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Courtly And Queer: Deconstruction, Desire, And Medieval French Literature, By Charlie Samuelson, Anna Klosowska

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Embodying Jesus' Mission: Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care, Melanie Cole

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation was to ascertain the need for trauma-informed training in pastoral preparation programs. To achieve this goal, the researcher examined the main components of Jesus’ mission manifesto as detailed by Luke in his gospel narrative. The researcher evaluated the main components of Jesus’ programmatic speech in Nazareth including, but not limited to, the key Isaianic reference Jesus reflects on and the people his mission was geared towards. Subsequently, the researcher conducted a contemporary literature review on trauma. The researcher defined trauma, assessed the impact of trauma and investigated the healing process for victims of trauma. The …

Clinical Implications For Helping Professionals Learned From The Pastoral Care Of Lgbtq+ Youth, John Willis Ward, Heather Deal, Gaynor Yancey

Funded Scholarship

This qualitative article is informed by queer theory, and more specifically queer theology, and explores how youth ministers in various denominations care for LGBTQ+ teenagers in their congregations. Seven youth pastors from three major denominational groups were interviewed from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), Alliance of Baptists, and Presbyterian Church, USA (PC-USA). Participants had to identify as LGBTQ+ affirming, though their congregations could be in various states of affirmation. Thematic analysis found the following significant categories: confidentiality, implications of whole church engagement, student-led engagement, theology/image of God, and degree of support for identity development.

Guarding The Faith Or Resisting Dialogue?: Anti-Ecumenical Tendencies In Bulgarian Orthodoxy, Ioannis Kaminis

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This paper explores the historical, theological, and ideological roots of anti-ecumenical tendencies within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), especially in the post-communist period. It examines whether the BOC's resistance to ecumenical dialogue genuinely reflects a defense of Orthodox tradition or represents a reactionary posture shaped by national, political, and ecclesiastical factors. Tracing the development of anti-ecumenism from the 19th-century schism with the Ecumenical Patriarchate through the communist era to the post-1990s resurgence of neo-traditionalist rhetoric, the study reveals how the convergence of ecclesial nationalism, ideological manipulation under communism, and theological exclusivism has produced a deep mistrust of ecumenical engagement. Influential …

Ideas Of The "Russian World" And Ukraine: Value Epicrises On The Ukrainian Orthodox Church Under The Moscow Patriarchate, Oleksandr Brodetskyi, Iryna Horokholinska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Against the background of the identity, jurisdictional, and institutional crossroads in which contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy finds itself, the authors analyze the mental, value-related, and personal (linked to the “human factor”) influences in Ukraine of the destructive and militant ideology of the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir), as well as the degree of involvement of leading functionaries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the dissemination of these influences.

The article reveals the mechanisms of the corrosion of spirituality among the ecclesiastical elites of Russia and their satellites in Ukraine. This corrosion is manifested in the substitution of the Church’s …

Innovating Chaplaincy Education: Integrating Nonreligious Spiritual Care Interventions To Serve A Diverse Patient Population, Dianne Dragon

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The transformation to the curriculum taught in chaplain training in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) will now address the spiritual needs of a more diverse, nonreligious, and interfaith population in the United States. Historically rooted in religious frameworks, CPE curricula are evolving to incorporate non-religious spiritual care interventions and promote research literacy among chaplains. This dissertation study uses descriptive analysis to present a study surveying CPE educators across over 300 U.S. based CPE centers to explore teaching practices and adaptation strategies. Findings reveal that integrating evidence-based methods and interdisciplinary collaboration is key to addressing inclusivity and professional competency in chaplaincy. By …

Silent Holy Spirit, October-December, 2024

Silent Holy Spirit

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in St. Louis, MO

Silent Holy Spirit Finding Aid

Harmonizing Faith Across Generations: The Spiritual Resonance Of Modernizing Traditional Worship Lyrics, Hyoeun Eunice Jeon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The quest to create an inclusive worship environment that honors diversity without sacrificing the sacred essence of traditional hymns is challenging. This study is anchored in the understanding that music, as a profound expression of faith, has the power to transform individuals and communities, and therefore modernizing traditional hymn lyrics could be vital in bridging the generational divide. This would then enhance the sense of togetherness in communal worship. By employing a qualitative research approach, this study analyzes the impact of lyrical modernization on intergenerational engagement within worship settings. Data was collected through interviews and participatory observation, tapping into the …

Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling For Bereavement, Wayne A. Benner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The topic of this action research is Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling for grief and bereavement. The need for the research completed is for hospice chaplains to have a workable tool to use for grief and bereavement. The problem is that many hospice chaplains do not have a framework to use for counseling in grief. The action researcher worked on the thesis of if chaplains use Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling for grief they will be more effective. The research was completed using Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling to counsel six participants in grief. Each participant completed a pre-counseling questionnaire and a post-counseling questionnaire to assess …

