Digital Commons Network^™

The Many Dordt Ties To Deep Reading, Andrea Dieleman

The Voice

No abstract provided.

John’S Scriptural Testimony (Chapter 3 From Composite Intertextual Allusions In The Prologue And Opening Narratives), Amber Dillon

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

The work of this project picks up where scholarship has left the conversation open regarding the Evangelist’s use of Scripture and its implications for the Fourth Gospel and Judaism through exploring where several Johannine streams intersect in the person of John the Baptist. I propose that his characterization brings together these major conversations and offers another perspective to the discussion regarding the Jewish nature of the Gospel. John the Baptist is portrayed as the archetypal witness to Jesus as his characterization is wrapped up in composite allusions to the Jewish Scriptures. This detailed intertextual weaving is a result of the …

Churches' Struggles After Receiving Freedom For Its Mission, Július Filo

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Július Filo, Prof. ThDr. Dr.h.c. Professor of practical theology at the Evangelical Theological Faculty of Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. Bishop emeritus of the Lutheran Churches (1994-2006). Chairperson of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Slovakia (1994-2005). In his research focusses on renewal of congregational life, missiology, diaconal theology, liturgical theology.

Introduction To Shakers At The Center: Manifesting Spirits & Spectacles In Nineteenth-Century America, Douglas L. Winiarski

Religious Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Second Sunday In Ordinary Time - 18 January 2026, Joe Tedesco

Pastoral Liturgy

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Leaderhip In The Diocese Of San Diego California: Servant Leadership Theory, Clarissa Jayne Hutcheson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the impact of the absence of a comprehensive leadership formation process for individuals serving in pastoral leadership roles within the Diocese of San Diego, California. To ground the study theologically, the research engages the biblical Book of Nehemiah as a formative model of leadership rooted in covenantal responsibility, moral courage and communal restoration. Building upon this biblical foundation, the study turns to contemporary Servant Leadership Theory to examine how leadership grounded in service can foster the growth and maturation of both leaders and pastoral teams. Employing a mixed methods research design, quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews …

Breaking Barriers: A Ministry Approach To Understanding And Addressing The Needs Of Somali Immigrants In The Twin Cities, Yared K. Woldemariam

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relational dynamics and ministry barriers between Somali immigrant communities and Christian churches in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, with the aim of identifying practical and theological strategies for cultivating trust-based engagement. Grounded in diaspora missiology and the biblical model of hospitality in the Book of Acts, the research explores how historical experiences, cultural perceptions, and communication patterns shape present-day interactions.
A qualitative-dominant mixed-methods design was employed, consisting of twenty-one semi-structured interviews with church leaders and Somali community leaders, supported by questionnaire data to identify comparative trends. Inductive thematic analysis revealed that relationship history, language interpretation, institutional …

Black Americans' Interactions With Law Enforcement: The Black Church's Response, Shalanda Ehiozee

Doctor of Ministry

This research interrogates the disproportionate frequency of lethal law enforcement encounters involving Black Americans, contextualizing these fatalities within the systemic racial hierarchies foundational to the United States. By tracing the historical evolution of policing from antebellum slave patrols to contemporary practice, this study contends that modern law enforcement serves as a sophisticated mechanism of racial and social control.

To examine this phenomenon, the research employs a qualitative, multidimensional methodology that synthesizes Comparative Caste Analysis, case study examination, and a Christological framework. This inquiry is further bolstered by a longitudinal analysis of African American ecclesiological activism, culminating in a theological reflection …

Re-Imagining Church As A Spiritual Family, Abraham Acosta-Newball

Doctor of Ministry

The contemporary Christian church faces a crisis of belonging; many members are opting out for non-theologically related reasons or differences. The claim for this exodus is a lack of genuine community that serves as an extended spiritual family. Modern churches function as event-centered gatherings, and less like a multigenerational community, reflecting instead a culture of individualism and spiritual consumerism. The purpose of this project is to explore strategies for churches to assume a more biblical role of a spiritual family. Particularly focusing on practical ways for building stronger community within multigenerational and multiethnic Worship settings. The project culminates in three …

'Power To Tread On Serpents': Trinity Broadcasting Network And The Theological Underpinnings Of Christian Nationalism, Moriah Coons

