Digital Commons Network^™

God Likes Sex: Conversations Integrating Spirituality And Sexuality, Jennie Armstrong

Doctor of Ministry

Throughout Christian history, the Church has provided inconsistent messages about the spiritual foundation for healthy sexuality. With avoidant messages of silence and shame around sexual topics from the Church, many emergent women separate their spirituality from their sexual lives, never considering scripture as a guideline for healthy sexuality. Emergent adult women, specifically those without strong spiritual foundations, are more likely to engage in unhealthy sexual behaviors which often leave them feeling alone and separate from God and spiritual community. Because popular culture does not support marriage as a moral requirement for a sexual relationship, present cultural messages advocate that these …

Becoming Stuck In Complicated Grief: Turning Loss Into Resilience, Hope, And Healing, Elizabeth (Pam) Strachan-Proudfit

Doctor of Ministry

Grief is a natural and normal experience reaching back to the narrative of creation. Research has revealed that about 80 to 90 percent of grievers experience normal or uncomplicated grief while a small percentage ranging from 10 to 20 percent struggled with complicated grief responses. This small percentage is the focus of this dissertation. Those who experience complicated grief are observed to become stuck and unable to move through the grieving process independently. Grievers who are stuck appear to have on-going difficulty in their spiritual, emotional, cognitive, and even physical health. The uniqueness of grief is not only real with …

Forming Anglican Wayfinders In Aotearoa: A Contextual Approach To Ministerial Preparation, Karen Kemp

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation begins with a Church in crisis and a story of vocation under pressure. It identifies the need for clergy who are resilient and adaptive in the face of change.

Using the four phases of Appreciative Inquiry, Sections Two through Six build a picture of what New Zealand Anglican leaders need today.1

Discover: Section Two surveys bright spots in ministerial education, and exegetes the Rule of Benedict using a leadership lens.

Dream: Section Three identifies key challenges, evaluates emerging models of leadership, and proposes a fresh approach to training.

Design and Destiny phases (Sections Four through Six) present the …

Understanding Face And Shame: A Servant-Leadership And Face Management Model, Jiying Song

Faculty Publications - George Fox Digital

Clergy can have a negative impact on churches and other individuals when they knowingly or unknowingly attempt to save face, that is, try to protect their standing or reputation. The desire to gain face and the fear of losing face and feeling ashamed will likely permeate clergy’s decision-making processes without even being noticed. This study explores the essence of face and face management and the relationship between face management and two characteristics of servant-leadership—awareness and healing—in both Chinese and American churches through the methodology of hermeneutic phenomenology. Prior to this study, to my knowledge, no hermeneutic phenomenological research of face …

Text Of 1 Thessalonians (Chapter In 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Zondervan Critical Introductions To The New Testament), Nijay Gupta

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

The first port of call in this study is to identify the origins of 1 Thessalonians with a focus on the integrity of the text, authorship, and date, followed by an extended discussion of genre, style, and structure. Thereafter, I will discuss some of the possible sources behind 1 Thessalonians.

John R. Mott And John D. Rockefeller, Jr.: Dimensions Of An Unlikely Friendship, Benjamin Hartley

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

This research report is based on research performed at the Rockefeller Archive Center during January 2019. The report explores several dimensions to the friendship and professional relationship of Dr. John R. Mott and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. John R. Mott was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 1946 and was one of the most important ecumenical and Christian mission leaders in the first half of the twentieth century. Mott traveled the world to establish student Christian associations in many different countries, and also served in diplomatic missions for the Wilson administration. He refused Woodrow Wilson’s offer to be the U.S. …

Present Condition And Role Of The Catholic Church In Poland, Alfred Marek Wierzbicki

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

My remarks about the present condition and role of the Catholic Church in Poland are not based on formal sociological research, for I am not a sociologist. I would like just to share some observations and concerns about the situation in which I live as Christian and priest. My report is mostly based on the personal experience, but in spite of the subjective perspective I seek to objectivize my views as much as possible by taking into account a broader context.

