Digital Commons Network^™

Unspoken Prayer In Spiritual Formation: Tool Or Trouble, Wayne Lewis

Doctor of Ministry

The questions addressed in this document are: Can unspoken prayer be used in Christian spiritual formation? If so, how? And are there dangers that come with its use? For the purpose of simplicity and utility, the term "unspoken prayer" will refer to prayer that is not verbalized with voice or mind and is prayer offered to God as listening, focused waiting, or thought focused meditation. Unspoken prayer is utilized by Christians in forming a more intimate relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. Many terms are used for this type of prayer including contemplative prayer, silent prayer, listening prayer, and …

Teaching English As A Ministry Of The Church : Diakonia To Our Neighbors In The United States, Emily R. Myallis

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

“The Grand Experiment:” Modeling Adult Learning With Adult-Ministry Students, Laura Simmons

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Adult-learning theory challenges faculty to adapt their teaching to certain characteristics of adult learners, including self-direction: if adults direct the bulk of their lives outside of school, so should they be permitted to direct their own educational experiences. To what extent is self-directed learning an optimal, or even realistic, methodology for seminary teaching? Does it matter what subjects we are teaching? This essay details an experiment with self-directed learning in a seminary ministry class: what worked; what might be altered before experimenting again with this teaching methodology; how it challenges our view of ourselves as faculty to teach in this …

2007 Morehead First Christian Church Echo Newsletter, First Christian Church Echo (Morehead, Ky.)

Morehead First Christian Church Newsletter Archive

Morehead First Christian Church Echo Newsletter from 2007.

“You Can Become All Flame”: Do The Desert Fathers Have Anything To Say To Us Today?, Arlen M. Hanson

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This paper will examine Apophthegmata patrum, the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, in a critical manner, along with selected works from scholars of the Apophthegmata, in the light of recent “popular” treatments of the Apophthegmata, to discuss whether and what the Apophthegmata patrum might have to say to 21^st century Christians in the way of timeless truth despite apparent harshness, extremism found in the Apophthegmata, and the fact that approximately seventeen hundred years have fundamentally given us a vastly different way of seeing the world and ourselves in it.

2007 Morehead First Christian Church Board Of Directors Minutes, First Christian Church (Morehead, Ky.)

Morehead First Christian Church Records Archive

Morehead First Christian Church Board of Directors meeting minutes for 2007.

From The Cloister To The World: Mainstreaming Early Modern French Convent Writing: An État Présent, Thomas M. Carr

French Language and Literature Papers

The article is an overview on recent scholarship dealing Ancien Régime convent writing. Although nuns constitute a large percentage of the seventeenth-century women authors whose writings were published, except for a few figures like Marie de l’Incarnation Guyart or the Port-Royal nuns, their texts have been largely ignored, even by scholars engaged in the retrieval of women’s writing during the period. This is in contrast to Italian and Hispanic studies, where the contribution of convent writing is acknowledged as central. The état present discusses reasons for this neglect, the methodological challenges and perspectives for further research, along with a 120 …

Existential Counselling Condensed In Fenelon's Spiritual Letters, Megan Levy

Theses

The findings of this research suggest a compatibility between Fenelon’s Spiritual Letters and Existential theories of personal growth. The Psychotherapy and Counselling Codes of Ethics in Australia, America, and England emphasize the importance of personal growth as an essential tool to ensure responsibility and quality in professional practice. Self-knowledge and self-development are consistent with the ethical principles of Fidelity, Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Justice, and Self-respect. Enriching self to deliver better quality and high ethical service in mental health should be seriously considered for both the trainee and the experienced psychotherapist. The similarities between Fenelon Spiritual Letters and Existential Psychotherapy may …

Developing Missional Identity Through Small Group Spiritual Formation, Jack M. Horner

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Emf 11: The Cloister And The World, Thomas M. Carr

French Language and Literature Papers

Early modern nuns seem poles apart from women in the West today. They strove after an ideal of perfection that stressed humility, intellectual simplicity, asceticism, and submission that is the opposite of the autonomy and empowerment the contemporary feminist movement proposes for women. Even during the Ancien Régime nuns were isolated from their own society by the Council of Trent's revitalization of clausura. To modern eyes, the cloistered nun epitomizes a hierarchical church that cut a woman off from her own society, leaving her little initiative or voice. However, a burgeoning number of books and articles published in the …

