Digital Commons Network^™

Ethical Guidelines For Church Planters: A Suggested Approach For Starting (And Continuing) The Conversation, J. D. Payne

Great Commission Research Journal

Church planters, regardless of their ministry contexts, need to develop a set of ethical guidelines to direct their ministry practices. This paper presents eleven particular guidelines.

South Carolina Conference Journal 2009, United Methodist Church. South Carolina Conference

South Carolina Conference Journal

No abstract provided.

The Banner - V. 144, No. 5 - (May 2009), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

6 - Editorial: We Can Be Sure and Wrong, Right? by Bob De Moor / 7 - Catch Your Breath: Home Free by Peter Schuurman / 8 - IMHO: How We Fail to Create Safe Churches by Mary Vander Vennen / 8 - Letters to the Editor / 10 - CRC News: A glimpse into the CRC’s first prison congregation / 16 - World News: Economic decline forces congregations to make tough decisions / 17 - Frequently Asked Questions / 18 - A Second Blessing? by Rob Braun / 20 - Just for Kids: The Big Night Mystery by Sandy …

Book Review Of The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating The Missional Church By Alan Hirsch, Darren Cronshaw

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: April 2009, John W. Cooper, Ronald J. Nydam, John Rottman, Mary Hulst

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Prayer
3 - Can Prayer Really Change Things? by John W. Cooper
5 - God Hears the Prayers of Many by Ron Nydam
6 - A School of Love and Prayer by John Rottman
8 - “Amen!” by Mary Hulst
10 - Praying Around the World Roundtable Discussion

Departments
14 - Making Connections
15 - Continuing Education

The Banner - V. 144, No. 4 - (April 2009), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

6 - Editorial: Who Teaches the Profs? by Bob De Moor / 7 - Catch Your Breath: Holy Failure by Debra Rienstra / 8 - Letters to the Editor / 8 - IMHO: Fear Not the Teenagers by Brent Lamberts / 10 - CRC News: Going the extra (100) miles in New Mexico / 17 - Frequently Asked Questions / 18 - Comforted in the Darkness by Brian Walsh / 20 - Tuned In: Books on the Big Screen by Jennifer Parker / 22 - Working Together by Ben Van Houten / 26 - Dear Reader: Signs of God’s Faithfulness …

Imago Dei As Missio Dei, Fourie Van Den Berg

Doctor of Ministry

Section 1 of this paper describes the Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia's (DRCN) problems, uncertainty, and loss of direction because neglects God's mission. As a rule, the DRCN has lost members and credibility and cares more about itself than the suffering Namibian society. Because and the DCRN lost its connection with the missio Dei, Namibian socio-economical problems increased and created a huge gap between the DRCN and Namibian society. The DCRN has little impact on major sociological issues. The DRCN can address these realities by rediscovering imago Dei theology and the missio Dei. This change will bridge the gap between …

The Banner - V. 144, No. 3 - (March 2009), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

6 - Editorial: What’s to Discuss? by Bob De Moor / 7 - Catch Your Breath: Family Archaeology by Michael Dumez / 8 - IMHO: Where Is My Son Welcome? by Michael Veenema / 8 - Letters to the Editor / 10 - CRC News: CRC Ministries and Employees Feel Budget Pinch / 16 - World News: Two Canadians Arrested on Polygamy Charges / 17 - Parenting: Re-Emerging Adults by Jenny and Joshua De Groot / 20 - Tuned In: A Multicultural Journey by Wayne Brouwer / 22 - Transformation by Mariano Avila III / 26 - Dear Reader: Reflect, …

Program - Calvin Symposium On Worship: Word, Music, Vision, Action

Symposium on Worship Archive

We wrote this welcome letter during Epiphany, remembering how the star of Bethlehem drew the Maji to the place where the Christ child lay. They came from the Middle East, possibly from Iraq, and they traveled to Bethlehem–troubled spots then and still now, occupied territories with terrible violence. They were looking for the newborn King, not knowing whom they were seeking, but following the star. We pray that each of you also came to seek the light of Christ, to offer him your gifts of praise, returning to Christ the gifts already received–in preaching, music, drama, visual arts, and hospitality. …

Spiritual Care For Missionaries Within The Ministry Context Of Make Way Partners, Milton R. Smith

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Spiritual Care for Missionaries Within the Ministry Context of Make Way Partners is the report of a research project. The objective of this project was to study the spiritual care of missionaries within the ministry context of Make Way Partners (MWP). The ministry context of MWP is to prevent and combat human trafficking. The context of this project was in the country of Sudan, in and near Darfur.