The Contemporary Problems And Solutions That Influence The Exodus Population Of Christians, Laura Lynn Howard

Doctor of Ministry

Section 1: The Problem addresses Christians outside of the churches that do not have ministerial support. Contemporary Exodus Christianity is the practice of Christianity outside of the institutional church. Currently there is a shifting of the global center of Christianity. Consumerism is affecting the Christian church. Consumerism is a potential contributor to the problem of church exodus. There is a trend of continuing decline of church attendance. A statistical exploration of the reasons congregants, members, and pastors have left the church is included. The sociological study of the Exodus Christian population delivers an introductory view of Exodus Christianity.

Section 2: …

Empathy As A Christian Calling, Danielle Bryant

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This essay focuses on the recent study of care in my teaching, and the role empathy plays in enacting an ethic of care. Using current research in empathy, along with reflections on my own teaching practice, the ACTS model offers some practical ways to foster and model empathy in teaching. Several case studies exemplify this approach within a variety of educational settings. Current brain research is also explored in the discussion of the model in this essay.

The Ethic Of Care And Inclusive Education, David W. Anderson

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

This article deals with the ethic of care in education, with a specific focus on classrooms that include students with disabilities. After a brief overview of historical and legal issues which led to the inclusive education movement, the discussion focuses on what an ethic of care involves from a biblical/theological perspective.

Face Management And Servant-Leadership: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Chinese And American Christian Church Leaders, Jiying Song

Faculty Publications - George Fox Digital

Leaders can have a negative impact on organizations when they knowingly or unknowingly attempt to save face, that is, try to protect their standing or reputation. The strong cultural value of not losing face presents a unique challenge for organizational leaders. The desire to gain face and the fear of losing face will likely permeate leaders‟ decision-making processes without even being noticed. The phenomenon of face exists both in China and in the United States, yet misunderstandings and a lack of understanding of face exist in both countries. Face management is the communicative strategies people use to manage face during …

Teaching For A Multifaith World; From Bubble To Bridge: Educating Christians For A Multifaith World, Debra S. Espinor

Faculty Publications - College of Education

Similar but different is the metaphor to describe both multifaith books reviewed here—similar in that both are exploring the many facets of how to live in our multifaith world today, and different because the books are written for different audiences and ages. Teaching for a Multifaith World, edited by Eleazar S Fernandez, is written for an audience of seminarians. The language is pastoral and the book is a compilation from writers from many well-respected seminaries across the United States. The title of the book implies that this might be a textbook in a course within a religious studies program. From …

Interdisciplinary Team-Based Pastoral Care Model For Estonian Healthcare Institutions: The Professionals' Insight And The Model Adjustments, Liidia Meel

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The current article addresses the application potential of an interdisciplinary team- based pastoral care model in Estonian healthcare institutions. To support the inclusion of pastoral care in Estonian healthcare institutions, the initial model of interdisciplinary team-based pastoral care was created as a theoretical construction. The current article deals with the model applicability and aims to adjust the model to be adaptable to different healthcare institutions in Estonia. To inform the model adjustments, a qualitative research was conducted in three Estonian hospitals that have included pastoral care provision in different organizational forms. The expert sample consists of pastoral caregivers of these …

Book Review: God, Hierarchy, And Power: Orthodox Theologies Of Authority From Byzantium., James R. Payton

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Ashley M. Purpura, God, Hierarchy, and Power: Orthodox Theologies of Authority from Byzantium. New York: Fordham University Press, 2018. 226 pages. $65.00 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-8232-7837-4.

This book is a reworking of the author’s 2014 doctoral dissertation on the history of Christianity at Fordham University. It deals with intriguing questions about hierarchy as a theological ideal in Orthodoxy and the ways that ideal was understood and interpreted by leading figures during the Byzantine era, as they dealt with problems and failures in the way hierarchy actually functioned. The author draws attention to problems she perceives in the way hierarchy has been …

Frontmatter (Volume 38, Issue 2), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Am I Good Enough? Dealing Pastorally With The Shame Of Women In The Amalgam Of Korean Confucian And Christian Culture, Sarah Ahn

