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Reformed Worship (Rw) 99 - Ascension / Pentecost (March 2011), Reformed Worship Editors

Reformed Worship Magazine

Features

A Wonderful Hope by Calvin Brondyke....3

Alive to the Spirit by Leonard Kuyvenhoven....6

From the Cross, through the Church, to the World by Steve Van Zanen, Diane Dykgraaf, and Ben Van Houten....10

The Holy Spirit, Our Guide by Lenae Bulthuis....14

Praying with Brothers and Sisters from Guatemala by Julia Esquivel....15

Remembering Those with HIV/AIDS by Jennifer Holmes Curran....16

True Confessions by Scott Hoezee....17

Passing the Peace by Paul Ryan....26

From Rebel to Worshiper by Ron Man....34

The Wilderness Transformed by Rudy W. Ouwehand....38

Reaffirmation of Ordination by MaryAnn McKibben …

Dependence Versus Independence: An Evaluation Of The Relationship Between World Gospel Mission And The Africa Gospel Church In Kenya, Patrick L. Murunga

Doctor of Ministry

Africa Gospel Church has a serious problem of an unhealthy relationship with the World Gospel Mission. Since its inception, the mission has struggled to let go off the church. The church on the other hand, has been happy to see this relationship go on in the same dependent way without much concern. The Africa Gospel Church is over seventy years now and is at a place in its life where it needs to chart its own course.

This study evaluates the relationship between the mission agency and the Africa Gospel Church in Kenya. It investigates the historical challenges that might …

Program Book, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Program and Worship Book for the 2011 Calvin Symposium on Worship

68th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectureship -- Psalms: God's Unchanging Faithfulness (2011), Jerry Rushford

Pepperdine Bible Lectures: Programs

Program booklet for the 68th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures, held at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, May 3-6, 2011. Subtitle: "The Steadfast Love of the Lord Endures Forever." The Pepperdine Bible Lectures is an annual event hosted by Pepperdine University featuring a wide variety of lectures and classes on topics and themes in the Bible and Christianity.

Jerry Rushford, Lectureship Director

Rick Gibson, Tami Williamson, and Joella Michael, Lectures Team

Contextualizing The Gospel To Muslims, Maya J. Morgan

Seminary Masters Theses

Muslims are considered some of the least reached peoples in the world. As "Christianity" is often associated with Colonialism, the Crusades, and Western culture, traditional models of “casting the seed” have proven ineffective. Those seeking to share the goodness with Muslims must explore new contextual ways to communicate the message of Christ to the Islamic community. This thesis begins by defining and giving a brief history of contextualization. Basic methods of contextualization are explained, and issued of syncretism are addressed in chapter one.

Contextualization must be practiced when communicating the good news. Chapter two focuses on the aspects of cross-­‐cultural …

Understanding The Effects Of Diversity In Mission From A Social Science Perspective, David R. Dunaetz

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

This study presents an overview of the results of empirical studies concerning diversity in work teams. Although these studies have most often been carried out in secular contexts, they support perspectives of human nature that are consistent with the biblical themes found associated with the Tower of Babel (the Similarity/Attraction Perspective) and Paul's metaphor of the Body of Christ and spiritual gifts (the Information/Decision Making Perspective). Key concepts are explained, including the measurement of diversity and team performance, task and relationship diversity, faultlines, cultural versus non-cultural diversity, and status. When the results of the various diversity studies are combined, it …

Under One Umbrella: Multiple Communities, One Church, Timothy Jacob Gillespie

Doctor of Ministry

It is my claim that the need for alternative communities within established church structures is not only growing, but is also paramount to the continuation of the gospel of Jesus Christ into the post-Christian, post-Modern world. These alternative communities often take the form of "emerging" worship services, Young Adult services, and "churchwithin- a-church" expressions of worship and community. They are seen in large, medium, and small church settings; as such, we see many of the same problems to varying degrees. The search for relevance has led us to these communities, and this author sees them as valid expressions of faith …

Anglican Eucharistic Liturgy: A Church-Planting Hope For The Post-Christian Culture Of The Pacific Northwest, Anthony D. Kriz

Doctor of Ministry

The question addressed in this dissertation may be stated as follows: 1tJ1l1at hope does Anglican Eucharistic Liturgy bring to the future of church planting within the increasingly post-Christian urban centers of the Pacific Northwest? According to our research of a sample zip code of inner-city Portland, Oregon, only one in four people self-identify with Christianity and less than one in five attend church. Churches are shrinking and closing rapidly and our culture is increasingly defined as post-Christian. The plans of the recent church-planting efforts are losing ground. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is significant evidence that the Anglican …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Outreach And Retention Methods Of Six Congregations Of The Brunswick Baptist Association, Jeffrey Gibby

Doctor of Ministry Projects

I chose two hypotheses to form a survey. The first hypothesis is that persons are reached by the style of building, existing relationships, or advertising. The second hypothesis is that persons maintain their membership based on the content of preaching, the quality of teaching programs, or fellowship.

