Digital Commons Network^™

Witness Beyond Technique: Gospel, Conversion, And The Moral Formation Of The Church, Christopher Flanders

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

Technique, efficiency, and measurable outcomes typically govern contemporary Western approaches to evangelism. Such approaches presume a thin account of the gospel, a punctiliar understanding of conversion, and an instrumental view of the church’s witness. This article argues that these assumptions represent not merely pragmatic missteps but theological distortions. Drawing on Scripture, historical theology, missiology, and practices of Christian initiation, I contend that evangelism is best understood as ecclesial witness oriented toward the moral formation of persons and communities under the reign of God. Conversion, on this account, is not a discrete decision secured through persuasive technique but a transformative journey …

The New Orphan? Ministry In K-12 Public Schools, Nelson Silva

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

As churches struggle with identity and declining members in an increasingly hyper-individualistic and pluralistic society, mission must be carefully reconsidered to bring about adaptive change. Public schools position themselves as a natural place to mingle with the people of the community. However, many churches’ missiological posture of attraction rather than immersion, in addition to the misinterpretation of how church and state should relate, keeps ministry away from the heart of the community. The 180° Symposium in 2017 identified “The New Orphan” as Youth Sabbath School. This metaphor now applies to elementary and secondary public schools. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has …

Following The Mission Leader: The Value Of Imitational Learning In The Training Of Apostolic Church Planting Teams At Memorial Lutheran Church In Katy, Texas, John F. Davis Jr

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Davis, Jr., John F. “Following the Mission Leader: The Value of Imitational Learning in the Training of Apostolic Church Planting Teams at Memorial Lutheran Church in Katy, TX.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2025. pp. 272

Reaching the unchurched and unbaptized in our communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a huge challenge for most of our churches. In The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the number of adults being baptized in the churches (a measure of our effectiveness in carrying out the Missio Dei) is less than one per year. To reach people who have no …

Loving-Learning-Leading-Living: A Scholarly Personal Narrative Of A Black Gay Father, Russell E. Thornhill

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation examines the roles, challenges, and contributions of a Black Gay father, a demographic largely absent from academic discourse. While literature explores themes of the church, LGBTQ+ identities, and social justice, there remains a critical gap addressing the lived experiences of a Black Gay father. This study fills that void by elevating narratives as community activists, family leaders, and clergy members, acknowledging their transformative impact within familial and societal structures. The methodology used is the Scholarly Personal Narrative (SPN). It allows for in-depth, reflective engagement with personal experiences in conversation with scholars while situating them within broader sociocultural, theological, …

A Vision For End Time Youth Ministries, Ricardo V. Bain

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

God has entrusted Seventh-day Adventists with a special task of encircling the world with relevant streams of light, from the Bible, to prepare all people, everywhere on this planet, for his return. This means all people are to be solicited with our end-time message. Present truth is always particularly pertinent at a given time and place. Including youth in extracting and expressing present truth is critical to propelling it. This paper is a plea to re-vision and envision what transformative ministry to and with youth could look like in the time of the end.

180° Symposium 2022 Focus Group—Administrators, Tracy Wood

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Participants: Brad Forbes (President, AdventSource), Vandeon Griffin (Assoc Youth Director, NAD), Lyle Notice (Youth Director, Alberta Conf), Andrew Nugent (Assoc Youth Director, Florida Conf), David Salazar (Youth Director, Washington Conf), Ron Whitehead Youth Director, Lake Union).

Gathered Together: The Impact Of In-Person Experiences In A Virtual Age, Consuela Knox

DMin Project Theses

This February 2024 Doctor of Ministry project thesis at Lipscomb University analyzes how following the height of a global health pandemic which required that individuals quarantine, in-person attendance at West Harpeth Church worship services has not reached the pre-pandemic level. The goal of this project was to enhance West Harpeth members’ theological understanding of the importance of in-person corporate gatherings as compared to virtual gatherings. The key research question was: Can awareness of the value of in-person corporate gatherings at West Harpeth, in comparison to virtual gatherings, be raised among members by them engaging in theological reflection? Related questions were: …

Hospitality And Seminary Culture: A Phenomenological Study On The Presence And Practice Of Hospitality Between Seminary Leaders And Students, Jesse Matthew Adams

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

While hospitality is a major biblical doctrine and a requirement of Christian living and outreach, few ministers begin their ministries recognizing the essence and essentiality of hospitality in ministry or intentionally highlight and model it to those they lead. One root cause for this may stem from the seminaries in which our ministers train, that our seminaries have no apparent agreement on a formal framework for teaching hospitality and too few seminaries are marked by a culture of hospitality. This study seeks to establish a formal framework for hospitality in seminary education. Such a framework could be used to instigate …

Leading Our Children To Christ: Christian Education And Discipleship, Scott R. Ward

Faculty Publications

Some pastors are already involved in supporting the schools run by their church, but my prayer is that every pastor will feel energized and equipped to get on campus, partner with our educators and parents, participate in leading outreach with our children, and help make our schools centers of influence in their communities, places where people can come together to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe that when our children become involved in such vibrant, gospel-oriented schools, they will be inspired to become and remain active followers of Jesus.

