Digital Commons Network^™

When Calling A Pastor To Succeed A "Legend" Pastor, Ronald Kovack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Dr. D. James Kennedy founded the world famous Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His ministry spanned fifty years and he launched a number of separate related ministries: schools, seminaries, television ministry and a personal evangelism program known as Evangelism Explosion.

The church discovered that calling a pastor to succeed a very influential pastor was not going to an easy task. This paper looks at the process and problems that resulted into the search and selection of a new pastor. The research examines the experience of seven other churches that had influential pastors leave and documents their results.

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 …

Transitioning The Local Church From A Rural To Suburban Context, Jeremy Paul Roberts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature demonstrates that very little material is available to assist pastors and church leaders in transitioning their churches from a rural to suburban context. This project will serve as a tool to assist pastors in leading their churches to transition from a rural to suburban context. Based on demographic studies, an historical analysis, the development of a plan to move the church forward, analyzing potential disruptions, and seeing the end result of the rural to suburban transition, the goal of the project will be fulfilled.

The Accuracy Of Youth Ministers’ Conception Of The Lasting Faith Tendency Of Youth, Wesley A. Sirles

Faculty Dissertations

The assumption of the current study is that ongoing church attendance is a foundational component of the quest for genuine discipleship in young people. Chapter 1 examines the problem of the exodus of youth from the church and defines the critical terms for this study. The research questions used to guide the study are introduced.

The purpose of this study was to use Wesley Black’s Lasting Faith Scale (LFS) to compare the lasting faith tendency of youth (reflected by their LFS scores) with what their youth ministers believed would be their groups’ LFS scores. LFS responses were also evaluated for …

04-07-09 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 26, Issue 20)

2008 -- 2009

No abstract provided.

Staying On Course: School Of Religion Continues To Be Rudder Of The University, Liberty University

February/March 2009

No abstract provided.

Double The Fun With A Single Mission, Liberty University

February/March 2009

No abstract provided.

Short Term Missions: A Trend That Is Growing Exponentially, Don Fanning

Trends and Issues in Missions

The following trends and issues are faced everyday on the foreign field and need to be analyzed and evaluated before getting involved so as to know how to plan and react. This is a vital area of training for the contemporary foreign missionary.

The Call Of God On The Missionary, Don Fanning

Themes of Theology that Impacts Missions

The following texts are eBooks that are used in the course on Theology of Missions. These topics are vital for the missionary to be solidly grounded in as he seeks to invest his life in the greatest purpose known to mankind: fulfilling the Great Commission of our Savior -- building and establishing the Church through the Gospel among every people group on earth.

New And Unimproved: Atheism's Brash But Ineffectual Makeover, Karen Swallow Prior

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Most Evangelistic Kentucky Baptist Churches In Eastern Kentucky, Paul R. Badgett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to acknowledge the value and role of the smaller church in Eastern Kentucky as it relates to reaching people for Christ. According to Gary England, Richland Southern Baptist Church in Peoria, Illinois, the average size of a Southern Baptist Church is around one hundred active members. This means that the majority of Southern Baptists are being reached for the kingdom of God by the smaller church. Almost all of the churches in Eastern Kentucky fall into this small church classification. Therefore, this project will attempt to deal with the smaller work, and will seek …

Center For Worship Grounds Musicians In God, Liberty University

December 2008

No abstract provided.

Liberty Student To Represent Bahamas At Inauguration, Liberty University

December 2008

No abstract provided.

Alumni Snapshot, Liberty University

December 2008

No abstract provided.

The Historical Development Of The Modern Worship Song, Travis Doucette

Senior Honors Theses

For centuries, followers of Christ have used music as a channel of communicating their love and adoration towards their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, the use of music with God’s people is encouraged throughout the pages of Scripture. In the Old Testament, the psalmist writes, “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy.” In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” Throughout Christian history, wherever there has been renewal, revival and restoration, fresh songs of praise and worship have followed and …

10-14-08 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 26, Issue 6)

2008 -- 2009

No abstract provided.

09-09-08 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 26, Issue 3)

2008 -- 2009

No abstract provided.

Alumni Win Free Accommodations For Alumni Weekend, Liberty University

September/October 2008

No abstract provided.