Seminary Masters Theses

In this paper, the literature review of shame is examined: the definition of emotions, the relationship between shame and the self, the definition and characteristics of shame alongside with guilt, the social nature of shame, and the female quality of shame. After examining the previous attempts on shame and its relationship with culture, this paper argues how shame functions, particularly in Korean culture, employing a cultural-anthropological, a societal-anthropological, and a Korean native-psychological approach. Furthermore, the paper explores the relationship between shame and Korean women in the amalgam of Korean Confucian and Christian context. The negative and positive roles of shame …

The Church Has Left The Building: A Leadership Perspective Of Online Church Versus Traditional Church, Valerie E. Crumpton

Doctor of Ministry

Where it was once thought that the decline of traditional church goers into a brick and mortar edifice meant that America was becoming less “faith based”, the everincreasing number of online worshippers indicates otherwise. Due to the rapidly shifting culture toward an online worship experience, the traditional church must re-evaluate and reform their processes to include this new wave of Christianity. If churches cannot transition to accommodate the new culture of church that is only accessible via the Internet, there is a possibility that they could lose the opportunity to share the Gospel Message with a population that may never …

How Does The Presence And Management Of Leadership Tension Affect Leaders And The Organizations They Lead?, Aaron A. Cole

Doctor of Ministry

Many leaders inside and outside the church struggle with the weight of leadership demands, feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by the tension that comes with leadership. It is not a lack of calling, clarity, or vision on the part of leaders but the tension of moving people toward achieving mission. Such tension, caused by the function of leadership and not necessarily the leader, is a crucial area that tends to cause a leader to rise or fall. Unfortunately, many leaders eject or struggle without success due to a lack of understanding and the skill set necessary to effectively manage leadership tension. …

A Portrait Of A Successful Pastor: Reanimating The Pastor As Shepherd In A Success Oriented Culture, Steve Bontrager

Doctor of Ministry

The purpose of this study is to define a set of metrics by which pastors can measure their “success” as pastors. It is important to note that this is not an effort to define a successful church, which would be a different study altogether. Studies show that a great majority of pastors are struggling in life and ministry and it seems reasonable to ask if this could be a result of ambiguity about the role pastors are supposed to fill and what constitutes successfully doing so. It is my contention that many pastors function without a clear sense of metrics …

Creating An Officer Lifescape: A Path For The Vocational And Spiritual Formation Of Salvation Army Officer-Moms, Janene Zielinski

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation claims that the formation of a healthy Salvation Army officermom identity is foundational for future organizational leadership development and personal vocational efficacy. Section One explores the historical management of officermoms, root causes of dissatisfaction, and modern barriers to healthy functioning. Section Two describes the deficiencies within three current methods of officer-mom identity formation. Section Three focuses on Scriptural models of identity formation and suggestions for implementation as a formative and sustainable approach in alleviating four key longings of officer-moms. This dissertation proposes that fledgling officer-moms need a safe and reliable mechanism to receive instruction and encouragement in establishing …

Shema, Shabbat, Shalom, And A Savior: Implications For Pastoral Ministry, Richard Hovey

Doctor of Ministry

In the Global North there are disparaging figures within evangelicalism for both pastors and the churches they lead. Evangelical pastors have lost their moorings, suffering the consequences of a lost call and purpose in ministry. This has lead to an abandonment of post by the contemporary evangelical pastor in North America, and to a church left to drift in a secular sea. This project will suggest an answer in the return to a true pastoral ministry which will have positive implications for both pastor and church. Chapter 1 will provide an overview of the problem within contemporary evangelical pastoral ministry. …

Working Priests: Improving The Care For Vineyard Bivocational Pastors, Aaron Peterson

Doctor of Ministry

The number of Vineyard bivocational pastors in the US Vineyard church is unknown, and although pastoring bivocationally is common, there is a current lack of resources available to meet their unique challenges. The Association of Vineyard Churches, USA has improved from where it used to be, but they are currently not where they want to be in terms of caring for Vineyard bivocational pastors. This dissertation explores the current bivocational situation in the Association of Vineyard Churches, USA and argues that the Vineyard needs to take better care of Vineyard pastors who work jobs outside their churches. This project shows …

Pastoral Leadership For The Small, Rural Church: The Second Career Pastor, Randall C. Nichols

