Digital Commons Network^™

A Revitalization And Growth Strategy For The African Methodist Episcopal Churches In The Virginia Conference, Orin Eckman Gill Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to analyze the current environments prevailing in the sixty-three A. M. E. Churches in the Virginia Conference and develop strategies to revitalize them, improve their health and increase their spiritual and numerical growth. Data collection and analysis utilized quantitative research methods. This study presented: (1) a historic profile of the A. M. E. church in the U. S., so readers could understand the roots of the church; (2 Biblical support for the church, its ministry, missions, evangelism and growth; (4) Biblical evidence to support the need for a coordinated strategy to train, develop and …

The Strategies Of Korean American Churches That Are Ministering To Korean Students Studying In America, Heon Ju John Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In America, there are a lot of Korean Churches for Korean people. Among them, the churches of Korean students are different from the churches of Korean immigrants because they have different purposes coming to America. In Korean student churches most members are students and they are preparing to be a leader for the future and for the glory of God. Therefore, the churches of Korean students have to focus on ministry of sowing. Then, they have to do strategy of a small group meeting changing a seeker from an unbeliever, strategy of a worship changing a believer from a seeker, …

Developing A Strategy For Planting Southern Baptist Churches In Northeast North Carolina, Jeffery Clark Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to determine a strategy for planting new churches in the northeast North Carolina region. This thesis will also consider if there is a certain type of person who might demonstrate a contextual propensity toward a new church by exploring the cultural distinctives found among the people of this region as well as the history of church planting in geographic and cultural context. The thesis will engage in demographic research, and explore resources adequate for the planting of new churches helpful to other Southern Baptist associations and other denominations.

Effective Discipleship In Central Virginia: Contextualizing The Great Commission In A Changing Southern Culture, Andrew Gregory Moroz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The overall mission of the church is to make disciples of all nations. Gospel Community Church is a church plant that is striving to make disciples in central VA and around the world. The purpose of this thesis is to develop an effective discipleship strategy for GCC. In order to develop this strategy, this thesis first considers the history and culture of central VA, the Biblical mandate and examples of discipleship in the Bible, snapshots of discipleship throughout church history, and current forms of discipleship in central VA churches.

Analyzing The Applicability Of Preaching The Minor Prophets In The 21st Century, Bruce Mires Moulton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this writer's estimation too many preachers have deemed the prophetic and eschatological Scriptures irrelevant, controversial and hard for preachers to understand as well as confusing for the average church member to grasp. Furthermore, many preachers seem to favor preaching and teaching the New Testament in contrast to the Old Testament. Seemingly, the emphasis today is on evangelism and contemporary issues of life. Consequently, these concerns have caused many to completely avoid or sparingly discuss the book of Revelation, many of the major Old Testament prophetic books and equally as important the Minor Prophets.

Understandably, it is the aim of …

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 …

The Effects Of The Nxt Robotics Curriculum On High School Students' Attitudes In Science Based On Grade, Gender, And Ethnicity, Sandra Lyn Jewell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the effects of the NXT Robotics curriculum on high school students' attitudes about science. A quasi-experimental research design was employed in the evaluation of the NXT Robotics class. The program was evaluated by comparing the attitudes and interests of 57 students who participated in the elective NXT Robotics class and not a science class, and 57 students who participated in a science class and not the elective NXT Robotics class. While a treatment group and a control group were compared, the groups were intact groups chosen out of convenience rather than through random assignment into the treatment …

Pornography Addiction: A Cognitive Approach In Combating The Lies Christian Males Believe, Farid Awad

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pornography addiction has grown in epidemic numbers. Its bondage is evident within and outside the church walls. While sex and sexually explicit images saturate our daily lives, God continues to call His people to be holy as He is holy. Freedom from pornography addiction can be achieved only through intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and by accepting the atoning work of His cross for all believers. This thesis will redefine pornography through the lens of the Scripture and primarily focus on cognitive lies regarding oneself and others, which are crippling and ensnaring men into the trap of pornography. This study …

Ministers Of Education 50 Years Of Age Or Older: Changing Titles, Positions And Responsibilities?, Benjamin Farley Haygood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The traditional role of the Minister of Education in many Southern Baptist Churches appears to be changing. For those Ministers of Education who are 50 years of age or older, there is a need to understand what is taking place so that they can continue to use the skills, gifts, and experiences obtained in years of service. The purpose of this thesis is to study what is taking place across the Southern Baptist Convention and provide help for Ministers of Education who may be exploring vocational shifts in ministry. Also, this thesis hopes to provide help for churches in how …

