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Articles 181 - 210 of 429
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Intentional Discipleship: Effective Disciple-Making For Church Growth In Liberia, George L. Suah
Intentional Discipleship: Effective Disciple-Making For Church Growth In Liberia, George L. Suah
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Pastors of extremely effective disciple-making churches are conscious of the degree of church efficiency, and they recognize the significance of intentional discipleship for church growth. The purpose of this study is to investigate intentional discipleship for church growth in Liberia. An anonymous research study of 12 pastors and church leaders (evangelists) from Unity Light Ministry Network (UCC) in Kakata, Liberia, West Africa, was conducted to explore why Unity Light Ministry Network (UCC) in Liberia is struggling to grow their church numerically and spiritually. The study found that the Ministry does not have adequate and systematic training on intentional discipleship for …
African American Pastoral Counseling: The Dynamics On Self-Worth, Personal Efficacy, Motivation, And Responsible Discipleship, Charles T. Walker
African American Pastoral Counseling: The Dynamics On Self-Worth, Personal Efficacy, Motivation, And Responsible Discipleship, Charles T. Walker
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative study evaluated the counseling practices of African American pastors in the Southeastern region of the United States. The study examined their perceptions and relevant themes when counseling their parishioners on self-worth, personal efficacy, and motivation. Relevant themes were: Cultural Context counseling; impaired self-worth and self-love in rural young females; and whether the rural male is dominated by loss of hope. The exploratory study collected data from 19 digital surveys, 10 selected pastoral counselors’ semi-structured interviews, and 10 collected member focus interview questionnaires. The findings from the data collected show that members felt comfortable receiving counseling from their pastor …
Spiritual Disciplines For Men In A Medium-Sized Church, Scott Lowry Willis
Spiritual Disciplines For Men In A Medium-Sized Church, Scott Lowry Willis
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The problem is that the men of Freedom Fellowship Church in Canyon, Texas, do not have adequate training in the spiritual disciplines. Training in the spiritual disciplines would offer to the men in the church the proper leadership instruction that would give them the tools necessary to accomplish this goal. If the men of the church receive instruction in the spiritual disciplines, they will be able to utilize them in their daily lives. The men will, in turn, be able to use the spiritual disciplines in leadership positions in the church with confidence in being able to increase the spiritual …
The Intergenerational Worship Model: Youth-Specific Benefits, James Alan Lott
The Intergenerational Worship Model: Youth-Specific Benefits, James Alan Lott
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
King David declared that one generation should proclaim the goodness of the Lord to another, yet what David writes of cannot take place in an age-segregated setting. Multiple generations must be present. Much progress has been made regarding the church’s acknowledgment of the significance of an intergenerational worship (IGW) model. Though each generation is precious to God and created in His image, IGW holds considerable benefits for churched youth, as it is one of the few places in society where youth can intentionally connect with older generations. Despite the importance of youth engagement in IGW, there is a limited amount …
Catechesis: Returning To A Deeper Teaching That Produces Transformed Disciples For Christ, Jeremy T. Conn
Catechesis: Returning To A Deeper Teaching That Produces Transformed Disciples For Christ, Jeremy T. Conn
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This Thesis Project addresses the lack of commitment found in many new and young believers today by providing a catechesis that engages individuals emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and experientially. After a thorough review of many biblical, historical and contemporary approaches to religious teaching, this study developed an intervention plan that merged five essential elements: (1) A culture that emphasizes the importance of baptism; (2) Adequate time to instill spiritual habits; (3) The utilization of multiple volunteers; (4) The incorporation of experiential learning; and (5) Content that encompasses both theology and discipleship. Qualitative research was conducted through the interviews of fourteen participants …
On The Wicket Way: Kingdom Leadership In A Secular World, R. Wayne Stacy
On The Wicket Way: Kingdom Leadership In A Secular World, R. Wayne Stacy
Faculty Publications and Presentations
Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, though written in the 17th century, still speaks profoundly to what is arguably the most pressing issue facing the contemporary Christian church; namely, the church’s relationship with the world. In allegorical fashion, Bunyan makes the case that the Christian life is pilgrimage from this world to the next. On route, while the Christian is clearly and obviously “in” the world, the Christian should never settle in and settle down and become “of” the world. On such a pilgrimage, a tenuous, and sometimes tendentious, balance between two worlds must be maintained. The Christian community, then, is a kingdom …
The Relationship Between Parental Stress And Externalizing Behavior: The Mediating Role Of Family Functioning On Ethnically Diverse Families In Multisystemic Therapy, Jennifer D. Vinces-Cua
The Relationship Between Parental Stress And Externalizing Behavior: The Mediating Role Of Family Functioning On Ethnically Diverse Families In Multisystemic Therapy, Jennifer D. Vinces-Cua
