Digital Commons Network^™

Developing Relational Communities: An Evangelistic Approach To Non-Adventist Students At Solusi University, Herbert Ndlovu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The purpose of this study was to determine how healthy relational communities contribute to membership growth and the retention of non-Adventist students at Solusi University. Some of the effects of current public evangelistic approaches and the loss of community spirit were studied. The challenge of nurturing a community of meaning and relationship at Solusi was also explored.

Method

A self-reported questionnaire was completed by both Adventist and non- Adventist students. In order to verify the results of the self-reported questionnaire, interviews were conducted with the church leadership, 10 church members, and 20 second and third year students.

Results

Analysis …

Motivating And Training The Laity To Increase Their Involvement In Ministry In The Ouaga-Center Adventist Church In Burkina Faso, Boubakar Sanou

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

In many Christian religious circles, the subject of clergy and laity has received much attention because of a sharp distinction between them. In Africa, the laypeople are expected to give allegiance to the clergy and also to depend on them for spiritual guidance and help. Although the New Testament teaches the concepts of the priesthood of all believers (1 Pet 2:5, 9-10) and the priestly ministry of the church as the function of the total church membership, there is still a persistent tendency to create a dichotomy between clergy and laity. This practice clearly shows two classes of believers: …

Primacy Of Conscience: A Pastoral Theological Construction Of Agency For Catholic Moral Decision-Making, Donald Augustine Rickard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A significant pastoral problem for some Catholics flows from the dissonance they experience when attempting to integrate certain Church teachings with the leading of their conscience as they make moral decisions. All Catholics do not accept every established moral answer or position provided by the Church and integrating those differences between the Church teaching and one's conscience can be difficult--a difficulty affecting parishioner, priest, and Church. This problem is, in part, rooted in and reinforced by the fact that there are two theological strands in the Church's tradition regarding morality. One strand suggests that the moral response is to obey …

Facebook Faith: Social Networking In A Faith Based Community, Kirsten Øster-Lundqvist

180 Symposium Publications

Social networking provides a high impact and efficient ministry to the moveable generation. Through social networks such as Facebook, ministry from a pastoral perspective can become more authentic and meaningful. A young person’s digital identity often reflects one’s faith due to increased openness. A minister can engage in a non-hierarchical manner. Prayer and bible study as well as pastoral care through social networking occur as relationships deepen via social networking and making people real. Spiritual and religious views are freely shared, creating sacred spaces in the midst of life practicing a holistic faith identity in a secular community. Contacts can …

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.

Marginality And Coping: A Communal Contextual Narrative Approach To Pastoral Care With Korean American Christians, Jaesang Lyu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Focusing on Korean American experiences of racism, sexism, and intergenerational conflicts related to the acculturation process, this dissertation examines the social reality of marginality and constructs a communal contextual narrative approach to pastoral care. Current approaches to pastoral care in the Korean American church encourage a deferring style of religious coping that maintains the status quo—the internalized status of marginality—without activating self agency for the fulfillment of one’s own selfhood within the communal life of religious communities. A communally grounded sense of self agency is described in terms of three aspects of Korean indigenous culture: 1) uri (we-ness), 2) jeong …

The Use Of Eternal Life Metaphors In The Funeral Sermon As A Means Of Grace, Daniel A. Wonderly

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The purpose of this Major Applied Project was to learn which eternal life metaphors were more comforting to the members of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, in Burton, Michigan. The researcher approached this research project believing that certain metaphors would be more comforting to his members than others. Therefore, the researcher sought to discover which eternal life metaphors were more comforting through the use of a research survey. He then held research group interviews to learn why these metaphors were more comforting than others. As a result, the researcher is able to apply the insights gained concerning certain Scriptural metaphors to be …

Forgetful But Not Forgotten: Parish Pastoral Care Of Dementia Sufferers, Annette Kestel Pbvm

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

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

Offering And Accepting Forgiveness: How The Aged Do It, Kathleen Hughes Brighton

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Spiritual Coaching: Helping People Develop And Implement Their Own Growth Strategies, Jenny E. Mcbride

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In spite of a plethora of discipleship programs and good preaching, the church in general has failed to empower believers who consistently re-present Jesus and His ministry in the earth today; nor are they reproducing other disciples. The limiting factor appears to be internal fears and beliefs within the disciples, rather than a lack of knowledge or skills. A more effective disciple making process whereby both pastors and congregants can move people of varying levels of maturity, knowledge and experience toward God is imperative if the church is to fulfill the Great Commission to “go and make disciples.”

Method …

The Ethics Of Driving, Amy E. Marga

Faculty Publications

The concept of “neighbor” takes on entirely new meanings in our mobile society. Who becomes my neighbor when I am behind the wheel? What is the consequence of my driving to my neighbors around the globe? What about the impact on our nonhuman “neighbors”? The ethics of driving has many dimensions for the Christian person of goodwill.

A Witness Workshop Based On The Christian Doctrine Of Vocation And Informed By The Two Kinds Of Righteousness, Dean Rothchild

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The specific purpose of this Major Applied Project is to develop a Witness Workshop which would embolden people to bring up Christianity to others, to invite them to church, and even to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. This workshop is based upon the Christian doctrine of vocation, informed by the distinction between the two kinds of righteousness, and directly shaped by the information gathered from the initial questionnaire.

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.

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

Understanding The Nature And Impact Of Alcoholism : Implications For Ministry In Kenya, Margaret Kemunto Obaga

Master of Theology Theses

No abstract provided.

