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Missão Integral [Holistic Mission Or The ‘Whole Gospel’] Applied: Brazilian Evangelical Models Of Holistic Mission In The Arab-Muslim World, Edward L. Smither

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

In this article, I will first show the historical development of this theological approach within the Brazilian and Latin American evangelical spheres through the work of the Latin American Theological Fraternity – a movement founded in 1970 that maintained historic evangelical values (i.e. a high view of Scripture, the necessity of conversion) whilst also taking Latin America’s great social needs into account. Nurtured by thinkers such as René Padilla (Ecuador), Orlando Costas (Puerto Rico), Samuel Escobar (Peru), and later Valdir Steuernagel (Brazil), the movement has not only responded to the concerns raised by Liberation theologians, but it has also influenced …

Effective Personal Evangelism For Today's Church, Thomas M. Roatch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project is designed to demonstrate that any church or group of Christians can be effective in personal evangelism. Christians gathered together in any location and number, and in any life situation form the taskforce to share the good news of salvation.
The rationale for the selection of this thesis topic rests on the recent heart felt need of many churches to share the Gospel and become active in personal evangelism. Secondly, another important part of the rationale for thesis is to encourage, and challenge small churches, missions, Bible studies and other smaller Christian ministries to be bold in new …

Learning First, Technology Second: Enhancing Missionary Training Through Technology, Ernest Manges, Mark Morgenstern

Christian Perspectives in Education

This article describes how the missions agency EFCA ReachGlobal uses the open source online learning platform Moodle to train missionaries and to fulfill its goal to become a learning organization. Moodle is employed in three ways: online facilitated courses, collaboration zones and knowledge banks. Blended learning is also used, notably in ReachGlobal’s pre-field training for missionary candidates.

The Changing Role Of The Pastor's Wife In Today's Evangelical Church, Debra D. Benoit

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to explore the changes that have occurred in the lives of pastors' wives over the years in regards to her position in the church, her role within the family and her life outside of the church. Research will be conducted through interviews of pastors' wives in various stages of ministry and church experience, as well as a research/literature review of materials showing the historical role of the pastor's wife and how her role has continually developed and changed over the years. The underlying goal of this thesis is to provide a framework for teaching …

A Proposal To Develop Christian Leaders For South Africa's Kingdom-Focused Church, Roney Lucas Ndala

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

My proposal centers around developing Christian leaders to believe in themselves and aspire to building kingdom- focused churches in line with the Great Commission. With the alarming growth of churches in South Africa it is imperative to focus attention to the development of leaders who will align and focus the growth to the kingdom. The purpose of this project is to introduce leaders to the concept of kingdom- focused churches that will move people within the ministry of the growing church. The project reviews some principles of a healthy growing church and the need for alignment during this growth stage. …

A Descriptive Study Of The Additional Factors Needed To Transition A Troubled Church To Health, George Ray Cannon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a level of frustration among pastors as they try to apply philosophical models of health to troubled churches. These churches have been labeled "troubled" because of the traumatic events they have experienced in the past. These experiences have resulted in barriers to any effort by pastor to transition the church to health. The purpose of this study is to identify the common factors/issues that a troubled church must address in order to progress in the revitalization process. This study seeks to provide a description of the factors/issues that ten troubled churches addressed as they moved toward health.

A Strategy For Developing Kingdom Leaders Through Discipleship And Mentoring For New Hope Baptist Church, Stanley Arthur Gillcash

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This is a documentation of the methods followed in developing a mentoring and discipleship process for New Hope Baptist Church, Watertown, New York. New Hope is unique in that half of the members are military and will move to new assignments after three to four years. A repeatable, and adjustable process was needed to quickly mentor and disciple these and our local members so they may be effective for the Kingdom of God.

Brazilian Evangelical Missions Among Arabs: History, Culture, Practice, And Theology, Edward L. Smither

Faculty Dissertations

The aim of this work is to tell part of the story of the Brazilian evangelical missions movement by focusing on the work and Brazilian evangelical transcultural workers serving in mission in the context of the Arab-Muslim world. These participants are members of a broader movement of more than 5000 Brazilian evangelicals serving around the world—an evangelical labor force large than that of England or Canada—which has grown significantly since 1976.