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Parental stress is an expected phenomenon during the parenting of an adolescent. Higher levels of parental stress are associated with an adolescent with externalizing behavior. Parents are instrumental in the development of adolescents and are critical agents of change with youth problematic behavior. Family functioning is often determined in part by a parent’s ability to adequately respond and manage their adolescent’s behavior and their environment. Focusing on improving family relations has been known to positively impact both parent and adolescent. Multisystemic therapy is a well-known treatment for adolescent externalizing behavior and families of diverse ethnicities. Additional attention and resources examining …
Dynamics Of Youth Engagement In The Local Church, Jacqueline C. Hanna
Dynamics Of Youth Engagement In The Local Church, Jacqueline C. Hanna
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
According to many biblical accounts, children were included in worship experiences. Despite the efforts of many churches to engage, attract, and retain youth, there is still a lack of youth participation, involvement, and interest in the local church. This not only affects youth, but also the church. Unengaged youth do not have the opportunity to become future leaders of the church. In turn, churches will experience a void in future leadership and will be prohibited from flourishing. This qualitative historical study examined reasons for youth disengagement in an effort to find strategies for effective retention and engagement to benefit youth …
Combatting Secular Humanism: Creating A Strategy To Teach Theology And Apologetics To High School Students, Chad J. Brown
Combatting Secular Humanism: Creating A Strategy To Teach Theology And Apologetics To High School Students, Chad J. Brown
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In today’s society, there are more distractions than ever before. Students graduate from high school and often face worldview attacks from their professors. Many times, students do not have a solid enough understanding of a biblical worldview to respond confidently. The postmodern culture has created a gap between student’s emotional need and the intellectual need for a solid biblical foundation. Secular humanism has become a dominating worldview in our culture, and this project will formulate a strategy to teach theology and apologetics to high school students to combat secular humanism. Discipleship is training of a person’s mental, emotional, and spiritual …
Diversity In Worship: The Integration Of Historic Works Into The Contemporary Worship Service, As Illustrated By The Oboe, Bethany Eileen Butler
Diversity In Worship: The Integration Of Historic Works Into The Contemporary Worship Service, As Illustrated By The Oboe, Bethany Eileen Butler
Masters Theses
Since the times of the New Testament, the church has inevitably found itself entangled in “Worship Wars,”1 sparked by the introduction of new styles of music. Today, contemporary churches often only present one style of music while neglecting the rich history of sacred, instrumental music. When a single style of worship is exclusively offered in worship, the service can neglect to be multigenerational and multicultural, only relatable to some of the congregation, rather than the whole Body. If contemporary churches took a blended worship approach and integrated historic works into their worship services, the church would see growth in outreach, …
A Model For Mentoring The Millennials Of The Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church To Perform Relevant Urban Ministry In Harlem, Cory Ryan Marshall
A Model For Mentoring The Millennials Of The Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church To Perform Relevant Urban Ministry In Harlem, Cory Ryan Marshall
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
According to one scholar, the millennial generation shares the same core values as the older generational cohorts within the Christian church. Though both groups share these values, the point of contention that arises is the way that ministry is performed. All these generations possess an ideal concerning the right way to execute the tasks associated with performing ministry but fail to realize that all generations have something valid to contribute to the conversation on the praxis of ministry. This is the attitude reflected at the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in Harlem, which is located in the Manhattan section of New …
Race, Ethnicity & Culture With Purpose: The Growth Of A Multicultural Church Ministry, Jamar R. Mabry
Race, Ethnicity & Culture With Purpose: The Growth Of A Multicultural Church Ministry, Jamar R. Mabry
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Christianity is a major galvanizing factor. However, it is prudent to pay attention to the real and latent divisions in society that hinder social harmony: even without the calming effect of the Christian faith. Attempting to form a multicultural church must therefore involve an understanding of the races and ethnicities that comprise the target population. That process is as academic as it is pragmatic. The academic aspect of conceiving race involves a historically literate understanding of the heritage and factors that created the present race and ethnic power relations not only in the locale: but across the entire country as …
Principles For Creating Original Content For The Worship Service, Ian Schumacher Black
Principles For Creating Original Content For The Worship Service, Ian Schumacher Black
Masters Theses
This paper offers observations and guidance for creating original content for the worship service. The project involved creating an Extended Play Recording for Eagle Church in Whitestown, IN. After an introduction to the project and its author, five principles for creating original content for the worship service are discussed. These include: Lyrics Before Melody and Creativity, Embrace the Context of the Local Church, Collaboration is Critical, Strive for Excellence as an Artist, and Worship in Spirit and Truth. Following a discussion of these principles, the conclusion offers reflections and future plans.
