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Toward Just Hospitality, Ron Bruner

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

The ministry of Jesus moved through times of seeking justice, sharing hospitality, and withdrawing for prayer. Though inescapably “other” because of his divine identity, he sought solidarity with humans by becoming human and interacting with humanity through hospitable practices. The Ancient Mediterranean customs of hospitality were well-defined, but Jesus took this powerful cultural framework and changed its practice so that it produced reconciliation and justice.

This work briefly reviews the practice of hospitality in the time of Jesus. It also presents the work of scholars identifying linguistic markers that would have cued readers in the Ancient Mediterranean to recognize a …

“Bone Of My Bones And Flesh Of My Flesh”: A Feminist Analysis Of Christianity, Evolutionary Theory, And The Provenance Of Patriarchy, Heather Bishop

Dialogue & Nexus

While perceived by many as conflicting in nearly every sphere, science and religion both play an important role in the promotion of patriarchal ideologies. My research has found that neither Christianity nor evolutionary theory are inherently patriarchal, neither do they justify patriarchy. Instead, it is the misinterpretation and misuse of these subjects that contribute to the justification of patriarchy for the deep-seated goal of reproductive power. I will show this by analyzing theological themes present throughout the Christian scriptures, as well as investigating findings of evolutionary psychology and hominid ancestry. The implication of this study is that there is no …

A Congregational & Legal Study In The Practice Of Hospitality At Faith Community Center, Lacey, Washington, Matthew Henry

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Henry, Matthew R. “A Congregational and Legal Study in the Practice of Faith Community Center.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2017. 171 pages.

Churches that practice hospitality by operating community centers must remain faithful in their confession and abide by anti-discrimination laws. This project provides the necessary theological and legal guidance for community center ministry in morally diverse settings. Surveys conducted before and after a congregational presentation at Faith Lutheran Church, Lacey, WA, reveal opinions of both limits and freedoms as to what activities and groups may be permitted or disallowed. As an expression of love for …

Impact Of Church Health On Mergers : A Study Of Two Merging United Methodist Congregations, Andrew Stephen Adams

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Stewardship In The Church : The Theology And Practice Of Tithing, Offerings, And Stewardship In Evangelical Churches Of Russia, Sergey Chervonenko

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Overflow In Young Christian Leaders : Factors Leadng To Emptiness Or Fullness, Carey D. Akin

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Connecting The Dots : Role Of Storytelling In Character Development And Leadership Practice Of One Rock Mentors, Associates And Mentees, Joanna E. Williamson

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Discerning Lay Leaders' Biblical Understanding Of Same-Sex Relationshiops : A Theological Review And Study Of Traditionalists' And Revisionists' Understanding Of Same-Sex Relationships, Benjamin Reil Greenbaum

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Church Has Left The Building : The Benediction And Missional Worship, Nathan Leslie Carden

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Recovery Ministry And Its Relationship To The Larger Church, Mark A. Hicks

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Hispanic United Methodist Church Growth : The Factors That Impact Growth In Hispanic United Methodist Churches Within The Kentucky Annual Conference, Iosmar Alvarez Alfonso

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

From Infancy To Maturity : Effective Discipleship Practices Of Nazarene Churches, Anthony M. Sparrow

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Differentiation Of Self In Pastoral Leaders : Differentiation Of Self Inventory, Revised As A Valid Assessment Protocol, James Edward Cinocca Jr.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Christward Movement Among Urban Dwellers In North India : A Study On Delhi, Jaison George P. V.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Revive Us Again : Intergenerational Ministry As A Strategy For The Revitalization Of Bongshin Church In Seoul, Korea, Jung Jun Kim

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Burnout Among African American Pastors: A Biblical And Practical Solution, Ronald Strong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pastors are dropping out of the Christian ministry at an alarming rate. These spiritual leaders often experience burnout due to excessive demands, which lead to physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion, impairing their pastoral effectiveness. Qualitative and quantitative surveys and interviews were used to determine the relationship between burnout and ministry effectiveness by focusing on three mitigating factors: physical, emotional, and spiritual rest. The results identified overall fatigue as the primary cause of spiritual aridness and pastoral failings. Using this research, this thesis provides a model for holistic health with specific solutions for ministry burnout, thereby, improving pastoral effectiveness.

