Digital Commons Network^™

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: March 2016, Julius T. Medenblik, Cory Willson, Mary Vanden Berg, Sarah Schreiber

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Articles
3 - From the President: How Now Shall We Live? by Jul Medenblik
4 - Every Believer Called to Mission by Cory Willson
6 - Prayers from the Missional Conference by Mary Vanden Berg and Sarah Schreiber
8 - Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics by John Bolt
9 - Meet Herman Bavinck by Jessica Driesenga
12 - Fostering Formation for Mission in Our Classrooms by Kristy Manion
15 - Is There a Future for Sacrifice? by Erin Zoutendam
16 - Taste and See Israel Trip by Paula Seales
18 - Church Growth and Its Challenges in Ethiopia by Fikre Norcha

Mystagogical Preaching In The Episcopal Church: Connecting Sermon And Liturgy, Daniel John Justin

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Seeks to determine the effectiveness of mystagogical preaching for communicating the theology of the Episcopal Church as it is presented in the liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer. Mystagogy is a liturgical theology leading worshipers deeper into the mysteries of the faith as they are experienced in the liturgy. This study uses an action/reflection research method seeking to determine participants understanding of the liturgical rites in question prior to the sermon and if that understanding changes after hearing a mystagogical sermon. Surveys including both quantitative and qualitative questions are used to measure effectiveness of this style of preaching.

Lift Up Your Hearts: Preaching Grace Effectively As A Pastoral Response To Shame, Harold Kenyon

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Proposes preaching grace effectively as pastoral response to shame. Sources include Robert Albers, Robin Stockitt, James Fowler, Serene Jones and Cameron Harder. Argues fall-redemption theology harms those experiencing shame. Employs shame as alternative lens for reading scripture. Explores social, biblical and theological dimensions of shame. Differentiates shame and guilt. Demonstrates shame’s connections to mental illness, trauma, and addiction. Honors people’s formative narratives. Claims baptismal basis for identity. Seeks preaching practices that build resilience from shame’s spiritual and psychological consequences. Identifies narrative practices enhancing understanding God’s acceptance. Offers insight into crafting sermons that celebrate identity within a reconciled future.

Preparing Transformational Sermons: An Attitudinal Model Of Sermonic Application, Donald G. Bryant Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This mixed method, action-reflection project explores the results of attitudinal rather than a behavioral sermon-application model. The research project delves into the change in the listener’s perceptions, thoughts, and beliefs through sermons deliberately designed for attitudinal application of the gospel. My project will attempt to assess whether such an intentional focus on attitudinal application can impact heart transformation. I hoped to study sermons that transform the human heart as opposed to legalistic (behavior-based) sermons within evangelical churches.

Telling The Old, Old Stories: Reconnecting With Jesus' Parables Through Biblical Storytelling, Kathryn L. Skoglund

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Suggests the use of biblical storytelling as a means of presenting Jesus’ parables in order to regain their original power. Uses the practice of biblical storytelling, contrasted with simple reading of the text from the Bible. Examines the responses of congregations from two churches comparing reactions of those who heard six parables told as a story to those who heard them read from the Bible. Also notes the connection the method of presentation of the parables has to listeners’ engagement with the sermon. Includes discussion with confirmation-aged students regarding the efficacy of biblical storytelling.

Understanding African American Preaching: The Style, Culture, And Rationale For The Worship Experience And The Value For Education, Harry Zimmerman Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Preaching is an oratorical method for sharing the biblical text, which God uses to affect the lives of people for His glory. In the context of the African-American culture, preaching highlights differences between the rationales of the practical approaches of African-American and other styles of preaching. This project will examine fundamentals of African-American preaching as well as its dynamics while focusing on African-American traditions in a critical and creative manner. It will provide insights for training associate ministers at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The research utilizes a single method research approach, utilizing surveys of pastors and …

The Worship Experience: Five Essential Ways A Pastor Leads A Congregation To Respond To God, Changhwan Choi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today many churches do not take time in worship service for their congregations to respond to God’s Word proclaimed through sermons. They also may be unaware of biblical reasons for the response. This project will suggest five essential ways that a pastor can lead a congregation to respond to God’s Word at the end of each sermon. This project will lay a foundation for the understanding and development of the congregational response through examination of biblical and theological backgrounds. Furthermore, an approach utilizing these five strategies will be developed specifically for worship services in Korean churches by surveying 30 or …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 50 No 1 - April 2015), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

EDITORIAL: "Why We (Still) Speak" Calvin Theological Journal: Vols. 1.1 to 50.l, by decades by Arie C. Leder - 6 / ARTICLES: Dating John Davenant's De Gallicana controversia sententia in the Context of Debate over John Cameron: A Correction by Richard A. Muller - 10 / Spiritus Propheticus: Spirit and Prophecy in Calvin's Old Testament Exegesis by Keith D. Stanglin - 23 / Protestant Preaching: Its Strengths and Weaknesses by H. de Leede and F. Stark - 43 / The Worship of the Reformed Church and the Creation of Its Service Book by Abraham Kuyper - 59 / …