Doctor of Ministry

Due to financial and demographic factors plus a shortage of qualified candidates, small, rural churches often struggle to secure and retain pastoral leadership. An examination of these problems from the perspective of the church and that of pastoral candidates reveals the remoteness of location among small, rural churches creates an inability to attract candidates. Faced with college loan indebtedness, young growing families, and the need for full employment for spouses, candidates feel unable to accept a call from a small, rural church. The dissertation reviews the origins of the church, the historical prevalence of the small, rural church, and the …

Transforming Drug Addicts' Lives: Restoration Christian Outreach Community (Rcoc) In Northwest Mississippi, Rose Maria Mccarthy Anding

Doctor of Ministry

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports on over 14,500 specialized drugtreatment facilities providing counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management, and other services to persons with substance-use disorders.1 Drug addiction is a complex disorder that can involve the individual's family, work, school, and community involvement with pervasive consequences, so treatment typically involves many components, with the goal of addressing each facet affected by the disorder. Residential drug-treatment programs throughout the United States follow different treatment and rehabilitation models. In Mississippi, most drug-treatment programs are offered by the Department of Mental Health, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services. However, residential drug-treatment …

Towards Women Leaders In The Palestinian Evangelical Church, Madleine Sara

Doctor of Ministry

The Palestinian evangelical church needs to proactively address the way in which most male church leaders ignore anointed women leaders who are active in the ministry of the Kingdom. Women have been actively involved in various roles in the church, but their role as leaders has not always been acknowledged officially. In this thesis, I discuss the limitations of women in leadership roles and positions of responsibility, and address the inequality in the manner in which women are treated as well as the opportunities they are offered to advance in leadership in the Arab Palestinian evangelical church. Although the church …

Pastoral Well-Being & Beyond: Three Streams Of Pastoral Health And Personal Development, Brandon J. Morrow

Doctor of Ministry

Every year, the North American church experiences an overwhelming percentage of pastors who leave the ministry, citing internal and external pressures for their decisions to abandon what they once perceived as their divine calling. Many pastors are forced into a personal development strategy that is neither helpful, nor holistic, pursuing scads of resources outside of Christian and theological disciplines, many of which are misapplied. These drastically affect the long-term health of pastors and their overall health and effectiveness in ministry. How can pastors develop a personal development strategy that adequately accounts for the major areas of health in the life …

Never Alone: Discovering The Path To Burnout Avoidance, Rick Millikin

Doctor of Ministry

Pastoral burnout, in the past century, has become an issue that captures the attention of researchers and ministry professionals alike. Experts claim that burnout is avoidable when ministers submit to an obedient, faithful pursuit of life with God rather than working at a frenzied pace to impress people and gain the approval of God. Defined as the status of an individual that has become fatigued with his or her vocation or major life activity, burnout is preceded by a long-term avoidance of the signs of weakness and an intense focus on simply working harder. Some scholars believe the primary problem …

Fostering Equanimity Through Spiritual Disciplines To Increase Undergraduate Retention At Greenville University, Patrick Monroe Miller

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation responds to the problem of unstable freshman-to-sophomore retention rates at Greenville University between 2005 and 2015. Greenville University retention rates have oscillated between a high of 75.5% in 2009 and a low of 62.5% in 2011. This differs from the performance of the other members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities over the same time period. For CCCU schools, retention has remained between 72.7% and 74%. While both CCCU schools and Greenville University invested significant time and resources into retention programs, Greenville’s efforts did not produce stable retention rates. Section one details the fluctuating retention rates …

Frontmatter, Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Interdisciplinary Team Based Pastoral Care: A Potentially Adaptable Model For Estonian Healthcare, Liidia Meel, Tõnu Lehtsaar

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article aims to build a potentially adaptable model of clinical pastoral care for Estonia’s healthcare institutions. To help the development of spiritual support provision in Estonian healthcare institutions, we are currently working on creating a model of clinical pastoral care that would be in accordance with the local circumstances. Preparatory research in the matter has addressed the socio-cultural and institutional context that shows the great need for interdisciplinary teamwork. The current article offers concrete proposals in the following main points: a) presentation of the pastoral caregiver; b) main actors; c) forms of cooperation; and c) education and internal trainings. …