In order to locate the work of Brazilian evangelicals in an Arab-Muslim context, it was important to first offer a historical narrative showing how Brazil has shifted in the …

Reflections Upon Korean And American Evangelical Church Models For Effective Strategy In Developing Missional Churches, Kyoung Jun Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to present my reflections upon Korean and American evangelical church model for effective strategy in developing missional churches. God is reviving Korea and North America with missional churches. Some churches in Korea and America are changing their paradigm, not focusing on church buildings and programs but on missions and outreach. This thesis offers reflections about the missional church concept by presenting a set of case studies of well- known missional churches. The result of the case studies provides helpful insights on establishing a missional church. Drawing from case studies of missional Churches and a …

Forged By Conviction: An Historical Overview Of The Southern Baptist Conservatives Of Virginia, Jeffrey Reid Pinder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to capture the history of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV). The information presented in this dissertation can benefit other state conventions engrossed in overwhelming bureaucracy. The SBCV also serves as a model assisting other state conventions in reclaiming their convention's conservative theological moorings. The organization, structure, and example of the SBCV can help other state conventions in need of either restructuring or revitalization. This project reveals how God providentially guided the SBCV, and as a result of their faithfulness and efforts, the world and prevailing culture has been impacted by the power …

At The Edge Of Two Worlds: Mary Slessor And Gender Roles In Scottish African Missions, Sarah Marcia Lennon

Masters Theses

Mary Mitchell Slessor, a missionary to Calabar, West Africa in modern-day Nigeria from 1876 until 1915, was a transitional character, combining traditional feminine roles with more masculine roles during her time as a missionary. Though many biographers focus on Slessor's eccentricities and use her life as an example of the exceptional Victorian woman, this study disagrees with that assessment and instead views her caught between two worlds, part of the previous generational thinking regarding women's work, but also progressing toward what would be considered normal in the early decades of the twentieth century. Comparing Slessor to other women working in …

A Strategy For Training Hispanic Laymen To Minister In The United States, James Beryl Boswell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature shows that little material is available for the training of Latino Laymen to minister in Spanish here in the United States. The purpose of this project is to focus on the urgent need for training Hispanics with meager educational opportunities to minister to the overwhelming immigration of Latinos who lack in education also. This strategy is developed in regard to the nature of the project, its common elements, and the adequate strategizing in preparation of the project. Based on interviews, testimonies and personal counseling with Latino Layman and teachers,the project reviews, textbooks, religious journals, blogs, …

Biblical Strategy And Shift To Spiritual Driven Church Growth, Chang Kyu Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to present the biblical standards, principles, components, and methods of spiritual discipline for 21st century churches' conversion from human efforts and programs oriented church growth to spiritual driven church growth like an early church. The early church is a best model as a spiritual driven church. Modern churches are trying to build like the early church. The biblical study of the early churches in Bible and the results of survey of growing churches in Washington area will give biblical concepts and methods to make the spiritual driven church.

A Multi-Plantation Ministry: Blending A Multi-Site And Church Planting Strategy In The Local Church, Nick Floyd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature shows a growing interest in the multi-site movement. However, very little is written about churches who are showing a commitment to both multi-site and to church planting. This kind of both/and commitment is called multi-plantation. The goal of this project is to provide a resource to pastors who are actively seeking to find new ways to fulfill the Great Commission. Through a study of the theological, ecclesiological, practical, and personal matters of multi-plantation ministry, the goal will be accomplished.

An Analysis Of Rev. Oak, Han-Hum's Sermons, Dae Shik Yoo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An accomplished preacher, teacher, and church-planter, Rev. Oak, Han Hum was the pastor of Korea's famous Sarang Community Church, which he founded with less than 50 members but grew under his leadership to over 80,000. In an attempt to better appreciate Rev. Oak's success, this thesis will analyze Rev. Oak's sermons, giving special attention not only to his preaching techniques and style but also his mindset, philosophy, and attitude toward his pastoral responsibility. Unquestionably, his passion for and commitment to preaching the Word of God, was a significant part of his ability to connect to his congregation through his sermons. …

An Analysis Of The Evangelistic Impact Of The Baptist Bible Fellowship International, Billy Hamm

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature demonstrates that very little material is available to describe the mission and effectiveness of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International. Research reflects that for the last half of the 20th Century, BBFI was a formidable movement among Fundamentalists in its independent Baptist doctrinal position and its evangelistic zeal. It was also determined that the BBFI has struggled to maintain its growth patterns and should reassess its original purpose and identity though it still appears to be the largest expression of Fundamentalism in America. Both historical and empirical research methods are used.

The Influence Of Pastor Dongwon Daniel Lee’S Preaching On The Growth Of Global Mission Church, Eun Bok Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There were many studies on the preachers and preaching styles, but only a few were done by analyzing one preacher. In his analysis method for the preaching style, Sung Young Chung presented three critical measuring parts: Interest, Clarity, and Dynamic Influence. The researcher selected a pastor, Daniel Dongwon Lee, as a sample of the current study because he is one of the leading preachers in Korea. The researcher analyzed 26 of his sermons with the measuring parts listed above. As a result, Pastor Daniel Lee had good results for each element. For the Interest part, his using illustrations with humor …

Effective And Economical Outreach And Evangelism For The Small To Medium Church, Stanley Wayne Kesler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pastors of small to medium size churches face a dilemma. Without exception, when asked in what areas they feel inadequate, inevitably one of the prominent deficiencies mentioned is outreach and evangelism. Many feel like they cannot compete with big-budget, high-attendance churches. Honest appraisal shows that most are facing attendance patterns that are declining or flat. Faced with the current economic depression, many churches experience a decrease in giving, and salaries, benefits and programs are either frozen or cut. What's a pastor to do?

