirical studies, chapters, books, blogs, and specialty organizations have emerged in the past 35 years that have helped researchers and clinicians alike come to appreciate the value of religion and spirituality in the psychotherapeutic process. While so much has been accomplished in this area of integration, so much more needs to occur in order for the …

Truth, Justice, And The Common Good: Core Capstone Final Essay, Valentina De Santis (Class Of 2016)

Writing Across the Curriculum

The course Truth, Justice, and the Common Good brought awareness to themes of the environment, common good, and social issues. Environmental justice is the involvement of the society to respect and care for environmental laws and regulations. It is a part of the common good to appreciate and respect the natural world. The common good is customized toward every individual and it is the decision of the human being to recognize the common good daily. From the readings and presentations in class, a correlation was formed between beliefs and values towards topics in religion, justice, and community.

Connecting With Your Spouse, Trevor O'Reggio

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Christian Perspective On Watching Secular Tv Programming, S. Joseph Kidder, David K. Penno

Faculty Publications

This article is designed to help parents educate their children how to manage the viewing of television (TV) programming from a Christian perspective. We will address the viewing of TV programming through the various media available today. Although people use the traditional TV set less, research indicates that they watch more programming via a variety of sources (TV sets, iPads, internet, etc.). The principles addressed in this article also apply to movies in the theater, videos on YouTube, and other visual media.

Sex, Drugs And Alcohol: What Adventist College Students Say About The Role Of Parents And Religion, Alina M. Baltazar, Duane C. Mcbride, Curtis J. Vanderwaal, Kathryn Conopio

Faculty Publications

Relationships with peers, parents, and God make a difference in the behavior choices of youth. If a young person spends time with peers who don’t use substances and are planning to wait until they get married to have sex, they are less likely to engage in these behaviors. In addition, if the youth has a close relationship with parents who clearly state their standards regarding substance use and premarital sex, they are less likely to practice these behaviors. Finally, when the young person has a close relationship with God, they are more likely to care about the religious standards such …

Life-Changing Stories: The Ministry Of Sharing Jesus – Part 3., S. Joseph Kidder, Kristy L. Hodson

Faculty Publications

"We have looked at stories of elders who have reached out to their congregations through prayer and the ministry of presence. Now we turn our attention to elders who are intentional about evangelistic ministry and sharing Jesus in order “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). It is our desire that you will be as inspired as we were by these elders."

Global South Christianity And Adventism: Trends And Implications, Christopher R. Mwashinga

Andrews University Seminary Student Journal

In recent decades, Christianity has experienced two major phenomena as a religion: its decline in the global North (Europe and North America) and its rise in the global South (Africa, Asia, and South America). The Seventh-day Adventist Church as a denomination has experienced similar trends. The global South has become the home to the majority of Adventists in the world and the global North is now home to only a minority. Studies show that this southward movement in Christian and Adventist demographics may continue for several decades. Studies also indicate a steady growth of other world religions on the continent …

Not Sinking With The Titanic: Personal Agency As A Key Factor In Transforming Trauma Into Posttraumatic Growth, Alida C. Vandijk

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The discipline of spiritual care and psychotherapy integrates theology with social sciences. Theological reflection is the lens through which the social sciences are engaged. Using the theoretical framework of theological reflexivity and an understanding of people as living human documents, this doctoral dissertation examines the question, “What are some factors that enable an individual to transform a self-defined traumatic experience into posttraumatic growth?” The existential question of trauma and suffering is explored using the biblical narrative of the concubine in Judges 19 to examine her powerlessness and victimization, the narrative of Job to wrestle with the question of unjust suffering, …

Book Review: Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st Century Model For Church And Ministry Leaders By Aubrey Malphurs, Chase Weeks

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

A Practical Guide For Creating A Group Environment To Reach A Postmodern World, Anthony Michael Randall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are disturbing statistics about the number of young people who are leaving the church after they graduate high school and are no longer bound by obligation to the family to attend worship services. If the church does not begin to change its methodology, it will not be able to succeed in reaching this generation. This project seeks to help local churches create an environment in their groups that is comfortable and engaging to the postmodern generation. Churches must create a group environment that not only fosters true Biblical community but also engages our congregations in fulfilling the mission of …

Church Growth And Outreach Lessons From The Oil Boom In North Dakota, Mark R. Teasdale, Steve Trefz

Great Commission Research Journal

Using primary data collected from four churches situated in the North Dakota towns of Williston and Watford City, this study considers how the outreach ministries of these churches have been affected by the massive population growth brought about by the oil boom in the Bakken region. Drawing from the survey responses provided by the leaders of these congregations, the study concludes that people engaged in new outreach ministries can apply several lessons, including the definition of evangelism, the importance of relationship building, the need for multifaceted teams and resources, and issues with denominational support.

