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“Comfort, Comfort My People”: A Qualitative Study Examining Dying Persons’ And Their Caregivers’ Experience Of Spiritual Care As An Aid To Having A Good Death In Grey And Bruce Counties, Ontario, Dwight Biggs

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Dying persons and their caregivers encounter several needs as part of the dying journey. Spiritual care, when offered effectively, can help address many of those needs. When people’s needs are fulfilled, their suffering is lessened and there is an increased possibility of them experiencing a good death. However, when spiritual care is not offered effectively, dying persons and their caregivers often continue to face unalleviated suffering which limits their ability to experience a good death. This research project explores how dying persons and their caregivers experience spiritual care in their homes as an aid to dying well and having a …

Extending The Incarnation Through The Ages: A Systematic Study Of The History Of The Sisters Of The Incarnate Word, Helga L. Leija

Pastoral Institute

Extending the Incarnation through the Ages is a program that aims to help formation directors in the diverse houses of formation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament by offering a systematic study of the history of the Order of the Incarnate Word. This program intends to help women in formation to articulate the historical and spiritual development of the Order. Through an in-depth study of the historical journey of the Order, women are offered a process to help them to reflect on the relationship of Jeanne Chezard de Mate! with the Person of the Incarnate Word …

The Experience Of Elderly Koreans' Han And Its Implication For Spiritual Care: In The Canadian Context, Jong Park

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Han is an indigenous Korean concept signifying a depth of internalized human suffering, caused primarily by a long history of socio, economic and political oppression. Han can also be understood as the deep psychological wounds of the Korean people. This study focuses on the Han experiences of elderly Korean immigrants living in Canada. The main purpose of the research is to provide a better spiritual care for such seniors who live as a marginal population. For a holistic understanding of their Han, the literature review examines Han-related history, religion and psychology, and explores Han experiences in the family …

In Search Of The Healthy Church: A Meta-Ethnographic Study, Russell L. Huizing

Great Commission Research Journal

After a brief literature review, eight of the primary contemporary church health resources are subjected to a meta-ethnographic study. The resources’ combined twenty-six health indicators are translated through the meta-themes of organizational structure, developing community, church characteristics, and personal characteristics. A discussion and visual synthesis of the translations point to the church literature developing community through organizational structure which in turn cultivates church and personal characteristics. Future research recommendations include expanding the study of church metaphors beyond “body” and identifying metaphor-specific characteristics through exegetical study

The Role Of Faith And Spirituality In The Work Of End-Of-Life Caregivers, Edward P. Stannard

Master of Arts in Religious Studies (M.A.R.S. Theses)

Nurses, certified nursing assistants and other healthcare workers who care for those who are terminally ill face issues of mortality and even existential questions every day on the job. These professionals, who have intimate contact with their patients daily, must find an inner source of strength and perseverance in order to face people who are at the end of their lives, who may be in pain, and who frequently are alone in their rooms aside from the institution’s staff. This study asks whether an inner sense of religious faith or spirituality helps end-of-life healthcare workers conduct their daily tasks and …

A Future I Trust In: Identity And Vocation As The Parent-Leader, Karen M. Gieseke

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

Fruit Of The Spirit: Next Steps, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Overall, the chapters provide support for the notion that religious and spiritu al practices, behavior, and engagement are associated with improved psychological, physical, and community functioning and wellbeing. Religion and spirituality can make us better. The fruit of the spirit can result in a better quality of life. However, we must be mindful of the need for future quality research as well as the downside of religious engagement, too. Intolerance, rigidity, and in-group/out-group conflict can be problematic and create a situation in which tills type of religious engagement can lead to fruit that is not healthy but unhealthy. This fruit …

Book Review: Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role Of Business In Missions By Steve Rundle And Tom Steffen, Anthony Casey

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Seeking God’S Will: The Experience Of Information Seeking By Leaders Of A Church In Transition, David H. Michels

Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press

What is the experience of information seeking (IS) by leaders of a church in transition, as they seek the will of God for their church? In this ethnographic pilot study, I begin to create a picture of leaders’ information seeking, first for personal faith building and then for corporate decision making, and I consider the impact of new technologies on these processes. Religious IS did not differ significantly from other everyday-life information seeking (ELIS) experiences, except when subjects were acting in leadership roles. Prominent themes were theological diversity and prayer.

