Digital Commons Network^™

Divining Gospel. Oracles Of Interpretation In A Syriac Manuscript Of John, Jeff Childers

Graduate School of Theology

Ancient manuscripts of John’s Gospel containing hermeneiai have long puzzled scholars, provoking debate about their origins, purpose, and use. The fragmentary nature of the early evidence has impeded progress towards a better understanding of these specialized books. The present study shows that these books are "Divining Gospels"—editions of John’s Gospel incorporating lot divination materials for use in fortune-telling. The study centers on material presented here for the first time: the text and translation of a unique sixth-century Syriac manuscript, the earliest and most complete example of a hermeneia Gospel. An analysis of the Syriac along with evidence from Greek, Coptic, …

Strategies Framed Within Transformational Leadership That African American Female Principals Use To Retain Teachers In Texas High-Poverty Schools: A Case Study, Tiffany M. Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe strategies framed within transformational leadership that exemplary African American female principals implement to retain teachers in Texas high-poverty schools. Participants of this case study included 10 African American female principals from elementary, middle, high, and alternative Title 1 schools within the state of Texas. All of the principals had been on their campus at least 2 years and had a 75% or higher retention rate on their campus. The participants were asked questions based on the 4 categories of transformational leadership: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation. …

Lemoine Gaunce Lewis Papers, 1936-1995, Abilene Christian University Special Collections And Archives

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

LeMoine Gaunce Lewis Papers, 1936-1995, finding aid.

A Reader's Guide To Children's Ministry, Shannon Rains, Jennifer Schroeder, Ron Bruner

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

Although the church has long practiced ministry with children, this field of ministerial practice is taking new and exciting shapes in the 21st century. Because of the expanding and substantial body of literature produced in this discipline over the last several decades, we have assembled an annotated bibliography intended to give scholars, practitioners, and church members an overview of the more significant printed work that addresses Christian perspectives on ministry with children.

House System: Increasing Community, Motivation, And Student Ownership, Bridget Glass

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This study looked at the house system in an elementary setting to discover the students’, teachers’, and administrators’ perceptions of how it influences motivation and the community of the school. The researcher’s purpose was to understand if the participants felt that the elements of the house system motivated students to make positive choices and to see if the participants believed the house system influenced the community across campus. The data was collected through a student survey, observations, interviews with students, teacher, and the principal. The data was analyzed through the constant comparative method. The participants perceived that the house system …

The Practice Of Children’S Ministry: Developing A Cohesive Vision Of Practice With Church Leaders, Shannon Clarkson Rains

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to create a congregational workshop for church leaders that leads to the development of a cohesive vision for the practice of children’s ministry. In order to do this, I began by presenting the evolution of children’s ministry in the Churches of Christ along with the current tensions that exist between ministers and church leadership created by a lack of cohesive vision for the practice of children’s ministry. This foundational understanding of the origins of this tension supports my discussion of a vision for children’s ministry that includes attention to the spiritual formation of children—an …

Edwin Randall "Randy" Becton Papers, 1970-2012, Edwin Randall "Randy" Becton

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

No abstract provided.

David Lipscomb On Rebaptism: Contexts Of A Controversy, Mcgarvey Ice

Library Research and Publications

This paper sets David Lipscomb's position on rebaptism in three contexts.

First, to provide a historical context, it states the circumstances of his baptism

and examines how and to what ends he employed the narrative of it. Second, to

craft a theological context, it contours in a broad way his doctrine of baptism.

Third, to furnish an ecclesial context, it scrutinizes the practice of receiving

members at Nashville's South College Street Christian Church, where he served

as an elder.

Adventure-Based Therapy: Couple Intimacy With Christian Spirituality, Edward Boyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adventure-Based Therapy (ABT) models have been used for many years in the United States and beyond, primarily in adolescent and young adult populations. This project seeks to explore the experiences of couples on an ABT trip. Couples were asked to share their lived experiences as it pertains to marital intimacy, nature, and Christian spirituality. Seven themes emerged as the interviews were transcribed and confirmed by the couples: appreciation for nature, building community, care shown by partner, connecting with God outdoors, leaving technology, preparation together, and shared activity. These themes form the backbone of potential new outcomes as couples’ work is …