Enriching Christian Hospitality At Malaby's Crossroads Missionary Baptist Church In Knightdale, North Carolina, Barbara Starr Barner

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Hospitality is the welcoming of strangers, family, and friends. In the early biblical and historical traditions, hospitality focused on welcoming the alien and extending resources to them. Hospitality, however, need not be limited to the basic physical needs of the stranger, but spiritual needs are to be addressed as well. In the reflection of Jesus’ work on the cross, Christian hospitality should be the intentional, responsible, and caring act of welcoming or visiting strangers, enemies, the distressed, downtrodden, without regard for reciprocation. The goal of this project was to enhance Malaby’s Christian hospitality culture and take our personal interactions to …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 49 No 2 - November 2014), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Articles: Christian Social Ethics as a Form of Missionary Ecclesiology: A Case Study of the Dutch Reformed Experience by Gerard C. den Hertog - 174 / The Estimation of the World: A Comparison Between Calvin and Van Ruler by Willem van Vlastuin - 186 / Simon Goulart (1543-1628) and the Consolation of Troubled Souls by Scott M. Manetsch - 201 / Good News for the Poor: An Analysis of Calvin's Concept of Poor Relief and the Diaconate in Light of His Two Kingdoms Paradigm by Matthew J. Tuininga - 221 / The Impact of a Gap in Existence on …

Developing An Intentional Mentoring Model For Disciple Formation At The Mayfair Church Of Christ, Jason Bybee

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This doctor of ministry thesis presents the results of a project to lead a team in the development of an intentional mentoring model for disciple formation at the Mayfair Church of Christ. This intervention involved the team members in a series of sessions during September and October 2013. Project sessions were designed to provide participants an intentional mentoring experience through exposure to four core practices: exploration of the biblical text, appreciative inquiry exercises, communal sharing, and prayer. Sessions were informed by (1) an understanding of discipleship as following behind Jesus and walking alongside our fellow sojourners, (2) the nature of …

The Indigenization Of Christian Worship In Urban Liberia : A Key To Christian Discipleship In The United Methodist Church Of Liberia, Isaac Chukpue-Padmore

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Effective Worship Leaders In South Korea Churches: Seven Biblical Attitude Principles Of A Worship Leader, Hyo Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The role of worship leaders is very important. They can be a positive influence and contribute much to worship and harmony, or they can be a negative influence and a cause of division. Sad to say, but many worship leaders in South Korean churches are a negative influence. This is primarily because senior pastors select their worship leaders with an over emphasis on musical talents. Selecting a worship leader is a vital role of a senior pastor and he must thoroughly evaluate every candidate based on key biblical principles before hiring. The purpose of this thesis project is to equip …

Sacra Domus: The Anglican House Church In Theology And Context, Alan Andraeas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The author is an evangelical Anglican priest with a recently formed sacramental house church. Though the house church movement is gaining popularity, no formal guidelines or methodologies exist which address this trend from a liturgical and sacerdotal perspective--even within his diocese. Because of this void, he will examine the following critical issues:

* What are the scriptural foundations for mandating the use of liturgy?

* What are the biblical, theological, and historical precedents for house churches?

* Can there be a complementary union between priestly liturgy and the house church model?

Without guidance from other `reference parishes,' the need for …

Bridging The Latino--Anglo Gap: A Transition Towards A Cross-Cultural Church At First Baptist Church, Robbins, North Carolina, Ernesto Robledo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

In its 2,000 years of existence, the church has remained mostly segregated in regards to the inclusion of other cultures within one setting. Christians from various traditions have spent centuries trying to be more like Jesus as they worshiped in many different settings. Even though the church has been active for so long, the reality is that she has been predominantly white. Through an intentional pastoral project, twenty-four individuals participated in a four-week bilingual Bible study and a community-wide missionary event. These purposeful interactions proved that the church can change her traditional ministry pattern by engaging members of the Latino …

Learning Together: Integrating Worship, Education, And Personal Devotion At Oakhurst Baptist Church Of Asheboro, North Carolina, Hunter Duncan

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The hypothesis of this project is that an integrated worship experience that engages church members with one biblical concept each week through various interactions will strengthen the community of faith. The ministry experiment sought to accomplish this goal by integrating weekly worship, Sunday School, daily devotions, and an internet-based discussion forum. Data was collected from project participants before the project began, weekly to measure the ongoing impact, and again at the project's conclusion. The results of the project revealed that integrating worship elements does improve engagement with the community of faith and the overall satisfaction with the weekly worship experience.

