Digital Commons Network^™

Theology Of The Church As Ministry To Blind People, David Andrus

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Throughout history, people who are blind have been viewed by those in the sighted culture as limited and broken. This is true both in the church and in society in general. Our ecclesiology, however, should encourage, promote, or utilize blind people and their gifts to serve in the body of Christ. The church can, and should, accept, uplift, and utilize people who are blind and visually impaired as full members with a healthy and whole identity in Christ. To this end, our ecclesiology must not prohibit the ordination of a man who is blind solely on the basis of blindness …

Transformation Into Mission : A Case Study Of Forest Park United Methodist Church, Derek Edward Russell

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Emphasizing The Wholeness Of Man, Jonathan Oey Kuntaraf, Kathleen Liwidjaja-Kuntaraf

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Reaching The Indian Communities In Zambia: A Biblical Model Of Evangelism, John Shumba

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Statistics show that there are a significant number of Asian-Indians who are Zambian nationals. But the church in Zambia has not come up with a program to reach them with the gospel. Therefore, it is important to develop a biblical model of evangelism to reach the Indian communities.

Method

Studies were conducted using available data to obtain information on the social, religious, cultural, and political milieu of the Indian communities in order to develop a modality for cross-cultural mission based on missiological principles and social science disciplines.

Results

Results indicate that there is need for a training program to …

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: October 2007, Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Scott Hoezee, David Holwerda, Anne Zaki

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on the Work of the Holy Spirit
3 - The Secret Agent by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
5 - The Work of the Holy Spirit A Faculty Discussion
9 - Bright Wings: The Ever-Moving Spirit by Scott E. Hoezee
11 - The Neo-Pentecostal Movement Encounters the Third Wave by David E. Holwerda
13 - It’s Not Even My Fight! by Anne Zaki

Departments
14 - Making Connections
15 - News

Feast Of The Year: Yom Kippur

Shabbat Shalom: A Journal for Jewish-Christian Reconciliation

No abstract provided.

A Contemplative Youth Ministry Retreat Model, Russell H. Freeman

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Appropriating Narrative Preaching Within The Palestinian Evangelical Churches In The Region Of Galilee, Israel, Nabil Elia Samara

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: April 2007, Lyle D. Bierma, David M. Rylaarsdam, Jeffrey A.D. Weima, John D. Witvliet

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Children at the Lord's Supper
3 - Children at the Lord’s Supper and Reformed Theology by Lyle D. Bierma
5 - United, Separated, Re-united: The Story of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper by David M. Rylaarsdam
7 - Children at the Lord’s Supper and the Key Text of 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 by Jeffrey A.D. Weima
9 - Children at the Table: Some Provisional Answers to the Practical Questions by John D. Witvliet

Departments
12 - Continuing Education
13 - News
14 - Formation for Ministry

My Pilgrimage In Church Growth, Waldo J. Werning

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

By the Spirit’s strength, various teachers and mentors shared truths and life applications of God’s Word with me to walk the justification and sanctification path Jesus offers with the light that He gives. My pilgrimage in the ministry of church growth that involved both Christian stewardship and church health has been and is one of reflecting Christ, our Savior and Lord, and learning from teachers, mentors, leadership networks and informative books that provided a healthy diet of God’s Word.

Reconciling The Believing Nonbelonger: Readiness To Reach And Receive Lost Sheep, Robert E. Sachs Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This study examines and explains readiness of reconciling with believing nonbelongers from 284 respondents in two categories of 139 systematically selected ELCA congregations in the western United States that received adults during 2001-2005. A concurrent-nested, mixed-method design integrates biblical-theological missio Dei and missio ecclesia foundations with Prochaska’s Transtheoretical Stages of Change and Parshall’s Contextualization Spectrum. Chi-square crosstabulations, simple logistical regression, and Centering Resonance Analyses show: faith of origin, worship attendance growth trend, regional location, population size and growth trend, clergy and lay partnership, and programmatic emphasis has significant effects on the readiness of congregations and respondents to receive the unaffiliated.

Cross-Training Christians For Rural Servant-Leadership : An Exploration Of The Role Of A Congregation In Nurturing Leadership In The Community Of Wessington Springs, South Dakota, John H. Paulson

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This study explores the relationship between what is learned and experienced in the Christian faith community and people’s involvement in collaborative leadership within the rural community of Wessington Springs, South Dakota. The author makes use of Martin Luther’s theology of the cross and his teachings regarding Christian vocation, including the calling of parents as family leaders. This approach to leadership development employs a missional ecclesiology, with attention to the Triune God’s transformative, sending work in the world, and examines contributions from knowledge about civil society and human and social capital. Asset mapping is examined as a tool for leadership development.