Elders Intentionally Developing Future Leaders Through A Mentoring Program At The Central Church Of Christ In Topeka, Ks, Terry Kitson

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to implement an Elder Mentoring Program for the Central Church of Christ in Topeka, KS. In the first chapter, the context for this project, the Central Church of Christ, is described. The theological constructs for the project were drawn from The Book of Pastoral Rule written by Gregory the Great 590 C.E. and built upon by the application of contemporary Christian authors, and Biblical examples. The three key concepts taken from The Book of Pastoral Rule are contemplation, pastoral care, and mentoring. The third chapter reviews project methodology and mentoring curriculum. The findings and …

Attachment, Trauma, And Intimacy With God, Jodie Kathleen Gardner

Conversations: A Graduate Student Journal of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology

Attachment theory provides a robust framework for understanding spiritual development and perceptions of God. An integration of research from attachment theory, affective neuroscience, emotional information processing, and trauma, is clarifying the competing research findings involving compensation and correspondence in spiritual development. Empirical evidence suggests the distinction between explicit theological beliefs and implicit perception of God as an attachment figure may explain the discrepancy between compensatory practices and correspondence, and how one interacts with God, and copes with negative life events. Studies of post-traumatic stress disorder suggest specific association between the extreme stress of trauma and alterations in emotional processing. Trauma …

Quest To Belong, Cyndi L. Najar

Conversations: A Graduate Student Journal of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology

This paper describes some components of intercultural communication theory that individuals face in an attempt to discover where they belong. It addresses how individuals with disabilities try to decrease the negativity of their social identity. The author further deals with negative attitudes of prejudice through a discussion of language attitudes and intercultural marriages. The paper concludes with a section on the characteristics of true communities.

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 …

Theology In Practice: Context For Minister Formation, Brady Bryce

Graduate School of Theology

No abstract provided.

Developing A Spiritual Leadership Curriculum At West University Church Of Christ, Daniel Mcgraw

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

In the fall of 2015, I worked with a small group of congregational members to develop a spiritual leadership curriculum for the West Houston Church of Christ. Many of the congregation’s leaders were feeling a sense of burnout and weariness in ministry. They yearned to deepen their own connection with God to energize their ministry. This article relates the history of the congregation before the intervention, outlines the process of the intervention, from its theological underpinnings to the development of the curriculum, and finally, examines the efficacy of this intervention.

Formulating An Intentional Curriculum For Spiritual Leadership Development At The West University Church Of Christ, Daniel A. Mcgraw

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This project addresses the lack of a formal curriculum for spiritual leadership formation in the West University Church of Christ in Houston, Texas. While the West University Church of Christ has been blessed by strong congregational leaders in both the past and present, recent conversations revealed the need for a deeper connection to God and a better understanding of spiritual leadership on the part of the congregation’s leaders. The problem I identified was a lack of understanding about spiritual leadership in contrast to secular understandings of leadership and the lack of a formal curriculum to help address this problem.

This …

2015 - Same Mind: United In Imitating Jesus, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

The theme of Summit 2015, "Same Mind: United in Imitating Jesus," reminds us of the significance of these words from the second chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippians. Communal unity, like-mindedness and looking to the needs of others over our own interests are the marks of mature followers of Christ.

Featured speakers include: Brady Bryce, Richard Beck, Chris Smith, Amy Bost Henegar, Raymond Carr, Phil Brookman, and Mike Cope

Elder Selection: Engaging The Monterey Church Of Christ In A Collaborative Elder Selection Process, Benjamin D. Pickett

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This doctor of ministry thesis presents the outcomes of a project intended to foster greater collaboration at the Monterey Church of Christ in its selection of elders. The intervention involved the engagement of the Monterey Church in a process that involved multiple steps. These steps involved engagement with teachers in the context of a teacher training seminar, with Bible classes in a series of Bible lessons, and with elders, elder nominees, and their spouses in order to discern the perceived degree to which Monterey members participate in the elder selection process. The Bible lessons presented an alternative model for theological …

2013 - Margins: Following Jesus At The Edge In Luke's Gospel, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

Enjoy these outstanding speakers with special thanks to the College of Biblical Studies, the Honors College, the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning, the Alumni Association, the Halbert Institute for Missions, the Students’ Association, and the Center for Youth and Family Ministry.