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 48 No 2 - November 2013), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Articles: The Two-Kingdoms Doctrine and the Mission to Islam by John Bolt - 198 / Neo-Calvinism, Pluralism, and the Challenge of Islam by Richard J. Mouw - 207 / Universality and Dualism: Herman Bavinck and the Debate on Whether to Civilize the Dutch East Indies through Missions or Education by George Harinck - 217 / Neo-Calvinism and Pan-Islamism: Kindred Movements Against Liberal Imperialism? by Clifford B. Anderson - 234 / John Calvin and Musical Instruments: A Critical Investigation by W. David O. Taylor - 248 / The Covenant-Idea as the Heart of Hebrews and Biblical Theology: An Original Contribution …

The Role Of The Pastor As The Primary Worship Leader In The Local Church, Roger Holliman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to encourage pastors to embrace their role as the principle worship leader, rather than to accept and believe "I am not the worship leader." This thesis project investigates and examines a senior pastor's theological duty and obligation as the worship leader of his or her church, and provides the biblical mandate and approaches for how to do this effectively and as a team leader. Through personal interviews of six pastors, plus current research on the topic of worship, this thesis provides instructions on how senior pastors may implement strategies to enhance their understanding of …

Enhancing The Koinonia At Camp Creek Baptist Church In Union Mills, North Carolina, By Expanding "Sacred Space", Tony Dwayne Mccraw

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Since the day of Pentecost, the defining characteristic of the church has been the extraordinary bond of unity and fellowship amongst Christians. Scripture refers to this intense sharing of life as koinonia. Fellowship, however, is often neglected in deference to earthly priorities.

This project aimed to inspire and enable the members of Camp Creek Baptist Church to practice the type of fellowship descriptive of first-century Christianity. Through studying Scripture, analyzing social demographics, and conducting statistical analyses, a solution for enhancing the koinonia. at CCBC emerged--namely, the regular gathering of its members into one another's homes, thereby expanding "sacred space."

"Review Of Mesopotamian Ritual-Prayers Of Hand-Lifting” (Akkadian Šuillas): An Investigation In Light Of The Idiomatic Meaning Of The Rubric", Dale Launderville Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Renewed Approach To Undergraduate Worship Leader Education, Allen Hendricks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church music degree program at Charleston Southern University, based on a European traditional/classical sacred music degree model, has been attracting fewer and fewer students. The last two students pursuing this degree were graduated in May, 2011. Prior to their graduation, the administration encouraged the music department to investigate current career markets and the worship leadership training strategies of other institutions. The purpose of this project is to design a suitable worship leadership degree and thus assist the university in its mission to equip churches with properly trained ministry leaders. Survey instruments will be used to discover the expectations of …

Discipling Worship Leadership: Biblical And Theological Rationale For Discipling Worship Leaders, Byron Spradlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current worship literature reveals very little guidance to assist Protestant church leaders in training, discipling or mentoring congregational worship leadership. Therefore, this thesis project researched and presents a basic rationale for developing worship leadership discipling curricula strategically targeting the needs related to discipling and training artistic Christians who are called to worship leadership in the local church.

Program Book, Calvin Symposium On Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Program book for the 2012 Calvin Symposium on Worship.

2012 - 106th Annual Summit, "Intimacy", Abilene Christian University, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

No abstract provided.

Let God's Word Be Alive, 2011 - Outlines And Notes, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

CICW Conferences, Workshops, and Seminars

No abstract provided.

Principles Of Worship And Liturgy, Fernando Canale

Perspective Digest

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: October 2010, Mariano Avila, Lyle D. Bierma, John Bolt, John W. Cooper

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Belhar Confession
3 - Confession of Belhar
5 - Making Shalom: The Belhar Confession by Mariano Avila
6 - Adopting the Belhar: Confession or Testimony? by Lyle D. Bierma
8 - Necessary Testimony—Flawed Confession? by John Bolt
10 - Context and Confusion: What Does the Belhar Confess? by John Cooper
12 - The Belhar Speaks Today by Ronald J. Feenstra

Departments
14 - Formation for Ministry

Totally Devoted: Developing A Holistic Spiritual Formation Course For Western Christian College, Stanley N. Helton

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reports research results from a learning community composed of faculty, support staff, ministry leaders, and students who collaborated in a professor’s development of a new course proposal in Christian spiritual formation at Western Christian College in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The professor used qualitative research methods in the analysis and evaluation of the data produced by the group. The outcome of the project was ethnographic data that informed the creation of the course proposal that included new course application, course syllabus with course schedule, planned activities, bibliography, initial classroom assignments, and initial assessment tools.

Sacred Improv : Narrative Preaching That Offers Entrance Into The Gospel Of Jesus Christ, Daniel Wayne Meek

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Principles Of Worship And Liturgy, Fernando Canale

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.