Exemplary Nonvocational Ministry Leadership Practices In Predominantly Black Southeastern Connecticut Churches: A Quantitative Study, Stephenie R. Guess
Exemplary Nonvocational Ministry Leadership Practices In Predominantly Black Southeastern Connecticut Churches: A Quantitative Study, Stephenie R. Guess
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine how nonvocational (unpaid) ministry leaders demonstrated exemplary leadership practices while ministering in predominantly Black Southeastern Connecticut churches. The study also showed how much theological training nonvocational ministry leaders received. Volunteer leadership is a critical resource for the church. Purposive nonprobability sampling produced a sample from an unknown population of nonvocational ministry leaders serving predominantly Black Southeastern Connecticut churches. Surveys distribution was via U.S. mail to pastors at 20 churches identified from e-mail distribution lists and social media posts. Sixty-eight participants completed the survey, which incorporated a demographic questionnaire and the Leadership …
Not A Megachurch? Creative Methods Toward Intergenerational Worship Within A Small Evangelical Church: A Case Study, Brenda L. Widger
Not A Megachurch? Creative Methods Toward Intergenerational Worship Within A Small Evangelical Church: A Case Study, Brenda L. Widger
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Larger churches have historically had the advantage in the realm of creative worship ministry due to larger budgets, more volunteers and dedicated professional staff. While megachurches have dominated the creative worship model, smaller evangelical churches have struggled to capture the essence of creativity in their services. There is a need to explore the obstacles faced by the smaller church along with methods that can be applied to overcome the challenges to offer effective worship experiences that include creative worship elements in a multigenerational model. In this qualitative historical case study, insight into the processes and resources necessary to move the …
Provision Of God In Our Lives: Examining Impact Of Church Memorials, Jeffrey William Johnsen
Provision Of God In Our Lives: Examining Impact Of Church Memorials, Jeffrey William Johnsen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The study assumes that church memorials have significant meaning in our faith journey, are visible within the church, and have little meaning if no interpreter is present. If the membership is aware of a memorial’s history, it draws them to understand the memorial as a provision of God. The study’s research question is, “Will people remember the provision of God in their lives when engaging a memorial regularly with an interpreter present?” Memorials used in the study were within Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church. The Bible was the primary literary resource in God’s provision to redeem and restore humanity. The …
Church Leadership: Examining The Role Of Non-Pastoral Leadership In A New Church Plant, Douglas Martin Beckman
Church Leadership: Examining The Role Of Non-Pastoral Leadership In A New Church Plant, Douglas Martin Beckman
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In today’s western Christianity, many small churches are closing their doors; hundreds of pastors are quitting the ministry. Churches are planted quickly, and just as quickly close and disappear. What can be done to bring a halt to this downhill slide? The great message of Jesus Christ is as important and powerful as it always has been. However, in many churches today, there are dissident elements working to take attention away from the gospel. Dissident non-pastoral leadership (a person or persons who undermine the Pastor’s authority and cause disruption for their own benefit) can destroy the entire vision of a …
Spiritual Transformation: Community Outreach And The Harvest House Of Hope, In San Bernardino, Ca, Kevin Duane Strickland
Spiritual Transformation: Community Outreach And The Harvest House Of Hope, In San Bernardino, Ca, Kevin Duane Strickland
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The Harvest House of Hope (HHH) located in the inner-city of San Bernardino, Ca offers a mission services ministry to their community, they had become inactive in their community outreach missions. The ministry concerns of HHH surround the subject of spiritual transformation and the role of the church in community outreach. The purpose of this project is to educate the men, women, and children of Harvest House of Hope on the value of mission services, in hopes to drive them towards the spirit of community outreach. The proposed educational component included a theological structure built upon the Holy Scripture, as …
Equipping With Excellence: Evaluating Effectiveness Of Staff Training On Counselors' Experience At Summer Camp, Avery Lee Hand
Equipping With Excellence: Evaluating Effectiveness Of Staff Training On Counselors' Experience At Summer Camp, Avery Lee Hand
Senior Honors Theses