Luke Timothy Johnson is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Emory University's Candler School of Theology.

Peter Williams is the warden of Tyndale House, an honorary senior lecturer in biblical studies at the University of Aberdeen, and a lecturer at University of Cambridge.

Scot McKnight is a popular speaker, author, professor, and …

2012 - 106th Annual Summit, "Intimacy", Abilene Christian University, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Discernment Phase For Those Nominated In The Shepherd Selection Process At The Cinco Ranch Church Of Christ, Aaron Walling

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This doctor of ministry thesis presents the results of a project that implemented a discernment phase for those nominated in the shepherd selection process at the Cinco Ranch Church of Christ. Occurring in the fall of 2010, this project involved nominees in a series of six one-hour, thirty-minute sessions designed to establish the theological foundations for shepherding and to explore its practical expression at Cinco Ranch. For the theological component, this project primarily utilized Ephesians 4:11-16, and for the practical side, it incorporated group interactions with those serving as shepherds along with the review of guiding leadership documents. The project‟s …

The Character Of God In The Speeches Of Yahweh In The Book Of Job, John David Telgren

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Considering Job in its canonical form with special attention to the lawsuit and the mythopoeic features, this thesis investigates the portrayal of God in his speeches as a corrective to Job and his friends' erroneous view of God. Their erroneous view is based on the concept of violent and militant divine power that defeated a rival chaos deity before the foundation of the world and established order, justice, and community. Job and his friends believed that just rule, which is to preserve community order, is naturally based on the same violent power with which the world was created. Therefore, any …

Blessing And Sending The Church Into The World For The Sake Of The World, Using Congregational Blessings As A Missional Enterprise, Michael Harbour

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project equipped the elders to function as a community of men called and authorized by God to bless and send his people into the world for the sake of the world. They were equipped through seven sessions of theological reflection on Scripture and reflection on narratives of those who have offered pastoral blessings. The sessions also included an examination of templates and the opportunity to practice writing and speaking blessings. The elders have been speaking a shepherd’s blessing as the last liturgical act of the Sunday assembly. In this project, missional and textual focus was given to the …

Leadership And The Life Of God: Distribution Of Ministerial Gifts And Leadership Practices At The Quail Springs Church Of Christ, Robert Mark Henderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this project is the presentation of a curriculum that establishes a theological foundation for the revised leadership model at the Quail Springs Church of Christ. The elders and ministry staff comprised the working group for this project. The theological foundation for the distribution of leadership roles is the triune life of God. God exists in perfect community as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and God's people have been invited to participate in the divine life. Therefore, a central task of the church and its leadership is to embody and continue the work of the triune God. Leadership …

"The Circumcision Of The Christ": The Significance Of Baptism In Colossians And The Churches Of The Restoration, Jeffrey Peterson

Restoration Quarterly

Peterson, Jeffrey (2001) ""The Circumcision of the Christ": The Significance of Baptism in Colossians and the Churches of the Restoration," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 43 : No. 2.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.

Sanctified Entirely: The Theological Focus Of Paul's Instructions For Church Discipline, Stacy R. Obenhaus

Restoration Quarterly

Obenhaus, Stacy R. (2001) "Sanctified Entirely: The Theological Focus of Paul's Instructions for Church Discipline," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 43 : No. 1.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.

Codependency And Pastoral Care: A Report From The Trenches, Marlene K. Klunzinger, Michael S. Moore

Restoration Quarterly

Klunzinger, Marlene K. and Moore, Michael S. (1996) "Codependency and Pastoral Care: A Report from the Trenches," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 38 : No. 3.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.

A Theology Of Small Groups, Darin Kennedy

Restoration Quarterly

Kennedy, Darin (1996) "A Theology of Small Groups," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 38 : No. 3.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.

Churches Of Christ And Abortion: A Survey Of Selected Periodicals, Craig Churchill

Restoration Quarterly

hurchill, Craig (1996) "Churches of Christ and Abortion: A Survey of Selected Periodicals," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 38 : No. 3.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.

Towards A Definition Of Paraenesis, Tim Sensing

Restoration Quarterly

Sensing, Tim (1996) "Towards a Definition of Paraenesis," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 38 : No. 3.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.