Before God And These Witnesses: An Evangelistic Guide To Weddings, David Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Every year, according to the Center for Disease Control, an average of 2.3 million couples wed in the United States, while nearly 900,000 divorces occur. One fourth of couples marry outside of a church. Though most ceremonies take place in a church building, the church’s presence is small. An opportunity exists to reach receptive engaged couples and provide needed counseling services to those marrying outside of the church. Premarital counseling reduces the risk of divorce approximately 30 percent. To impact marriages and see growth, the church must take a proactive and evangelistic role in providing premarital counseling and weddings services …

A Church Planting Church In South Korea: A Case Study On Missional Outreach, Deokjong Bang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Gallup Korea, in 2015, reported that 30% of people under 30 years old had stopped attending churches in South Korea during last ten years. The primary reasons that young people leave a church is secularization of growth-oriented churches represented by huge buildings, power-oriented pastors and lack of morality of Christians. Therefore, a new church model that will engage young people is required for Korean Christianity. The missional church movement can be an alternative model for churches in South Korea. That is because the movement pursues a small church, a non-power-oriented pastor, and real life as a disciple of Jesus. Based …

A Study On The Use Of Church Building Space On Sundays And Weekdays: The Case Of Yongin Jeil Church, Byeong Im

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objective of this study is to propose alternatives for better utilizing church space. It aims to help the church space serve multiple purposes during weekdays in addition to Sundays, and meet the needs of both the local community and the next generation. In many places in South Korea, the church buildings are too big to deliver the pastoral philosophy and the spirit of the times. Consequently, the South Korean public oppose building large churches. Furthermore, the church buildings are typically used only during the weekends, an inefficient use of space for their size. In order to improve such use, …

From The Father’S Heart To Our Hands: Christian Responsibility In The U.S. Foster System, Amelia Tam

Selected Honors Theses

Nearly half a million children are currently served by the child welfare system in the United States. This overwhelming strain on state departments and non-profit placement agencies is compounded by the fact that there are not enough available homes. There appears to be a shortage of capable and resilient foster and adoptive parents. Thousands of children who are ready to be adopted do not have anyone to take them in, and thousands more float in the system until new families agree to foster. This seeming shortage of homes is absurd considering the wealth of compassion and capability within the American …

The Characterization Of Tobit In The Light Of Tobit 1:1-2, Emmanuel Nshimbi

Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations

In Hebrew –el means ‘God,’ and the reader or hearer of the Book of Tobit learns that, Tobit, the character after whom the narrative is named, lacks that –el ending in his name. He remains faithful to Jewish religious practice when the rest of his tribe secedes from the temple in Jerusalem, but he experiences exile. He risks execution by burying corpses of fellow Israelites in exile, whom the king of Assyria murders. He loses his sight after sparrows excrete onto his eyes in his courtyard at night after burying the dead.

This dissertation characterizes Tobit in the light of …

The Metaphorical Use Of Marriage In Scripture: A Pentecostal Exploration, Stetson Glass

Masters of Theological Studies

The biblical writers utilize the metaphor of marriage to describe the relationship between God and humanity. Within this imagery, the people of God are often depicted as a bride. This thesis contributes to an understanding of the metaphor of marriage in Scripture by analyzing the socio-historical wedding practices of ancient Judaism. The use of the metaphor in both Old and New Testaments is examined, followed by an analysis of bridal language in early Pentecostal periodical literature. It concludes with a constructive Pentecostal ecclesiology structured on the characters and the stages found within the typical Jewish wedding.