In particular, the study addressed the possibility that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator might aid the leadership of MWP in predicting how missionaries might respond to stress in the field. Also, the project …

Ordination Training For Bi-Vocational Clergy In The United Cornerstone Churches International, Inc. Of Thomasville, North Carolina, George Bernard Jackson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

In many rural communities there exists a stereotype about clergy education perpetuated since slavery. This project offered bi-vocational clergy opportunities to be equipped, empowered and certified for servant leadership. Data captured from 2006 through 2008 was taken from the 25 ordinands. Questions that guided this study were grouped into two sets: examination by quantitative measurements through the passing of a catechism; and by qualitative measurements from personal and telephone interviews. The results of the research revealed a discrepancy in the ordination process where prerequisites and retention studies must play a greater role for future ordinands.

Building A Communion Of Communities: Interreligious Dialogue In The Apostolic Vicariate Of Jolo, Philippines, Ruben C. Mendoza

Theology Department Faculty Publications

In a context that is characterized by violence, poverty, and strained Muslim-Christian relations, the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo (AVJ) understands its mission as enabling the birth of a community of peace and justice. To this end, the AVJ considers dialogue with the Moros as an integral element of its mission and ministries. For the AVJ, the church’s identity as a sacrament of God’s love is intimately related to the church’s relationship with the predominantly Muslim populace. It is in responding to the various needs of the Moros of Jolo that the church realizes its task of building the kingdom of …

The Utilization Of Faith Development Theory And Faith Styles Perspective To Shape A Christian Education Program, Cathy Robbs Turner

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of the faith development of members of the congregation of Oak View Methodist Church. The research evaluated the relationship between a person’s faith level and his/her participation in Christian education. Contributing to the body of faith development research, this research served as an extension of Fowler’s (1981) Faith Development Theory (FDT), as well as the Faith Styles Model (Streib, 2001; 2005), which is an advancement of FDT. In this mixed-method study the researcher also investigated whether there is a significant relationship between the Faith Development Interview (FDI), a qualitative measure of …

South Carolina Conference Journal 2008, United Methodist Church. South Carolina Conference

South Carolina Conference Journal

No abstract provided.

Prophet, Priest, And King : The Impact Of A Pastoral Theology Course On The Practice Of Pentecostal Pastors In The Philippines, Albert C. Clavo

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Spiritual Conversations, Randall D. Groves

Doctor of Ministry

How can the Keesler Air Force Base Chapel provide spiritual care for airmen who are spiritual but who are not religious? The Department of Defense challenges the chapel to promote the spiritual health of all airmen while the chapel mostly provides religion-based services. The chapel's efforts, therefore, ignore airmen who do not fit into a particular religion. The problem will be addressed by suggesting that the chapel incorporate a spiritual conversations gathering into the existing religion-based services. The chapel needs to embrace spiritual-but-not-religious airmen by offering a spiritual conversations gathering and conducting an annual spirituality survey. The purpose of this …

Offering Hope: Ministry With The Chronically Ill, Marti Gates Lundy

Doctor of Ministry

One of every two individuals in the United States suffers from chronic illness. While these numbers are staggering, studies indicate that they will continue to rise. The problem exists that the local church is not fully equipped to address the desire and need for wholeness and community felt by the millions of individuals living with chronic conditions. These individuals suffer alone and the contemporary church has failed to minister effectively with them. With proper grounding in a biblical understanding of God's role in illness and suffering, a foundation in the role of pastoral care throughout Church history, and by looking …

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: April 2008, Lyle D. Bierma, Henry De Moor, Kathy Smith

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Being a Confessional Church
3 - Why Be a Confessional Church? by Lyle D. Bierma
5 - Theology That Sings: A Discussion on the Confessions Today
9 - With Integrity of Heart and Spirit by Henry De Moor
11 - Is It Time for a New Confession? by Kathy Smith

Departments
13 - Formation for Ministry
15 - News

"Helping People Find Freedom In Christ" A Journey Toward Fulfilling Christian Ministry In Community, Clifford E. Watt

Doctor of Ministry

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore a biblically based set of principles that will empower believers to have freedom in their Christian lives. There is an underlying belief contained in the Bible that it is natural for a believer to do ministry. Jesus said: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last."3 He also reminded us: "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going …

Reformed Worship (Rw) 87 - Ascension / Pentecost (March 2008), Reformed Worship Editors

Reformed Worship Magazine

Features

Sensing the Spirit by Karen Warfield....3

A Global God, a Global Task by Sonya Vanderveen Feddema....9

Ten Counsels: Richard Foster on Spiritual Formation by Richard J. Foster....10

Standing on Holy Ground by Ron Rienstra....16

A Prayer Service Blending Taizé and Iona by Rebecca Bedell....18

A Service of Trust and Healing by Jack Van de Hoef....20

How to Spend an Hour with God by Amy Brown....31

No Magic, No Mystery by Robert Nordling....32

The Story Behind the Song by Laura and Robert Keeley....34

Sing a New Song! by Jan Van Kooten …

A Suffering Messiah? Messianic Expectations In Light Of The Dead Sea Scrolls: The Case Of 1qisa 52:14, Jenifer A. Manginelli

