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Donald Mcgavran’S Understanding Of Conversion, Gustavo V. Suarez

Great Commission Research Journal

This paper seeks to explore Donald McGavran’s understanding of conversion. First, we will look at the people and events that shaped his theology and methodology. Second, we will explore McGavran’s understanding of conversion. He clearly emphasized in his writings that Church Growth was conversion growth. He also was very clear that salvation is only through Jesus Christ. However, Donald McGavran’s understanding of conversion was clouded with the conflicting theological and sociological views that consequently influenced his methodology. Donald McGavran’s view of conversion lacked a clear theological explanation as to how man becomes a Christian. Most of McGavran’s explanation of conversion …

Finding Still Waters And Green Pastures: Understanding And Reducing Stress In Urban Church Planting, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

The work of urban church planters is often hindered by high levels of stress. Stress may be viewed as a process that involves stressors and an individual’s perceptions of both the level of threat and his or her ability to deal with the threat. The long-term and the short-term consequences of stress can be attenuated through appropriate coping strategies such as problem solving, prayer, and seeking social support. Recent empirical evidence indicates that exposure to nature is also very effective, a strategy that might be especially beneficial to urban church planters and their ministries. Several practical applications are suggested.

Thriving In Broken Futures: The Paradox Of Church In Historic Watersheds, Christopher Lars Arney

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Worship As Playground: Living The Song-Story Of God, H. Colleen. Butcher

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Redeeming Disruptions: A Recommended Model Of Spiritual Formation For Christian Churches Of The Pacific Northwest, Tony L. Nelson

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Sorcery And Animism In A South Pacific Melanesian Context, Graeme J. Humble

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Desenvolvimento E Implementacao De Um Programa Estrategico De Plantio De Igrejas Na Associacao Paulista Leste-Sao Paulo, Erlo Braun

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. Biblical and contemporary authors point to church planting as one of the best strategies for the dissemination of the gospel. Despite that fact - on account of other critical issues concerning church growth in Sao Paulo, Brazil -, the administrators of the East Sao Paulo (ESP) Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church could not afford to implement this practice until 2009. The lack, therefore, of an intentionally organized effort to plant churches in the ESP Conference is a challenge that must be faced by the SDA church in that region. In Latin America, evangelicals such as the …

A Pilot Project To Increase Member Participation And Revitalization Of The Coffeyville And Independence, Kansas, Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In The Central States Conference, Andre M. Trofort Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Mt. Moriah and South 18th Street Seventh-day Adventist Churches, located in Coffeyville and Independence, Kansas, had not experienced membership growth in the ten years of 1987-1997. These two churches were part of a three-church district, which also included a church 145 miles away in Springfield, MO. That church was active in developing outreach and evangelistic strategies whereas the Kansas churches were not. The two Kansas churches were headed toward closing due to stagnation. Unless revitalization and consistent leadership training took place, a turnaround would never happen for these two small churches.

Method

This project explored the Coffeyville and …

Constructing A Kazak Christian Identity Using Collective Memory And Critical Contextualization, Kris Stewart Kappler

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Truth, Allegiance, And Power Dimensions In Christian Discipleship: From A Language Of Priority To A Balanced Approach, Boubakar Sanou

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Structure And Mission Effectiveness: A Study Focused On Seventh-Day Adventist Mission To Unreached People Groups Between 1980 And 2010, Abraham Guerrero

Dissertations

The present study examines the impact of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's structure on mission effectiveness in taking the gospel to unreached people groups between 1980 and 2010. A historical descriptive study, this dissertation's theory base includes structure from an anthropological perspective; structure, mission, and effectiveness from an organizational perspective; and church structure and mission effectiveness in Christian history.

The impact of structure on mission effectivenessis evaluated in the present work by looking for patterns in history in which the structure has been either a facilitator or a hindrance for establishing churches among those who have not been reached with the …

[Book Review Of] Adventism And Ellen White: A Phenomenon Of Religious Materialism, By Thomas Mcelwain, Denis Kaiser

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Reaching, Teaching, Feeding And Loving People For The Kingdom Of God, Gwendolyn Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the biblically prescribed methodologies and innovative tools for attaining the desirable results of more disciples instead of followers of Christ. It is incumbent on every believer to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission, to go out into the world and preach the gospel to every ethnos. There are several contributing factors that are conducive to people globally starving holistically mainly due to a deviancy of knowledge imparted and less implementation of discipleship. The inclusion of this thesis is a partial account of interviews with some Christian leaders and selected Disciples of …

An Evaluation Of The Growing Healthy Churches Program As A Method For Producing Healthy, Growing, And Reproducing Southern Baptist Congregations, Donald Hardaway

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current status of Southern Baptist churches in the United States necessitates the development of a strategy for renewal toward health and multiplication. The purpose of this project is to suggest a proven model for local church revitalization through the "Growing Healthy Churches" program developed by Dr. Paul Borden. Based on responses from churches participating in the Growing Healthy Churches program and pastors who have led their churches through the strategies presented by Borden, the project explains the revitalization process, reviews the results, and makes a recommended plan of action for local church renewal through association-led programming.