A Strategy To Strengthen The Role And Function Of The District Pastor For Effective Leadership And Guidance Of Local Churches In Ghana, Paul Adu Sampah

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Ever since the General Conference introduced Union and Conferences to run local churches, progress of the gospel work in Ghana has been slow. Before their introduction, churches were grouped into districts and run by district pastors. Due to their high administrative expenditure, local churches have become poor with no proper pastoral care. When church administration is given back to the districts and district pastor’s role is strengthened, conference expenditure will be reduced, more pastors will be sent to the churches, and local churches will be saved from financial collapse.

Method

Studies were carried out by reviewing current literature on …

A Model For Small Group Ministry In The North Zambia Field Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Wellington Supuni Chapi

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Purpose

The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a contextualized model for small group ministry in the North Zambia Field to enhance the retention of new members.

Statement of Problem

While the numbers of members being baptized annually are encouraging indeed, the percentage of members dropping out of the church annually is a cause of great concern. Between 1996 and 2006, the North Zambia Field, through baptism or profession of faith, had 72,652 converts, an annual average of 7,265 converts. However, 17,303 or 23.82 percent of those added and 2.70 percent of the total membership dropped out of the …

Desarrollo, Implementación Y Evaluación De Un Seminario De Encuentro Matrimonial Para La Solución De Conflictos, Edison B. Gonzalez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop, implement, and evaluate a marriage encounter seminar for conflict resolutions, which was presented during a weekend to 48 couples of the Atlanta Metropolitan Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church. This project presents biblical fundamentals of marriage, as well as the most common marriage conflicts and their solutions. According to the Bible, God not only created man and woman in his “image,” but also united them in the state of matrimony in order for them to live peacefully and harmoniously in the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, the entrance of sin to this world ruined God’s …

Development Of A Premarital Counseling Seminar For Pastors And Church Workers In The Euro-Asia Division, Elena Zhigankova

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

According to the 1984 Annual Council policy, Seventh-day Adventist ministers are to provide premarital guidance to couples requesting marriage. Where possible, this preparation of the couple should consist of several counseling sessions conducted by the minister who is to perform the service or by another qualified individual. Despite its obvious importance, this policy has not been seriously considered or implemented in Russia.

Description

The process of designing a Premarital Counseling Seminar for pastors and other church workers in the Euro-Asia Division of Seventh-day Adventists is presented. The seminar content is intended to introduce pastors to their responsibilities as premarital …

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 …

Fifth Commandment You Shall Not Murder! Catechesis- A Pastoral Care Strategy For The Lutheran Marine Recruit, Mark J. Logid

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This major applied project was conceived and came to fruition in the practice of ministry to United States Marine Corps recruits in training. Recruits attending the Lutheran Communion Service and catechetical instruction at MCRD, San Diego, CA, expressed grave concern over the morality of killing in combat. This project explored the pastoral care of Marine recruits using Luther's explanation of the Fifth Commandment, the Fourth Commandment, and the historic just war tradition. The project confirmed the utility of the Catechetical Module of the Fifth Commandment to inform the Christian's moral reasoning and ethical decision making in his God pleasing vocation …

A Theological, Sociological, And Educational Rationale For The Curriculum : "Luther's Explanation To The Decalogue, As Explored Through Film : A Curriculum For Young Adults" ; Luther's Explanation To The Decalogue As Explored Through Film : A Curriculum For Young Adults, Karen A. Wilson

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Children's Ministry Understanding God In The World Relational Developmentally Appropriate Equipping Leaders & Caregivers, Marie Woog

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Mainland Chinese Christian Scholars Leaving The Church In The Twin Cities (Minneapolis /St. Paul): A Theological And Pastoral Analysis, Yu Zhao

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

Mainland Chinese Christian scholars (Xue Zhe Ji Du Tu) are crucial to the Chinese churches in the American context in the U.S. In the last two decades, because these scholars join and then quickly leave the church, the fate of the Chinese church is in jeopardy. This research will consider this phenomenon of Christian scholars joining and then leaving the church and attempt to determine what are the theological, pastoral and sociological factors that contribute to these scholars leaving. This research will utilize a qualitative approach using the interview method to study the members of these Chinese Churches …

Equipping And Mobilizing The Laity In The New York Luso-Brazilian Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Gerson P. Santos

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The New York Luso-Brazilian congregation was organized on October 23, 1971, with approximately ten members. By December 2005, its membership was 329, including two new congregations formed recently. In spite of the growth during the first two or three decades, this church has not experienced much growth in the last ten years. Many members are not committed to the Great Commission. Only ten percent participate in some kind of outreach. Analyzing the profile of this church, it was verified that the growth came mainly through immigration. One of the main challenges, therefore, is to involve the laity in missionary …

"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 …

Book Review: The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating The Missional Church, Darren Cronshaw

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

The Shaping Of Things Now: Questions Of Emerging Churches, Darren Cronshaw

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

The term ‘emerging church’ has been hotly debated. Some mainstream churches say ‘what are you doing that we are not?’ and some emerging churches resent the implication that they are still ‘emerging’ into being a real church. 3 But ‘emerging’ describes something that is changing and evolving rather than fixed in one place. The label recognizes that such churches are emerging from a modern into a postmodern framework, in a post-Christendom era, in a digital age, for a post-colonial era. Interestingly, it is a term that has been used to describe the early church in the first century, since that …