Book Review: A Light To The Nations: The Missional Church And The Biblical Story By Michael W. Goheen, Tereso C. Casino

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Cultural Setting For Churches Today, Landon Brady Saunders

Landon Saunders Documents

Essay on the role of churches in view of the realities of the world.

Locating Practical Theology In Catholic Theological Discourse And Practice, Kathleen A. Cahalan

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Mentoring As Ministry, Susan Marie Bollinger

Pastoral Institute

This project will take place during the 2006 and 2007 school years. I will be mentoring seven new teachers at the Medina Valley High School for two years. This program is in part a result of the No Child Left Behind Act. It is designed to reduce premature "leakage" from the profession of disillusioned new teachers by providing teachers with a trusted, supportive leadership and to ensure that the new teachers will grow in their profession to benefit their students, school and community. I will also provide spiritual support when needed and asked. I will maintain communications and meet with …

Book Review: The Missional Church And Leadership Formation: Helping Congregations Develop Leadership Capacity By Craig Van G Elder, Ed., Scott D. Edgar

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Latin American And Us Latino Lutheranism Partnership Issue (Logia Vol. 19, No. 1, Epiphany 2010), Leopoldo Sánchez, Douglas Rutt, Douglas Groll, Rudolph Blank, Marsha Somers, Steven Hein

Artículos obra entre Hispano/Latinos

As a vicar in Caracas, Venezuela, I ventured every so often to one of the largest Roman Catholic bookstores downtown to peruse various collections of dogmatic treatises. On one of my visits, I started a casual conversation with a Venezuelan priest who asked about my background. After learning that I was a Lutheran seminarian, the priest, somewhat perplexed, exclaimed something like, “Latino Lutheran? That is not possible. You cannot be Latino and Lutheran.”

The Transition Of The North Botswana Field To Conference Status: Three Critical Factors, Galenakgosi M. Orapeleng

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since being organized in 1984, the North Botswana Field (NBF) has been aspiring to become a conference but had been hindered by a number of factors. However, in 2008 it managed to qualify for conference status. This project was to evaluate the prevailing circumstances in North Botswana Field between 2005 and 2008 to discover critical factors that contributed to the rapid growth of the work in North Botswana Field, resulting in it qualifying for conference status in May 2008.

Method

The methodology used for gathering information in this project was not intended to be scientific or to be used …

A Comprehensive Retreat Program For High School Youth Ministry Students, Julie Therese Krug

Pastoral Institute

My pastoral project will encompass five retreats that I will work on in collaboration with a team of young adult volunteers and approximately 20 high school juniors and seniors. The "retreat season" will begin with a leadership retreat in September 2007, two Confirmation retreats (December 2007 and March 2008), a freshmen lock-in retreat (January 2008), and a junior high retreat (March 2008). The team will meet weekly for 8 weeks prior to a retreat, at times working on retreats simultaneously, to plan and prepare. The team's tasks will include leading ice breakers, small discussion groups, large group activities, praise and …

Rational Supernaturalism: Early Mormonism And Enlightened-Romantic Rhetoric, Benjamin Park

Library Research Grants

No abstract provided.

Kierkegaard And/Or Catholicism: A Matter Of Conjunctions, Center For Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University

Center for Catholic Studies Faculty Seminars and Core Curriculum Seminars

It is often said (accurately) that one of the distinguishing marks of a Catholic understanding of life is its both-and approach in contrast to the either-or approach more characteristic of a Protestant sensibility. For example, Catholics tend to live with and argue for both scripture and tradition, faith and works. The Danish Lutheran Søren Kierkegaard is often cited as a paradigm of Protestant either-or thinking. In this seminar we will explore what we might learn not only about Catholicism and Kierkegaard, but even more about Christianity, human life, and the logic of conjunction.