A Framework For Developing Global Leadership According To The Apostle Paul, Peter Rios

Great Commission Research Journal

Globalization is inevitable. There is no longer any need to debate whether an organization or a leader should consider becoming global. Such a discussion is as dead as universities debating whether they should have online studies. Being a global leader or organization is imperative today, especially if the goal of the organization is to extend the reach of its markets. The apostle Paul personified global leadership during the course of his ministry. The skills he displayed as a leader were (1) having a global mentality, (2) becoming all things, (3) displaying cultural agility, (4) overcoming adversity, (5) assembling strategic teams, …

Book Review: Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around And Yours Can Too By Ed Stetzer And Mike Dodson, Philips Sunday Akinbobola

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

A Historical Analysis Of Hinderances Related To The Slow Growth Of Christianity In Thailand, Kelly Michael Hilderbrand

Great Commission Research Journal

From the very beginning, Christianity has experienced slow growth in Thailand. This article examines the historical hindrances to growth in Thailand. What are they, and why have they hindered church growth? Early hindrances have included climate and disease, ministry approaches, and a lack of persecution. Historical and present hindrances are also examined, including the foreignness of Christianity, confrontational evangelism, and the Thai patron-client social structure. Once identified, missions organizations and missionaries can make adjustments to be more eff­ective in impacting the kingdom of Thailand for the gospel.

The Lost Balance In Missions Today, Mike Morris

Great Commission Research Journal

Many evangelical Christian missiologists emphasize search-only theology (i.e., search theology that is not balanced by harvest theology). When the Great Commission is reexamined, search-only theology deficiencies are revealed. When search-only proponents attempt to sow seed speedily in all UPGs at the same time without regard for receptivity, poor stewardship of gospel seed is evident. A lack of thorough discipleship results in UdPGs. Such speedy search-only theology is not the pattern set by Jesus or Paul. ƒe dangers of search-only theology’s emphasis on speed include placing unqualified people in leadership positions and getting involved in the deceptive insider movement.

Book Review: Donald A. Mcgavran: A Biography Of The Twentieth Century’S Premier Missiologist By Gary Mcintosh, Mike Morris

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Whose Story To Join? The Problem Of Social Plausibility, Social Missions Stations, And Their Relationship To Church Planting Movements, J. S. Williams

Great Commission Research Journal

Donald McGavran challenged the missions community sixty years ago to use the natural social bridges of a community, rather than create new ones, to see the gospel spread. This paper builds on this concept by applying social plausibility theory, as articulated by Peter Berger and Thomas Tuckman, to three case studies of church planting efforts among Muslims. The paper indicates, in keeping with McGavran, that missionaries may still construct “sociological mission stations” if they do not intentionally present the gospel to families and social networks instead of individuals.

William Carey’S Vision For Missionary Partnerships, Andrew D. Mcfarland

Great Commission Research Journal

When the English Baptist missionary William Carey left England bound for India in 1793, he did not attempt the effort alone. Instead, he thought a brotherhood of serious Christians residing in England as essential for the undertaking. However, he expected them to provide more than funding. He trusted them to supply the love, encouragement, and support that would make missionary service possible. As a result, the partnership of William Carey with the BMS was founded on interdependence, and Carey’s devotion to this fueled his perseverance through seasons of painful challenges. This was Carey’s vision for missionary partnerships.

Fritz's "Freedom: Battle Strategies For Conquering Temptation" (Book Review), Gary R. Averill

The Christian Librarian

A review of Fritz, E. (2015). Freedom: Battle strategies for conquering temptation. San Francisco, CA: Ignatious Press. 203 pp. $ 14.95. ISBN 9781621640691

Stott's "The Grace Of Giving" And Wright's "The Gift Of Accountability" (Book Review), Paul Roberts

The Christian Librarian

A review of Stott, J. (2016). The grace of giving: 10 principles of Christian giving. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers. 33 pp. ISBN 9781598568738

and

Wright, C. J. H. (2016). The gift of accountability: A short guide to financial accountability. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers. 39 pp. ISBN: 9781619707641