St. Peter Canisius And The Youth: Jesuit Educators In Counterreformation Germany, Kendra Anne Willey

Honors Program Theses

On the 31st of July, 1555, the noted Protestant reformer, Philipp Melanchthon, wrote this short note to his colleague, Adam Wasser: "[Melanchthon] betet um Rettung vor Gefahren, der Seuche in [Wittenberg], [Petrus Canisius] in Prag und den Turken." The man in Prague whom Melanchthon referred to was a priest of the Society of Jesus. This Peter Canisius (1521-1597) must surely have been either a terror or great nuisance to Melanchthon in order to put this man on the same level as the dangers of plague and the Turks. In fact, this man was a formidable opponent, a forerunner of the …

Disciple-Making Boards : The Impact Of Training A Church's Governing Board In Small-Group Spiritual Formation Leadership, Gary Lee Olsen

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Claude Poullart Des Places: How A Young Man Became A Founder, Jean Savoie C.S.Sp.

Spiritan Horizons

No abstract provided.

The Spirituality Of Francis Libermann: A Man Beyond His Time, David L. Smith C.S.Sp.

Spiritan Horizons

No abstract provided.

Review Of Related Lives: Confessors And Their Female Penitents, 1450-1750, By J. Bilinkoff, Elizabeth Lehfeldt

History Faculty Publications

Review of Related Lives: Confessors and Their Female Penitents, 1450-1750, by J. Bilinkoff

Syncletica: Urban Ascetic And Desert Mother, Susan Dreyer Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This paper provides evidence and understanding of how Syncletica, a fourth and fifth century Alexandrian ascetical woman, developed her ascetical life; first within the movement of consecrated virgins which was evident in the Christian world of her time, and later in life as an anchorite, where she became renowned within the category of a desert mother. This paper stresses the value of using modern historical method to discuss Syncletica, as well the need to understand her within the spiritual uniqueness of the eastern Christian desert tradition, of which is claimed as representative.

A Pastor And His Ministry: Gregory Thamaturgus' Address Of Thanksgiving To Origen As Pastoral Practice, Edwin Harkey

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

One such student of his times was Origen. In his writings we see glimpses that while his goal was ultimately a deeply spiritual one-no less than a union with the Divine-he seemed no stranger to a more holistic approach in his encounters with the students who placed themselves under his tutelage. One of those students, Gregory Thaumaturgus, often called the "Wonderworker," even bequeathed to the church a most revealing document that enables us to get a rare glimpse of Origen and his method and style. It is that document, Gregory's Address of Thanksgiving to Origen, that will be the subject …

Theological Education For Vital Parish Communities: Lessons From Nine Catholic Seminaries, Kathleen A. Cahalan

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 41 No 1 - April 2006), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Third Bible and Ministry Conference: "Preaching Apocalyptic Texts" / Plenary and Seminar Presentations: Preaching Apocalyptic? You've Got to Be Kidding! by Gordon D. Fee - 7 / Preaching Old Testament Apocalyptic to a New Testament Church by Daniel I. Block - 17 / The Purpose of Symbolism in the Book of Revelation by Gregory K. Beale - 53 / The Slaying of Satan's Superman and the Sure Salvation of the Saints: Paul's Apocalyptic Word of Comfort (2 Thessalonians 2:1-17) by Jeffrey A. D. Weima - 67 / Charting the Future or a Perspective on the Present? The Paraenetic Purpose …

Exploring A New Paradigm For Evangelism In The Emerging Culture, Michael Mcnichols

Doctor of Ministry

It is my claim that evangelism has become focused on the proclamation of a message that is presumed to be an accurate expression of the biblical concept of gospel. Evangelism within the evangelical community, perceived primarily as proclamation, has become a specialized function of the church. It is too often separated not only from the normative experience of the average Christian but also from the idea of discipleship, or spiritual formation. There are possible solutions to this problem, such as more training, increased efforts at city-wide crusades, more seeker-oriented services, continuation of church planting, a stronger focus on those "gifted" …

Program Book - 2006 Calvin Symposium On Worship: Word, Music, Vision, Action, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Program book for the 2006 Calvin Symposium on Worship, including the schedule, presenter bios, and practical information.