Addressing A Lack Of Counseling Programs To Diminish The Psychological, Emotional, And Mental Impacts Of Church Closure Grief, Marcel Berrios

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Besides spiritual activities, the social activities that happen in church buildings are vital to the functioning of most communities; therefore, churches play a central role in the social fabric and social infrastructure of communities in ways not necessarily thought about until they are no longer around. The looming absence of this role or function of the church becomes the overarching focus to address when an announcement is made that a church is permanently closing. Lost in navigating the business and community aspects of a church closure is the congregation's metamorphic spiritual, emotional, and psychological journey. Subsequently, many church members are …

Planning In Advance (Pia): Teaching London Seventh-Day-Adventist Church Leaders In Providing Spiritual Care For Dying And Mourning Parishioners, Walace Saint Louis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The London Seventh-Day Adventist Church (LSDAC), Maybee, Michigan, grapples with the lack of trained leaders in EoL to provide pastoral care for dying and mourning African American parishioners. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to educate LSDAC leaders in providing spiritual care for their congregants as lay chaplains. The city of Maybee contains 612 people, with 95 % Caucasians and 5% other racial groups. The LSDAC membership is 99% African Americans and 1% Caucasians. It has around 30 members.

The philosophical concept of this research lies in the presuppositions that African Americans prefer spiritual EoL care from …

Preparing Spiritually Resilient Warriors In The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, Vic Morris

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Morris, Victor E. “Preparing Spiritually Resilient Warriors in the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2024. 285 pp.

The Canadian Armed Forces has outcomes and expectations for warriors to be spiritually resilient but does not have a training program that has been researched, tested, and validated to achieve this. This study investigates how chaplains can prepare spiritually resilient warriors in CANSOFCOM. A chaplain-led spiritual resilience course was created and delivered to CANSOFCOM members. The course was aligned with the holistic wellness strategy of OPF2, and designed as an inductive, experiential learning experience. An …

Sustaining Hope: Building A Community Chaplaincy Model As A Framework For Spiritual And Emotional Support For Cancer Survivors And Those Affected By Cancer In The Local Church And Community, Johnnie Maddox Quiller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This doctoral research explores the development of a community chaplaincy model that provides spiritual and emotional support for cancer survivors, caregivers, and those affected by cancer within local churches and communities. By centering on Restoration Worship Center, the study underscores the pivotal role faith communities play in addressing the multidimensional needs: spiritual, emotional, and practical, of those facing cancer. The study outlines a framework for creating a sustainable cancer care ministry through an integrated approach of spiritual guidance, mentorship, leadership training, and practical support. This model offers a blueprint for other churches and faith-based organizations, such as Lotus of Love …

An Action Research Study Of The Spiritual Growth Among Veterans Within The Civilian Context, Long Tuan Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military-civilian transition (MCT) for Veterans has been commonly associated with negative mental health experiences as they had to go through the intercultural changes between the military and civilian life. The purpose for this DMIN action research project was to design, coordinate, and assess a chaplain model of care called Spiritual Growth Lectio (SGL) for recently discharged Veterans. Thirteen Veterans participated in this research project through purposive sampling. The SGL model comprised a pre-test survey, six-week intervention, posttest survey, and focus group interview guided by four research questions. Quantitative data was collected from participants’ pre-test and post-test surveys. Subsequently, qualitative data …

A Space For Healing: Spiritual Direction With Justice-Minded Evangelicals And Ex-Vangelicals, Erica Romero

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Unfortunately, when people hear the term Evangelical, they think of the current caricature of the white Evangelical Christian, standing firmly on the far right of the nation’s political spectrum, representing the 80% of those who voted for Donald Trump, and still defending MAGA and Christian Nationalism. There are many justice-minded Evangelicals, however, who, whether they still utilize the term Evangelical or not, have been struggling to hold onto their faith, as well as discern and act wisely. Many are seeking spaces of soul care, particularly related to questions of faith and justice, and Spiritual Direction serves as an important contemplative …

A Mission Simulation Retreat For Senior Youth Leaders To Train Adventist Young Professionals In The South Bahamas Conference, Jamal Doran Franklyn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The mission simulation retreat SDA action research project trains senior youth leaders of young adult professionals for urban ministry through their vocational orientation. To address the problem of only having a global youth day one-day mission drive, the Mission Simulation Retreat (MSR) equipped young leaders in local SDA churches to simulate mission projects matching their professional careers. By building on the Hebrew culture, the priesthood of all believers, and spiritual gifts, MSR customizes a spiritual gifts database that aligns with vocational careers to provide mission project options by vocational skills. Through focus group presentations, a questionnaire, and a survey, data …