Exploring Perceptions About American Theological Institutions In Preparing Worship Pastors For Service, Phillip Sandifer

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study analyzes the current and historical information available, highlighting the issues and considerations, regarding Worship Pastors in conservative evangelical churches and the preparatory work for service offered by theological educational institutions and that which is expected by their prospective employers. Stakeholders for this research are aspiring Worship Pastors, Churches (their prospective employers), and conservative, evangelical theological educational institutions.

In addition to the literature review, this qualitative phenomenological study involved interviews of 15 church Executive Pastors, 1 Pastor, 2 Worship Pastors, and the Director of a professional organization that consults Executive Pastors nationwide. Also examined were current curriculums of …

Church Schools As Centers Of Influence In The Community: K-12 Education As Evangelism, Scott R. Ward

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Phenomenological Study Of Native Village Pastors’ Perceptions Of The Alaska School Of Ministry, Cynthia L. Cohen

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The Alaska School of Ministry (AKSOM) was established to provide ministerial education venues in Alaska. This phenomenological study queried pastors who provide ministry in Alaska Native villages to examine their perceptions of AKSOM and perceived effects of the program on their ministries and villages. Fifteen participants, including students and AKSOM leaders from various ethnicities, were interviewed. Transcripts were analyzed to discover common themes. Five themes were noted, which included relationship (fellowship, local, approachable), flexibility, empowerment (support, confidence), practicality, and financial feasibility. All leaders and students perceived the program as a valuable and effective education tool in preparation for ministry in …

The Use Of Spiritual Classics As A Resource For The Ongoing Formation Of Congregational Leaders With Special Reference To The Middle East, Hank Voss

Essays

No abstract provided.

Christian Scholars' Conference Records, 1981-2009, Christian Scholars' Conference

Center for Restoration Studies Archives, Manuscripts and Personal Papers Finding Aids

No abstract provided.

Finding Aid For Christian Scholars Conference Records, (1981-2009), Abilene Christian University Special Collections And Archives

Christian Scholars Conference Records

Finding aid for the Christian Scholars Conference Records, (1981-2009).

Barriers And Solutions For Indigenous Leadership Development: An Outline For Equipping A New Generation For Dynamic Mission Among The Poor, Don Davis

Essays

No abstract provided.

Kerux - Vol. 52, No. 1, Calvin Theological Seminary

Kerux

Inside This Issue

• Welcome Page 1
• The opening word Page 2
• How are you? Page 4
• A dark and stormy night Page 7
• Leading in times of trouble Page 8
• There are seeds and they are trying Page 12
• A prayer for Fiji Page 16
• A grand and rapid change Page 19
• Big on Newbigin Page 22
• A bobo in Sierra Leone Page 26
• Mix well before use Page 31
• The disciple challenge Page 32
• Be frank with me Page 36
• God’s Chinese kingdom Page 40
• The gift of presence Page 46
• The mind of a child Page 50
• Kenya …

Kerux - Vol. 51, No. 3, Calvin Theological Seminary

Kerux

Inside This Issue

• Learning How to Grow from Little Children Page 4
• Storm Chasers Page 7
• Discipleship for Developing Servant Leadership Page 8
• What Leslie Newbigin Has to Say about Christian Leadership Page 10
• Muslims and Christian Leadership in Times of Crisis Page 12
• God's Chinese Kingdom Page 16

Silliness And Stillness: A History Of Covenant Point Bible Camp In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Mark Safstrom

Scandinavian Studies: Faculty Scholarship & Creative Works

"Silliness and Stillness" tells the history of Covenant Point Bible Camp, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Founded in 1926, it has primarily served the congregations of the Swedish Mission Covenant (now Evangelical Covenant Church), and represents the broader revival movements that produced that denomination in the nineteenth century. The story of this camp is also part of the history of the Christian camping movement that developed throughout the twentieth century in the United States and Canada. In addition to being an anniversary book for the particular community that calls the camp "home," it also presents the theological background …

Kerux - Vol. 51, No. 1, Calvin Theological Seminary

Kerux

Inside This Issue

• Going Monk! Page 4
• The City of Diametric Beauty Page 6
• Ben Verkerk, Speaking for Student Senate Page 8
• Taste & See Page 9
• In His Words Page 10
• Cultural Diversity & God’s Mission Page 11
• Ready. Set. Go! Page 14
• The Raw Face of American & Christian Life Page 18
• Humbling, Hard, & Holy Page 20
• Something to Drink Page 21

Missio-Logoi And Faith: Factors That Influence Attitude Certainty, David R. Dunaetz

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

One of the goals of missio-logoi (missionary speech) used by missionaries is the development of faith in the lives of those whom the missionaries serve. From a biblical perspective, faith has both a relational (e.g., John 3:16) and a cognitive dimension (e.g., Hebrews 11:1). This cognitive dimension is similar to what social psychologists call attitude certainty, the degree to which an individual is certain that a particular attitude or belief is true. This study reviews the empirical research conducted to discover the factors that influence attitude certainty. These factors include support for the beliefs by peers, repeated verbal expression of …

Kerux - Vol. 40, No. 7, Calvin Theological Seminary

Kerux

Inside This Issue

• Schedule of Events Page 6
• Tuition for Seminary Children Page 3
• On Why We Send Our Kids to a Xian School Page 4
• On Why We Homeschool Page 5
• Ministry as Matchmaking Page 6
• Family of Faith CRC Page 7
• Why Xian Ed? Page 8