Doctor of Ministry

This paper considers the possibility of an intended messianic reading at Isaiah 52: 14 in the Great Isaiah Scroll (lQisaa) in light of the New Testament's presentation of Jesus as the suffering Messiah. Such a reading may evince a connection on the part of the scribe between the vicarious suffering of the servant of the LORD and a messianic figure. The plausibility of a messianic reading is considered through analysis of the text, followed by an exploration of the likelihood that such a connection would have been made on the basis of what we can discern of the Qumran community's …

Program - Calvin Symposium On Worship: Word, Music, Vision, Action

Symposium on Worship Archive

We hope that this symposium will be spiritually refreshing for all of you. One of the main goals of the Worship Symposium is to be encouraged together by what God is doing in congregations across North America and beyond, and to learn to ask helpful questions about our own worship practices that focus our attention on the deep meaning and purpose of worship. We expect that we will also learn something more about how to preach, pray, and sing with greater understanding for those in our own communities and around the world who suffer for the cause of Christ.

A More True ‘Domestic And Foreign Missionary Society’: Toward A Missional Polity For The Episcopal Church., Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Emmanuel "God With Us" In Suffering, E. Douglas William Jr.

Doctor of Ministry

This paper proposes a response the following question: What is the best approach for ministers to use in ministry to the suffering? The paper examines the question in light of culture in the United States in the twenty-first century. Many people face a crisis in their faith due to a misconception that God allows suffering to happen to good people. Three covenantal theories: limited retribution, telic vindication, and theocentric consolation, appear throughout the Old and New Testaments and in the history of the Church. This paper proposes theocentric consolation as the proper paradigm for ministry to those who suffer. Chapter …

Christian Education And Worldview, Richard Edlin

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

What we believe as Christian educators is conveyed in many different ways to our students. The concept of worldview has been used in recent years to describe the comprehensive approach to reality that provides the foundation for how we understand the world and how we teach our students. Christians assert that worldview is a deeply religious concept, and that, particularly in education, we need to understand and critique our own worldviews to ensure that we are offering education that is faithful to our calling to celebrate the lordship of Christ over all of creation rather than an education that is …

A Tribute To Dean Freiday, Arthur O. Roberts

Quaker Religious Thought

No abstract provided.

Computer Mediated Communication: Providing Pastoral Care To Youth In “A High Tech” World, Tanya L. Ramer

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study used a hermeneutical methodology to explore how Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) can be used to provide pastoral care to youth in a high tech world. The research was motivated by the writers desire to find ways to be in communication with youth and provide pastoral care to them during their adolescent years. The thesis will explore computer mediated communication and its usefulness in providing pastoral care to youth by exploring the benefits and limitations, how it can be abused, namely cyber bullying, how it can provide an opportunity for mentoring and a theological reflection on how it can …

Reformed Worship (Rw) 86 - Lent / Easter (December 2007), Reformed Worship Editors

Reformed Worship Magazine

Features

Dust off Those Bells! by Phillip M. Hash....3

The Love of God by Mary Sytsma....6

Participating in the Passion by Scott Lammers....8

Were You There? by Alex Gondola....12

From Burdened to Blessed by Stanley J. Groothof and Curt Gesch....20

Early in the Morning by Cheri TerHaar....22

In the Fullness of Time, Part 2 by Lisa De Boer....24

Praying the Lord's Prayer During Lent by Laura and Robert Keeley....32

Liturgy: A Public Service by Karen Bokma and Mike Hogeterp....36

God's Eye Is on the Refugee by Sonya Vanderveen Feddma....38

Beautiful …

Maintaining Spiritual Connectedness Over An Entire Ministry By Elders In The North Georgia Annual Conference Of The United Methodist Church, Charles W. Green

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Integrating Spirituality And Psychotherapy: Ethical Issues And Principles To Consider, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Professional and scientific psychology appears to have rediscovered spirituality and religion during recent years, with a large number of conferences, seminars, workshops, books, and special issues in major professional journals on spirituality and psychology integration. The purpose of this commentary is to highlight some of the more compelling ethical principles and issues to consider in spirituality and psychology integration with a focus on psychotherapy. This commentary will use the American Psychological Association's (2002) Ethics Code and more specifically, the RRICC model of ethics that readily applies to various mental health ethics codes across the world. The RRICC model highlights the …