I employed the Mann-Whitney Statistical Test to analyze the data.

The data revealed that good preaching, good worship, and good fellowship make a growing church. The data results also show the significance of the Pastor and revealed that age-graded Bible study groups are still valid in reaching and retaining members.

Charles Cullis, Gaetano Conte, And The Reconfiguration Of The Evangelical Holiness Movement In Boston, 1860-1905, Benjamin Hartley

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

Excerpt: "In contrast to the presenters before and after me, my presentation focuses on the lives of two individuals rather than one. Charles Cullis (1833-1892) and Gaetano Conte (1859-1917) both represent a kind of “new beginning” for some sectors of Protestant religion in Boston and thus fit particularly well into our panel’s attempt to explore the somewhat paradoxical theme of “strangers in a strange land” of New England. I’ve chosen these two figures because of their influence in re-shaping the evangelical movement in Boston and their relative obscurity in spite of the fame they both shared during their own day. …

Designing Communitas, Kevin Tyler Bates

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Effective Personal Evangelism For Today's Church, Thomas M. Roatch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project is designed to demonstrate that any church or group of Christians can be effective in personal evangelism. Christians gathered together in any location and number, and in any life situation form the taskforce to share the good news of salvation.
The rationale for the selection of this thesis topic rests on the recent heart felt need of many churches to share the Gospel and become active in personal evangelism. Secondly, another important part of the rationale for thesis is to encourage, and challenge small churches, missions, Bible studies and other smaller Christian ministries to be bold in new …

Leading The Multiethnic Church: Help From New Metaphors And The Leadership Challenge, Elizabeth Childs Drury

Great Commission Research Journal

Success in leading the multiethnic church (MEC) eludes assessment because of the variety of congregational configurations and the unique intercultural environment. This article describes how leadership in one MEC harmonizes with and differs from basic cultural standards as expressed in James Kouzes and Barry Posner’s The Leadership Challenge. It follows an earlier case study (published in the Summer 2010 issue) about weaknesses that emerged at a DC-area MEC when Dan, the beloved pastor, resigned. Three new categories describe designs: the mall, the cinema, and the blend. Six new metaphors describe relationships among different cultural groups: renters, investors, neighbors, coworkers, siblings, …

A Theology Of Church Planting, Phil Stevenson

Great Commission Research Journal

Does church planting need a theology of its own? Or is it enough for it to be informed by theological themes? This paper will attempt to address this conversation. It will show that, even though, church planting may fall outside the realm of traditional theology it is still a branch off the theological trunk. Church planting is an implementation of theological teaching. There are four theological foundations that inform the practice of church planting. They are critical for church planting reflection and framing. These are: Missio Dei, Incarnation, Kingdom of God, and Ecclesiology. Each of this will be explored and …

The Book Of Acts And Evangelism In Argentina, Steven L. Estes

Great Commission Research Journal

This article looks at platforms for the Gospel in the book of Acts and how they apply to evangelism in Argentina. A general overview of evangelism in Acts is discussed, and then specific platforms are presented. Those include the market place in Athens, the place of prayer in Philippi, and the many locations where the Gospel was presented in synagogues. An exposition of Acts 13 is included that helps explain why synagogues were natural platforms. The applications to Argentina include visiting those with a connection to a church. One example is visiting the parents of adolescents who attend church activities.

Urban Ministry And Social Media: Moving From Billboards To Cafés, Troy Bush

Great Commission Research Journal

A social revolution has occurred in the last ten years. Social media has forever changed the way we communicate and develop community. At the same time, the urban age has dawned, and the convergence of these two global events creates unprecedented opportunities for urban ministry. This article examines the rise of cell phone texting, Facebook, and Twitter, including city rankings based on the use of social media. It concludes with recommendations for ways urban churches, ministries, and missions can maximize their use of social media.