This research study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of staff training on the competency of counselors at summer camp. The study addresses the question, "How does the counselor training program provided by a camp affect the experience and effectiveness of the counselor throughout the summer?" The participant population includes 8 college age (18-22) camp counselors employed by Cru Kids Camp for summer 2019 as part of its elementary (K-5th) program. Through qualitative interview research, analyzed by thematic network coding, the researcher identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the particular training program. The goal of this study is to provide professional …
Youth Decline In Church Growth And Attendance, Marion Diane Jones
Youth Decline In Church Growth And Attendance, Marion Diane Jones
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Youth attendance in the church has declined in the recent past. The reason for their decline is that they no longer find a church to be socially and spiritually relevant to their lives. The paper seeks to provide a solution to the problem through spiritual formation and increasing the depth of youth programs so that they can remain socially relevant to the lives of the young people. This will be done by encouraging youth people to know who Jesus is and how to have a personal relationship with him through faith.
Transitioning To A Televised Worship Service Via Internet To Provide For The Continued Existence Of A Small, Declining Congregation, Clifford L. Herd
Transitioning To A Televised Worship Service Via Internet To Provide For The Continued Existence Of A Small, Declining Congregation, Clifford L. Herd
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Prince of Peace (POP) congregation, Ft. Payne, Alabama has less than twenty members and is struggling to survive. POP needed another option for her continued existence and sustainability as a small, declining congregation. Utilizing Internet technologies, it was possible for this small congregation to connect with a host congregation to receive their worship service and message on a large screen television. The thesis project investigated if POP congregation could make a transition from a live person-led worship service/message to a televised worship service/message to enable them to continue to worship and survive as a congregation. The congregation was prepared to …
Developing An At Risk Youth Prevention Model In Local Church, Norman Dwight Vick
Developing An At Risk Youth Prevention Model In Local Church, Norman Dwight Vick
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Congregations must be spiritually positioned to receive and pass on the Gospel baton to all believers. This work will concentrate on those that are at risk for emotional disorders, particularly at the stage of adolescence. This effort will point to the young with emotive challenges that will assist them in being able to pass on the faith constructively and wholesomely. This dissertation will utilize an analytic approach that consists of multi-components related to mental health classifications and disorder, therefore, Christian leaders should be looking beyond secularism to provide support for adolescents who are at risk. Given the presence of millions …
Common Areas To Integrate Young People Into Active Church Ministry Roles, David M. Gantt
Common Areas To Integrate Young People Into Active Church Ministry Roles, David M. Gantt
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
All throughout Scripture one can see God calling and using young people to carry out important parts of His narrative. Research has shown that seventy percent of young people drop out of church following high school graduation. One of the reasons this group is leaving is due to a lack of opportunities within ministries in the context of the local church for young people to serve. Through the investigation of applied research and surveys completed by pastors, youth pastors and other church pastoral staff of one hundred forty-seven different churches, the author will identify ministry practices that churches today are …
Discipling Children And Youth: Helping The Church Enable Parents To Lead, Angela Hazel
Discipling Children And Youth: Helping The Church Enable Parents To Lead, Angela Hazel
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Parental apathy in the discipleship of children has become a worrisome issue in the Protestant churches of the United States. Where once the home was the foundation of Bible learning and character building, now parents have placed the responsibility of spiritual formation of children squarely on the shoulders of the church. The church, however, is ill-equipped to fully disciple a child or youth during this transformational time in their lives. This study sought to examine the issues that lead to parental withdrawal from discipleship training of their offspring and develop a method for the church to equip and enable parents …
Implementation Of A Basic Exegetical And Hermeneutical Class For Students: To Interpret God’S Word Exegetically And Apply God’S Word Hermeneutically, Casey Whiteis