Seattle Pacific Seminary Theses

While many scholars have discussed the rise of conservatism and Christian nationalism among prominent American evangelicals since the 1970s, few have seriously discussed the theology which has held up these shifts, especially that which comes from Charismatic influences. This thesis contends that many conservative Christians today, and Pentecostals in particular, cannot be understood according to their political and sociological contexts alone, but require a serious analysis of the theological convictions which drive public engagement. In order to demonstrate the historical justification for this claim, this paper will examine Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)’s dissemination of Pentecostal theology between 1973 and 1988, …

Theatre And Dance As Divine Purpose: Liberating The Christian Performer In Pursuit Of Artistic Worship, Abby Owen

Dance (MFA) Theses

This study examines the historical relevance of theatre and dance alongside religious forms of worship, with a particular emphasis on their integration into Christian churches of the Middle Ages, in comparison to the current Western era. Beginning with their origin, this research examines the creation of theatre and dance in Ancient Greece as a means of connecting with spiritual deities, tracing their recorded transition into accepted acts of everyday worship by Christian leadership. At the same time, this research scrutinizes contemporary congregations’ lack of artistic incorporation, denouncing the rise of restricted worship in response to present-day condemnation of the female …

Interplay Of Religion And Stagecraft: Orthodox Christianity And Islam In Russian Foreign Policy, Samet Okan, Askar Akimkhanov, Karlygash Borbassova, Rysgul Ospanova

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Religious factors have increasingly been acknowledged as significant components in the field of international relations, with scholars emphasizing the evolving paradigms involving religion and the rise of faith-based diplomacy. In the context of Russia, the intricate interplay between the state and both Christianity and Islam is particularly pertinent, given the nation’s multifaceted religious landscape. This paper explores the influence of religious elements in shaping the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. More specifically, it clarify the roles of the Russian Orthodox Church and Islam as pivotal components in the formation of Russia’s foreign policy strategies. Additionally, this study provides insights …

Religious And Cultural Dimension Of The "Ringing Cedars Of Russia" Movement In The Context Of Hybrid Warfare, Oleksandr Lukyanenko, Vitaly Dmytrenko, Vita Dmytrenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to a comprehensive religious analysis of the neo-religious movement “The Ringing Cedars of Russia,” based on the works of Vladimir Megre and the image of the prophetess Anastasia. The study covers the ideological and doctrinal foundations of the movement, its socio-cultural practices, the functioning of tribal settlements, as well as mechanisms of influence on individual and collective consciousness. Particular attention is paid to the concepts of “Vedrussia”, the sacralization of “Russian space” and the mythologization of Russia’s calling to revive the “primitive civilization of harmony.” The analysis shows that the movement, while declaring ecological and humanistic …

No One Told Their Story: Acculturation, Faith Formation, And Belonging In Multicultural Congregations Led By African American Pastors, Alicia L. Partee

Doctor of Ministry

The search for meaning, identity coherence, and belonging often intensifies when individuals cross cultural boundaries. Faith communities can serve as sanctuaries for identity renegotiation, but congregations may also reproduce the social distance and exclusion found in the broader society. This dissertation addresses a scholarly and pastoral gap at the intersection of acculturation and Christian faith formation, and more specifically how identity, belonging, and spiritual formation are negotiated within multicultural congregations led by African American pastors in San Jose, California, and similar contexts.

Drawing on acculturation research in psychology, sociology, and anthropology, this study examines how culturally diverse newcomers experience culture …

Binding The Strongman: Understanding And Disarming Society's Anxious Systems, Jacob Eugene Osborne

Doctor of Ministry

Binding the Strongman seeks to address an underlying problem at the heart of western evangelicalism, an idolatry which contemporary Christianity has become enmeshed in as it relates to political figures, cultural influencers, and unhealthy spiritual leaders. The NPO examines how evangelicals engaged in politics are encountering barriers to spiritual growth largely due to systemic social and spiritual leadership issues caused by their position in a relational system that is experiencing chronic anxiety.

Binding the Strongman addresses underlying dynamics at the heart of every Christian, such as the unhealthy emotional systems they are prone to rely on as systems of truth, …

The New, New Song: Answering Decline In Mainline Communities Of Faith, Daniel Garrett Kuckuck

Doctor of Ministry

This project addresses the NPO Statement: “The practical theology of mainline congregations in decline is no longer speaking at all.” Research conducted across congregational contexts revealed that many communities of faith still believe deeply, but have lost the confidence and practice of articulating their faith story aloud. Decline is not only a matter of resources and worship size, but also of a congregation’s ability to name who they are, what God is doing among them, and why their story matters now.