Navigating The In-Between: Transformational Practices In The Church's Liminal Spaces, Matthew James Engel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis explored the concepts of transformational and adaptive leadership within the Christian Church during periods of liminality, emphasizing the continuous presence and certainty of challenges rather than focusing on specific challenges such as digital technologies, attractional methods, or COVID-19. The study draws upon Bass's transformational leadership theory (1985) and Heifetz’s (1994) adaptive leadership theory to establish a framework emphasizing the importance of thorough leadership training in times of uncertainty and transition. Integrating biblical narratives, the study highlights the need for adaptive and visionary leadership in religious contexts. Employing a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative surveys and qualitative measurement of responses …

The Call To Worship/Music Vocational Ministry: A Case Study To Better Understand The Function Of The God-Ordained Call To Vocational Worship Ministry, Jerry Leonard Newman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the multifaceted role of worship and music leaders in Christian congregations. It emphasizes that their responsibilities extend beyond mere musical proficiency to embody a profound spiritual calling rooted in a vocational call to ministry. A survey of 401 worship leaders from various Christian denominations reveals the role's dual nature: they are skilled musicians and spiritual guides uniquely called to facilitate the congregation’s faith journey. This vocational calling highlights their divine appointment to ministry, aligning with biblical principles such as those found in Ephesians 4:11-12, which stress the equipping of the saints and the building up of the …

Tabor Ruffin Charge Conference Records, Tabor United Methodist Church, Ruffin

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

St. John Ruffin Charge Conference Records 2013-23, St. John United Methodist Church, Ruffin

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Smyrna Elgin Charge Conference Records, Smyrna United Methodist Church, Elgin

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Smyrna Elgin Membership Records, Smyrna United Methodist Church, Elgin

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Smyrna Elgin Charge Conference Records, Smyrna United Methodist Church, Elgin

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Smyrna Elgin Membership Records, Smyrna United Methodist Church, Elgin

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Our Contributors

Pastoral Liturgy

No abstract provided.

Before Ministry, Education Is Important (Bmei): A Comprehensive Enquiry About The Impact Of Education On Ministry, Mcclintock Acsmhour

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ministry has a variety of fields ranging from churches, social nonprofit organizations, and government ministries in agriculture, health, education, lands, and many more. While this study did not focus on other ministries apart from Christian non profit ministries like church, to some extent, all leaders in these ministries avow that one requires some level of education to be in leading positions in these ministries. In other words, the qualified individual must have been trained in a particular field within the ministry of interest. This indicates the importance of education in ministry. Therefore, this study was conducted to uncover the impact …

Transatlantic Sermonizing: The Influence Of Changing Sermon Styles In Britain On Anglican Clergy In Colonial Philadelphia, Barry Levis

Sermon Studies

At the beginning of the eighteenth century, a significant change emerged in the style and content of sermons in the Church of England. Sermons focused less on sin and the threat of eternal punishment, features of the seventeenth century, and more on how to live a rational and agreeable life. These alterations occurred both because of political changes following the Hanoverian succession accompanied by the rise of the Whigs and also from the influence of the Enlightenment. These transformations arose not only in England but in her American colonies as well, primarily in the Middle Atlantic colonies. Large numbers of …

Northside Greenville Church Council Minutes 1986-2020, Northside United Methodist Church, Greenville

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

The Ministries Of New Communities In The Ivory Coast Scrutinised Under The Lens Of The Theological And Magisterial Vision Of The Church, Joseph Loïc Mben Sj

Journal of Global Catholicism

The goal of this article is to show that the ministries of new communities are in conformity with the theological and magisterial vision of the Church and that, in many cases, they contribute to its enrichment. Following some lexical clarifications, it makes particular use of the schema of the threefold offices of Christ in which the members of new communities partake as the baptized, to show how the ministries realize each of the dimensions of Christ’s office.

Developing An Evangelistic Training Class For Revitalization Of Outward Evangelism At Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church In Ringgold, Virginia, Anthony R. Pass

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis research project asserts that evangelizing the unchurched is essential to being an effective disciple of the Lord’s kingdom. Mt. Zion’s participants must have a heart for sharing the gospel with people outside of their church environment, and evangelizing those in their local community is a great start. Mt. Zion’s evangelism focus has slipped into the background of everything else, and the researcher created an evangelistic training class (ETC) to teach willing participants at Mt. Zion electric shock evangelism to shock their hearts into the rhythm of sharing the gospel. This spiritually healthy regiment will benefit those who witness …