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 52 No 1 - April 2017), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

From the Editor: Karin Maag - 7 / Articles: The Self-Revelation of God in Jesus by Daniel Boerman - 9 / The Heart and Soul of Abraham Kuyper: Reflections on His Meditations by James A. De Jong - 37 / A Grotesque Attack: Reading Ezekiel 16 as Satire to Address Feminist Critiques by Erin Risch Zoutendam - 63 / Sermon: “Live!”—A Sermon on Ezekiel 16 by Scott Hoezee - 85 / Book Reviews - Scripture and Interpretation: Allen, Michael, and Jonathan A. Linebaugh, eds., Reformation Readings of Paul: Explorations in History and Exegesis, reviewed by …

Meaning-Making As A Formational Pathway For Christian Adolescents, Timothy C. Prewette

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation claims that Christian adolescents will flourish when using a narrative approach to both scripture and life as part of an intentional meaning-making process. Narrative theology offers the controlling story (worldview) needed by adolescents and aids in meaningfully framing life experiences. Chapter 1 identifies the problem of Christian adolescents abandoning the church and/or their faith as they move into young adulthood. Nuances of this exodus are explored, and a particular brand of adolescent faith is articulated, one which is lacking in both substance and relevance. Meaning-making is then characterized as an intentional, guided process in which Christians construct meaning …

Missional Virtues In Leadership : Assessing The Role Of Character Strengths Of Christian Social Entrepreneurs In Creating Missional Organizations, William Eric Manuel

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study On The Church Growth Method Through The Vitalization Of Small Groups In Traditional Korean Churches: The Case Of Daegu Dong-Sung Church, Byung Min

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nowadays, Korean society is faced with social issues, like individualism arising from fast growth. The traditional society has become dominated by individual interest and intention, as well as by new social aspects such as the loss of community ethics at large. This can also be seen in Korean churches; we have noticed an increase in Sunday service visitors and unregistered members. This change has brought a number of spiritual crisis into churches and is even a huge crisis in and of itself. In this regard, through research on church growth through small group ministry in traditional Korean churches, this study …

The Central Event View Of Human History Model (Cem): An Apologetic For A Christ-Centered Christian View Of Human History, Gordon Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Thesis: The Central Event view of human history is the only sufficient view of human history. The Central Event (CE) view of human history is a view of human history that holds that a single, Central event within human history possessed certain aspects and characteristics at such a level that, when it occurred, all of human history, both before, during, and after, were forever impacted. The impact of the Central Event was so great and complete, that it defined how humankind is to view and understand all of human history. The event that the CE view declares is the Central …

Churches Working Together: Four Keys In Serving One Community, John Parks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The growth of many small churches tends to be stunted as they lack necessary resources that encourage growth. Church elders are responsible to God for the growth of the local church. Recent conversations among local ministers in Greenbrier County have revealed that, in addition to prayer, they want to know what needs done – and what they themselves can do – in order to reach their community. Their intent is to discover the resources within their churches that can address their community’s needs while also reaching and helping the unchurched. The potential value in personal ministry is their desire to …

A Study On The Development Of Professional Young Adult Pastors For Korean Churches, Hyeong Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

At the end of the twentieth century, young adult ministries experienced abundant revivals through the churches and campuses of colleges, but are now much reduced. One of the causes is that there were not enough professional pastors for the young adult ministries. The revival and growth of young adult ministries in Korea is largely dependent upon the leaders who lead the ministries. This research emphasizes the importance of young adult ministries in Korean churches and aims to develop concrete manuals for pastors who can appropriately perform their ministries. In doing so, it will point out the roles for young adult …

New Heights Christian Community Center: An Effective Strategy Of Outreach For The Local Church, Marc Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

New Heights Christian Community Services offers an outreach ministry that creates a viable bridge between two local churches and their neighboring communities. Many churches are declining in their influence and are no longer recognized as a valuable part of their community. Small churches often struggle to find ways to serve their neighbors. The author of this project has dedicated over twenty-five years ministering to disadvantaged youth and families and desires to help churches to effectively connect to the families in their community. This project will investigate the effectiveness of the New Heights program by surveying fifty sets of parents of …