The project emerges directly from my vocational context as a pastor and judicatory leader accompanying 130 worshipping communities across …

Cultivating Belonging In Church Communities: A Repeatable Model For Small Groups, Clancy Z. Kiener

Doctor of Ministry

NPO Statement for this project is as follows:

Many individuals experience a diminished sense of belonging within religious environments. This lack of belonging can lead to disengagement and limit opportunities for authentic spiritual and communal formation. Structured, repeatable, moderator-led small groups— guided by trained moderators—offer a practical approach for fostering connection and strengthening a sense of belonging within church communities.

A key insight from this project is that many people in church communities experience a persistent sense of not belonging, even when they attend, serve, and believe alongside others. The research shows that belonging is not automatically created by shared …

Digging Deep: Food Sovereignty, Belonging & Community- A Systemic Approach, Julie Lynn Gullett

Doctor of Ministry

Set in the rural, agrarian context of Lewis County, Washington, one of the poorest counties in Washington State, this project explores the following NPO: Addressing the concerns of marginalized populations by fostering care of Creation, offers an innovative path to meaningful reciprocal community connections, and a future filled with hope. Drawing on the wisdom and methodologies of Seedpod Farm, my vocational context, a key insight of the Project centered on three interrelated outcomes that my research identified as critical for success: Sovereignty through the development of food skills, belonging through mentoring and cohort relationships, and fostering community connections through service. …

Flourishing In The Wilderness: Soul Care For The Disoriented, Disillusioned, And Deconstructing, Becky Frazier

Doctor of Ministry

Seasons of disorientation, disillusionment, and deconstruction are normal parts of the Christian spiritual life. This can be seen throughout church history and is even an integral theme of scripture. Yet many churches do not prepare Christians for this possibility, leaving many to struggle more than is necessary through the loneliness, doubt, and confusion of these seasons. This experience of being “unmoored” and alone was a key insight that emerged throughout my research. It is my belief that churches should equip and support members who find themselves in a wilderness season of their faith. To that end, the NPO that this …

Spiritual Friendship: Addressing Clergy Loneliness And Isolation, Tyler Tankersley

Doctor of Ministry

The Need, Problem, or Opportunity (NPO) that grounds this Project Portfolio is the widespread experience of personal loneliness and social isolation among pastors. While pastoral ministry is inherently relational, many clergy serve in emotionally demanding roles that limit their capacity to cultivate mutual, non-instrumental friendships, leaving them vulnerable to exhaustion, isolation, and diminished vocational sustainability.

Research conducted through collaborative design workshops, one-on-one interviews, surveys, and engagement with biblical, theological, and contemporary social research revealed that loneliness among pastors is not merely a social deficit but a spiritual and formational concern. Key insights include the distinction between loneliness and social isolation, …

Faith That Lasts: How Local Churches Can Support Families In Passing On Their Faith To Their Children, Andrew Corbyn Thompson

Doctor of Ministry

NPO Statement

More than ever, children raised in Christian homes leave their faith by adulthood.

A major contributing factor to this tragic exodus is the North American ministry model that outsourced discipleship from the home to age-segregated church programs and professionals. This project responds to the urgent need to equip and empower parents in their foundational role as their children's first disciplers.

Key Benefit or Insights that Emerged from the Research Overall

The research for this project, grounded in biblical and theological foundations and sociological observation, highlights that lasting, authentic faith is fostered in a holistic home environment where parents, …

"Let The Little Children Come To Me:" Examining The Importance Of At-Home Discipleship And Spiritual Formation For Children Ages Zero To Three Years Old, Kamilah Kay Edwards

Doctor of Ministry

The narratives of children in the Bible links the Old and New Testaments, continually shaping our understanding from past to present. Likewise, children hold a significant place in Christian churches and homes as the legacy of the lived Christian experience. Considering 21st century research findings highlighting the perceptions of children in the American Christian church, American Christianity is seeing a departure of youth. This departure is more than an exodus, it is an identity crisis that calls into question contemporary discipleship and spiritual formation practices at home and in the faith community. The importance of discipling children from the earliest …

The Flow Of Holiness: A Theology Of Grace And Differentiation For Congregational Formation, Paul David Bravard

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation addresses a problem in contemporary Christianity, particularly among Evangelical Friends: many hold an incomplete and fragmented understanding of holiness. Holiness has become either a private glow, a legalistic burden, or a vague aspiration. In a culture marked by relativism, anxiety, and institutional fatigue, many believers lack a clear, communal way of speaking about and living out holiness as “the good life through Christ,” shared within a meeting rather than confined to individual hearts.