Pastoral Care And Counselling: Towards A Post-Metaphysical Theology Of Friendship, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Conference Papers

The article sets out to develop an eschatological ethic of friendship to guide pastoral care and counselling towards a liberating practice. It uses post-metaphysical categories and terms from the ethical metaphysics of Emmanuel Levinas to enrich pastoral theology. The aim is to stretch compassion towards the future world of Isa 64: 4 and 1 Cor 2:9 in which we can announce a logos of friendship. By having such a sense of transcendence (an experience of a non-experience), compassion as friendship testifies to the Reign of God and to the very hope of encountering Christ in one another.

Discernment- Corporate And Individual Considerations, Charles J. Conniry Jr.

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Intentional Discipleship: Spiritual Formation As Trinitarian Immersion For The 21st Century, Craig W. Henningfield

Doctor of Ministry

The local Christian congregation is remarkably active. Pastors serve the congregation in a variety of roles. Church leaders meet to plan so that tasks, funds and activities are properly ordered. Church members participate in the various ministries and opportunities offered. Citizens of the local community take advantage of programs designed for them. Christian congregations, sometimes called "religious malls," are busy.

Yet, with all the activity, church members still come and go, complain about the decisions being made, resist changes in their "religious tradition," struggle with various addictions, expect more than is being provided, and wonder how Christianity relates to their …

The Psychological Assessment Of Applicants For Priesthood And Religious Life, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

The recent clergy sexual abuse scandals in the Roman Catholic Church have focused a great deal of attention on how we evaluate applicants to the priesthood and religious life. The crisis has underscored the critical need to ensure that men who have a sexual predilection towards children be barred from entering religious life and priesthood. Additionally, men who have other significant psychiatric conditions that put them at risk of harming children or others have no place as Church leaders or clergy in positions where they have access to and power over vulnerable others.

"Whoso Sheddeth" : Execution Sermons And Narratives In 18th Century New England, Adrienne H. Thornblom

Master's Theses

Murder, theft, and infanticide in eighteenth-century New England were all treated with the same punishment, public execution. The executions were not just public displays, but also a time for sermons and life lessons to teach those who witness the criminal's death to refrain from sinful behavior. At the core of every sermon was the Biblical passages used to warn the onlookers to be careful in life and a pea for the criminal to repent. In addition to the sermons, some of the criminals provided confessions to their crimes and even indicated their newfound salvation for their sins.

This thesis closely …

Baptist Student Ministry: Object Lessons In The New Reality For Denominational Ministries, Nick Howard

Doctor of Ministry

The world in which we live is a world filled with opportunity. It is an exciting time to be alive and involved in ministry. This is especially true for those who minister to the more than 14 million university students on campuses across America today. To work on a university campus is to experience the quickening of the Spirit. There is a very real sense that one is ministering on the cusp of the postmodem world. In contrast with earlier generations of students, the beginning years of the 21st century are times in which students are characterized by an optimism …

2006 Aapp Monograph American Series, John Mcfadden, Dayna Ann Campbell, A. Taquesa Mcclain, Winnifred W. Thompson, Alvoy L. Bryan Jr., Adrian D. Addison, Nancy Brown, Vida Mingo, Toby L. Nelson, Melissa B. Pearson, Valarie A. Mingo, Alexanderia Smith, D. Samuel Deutsch, Larry Edward Jones Jr., Tracy Harrell Dunn

Monograph Series

The African American Professors Program (AAPP) at the University of South Carolina is proud to publish the sixth edition of its annual monograph series. The program recognizes the significance of offering its scholars a venue for engaging actively in research and for publishing papers related thereto. Parallel with the publication of their refereed manuscripts is the opportunity to gain visibility among scholars throughout institutions worldwide.

Scholars who have contributed manuscripts for this monograph are to be commended for adding this additional responsibility to their academic workloads. Writing across disciplines adds to the intellectual diversity of these papers. From neophytes, relatively …

Via Media : The Necessity Of Deeper Theological Refection For The Genuine Renewal Of Church In The Emerging Culture And Context / By Jason Clark., Jason Clark

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Baptist Student Ministry: Object Lessons In The New Reality For Denominational Ministries, Nick Howard

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.