The Missionary Letters Of Vincent Donovan, 1957-1973 / John P. Bowen [Book Review], Bruce Campbell Moyer

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Missiological Perspectives On The Communal Significance Of Rites Of Passages In African Traditional Religions, Boubakar Sanou

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

From The "Church For" To The "Church With" : A Study Of Diaspora Missions In South Korea, Yuno Kim

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Preparing The Local Church To Reach Out To The Dislocated: A Case Study Of The Kikuku Indigenious Church Mission To The Mao People Group, Louis Matundu Zulu

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Eight Key Principles To Transform Church Culture To Retain Ministry Leaders, Trent Lambert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In today's culture, there is an ever-growing population of unchurched and dechurched within our local communities, not to mention dysfunctional leaders within the Church. This project attempts to create a healthy quality of life for ministry leaders that transcends into relevant evangelism and empowering discipleship. Based on scripture, segments of church history leadership styles, surveys of current ministry leaders, various books/articles, and personal perspectives this paper will delineate lessons to be learned and principles that are effective in the remodeling process. The principles within this project will show how church culture can transition from an antiquated paradigm of ministry to …

An Oral Strategy For Training Leaders Among The Aztec Indians, Anthony Conner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today there are over 150 Unengaged Unreached People Groups and Unreached People Groups in Mexico. Current methods of outreach are missing the mark with the indigenous people groups. Leaders are poorly equipped to take the Gospel to these least reached areas. The purpose of this project is to research and implement a program to train leaders in an indigenous context in Southern Mexico. The development of this program is based on the biblical mandate to reach all people groups, communication among indigenous peoples as affected by culture and worldview, surveys and interviews with missionaries and national leaders, and special considerations …

The Banner - V. 147, No. 12 - (December 2012), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

6 - Editorial: Living with a Foot in Each World by Bob De Moor / 7 - Catch Your Breath: Wake Up and Pay Attention by Joyce Kane / 8 - IMHO: Muzak by Frank DeVries / 8 - Letters to the Editor / 11 - News: Christmas Dinner for Lacombe / 17 - Frequently Asked Questions / 18 - God’s Belly Button by Leonard Vander Zee / 21 - Relating: When Traditions Fail Us by Mary Vandervennen / 22 - The View from Here: ’Tis the Season by Joel Boot / 23 - Finding Truth Amid Turbulence in China …

The Banner - V. 147, No. 11 - (November 2012), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

6 - Editorial: Rich Toward God by Bob De Moor / 7 - Catch Your Breath: Resonance by Jennifer M. Parker / 8 - IMHO: Arm in Arm by Harry Kuperus / 8 - Letters to the Editor / 10 - News: Board of Trustees Endorses U.S. Asylum Legislation / 17 - Frequently Asked Questions / 18 - Can a Growing Business Sustain a Healthy Planet? by Evert Van Der Heide and Cal Jen / 21 - Next: I’m Staying by Tom Kok / 22 - Many Tribes, One Gospel by Nancy Vander Meer / 26 - The View from …

A Model For Revitalizing And Restructuring Peter's Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Jerry Grimes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop a model of ministry that will revitalize Peter's Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, which over the past 102 years, has been characterized by stagnate membership, diminishing evangelistic efforts and a declining spiritual impact. This project will detail a model that allows for a restructuring of Peter's Tabernacle that neither denigrates its traditional approach to congregational life nor disrupts its standard hierarchy. Presented will be an implementable approach to developing small groups of congregants trained to evangelize those communities surrounding Peter's Tabernacle while maintaining the administrative structure of its congregational leadership.

Continuity In Charismata: Swedish Mission And The Growth Of Neo-Pentecostal Churches In Russia, Torbjorn Aronson

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Thinking With Luther About Jesus (Aka Sweetlips), Gary M. Simpson

Faculty Publications

In Luther’s commentary on Ps 45, Jesus can properly by understood as “SweetLips” because of Luther’s bold nuptial rhetoric describing the beauty of Christ the Bridegroom. Jesus’ lips overflow with grace and are, therefore, pure sugar and honey

About My Father's Business: Pastoral Succession From Father To Son, Clifford Hartley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A son who follows in his fathers' footsteps is not unique to many situations but it is to the office of pastor of the local church. Such a succession raises several questions: Is this a call of God, or the passing on of a dynasty? Is this a healthy transition for a church to consider? What are the associated problems and benefits? What biblical foundations should be considered? Are there common factors that make this transition successful? It is evident that unique planning and caution is necessary that is different from other successions patterns of pastoral ministry. This paper will …

Glimpses Behind The Curtain - Surveillance And Pressure During Church Delegation Visits, Walter Sawatsky

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Study Bibles On Bible Study, Matthew Hoehner

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Hoehner, Matthew J. "The Effect of Study Bibles on Bible Study." D. Min. MAP, Concordia Seminary—St. Louis, 2012. 170 pp.

The purpose of this project is to gain a clearer understanding of the impact study Bibles have on the application of Scripture. Along with identifying what study Bible resources are being used, this study provides greater insight into how students are using study Bibles. The process of this project begins with a theological study of the nature and function of Scripture in the context of 2 Tim. 3:10-17. The project continues to examine these theological principles of the Scriptures in …

Reaching And Restoring The City Of God, Mark Junkans

Theological Symposia

Mark Junkans explains how LINC Houston is reaching the metropolitan area of Houston and growing churches.

Reaching And Restoring The City Of God, Mark Junkans

Theological Symposia

Mark Junkans explains how LINC Houston is reaching the metropolitan area of Houston and growing churches.