This dissertation proposes that holiness can be recovered as a distinctive Friends’ witness when it is reframed as a grace-shaped, communal, faithful presence. By bringing …

Near & Now: Everyday Encounters With God, Caleb Christian Cox

Doctor of Ministry

People of Redeemer Lutheran Church often experience a disconnect between Sunday worship and their ordinary lives, leaving them inattentive to everyday encounters with God.

Research and feedback from individuals and households revealed several key insights. First, participants reported that a clear, repeatable structure made spiritual attentiveness more sustainable in daily life. Second, integrating theology with design and usability proved essential for engagement across generations. Finally, stakeholder interaction with the resource affirmed that attentiveness to God would not bear fruit by adding more tasks, but by recognizing the everyday as holy ground.

The project was implemented in the ministry context of …

Body Wonder: Helping Women Discover The Wonder Of God In Their Female Forms, Kristin Marie Antil

Doctor of Ministry

This project works to address the following need/problem/opportunity (NPO): Christian women in my contexts are hindered from having a positive relationship with their bodies which undermines potential and diminishes self-worth. I observed this problem in the students I counsel in my work as a mental health therapist at Bethel University, but I also noticed a tendency for women in my church and community settings to disregard, disdain, or despise their bodies as well. The research over these three years has helped me see the complexities of the factors that contribute to the negative postures that women hold towards their bodies …

Audacious Saints: A Spiritual Formation Journey Toward Freedom And Flourishing, Carroll Lane Parsons

Doctor of Ministry

This doctoral project addresses a common challenge for many Christian women. In spiritual direction, they often express emotional, spiritual, and psychological pain because their voice, vision, and power are limited in their faith communities. Even though these women are deeply devoted to God and their beliefs, this pain can often make it difficult to experience spiritual confidence, discover their calling, and trust their own discernment. The project explores how engaging with the lives of female saints, alongside contemplative and embodied practices, can offer a healing way forward.

Audacious Saints is a twelve-module spiritual formation program that integrates sacred stories, group …

The Reconnection Experience: A Black Pastor's Journey Back To God And Self, Lindsay Mcghee Alexander

Doctor of Ministry

NPO

The Need/Problem/Opportunity (NPO) statement guiding this project is: Pastors in the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church feel disconnected from God and themselves.

Key Insights

The research revealed that pastoral disconnection is driven less by lack of skill and more by identity loss, performance pressure, and the absence of safe spaces for vulnerability. Spiritual formation remains largely absent from Black pastors' lives and churches. Cultural and denominational expectations reward quantitative data over spiritual growth. Self-care and inner work are not recognized as integral to ministry success or effectiveness. Many pastors operate from “doing” rather than “being,” leading to …

Equip: Developing Confident, Christ-Centered Volunteers, Alyssa Mclaughlin

Doctor of Ministry

NPO statement: Volunteers within Cedar Hills Church feel unsure of what we believe, unclear on their purpose, and unprepared to disciple others in their specific ministry contexts. Without intentional training and equipping, these barriers keep capable people on the sidelines instead of stepping confidently into the mission of Jesus.

Key benefits or insights that emerged: Research and early implementation showed that volunteers engage more when equipping is relational, practical, and connected to real life. Adults were more willing to participate when they could share from their own experiences and practice their faith, rather than sit through content-heavy teaching. Participants gained …

Renewed: A Journey Toward Resilient And Relational Leadership, Molly Bradley Lacroix

Doctor of Ministry

Adverse religious experiences cause spiritual, emotional, and relational wounds. Research on spiritual harm locates its origins in the misuse of power. High-control religious environments are preoccupied with authority, submission, silencing dissent, and shaming those who question or doubt. Clearly, the nature of leadership is key in addressing and preventing harm. Spiritually safe leaders empower people, lead with humility, seek feedback, and take accountability for mistakes. Research on the role of clergy reveals complex roles, relentless demands, burnout, and the impact of secondary trauma on clergy well-being. Additionally, clergy are often expected to operate beyond their areas of competence and report …

A Case Study Examining The Strengths And Gaps Of Servant Leadership Within Pentecostal Churches Of Ohio, Octavia Denise Hardaway

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the gaps in servant leadership within Pentecostal churches in Ohio that could contribute to the departure of members from Pentecostal churches. This qualitative study examined the biblical servant leaders Nehemiah and Paul, as well as theological literature. The researcher created an instrument to assess the strengths and gaps in servant ministry leadership within Ohio Pentecostal churches.