Spiritual Growth In Mission Trips, Norma Linda Valdez

Pastoral Institute

The objective of this project is to determine if mission trips contribute to the spiritual growth of its participants. I will attend and participate in a 7 day mission trip with a team in rural Honduras with the Diocese of Fort Worth. The goal of this mission trip is to give medical and dental care and distribute the necessary medications to the people.

A list of questions will be given to the team on the plane as we are flying down there to help establish were they are in reference to their spiritual life. Some similar questions will be given …

Lectionary-Based Bible Study Program, Mary John Trevino

Pastoral Institute

I will be implementing my Pastoral Project with the parishioners and catechists at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. During my site visit for my Program Planning for Adult Education class, Sister Mary T. Phalen asked if I would consider a Bible Study Class in English for my project because the people had been asking for this type of class for the past three to four years. The parish has many opportunities for the Spanish speaking community, but the need for the English track was very evident.

Some obstacles that I suspect may come up, since it will be my first time …

Fortin Appointed New Dean Of The Seminary, Beverly Stout

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Letting Cities Shape How We Pray And What We Choose, William Reiser S.J.

Religious Studies Faculty Scholarship

Immersion into the life of our cities not only expands the knowledge we have of the people and places in the local community, but can have a profound and transformative effect on our spiritual lives as well.

Happiness Is Service In The Spirit Of Vincent De Paul And Frederic Ozanam A Youth Ministry Catechesis For Service Learning Formation, Timothy Michael Henry Kelly

Pastoral Institute

The Capstone Project and subsequent writings incorporated in this portfolio, referred to as Phase II, is a cumulative and collaborative effort between two colleagues from The Pastoral Institute of The University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas. The first phase was successfully completed to fulfill requirements for a Master of Arts in Religious Studies. Phase I was intended to: plan, implement and evaluate a catechesis pilot program for a senior high school CCD class. This pilot was to have its foundation in the Gospel readings of the liturgical calendar. More importantly, this program was designed to afford youth and …

Pascal’S Wager: A Good Bet For Personal Evangelism, Charles H. Reilly

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), a French scientist and mathematician, argued that it is advantageous to believe in or to “bet on” God because the rewards for doing so are at least as great as the rewards for not believing in God, regardless of whether or not God exists. His decision theoretic argument is commonly referred to as Pascal’s Wager. It is unlikely that everyone has the same estimates of the rewards for believing in God or for not believing in God that Pascal had. Consequently, a series of five questions, based on Pascal’s Wager, is suggested here for personalizing Pascal’s Wager. …

The Call Of Two Cities: Citizenship And Christian Identity, Center For Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University

Center for Catholic Studies Faculty Seminars and Core Curriculum Seminars

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.

The State Of The North American Church, Joel Comiskey

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

Barna, more than any other person, has diligently uncovered what is happening in the North American church scene through hard, factual research. This article combines Barna’s research, the research of others, and my own personal observations to paint a clearer picture of the North American church.

Core Curriculum Signature Essays, Center For Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University

Center for Catholic Studies Faculty Seminars and Core Curriculum Seminars

No abstract provided.

Presenting The Gospel Message In Thailand, Khamsay Phetchareun

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There are over 62,000,000 Buddhists in Thailand. Current Christian approaches to presenting the gospel message to Buddhist people in Thailand have not yielded satisfactory results. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has had negative growth during the past ten years. In addition to approaches currently utilized by Christians there is a need to develop more effective approaches to present the gospel in Thailand.

Method

Buddhist students at Mission College were chosen as a case study. A survey of Buddhist attitudes and a cultural analysis of Thailand form the basis for this strategy. Library research, questionnaires, interviews, and observations were all used …