Organic Change: 12 Emerging Communities Of Missional Theologians, Bob Whitesel

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

My journey into postmodernal progressions of ecclesial change began with an ethnographic survey of 12 Christian congregations that were largely led, staffed and populated with adults between the ages of 22 and 35. My research within these communities was designed to uncover synergies and strategies that might inform further research among our masters and doctoral students in the College of Graduate Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University. The result of the above and subsequent research has led the present author to believe that the topic of organic change among emerging communities of missional theologians will be of both research and pragmatic …

"Our Families For God": A Family Worship Seminar For The Hamilton Mountain Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Wesley Rocha Torres

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Family worship is highly esteemed by the members of the Hamilton Mountain Seventh-day Adventist Church, yet the quality and practice of this spiritual activity could still be improved among the church families. It was the researcher’s presupposition that the design of a practical, creative, and attractive family worship seminar, incorporating new ideas and suggestions, could motivate and assist the church members to enhance their spiritual experience and fellowship with God, as well as within their family circles.

Method

The topic of family worship was brought to the church through a series of sermons and also the children’s story segment …

Dominion! Kingdom Action Can Change The World, C. Peter Wagner

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

If social transformation is what the Spirit seems to be saying to the churches today, we would expect that the Bible would support such an idea. Many will be asking the inevitable question: Is there a biblical theology to substantiate this?

The God-Given Marital Mandate, Ron Du Preez

Perspective Digest

No abstract provided.

2007 - 90th Annual Bible Lectureship, "Do Justice, Love Mercy, And Walk Humbly: Messages From Micah", Abilene Christian University, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Servant Leadership Training Process For Elected Board Chairpersons, Larry Tieman

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This project is an exercise in training board chairpersons to become servant leaders who will bring people and programs together for the completion of identified tasks within the life of the congregation. The project will seek to: 1) clarify the roles of eight chairpersons; 2) form the chairpersons into servant leaders; and 3) mentor each chairperson through the counsel and guidance of others.

As a result of the project the percentage of active members has increased by 58% and the average member gives 33% more time in service to the church.

Strengthening Congregational Ministry: A Program To Enhance Theological Schools' Capacities To Prepare Congregational Leadership, 1999-2003, Kathleen A. Cahalan

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Evolution Of Church Growth, Church Health, And The Missional Church: An Overview Of The Church Growth Movement From, And Back To, Its Missional Roots, Ed Stetzer

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

The American application of the Church Growth Movement has, in my estimation, moved away from McGavran’s original emphasis of mission. While still valuing the approach and learning much from it, I would like to share my personal journey out of mainstream Church Growth into a more missional approach.

A Strategy To Reach Animistic People In Madagascar, Jacques Ratsimbason

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The majority of the Malagasy people who live in Madagascar are unreached with the gospel message. A preliminary investigation of current literature indicated that 50 percent of the Malagasy are followers of traditional religions. This present study was to develop a strategy to reach the animistic people with the gospel message.

Method

This study presents Malagasy people, their social characteristics, population, worldviews, and lifestyles. A study;and evaluation of Malagasy beliefs and practices were developed using Hiebert's model of critical contextualization.

Results

The study reveals that the Seventh-day Adventist Church must update its evangelistic methods to reach animistic people and …

From Vision To System: Finishing The Task Of Adventist Theology Part Iii Sanctuary And Hermeneutics, Fernando Canale

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Video Venue Preaching On Christian Life Transformation, Richard Blackburn Gifford

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Discovering The Catalysts For Growing True Disciples In An Emerging Postmodern Culture, Wayne D. Spears Ii

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Lutheran Day School Operation: Financial Stewardship Implications, Thomas Radtke

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

In addressing this problem as it faces Trinity Lutheran Church, the writer will survey other schools and determine the method that each congregation uses to fund the operation of its day school. My premise from the outset is that some of these day schools use the traditional means of funding through congregational offerings while others use member tuition as a major factor in the funding of their day schools. The purpose of this exercise is to evaluate the methods used and make application to Trinity for the best method of funding their day school operation.

Building An Altar Prayer Ministry Team, Bob Moon

ATS Digital Resources

No abstract provided.

The Bible And Theological Education: A Report And Reflections On A Journey, Patrick R. Keifert

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

From Vision To System: Finishing The Task Of Adventist Biblical And Systematic Theologies - Part Ii, Fernando Canale

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Book Reviews And Notes, Restoration Quarterly

Restoration Quarterly

Restoration Quarterly (2005) "Book Reviews and Notes," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 47 : No. 1.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.

Desarrollo De Una Escuela De Discipulado En La Iglesia Del SéPtimo DíA De Chino, California, Misael De La Cruz

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The biblical concept of discipleship consists in training and equipping people so they can become responsible Christians. The idea of equipping church members for the ministry appears often in the New Testament. According to Paul, the work of equipping is a joint effort between the Deity and the Christian leader: “And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:11, 12, NIV). The word “equipping” comes from the Greek katartizo, which means to prepare, equip, or perfect, as translated in other Bible …