Christian Students' Worldviewsand Propensity For Missionteaching, Richard Patrick Dolan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research conducted sought to find evidence to answer the following questions: Do students in teacher preparation programs who feel called to enter the Christian mission field as general education teachers have a worldview that is more closely aligned with biblical principles than other teacher groups? Is there a correlation between the worldview of mission general education teachers and propensity to volunteer for the field? What do students consider as influence in their decisions to commit to the Christian mission service profession? The data gathered indicated that participants who intended to volunteer at mission schools had significantly higher scores in …

Does Setting Affect Achievement Of Students With Disabilities: Comparing Co-Teaching To Resource, Sarah Yvonne Mote

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This causal comparative study compared reading achievement of middle school students with disabilities (SWD) who were served in the resource class with the reading achievement of middle school SWD who were served in the co-teaching class. Reading achievement of SWD in grades six through eight was statistically analyzed to measure gains made by both groups of students. The learning outcomes were compared using reading assessment scores from the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) and student Lexile levels. The participants were 157 sixth through eighth grade SWD. The findings suggest that SWD may benefit equally from either instructional setting. Students from …

How To Develop A Model For Writing A Biblical Conclusion To Improve The Effectiveness Of Preaching For Korean Pastors, Minseog Roh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to help Korean preachers to make biblical and effective conclusions to improve the effectiveness of their sermons. This dissertation was performed on the basis of literature reviews, studies on the principles of the sermon conclusion, studies of various types of sermon conclusions, and analyses of types of conclusions of four representative Korean preachers: Dongwon Lee, Sunhee Gwahk, Hanhum Ohk, and Byeonguhk Jeon. This dissertation also provides practical guides to Korean pastors who want to improve their sermon conclusions in order to write various types of sermon conclusions.

The Experiences Of Teen Text Messaging In The Context Of Family Communication, Relatedness, And Connection: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Jackie Thayer Craft

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study is a phenomenological inquiry of teenagers' text messaging in the context of family communication, relatedness, and connection. Interviews with teenagers and parent are conducted to investigate the experience of text messaging within the family context. Journal entries are also used as sources of data for this study. Transcripts of the audio recordings for the interviews are analyzed for thematic data. Additionally, the participants and two reviewers evaluated the transcripts and interpretations for accuracy. The data for the teenage interviewees is examined next to the data of the parent interviewees for comparative purposes.

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 …

The Impact Of Smart Board Technology On Growth In Mathematics Achievement Of Gifted Learners, Patricia Ann Riska

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined whether SMART Board technology increased growth in mathematics performance of fourth grade gifted students. Gifted students in North Carolina were studied to determine if the use of SMART Board technology during mathematics instruction impacted their growth on standardized state tests. The sample consisted of 175 students from six elementary schools with similar populations. Three of the schools used SMART Boards during mathematics instruction, and three schools did not use SMART Board technology. All students were taught the mathematics curriculum according to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The instrument for evaluating growth was the state End-of-Grade …

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.

Comparison Of Effects Of Cognitive Level And Quality Writing Assessment (Claqwa) Rubric On Freshman College Student Writing, Irene Suzanne Penner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study investigated the effects of the Cognitive Level and Quality Writing Assessment (CLAQWA) rubric on the cognitive skill and writing skill growth of college freshmen. The participants (n = 107) were enrolled in a composition course at a Midwestern state university. The nonequivalent control group design used quantitative analysis with selected criteria from the CLAQWA rubric as measurements. Two independent raters graded the essays, and results confirmed a statistically significant correlation of grades on both sets of essays. Results from both raters confirmed no statistically significant differences on either type of skill score between the experimental or control group …

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.

Teacher Perceptions Of Disproportionality Of Minorities In Special Education, Kristy Henry Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The intent of this study was to determine if special education teachers had certain perceptions regarding the disproportionate amount of minorities in special education classes. I examined special education teachers' awareness of the disproportionality, their causal theories, and the effectiveness of Response to Intervention (RTI) to regulate disproportionality. I implemented three different data collection methods to measure the teachers' perceptions: an initial face-to-face interview session, a written survey, and additional interview questioning. Participants in the study included 11 special education teachers from three middle schools in Northern Georgia. Ten of the 11 teachers admitted awareness of the problem of disproportionality, …