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A course to use in student ministries that addresses the capabilities of students in being able to interpret and apply the Bible for themselves. The rationale for choosing this topic is that students are aging out of the student ministry without a basic understanding of how to read, interpret, and apply God’s Word for themselves. All too often, while attending the student ministry, students understand topics that relate to what they are experiencing in high school; however, are they receiving the tools required to continue applying God’s Word to their lives? Tools are provided to students that will guide them …
Join The Band: Benefits Of Engaging Intergenerational Volunteers In The Local Church Worship Ministry, Jamie R. Coates
Join The Band: Benefits Of Engaging Intergenerational Volunteers In The Local Church Worship Ministry, Jamie R. Coates
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Throughout the Bible and much of church history, intergenerational ministry was the common practice. However, in recent decades many local evangelical churches have abandoned the practice of intergenerational ministry and have instead embraced age-segregated ministry models. Reflecting this shift, age-segregated worship ministries within the local evangelical church have become the norm. This qualitative study examined biblical examples and teachings regarding worship and ministry and examined worship and ministry practices from throughout church history. Analysis of the research findings addressed the characteristics of an effective intergenerational worship ministry. Although facilitating an intergenerational worship ministry is a complicated endeavor, this study revealed …
Resolving Intergenerational Conflict Within The Rural Black Churches Of Central Virginia, Patrick Ward Bland
Resolving Intergenerational Conflict Within The Rural Black Churches Of Central Virginia, Patrick Ward Bland
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this project is to assist church leaders and their congregations in the rural black churches in Central Virginia to become more aware of the intergenerational conflict that has governed and, in some instances, legitimated the church. Qualitative and quantitative analysis and academic research revealed a majority of rural black churches in central Virginia are challenged with limited increase in membership because of the frequency of blatant disregard shown among the various generations. This thesis proposes a biblical model for Christian pastors and church leaders to provide resourceful methods of leading their congregations into more productive growth.
Leadership Matters: The Process Of Leading A Declining Church To Revitalization Utilizing Early Church Principles, Jarvis Baker
Leadership Matters: The Process Of Leading A Declining Church To Revitalization Utilizing Early Church Principles, Jarvis Baker
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A review of current literature that exist details the perpetual decline that is occurring in the local church. Nevertheless, the leadership a pastor provides must not be ignored, when there is an attempt to lead a church from decline to revitalization. The purpose of this project is to assist pastors who lead declining churches to revitalization by examining the principles of the early church, which was a church that was vibrant in the area of growth and spiritual life. Based on questionnaires sent to pastors and other ministry leaders, the project will reveal the need for a practical Biblical plan …
Pastoral Leadership Behaviors And The Involvement Of Local Church Laity, Christine Dodson
Pastoral Leadership Behaviors And The Involvement Of Local Church Laity, Christine Dodson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative research case study explored pastoral leadership behaviors and the involvement of local church laity in local churches in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church (NCCUMC). The general problem addressed was the declining involvement of lay persons in local church service activities, specifically within local churches in the NCCUMC. The problem is applicable to business as previous studies describe the non-profit sector, including churches, filling gaps in social and economic programs previously being supplied by declining governmental assistance programs. The involvement of laity provides help needed to support mission and ministry programs in local churches and …
How To Live While Ministering To The Dying: A Guide For Hospice Chaplains, Wayne Bruner
How To Live While Ministering To The Dying: A Guide For Hospice Chaplains, Wayne Bruner
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Burnout, turnover, and attrition are common among hospice chaplains. A guidebook to hospice chaplaincy, prepared by a veteran hospice chaplain, would articulate the specific characteristics, habits, ministry mindsets, lifestyle interests, spiritual development, and support systems that have proven effective in the lives and ministries of long-tenured hospice chaplains. Such a practical and biblical guidebook would be a welcomed tool for individuals considering hospice ministry, for novice chaplains, and for hospice organizations since it would foster chaplains’ resiliency and quality of life by showing what it means to “live” while ministering to the dying. This guidebook will review best practices in …