The purpose of this project is to provide pastors of small to medium size churches with not …

Rauschenbusch’S Regurgitations: Rob Bell’S Promotion Of A Realized Eschatology And His Alignment With Walter Rauschenbusch And The Social Gospel Movement, Mathew L. Harris

Senior Honors Theses

Rob Bell, author of the book Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith, is one of the lead voices in the new emergent conversation. In his book, Bell’s ideas suggest a postmodern worldview for the modern day American church. Through this presupposition, Bell aligns himself with many of the liberal writers of the early nineteen hundreds, such as Walter Rauschenbusch of the Social Gospel movement. This arrangement has led to Bell’s reworking of many core orthodox positions, but in particular, the doctrine of eschatology. He asserts a form of realized eschatology, similar to Rauschenbusch, which misrepresents the gospel, while elevating the …

A Promising Future: Recent Purchases Help Grow, Secure Liberty’S Mission, Liberty University

March/April 2010

No abstract provided.

Class Notes, Liberty University

March/April 2010

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Significant Factors Motivating Early Liberty University Ministerial Graduates To Envision And Pursue Ambitious Ministry Opportunities, David Wesley Hirschman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

From its inception, Liberty University has produced ministerial graduates that have envisioned and pursued ambitious ministry opportunities. Whether planting new churches, establishing new mission agencies in foreign nations, or launching a worldwide network of Christian schools, the manner in which early Liberty University ministerial graduates envisioned and pursued ministry opportunities is the direct result of the influences present during the early years of the school. This process of influence included factors that combined to create a climate of confidence and expectation among ministerial graduates, prompting many to envision and pursue ambitious ministry opportunities that endured to become thriving and lasting …

02-23-2010 (The Liberty Champion Volume 27, Issue 15)

2009 -- 2010

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Effective Strategies For Evangelism Applied To Richmond Korean Central Presbyterian Church, Kon Tae Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to map out a strategy of evangelism applied to Richmond Korean Central Presbyterian Church. The project examines field analysis, case study, and literature research. The case study was done on eight outstanding Korean churches both outside and inside the U.S.A. with productive ministries of evangelism. The author has been working for Richmond Korean Central Presbyterian Church as an assistant pastor for one and a half years. He develops a strategy with regards to evangelism out of his experience and lessons from his ministry.

Innovation Matters: The Use Of Innovation In Ministry Strategies For The Local Church, Travis Paul Drake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are a tremendous amount of people that are either unchurched or de-churched when compared to statistics from earlier years in America. The purpose of this thesis is to discover how the application of innovation in the local church makes an impact on ministry strategies today. One of the commandments given to the Church today is the Great Commission, and it is to be determined by each local church how that mandate will be fulfilled. In essence, when a church chooses to use innovation in reaching out to the community, innovation in itself becomes an outreach strategy.

Cultural Mapping With A View Towards Discipleship In Cayambe, Ecuador, Kathryn L. Northey

Senior Honors Theses

God is a global God. He has a desire for all the nations to hear His Word. This is realized through discipleship. To effectively create disciples, it is necessary that the missionary understands the culture. Cultural mapping is a systematic way to observe and grow to understand a culture. It is beneficial to see how a model is applied to grasp this concept. This thesis examines the example of the culture of Cayambe, Ecuador, to see cultural mapping at work in an actual ministry. It will use the four layers of culture as presented by Donald K. Smith in his …

Alumni Snapshot: Ben Arment, Liberty University

October/November 2009

No abstract provided.

Not Seminary As Usual, Liberty University

October/November 2009

No abstract provided.

A Broader View, Liberty University

October/November 2009

No abstract provided.

Narrow Your Focus: A Strategy For Revitalization Of A Small To Medium Size Plateaued Or Declining Traditional Church, Johnny Lamar Kendrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis attempts to identify reproducible principles for the revitalization of small to medium sized plateaued or declining traditional churches. These principles were identified by the author in his experience serving as the pastor of three small to medium sized plateaued traditional churches. The principles involve the importance of preparation for Sunday morning worship and Sunday school, the importance of developing leadership, the importance of evaluating and implementing successful ministries, and the importance of indentifying with the community. The principles were studied and validated in the author's interaction with two churches during a year of research in which he consulted …