Mathematics Self-Efficacy Of Community College Students In Developmental Mathematics Courses, David Walker Clutts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mathematics self-efficacy was defined as an individual's beliefs about how he or she would perform a specific math task or in a specific mathematics or related course. Mathematics self-efficacy was differentiated from self-esteem. Previous literature found self-efficacy in general and mathematics self-efficacy in particular to be significantly related to enrollment, retention, and completion. This study used the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Survey to investigate whether age, gender, developmental mathematics course, or developmental mathematics grade were significantly predictive of mathematics self-efficacy among developmental mathematics students course at a Kentucky community college. Multiple linear regression found that none of these variables were statistically significant …

Cooperative Learning And The Gifted Student In Elementary Mathematics, Christine C. Hecox

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research was a quantitative research project dealing with Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Mathematics scores of fourth grade students, including gifted and high-achieving students, in 2008-2009 under the exposure of daily cooperative learning in mathematics. The problem statement was as follows: In Polk County, Florida, how does cooperative learning affect the FCAT Mathematics scores among fourth grade students, including gifted and high-achieving students? The purpose of the quasi-experimental study was to explore the relationship of cooperative learning versus traditional learning on their student achievement. The null hypothesis was that cooperative learning would have no effect on fourth grade gifted …

The Impact Of Attendance On Seventh Grade Math Achievement Scores In Three Northwest Georgia Middle Schools, Patrick Kent Mccrary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of attendance on achievement in three northwest Georgia middle schools. The seventh grade students were divided into two groups. One group was considered non-truant, missing fifteen or less days of school, according to the county attendance protocol, and the other group was considered truant, missing 16 or more days, according to the county attendance protocol. The purpose was to determine if there was a statistically significant disparity between the non-truant and truant students on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test scores measured by a t-test. The null hypothesis was that there would …

The Relationship Between The Percentage Of African-American Teachers On Public School Secondary Campuses And The Percentage Of African-American Students Passing The Texas Assessment Of Knowledge And Skills Test (Taks), Victor S. Nixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

No Child Left Behind has caused educators to take a critical look at the achievement levels of all population groups on campus. African-American student achievement can no longer be masked by the achievement levels of other student populations. Educators must develop strategies to reduce the African-American achievement gap in order to meet Adequate Yearly Progress. This study examined the relationship between the percentage of African-American teachers on secondary Texas campuses and African-American student achievement. Academic achievement was measured by the use of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Test (TAKS). The American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude …

Discipleship Within The Secondary School, Jason Hilgeman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Understanding living for God's glory results in specific ways of thinking which inform the role of the teacher as disciple-maker in the secondary Christian school. If Christian school educators are to impact the next generation, their thinking and living should change to reflect man's ultimate purpose. This integration must occur at a fundamental level within the lives of educators in order for students to be equipped to engage culture according to their design. The writer will help to make the connection from doxological living to the practical outworking of mentoring for a Christian school educator.

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 …

An Analysis Of Pastor Sunhee Gwark’S Sermons By Using Hermeneutic Methods Of Practical Theology For Improving Sermon Paradigm, Jinhyu Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to analyze the sermons of Sunhee Gwark, the former senior pastor of So-Mang church, into hermeneutic methods of practical theology for improving sermon paradigm. The relationship between the world of Scripture and the world of audience was investigated and the world of audience was valued equally with the world of Scripture in sermon. In order to analyze Gwark's sermons, the standards of evaluating sermon were provided. An improved sermon paradigm was suggested and the author wants this study to contribute to refreshing sermons to be balanced between the world of Scripture and that of …

Influence Of Assessment For Learning Professional Development In Rural Georgia Public Schools, Marianne W. Cole

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the effect of two models of professional development concerning Assessment for Learning on teacher perception of the effectiveness of Assessment for Learning strategies and student achievement as measured by standardized Georgia End of Course Tests. The study hypothesized that a positive relationship exists between teacher perception of the benefit of Assessment for Learning strategies and increased student achievement as measured by student performance on standardized Georgia End of Course Tests. The study hypothesized that a positive relationship exists between teacher participation in Assessment for Learning professional development and teacher positive perception of the benefit of Assessment for …

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 …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Attitudes & Perceptions Of Middle School Students Towards The Character, Advocacy, Remediation, Enrichment, & School Spirit (Cares) Program, Nathan John Buhl

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological research study, using three tiers of interview and focus group data, described the attitudes and perceptions of middle students towards the Character, Advisory, Remediation, Enrichment, and School Spirit (CARES) program implemented at a rural middle school in north Georgia. The CARES program is a middle school advisement program designed to better meet the needs of the adolescent learner with the intent of creating a caring learning community which supports the social, emotional, and academic needs of middle school students. Results of the study showed that the students perceived the CARES program positively. Specifically, students communicated high levels of …