Book Review: Formational Children’S Ministry: Shaping Children Using Story, Ritual, And Relationship By Ivey Beckwith, Brian Honett

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Color Of Church: A Biblical And Practical Paradigm For Multiracial Churches By Rodney Woo, Todd Robertson

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Dissertations And Theses Notices, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Multicultural And Racial Reconciliation Efforts Fail To Attract Many In The Black Church, Dirke D. Johnson

Great Commission Research Journal

The Racial Reconciliation (RR) movement of today fails to attract the Black church. Pastors express the need to value Black monocultural churches. The push by RR adherents to suggest churches “should be” multiracial may be more harmful than helpful. Distinguishing race and culture exposes the reality that most multiracial churches are monocultural. Research of Black college students reveals the desire for monocultural settings. Historical research of the first century church gives biblical validity to monocultural fellowships. Unity will not occur if motivation is reduced to color. Monocultural and multicultural fellowships are needed to reflect an infinite-faceted God.

“The Word Became Flesh,” An Example Of Incarnational Ministry: The Norwegian Settlers Church, Port Shepstone, South Africa, John Easterling

Great Commission Research Journal

The Norwegian Settlers Church in Port Shepstone, South Africa, is a remarkable testimony of God’s faithfulness to His body. Starting as an ethnic immigrant’s church, this fellowship faced many struggles and hardships, including lacking a resident pastor for much of its history. In 1986, God brought Pastor Ernest Hack, whose solid Biblical teaching helped to rebuild the base. In 1995, God led Trevor Downham to reach out to the area’s many young people and to refocus outreach towards community transformation. John Easterling spent time in 2009 and 2010 interviewing and fellowshipping with members of this body as well as researching …

Book Review: Planting Churches In The 21st Century: A Guide For Those Who Want Fresh Perspectives And New Ideas For Creating Congregations By Stuart Murray, Steven L. Allen

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

History Revisited: Learning From Charles H. Spurgeon’S Commitment To Conversion Growth, Michael O'Neal

Great Commission Research Journal

Donald McGavran and Peter Wagner, the early leaders of the Church Growth Movement (CGM), longed to see conversion growth as the primary source of church growth. Yet one of the common criticisms of church growth today is its lack of emphasis on conversion growth. This article discusses this criticism and argues that the church can learn from Charles H. Spurgeon’s commitment to conversion growth, calling church growth back to its theological and missiological roots.

Book Review: The Steward Leader: Transforming People, Organizations, And Communities By R. Scott Rodin, Alan Karr

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Stew Versus Melting Pot Ministry: Multicultural/Ethic Urban Apostolic Partnership, Parnell M. Lovelace Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

The church today has an opportunity to explore opportunities of culturally and ethnically diverse apostolic missional partnerships. Is it possible that vanguard and strategic concepts of multicultural/ethnic church planting models are contextualized and expanded within the urban setting? Is it possible that such modalities may serve not only towards the unification of believers, but also provide a means of connectivity to empower the community as a whole? The assertion is there are connecting points of evangelism and church growth opportunities found within such strategic and intentional multi-ethic/cultural models of apostolic partnerships.

Book Review: Encountering Theology Of Mission: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, And Contemporary Issues By Craig Ott And Stephen J. Strauss With Timothy Tennent, R. Bruce Carlton

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Your Church Is Too Small: Why Unity In Christ’S Mission Is Vital To The Future Of The Church By John H. Armstrong, Robert I. Garrett Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Heart Of Mentoring: Ten Proven Principles For Developing People To Their Fullest Potential By David A. Stoddard, Jeff Ritchley

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Equipping Nationals To Train Church Planters In Their Culture, Mark Alan Williams

Great Commission Research Journal

Training in a cross-cultural environment has it challenges, but these challenges can be overcome through cultural sensitivity and emphasizing biblical principles over North American bias. A key element of cross-cultural training is equipping nationals to multiply the training throughout their cultural setting. Nationals make the best trainers for one primary reason: they understand their people best. This article provides practical methods for enhanced cross-cultural training effectiveness. Jesus’ training process is outlined as a model for such training. Common mistakes are shared so they might be avoided in equipping nationals to train.

The Relationship Between The Great Commission, The Most Important Commandment, And Abundance, Mark Mcnees

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.