Digital Commons Network^™

The Considerations Of Interpretation Through The Function Of Imagery In The Song Of Songs And Its Application To The Current Believing Community, Sanggeol Lyu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Song of Songs parallels with the synthetic method of literary criticism. This criticism places value on the text because it is literature for the believing community to maximize the celebration of delight and consummation of love within marriage and it deemphasizes the search for the hidden meaning beyond the text. Literary criticism demonstrates not only the function of the literary message but also the aesthetic effect, and is suitable and adaptable to explain and help determine the identity of today's young adults. The study focuses on the wisdom of others and how it is adapted for today. It also …

A Strategy For Developing A Twelve-Month Protestant Parish Council And Protestant Ministry In The United States Air Force, Charles Nathan Davidson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Senior Protestant Chaplain is given the responsibility for developing the entire protestant ministry of an Air Force Base. Faced with the task of how to lead other protestant chaplains, the parish council, various worship services, a religious education ministry, and protestant programs for every age group all with the intent of having one mission statement with goals and objectives for reaching this mission a strategy was developed for obtaining this outcome. Implementing the (1) Training the Protestant Parish Council Team, (2) a protestant strategic plan, (3) a schedule of monthly meetings, (4) an organizational chart, (5) guidelines, (6) job …

Strategies For Successful Establishment And Development Of Schools For Missionary Kids On The Mission Field, Unkil Jung

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to investigate and find solutions to the educational needs of missionary children. Many of MK schools are being forced to close, yet the need for a good education still exists for missionary families on the field. How to provide a good education for these missionary children has become a major problem.

This study is motivated by the writer's personal experience as the founder and director of Bangkok International Academic School (BIAS). The information for this thesis was gathered through the writer's personal visits and interviews with other educators in Christian schools in several countries. …

The Development Of Family Ministry For The Local Church, Daryl W. Pitts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

All social and cultural indications demonstrate that the American society is in desperate need. Divorce rates and addictions have multiplied both within and without the church. The local church is uniquely positioned to offer hope and healing, from a biblical perspective to those who have been beaten, bruised, and left beside the freeway of the New World Order. The local church also has the ability to provide preventative services so its members can avoid these life hazards. Based on surveys and research, this project presents a strategy to implement a comprehensive professional pastoral Christian counseling service for the local church.

The Benefits To The Small Bible College Of Achieving Accreditation Through The Transnational Association Of Christian Colleges And Schools, Bruce Melton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As the number of religious associations and denominations in the USA proliferates, numerous training institutions will become necessary to prepare the ministers for the burgeoning number of churches. This project will attempt to answer the question of whether academic accreditation for a ministerial training program through TRACS is of benefit to the small Bible College and if so, In what way? Those colleges now holding accreditation through TRACS were surveyed to determine the actual or perceived benefits to the administration, faculty, denomination, and student. These benefits were weighed against the costs incurred in order to evaluate the process and the …

Prayer And Church Growth In The Korean Church, Seung Il Kang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study contends that prayer is an indispensable element for church growth. Prayer brings spirituality, power and vitality to a church. Prayer is to be done with other elements of church growth. Prayer has a universal and unique character because no growth is possible without prayer even though other elements are performed well.

The two elements for church growth, personal and programs, are discussed in their relationship with prayer. The personal element includes pastors and laymen praying about their specific positions of serving. The program element of prayer provides something like an initial explosion in such programs as worship, evangelism, …

The Attitudes Of Liberty Leadership Toward The Modern Day Gift Of Apostle, Lee Patrick Vukich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project is an attempt to present the entire "Scripture-only" view as it pertains to the issue of modern day apostle. This will be accomplished by one presenting proponents' views with regard to this topic. Secondly, a doctrinal study of the term apostle will be utilized as it pertains to the New Testament usage. Additionally, church history will be discussed looking at views of the church fathers with regard to this topic. Third, interviews with the leadership of Liberty University will be conducted and conclusions drawn based upon their responses.

An Analysis Of The Discipleship Bible Study For The Korean Immigrant Church Growth, Yo Sup Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to analyze discipleship training Bible study programs developed or used by successful Korean churches and mission groups. The writer will introduce the best model of discipleship program currently practiced by Sarang Presbyterian Church. The discipleship methods will be evaluated, also biblical basis will be traced, and Jesus' methods of discipleship training and the Korean church Bible study texts will be analyzed. Korean-American churches' Bible study texts, which have been used in successful Korean churches, will be surveyed. The survey will test their methods, weaknesses, and strengths. This thesis will discover methods for successful Korean …

A Biblical Defense For The Financing Of Church Land And Building, Steven Douglas Suders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A sampling of pastors, who are Liberty graduates, reveals a need for scriptural education concerning the financing of church land and buildings. The purpose of this dissertation is to illuminate the minister regarding the permissibility of taking out a loan to aid in acquiring property and facilities so that their ministries may grow. The project describes the contemporary philosophy of Larry Burkett who is opposed to churches obtaining loans. The thesis then refutes this erroneous claim and finally, provides information that may assist in the process of obtaining a church loan for the congregation that chooses to exercise this liberty.

The Role Of A New Testament Deacon: An Office To Hold Or A Ministry To Perform, Waylan Lawrence Payne, Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The function of deacons in many Southern Baptist churches is inconsistent with biblical principles, creating confusion at the local church level. This phenomenon is substantiated by information gathered from available literature, surveys, and personal interviews with professors, pastors and deacons. The purpose of this paper is to present a biblical and historical basis for the diaconate and to provide successful deacon ministries as positive role models. Two church offices are recognized--pastor/elder/overseer and deacon. Deacons are not elders or overseers. When they attempt to perform as such, administrating church business, they are functionally violating New Testament principle and practice.

An Analysis Of The Friend Day Program, Written By Elmer Towns And Published By Church Growth Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia, Rick L. Rasberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to analyze the Friend Day evangelistic program, developed by Elmer Towns and published by Church Growth Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia. Through interviews, it traces the program's development. Through analysis of the program and research of literature in the areas of church growth and evangelism, it examines the theological presuppositions of friendship evangelism and discovers the principles of outreach employed in Friend Day. Based on questionnaires mailed to purchasers of the program, the project studies the strengths and weaknesses of Friend Day, and establishes that it is an exceptionally effective tool for local church evangelism.