Digital Commons Network^™

Imago Dei Leadership Model, Jessica Lei Kritner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis sought to observe the intentional application of leadership styles at Birmingham Master Commission (BMC), a traditional discipleship program for college aged adults (ages 18–25). While biblically centered and focused on spiritual formation, BMC lacked healthy leadership precedent and defaulted to peer-leadership only. This practice created a sporadic leadership culture that restricted student growth, autonomy, and investment in the program. This Dissertation-in-Praxis served as a process-based intervention on the psychological and spiritual impacts leadership styles have on young adult leaders. Transformational, servant, and participative leadership practices were modeled in existing ministry systems: one-on-one mentoring, leadership labs, and small group …

The Good Samaritan In Australian Catholic Schools: Rethinking The Meaning Of The Parable For Catholic Identity, Maurice Ryan

eJournal of Catholic Education in Australasia

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) has been influential in defining and directing the identity of Australian Catholic schools. Traditional interpretations of the parable focus on themes that stress love of enemies, care for those in need, and consideration of all humans as neighbour. A sub-text in understanding the parable has been the priority accorded to Christian conceptions of compassion over and against perceptions of Jewish adherence to legal requirements to observe purity prescriptions. This article seeks to challenge these traditional ideas about the meaning of the parable. A refreshed understanding of the parable offers Catholic schools more …

Calvin Theological Seminary Academic Catalog 2025-2026, Calvin Theological Seminary

Seminary Academic Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Vocational Formation, Belonging And Christian Higher Education, Christopher W. Cobbler Sr.

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

Vocational formation and belonging are complimentary concepts. Vocational formation seeks human flourishing by attending to the healing of our social environments. Vocational formation is responding to God’s invitation to participate in the healing of creation from a particular social context, with others, for the sake of the world. Belonging, then, is the natural consequence of such an endeavor. This paper assumes the notion of institutional belonging in Christian higher education to be a kingdom characteristic that is best realized through the various postures of vocational formation. Radical hospitality, missional eschatology and communion with God are among the distinctive qualities of …

Ministry And Diversity In The City, William Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri trains and develops men and women to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and His church. The church of Jesus Christ, biblically, is a multi-ethnic body comprised of men and women of every tribe, nation, language, and tongue. God’s intention is for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Though the mission of the church is clear, go and make disciples of all nations, Christian colleges have not always developed classes to equip ministry students to effectively minister across lines of racial, cultural, and socio-economic differences. This …

Calvin Theological Seminary Academic Catalog 2024-2025, Calvin Theological Seminary

Seminary Academic Catalogs

No abstract provided.

The Spiritual Impact Of Disability On Parents And Caregivers, Grant Azbell

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This study was designed to examine the impact of disability on the faith and faith communities of parents and caregivers of persons experiencing disability. This study proceeded by asking nine parents or caregivers of persons experiencing disability a series of seven questions to evaluate the impact of disability on their faith and on their relationship to their faith community. The interviews were conducted on Zoom and the recordings were transcribed and coded to observe discernable patterns and themes amongst the participants. What emerged from the data is important for ministers, church leaders, and anyone wanting to know more about the …

Book Review: Missio Dei In A Digital Age, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

No abstract provided.

Differentiated Instruction In A General Children’S Ministry Curriculum: Evaluating Discipleship In An Inclusive Classrooom, Jennifer E. Pelissero

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception children’s pastors have in their ability to provide a comprehensive instructional program for children with special needs. The quantitative study utilized a survey research method to address three research questions. The survey instrument was distributed electronically to children’s pastors nationwide to identify instructional and environmental elements required to provide a comprehensive instructional program within the ministry setting for children with special needs. In an effort to further research why children with special needs do not regularly attend religious worship services, this research study focused on elements that create the greatest …

Taylor: A Magazine For Taylor University Alumni, Parents And Friends (Spring 2020), Taylor University

The Taylor Magazine (1963-Present)

The Spring 2020 edition of Taylor Magazine, published by Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

Implementing Vocational Training At Escuela Quiteña De Estudios Bíblicos, Joshua K. Marcum

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This DMin project addressed the problem of the absence of a viable training model to equip graduates of EQEB (Escuela Quiteña de Estudios Biblicos) for self-sustaining ministry. Based upon a theology of vocation, the project implemented and evaluated the inclusion of a technical-skills component to EQEB’s current seminary training. The project followed the integration of sixteen EQEB students in the vocational program implemented during the 2015-2016 school year. Qualitative research data gathered from five group interviews with these students, my own field notes, and a faculty interview provided the substance upon which I based the project´s findings. Over a seven-month …

Educate To Equip: A Model For Educational Short-Term Missions As A Ministry Of The Local Church, Steven Curtis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Recent data show that most short-term mission trips are focused on economic and social development projects coupled with intentional and/or relational evangelism, while reproducible models for in-depth theological education during short-term missions are rare. As a missionary presently ministering in a number of underdeveloped nations, this writer has witnessed the need for, and potential benefit of, such models. To validate these conclusions, research was conducted among missions agencies and church-based missions departments to determine the efficacy of existing models to meet the educational needs in the field, as assessed through personal interviews with pastors from a representative sample of underdeveloped …

The Pastoral Practice Of Christian Hospitality As Presence In Muslim-Christian Engagement: Contextualizing The Classroom, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

This project involved inviting graduate-level classes to contextualize their study in relationship with a specific Lutheran congregation in an urban and multifaith neighborhood. In doing so, the Christian practice of hospitality—especially understood in terms of presence—was particularly pertinent. Learning took place in context, far more efficiently and effectively, through engagement with rather than teaching about each other. Ultimately the project members experienced learning in the presence of other faiths as deepening one's own faith, while inviting genuine respect for other faiths.

Slicing The Pie: A Discussion Of Seminary Book Budget Allocation At Andrews University, Terry Dwain Robertson

Faculty Publications

The allocation of a materials budget is a challenge. This paper discusses a solution for Andrews University that accounts for the more specialized needs of Ph.D. students, even though the materials may see less usage.

Summit Record, Fort Wayne Bible College

TUFW Alumni Publications (All)

The February 1988 edition of Summit Record, published by Fort Wayne Bible College in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The Concept Of Contextualization And Its Implications For The Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Education In India, Melchizedek M. Ponniah

Dissertations

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist chruch in India operates in a rapidly changing pluralistic context and a predominantly Hindu culture. Response to the emerging opportunities and demands suggest the reconstruction of theological education in more contextual terms. It is imperative that the institutions and practice of ministry be shaped and evaluated in terms of the manifold functions to be performed in the varegated and highly differentiated cultures within which the Adventist church functions.

Method

This study utilized the historical and descriptive methods. Literature was reviewed to gather concepts related to the concept of contextualization and contextualization of theological education.

Conclusions

1. …