Inter-Generational Youth Ministry And The Solution To Volunteers, Steve R. Vandegriff

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Faculty Focus, Liberty University

May/June 2008

No abstract provided.

Able To Overcome, Liberty University

May/June 2008

No abstract provided.

A Strategy To Equip Youth Leaders Into Developing Strategic, Balanced, And Strong Local Church Student Ministries, Richard Stanley Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide a strategy for a youth leader to comprehend the needed administrative elements of a successful local church student ministry so thoroughly that the youth leader can equip his leaders. The sources used are the Word of God, personal youth ministry experience, and external research. The key phrase used is “building a strategic, balanced, and strong” student ministry. The metaphor used is the construction of a building as it correlates to building a local church student ministry. The project emphasizes two major areas needed in student ministry: the necessary foundational components and the …

A History And Evaluation Of The Revolution Generation Youth Ministries Mentorship Program, William Lee Barnett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of academic and Para-church organizations reveals that few programs exist that provide a balance of academic and professional preparation for youth ministers. Revolution Generation Youth Ministries has attempted to design such a program. The purpose of this project is to explore the history and design of the Revolution Generation Mentorship Program and evaluate it in comparison to such programs. This evaluation will be accomplished through a programmatic comparison with the standards of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, accredited college programs and other internship programs. The information gathered will be utilized to strengthen the Revolution Generation Mentorship Program.

Education For Woman’S Ministries: A Rationale For And Review Of Woman’S Ministries For The Beginning Of The 21st Century, Monica Dawn Rose

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide a theoretical basis for the development of programs for women in the church and Christian ministries. The author will approach this project by first defining women’s ministries as well as presenting the two predominant evangelical views of women in ministry. This project will also provide an overview of issues women encounter and the needs women have in today’s culture. After presenting a need analysis, the author will provide an overview of academic institutions training women in the field of women’s studies and/or ministries as well as curriculum being used to equip women …

Teacher Training Manual For The Christian Education Program Of Bethesda Church, Rick Allen Wolgamott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Current teacher training in local churches often consists of asking a teacher to read pre-developed curriculum and follow the publishers’ instructions. Teachers are not being taught to critically evaluate the materials, and as a result they simply follow the directions provided. The purpose of this project is to train teachers in the local church in basic theology, hermeneutics, and preparing a Bible lesson. As a result, teachers will be trained to study Scripture and evaluate lessons based on Scriptural truth, and to prepare their own lesson plans. Recruiting and retaining teachers will become more effective as a result of providing …

Character Education And Its Parallels To Biblical Morality, David A. Palmer

Senior Honors Theses

This paper includes both historical and present day examinations of the state of public education and character in students. Written for the benefit of Christian youth ministers, this paper examines some of the common tenants of modern day character education and seeks to demonstrate their Biblical parallels. Issues regarding the state of character in students and legality of people in a religious profession on a school campus are examined. This paper demonstrates without question that a Christian person can readily support a character education program in the public schools because of the Biblical basis for the values espoused. After examining …

How To Successfully Mature A Small Church, Richard Patrick Mcgee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a tremendous amount of Christian writings that defines a successful pastor as one who has increased numerical growth each year. The purpose of this paper is to encourage the small church pastor that obedience to the Great Commission, which includes reaching, baptizing, and teaching, is God’s measuring standard for success. The evidence of success will be discipleship-making according to the opportunities that God has given each pastor. It emphasizes that God equally provides all pastors the spiritual tools necessary to mature His church. A case study of Grace Church illustrates how it matured over the last forty-five years.

Singer Mark Hall Comes To Liberty University For Momentum Youth Ministry Conference, Liberty University

January/February 2008

No abstract provided.

Greg Stier Gives Stirring Message For Youth Emphasis Week, Liberty University

January/February 2008

No abstract provided.

Developing A Lay Ministry Team Led Student Ministry, Stuart W. Cox

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the process of how one church developed a lay ministry team in both principle and practice which now provides effective leadership for its student ministry. The church is Nall Memorial Baptist Church of Graham, North Carolina. The author of this project serves as the church’s senior pastor. The ministry team as developed in this project is designed to not only provide quality ministry, but also to build effective ministers through the wedding of the task-oriented characteristics of traditional church committees to the relational and transformational qualities of contemporary cell groups.