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A Church Based Curriculum Providing Marriage And Family Education For Stepfamilies And Ministries, Richard Helein
A Church Based Curriculum Providing Marriage And Family Education For Stepfamilies And Ministries, Richard Helein
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Within the American population, the Stepfamily now outnumbers that of the traditional nuclear family; a trend mirrored in the local church. Stepfamilies within the church culture struggle in navigating the relational complexities, emotional and spiritual strain, and biblical confusion inherent to the formation of a stepfamily, while church leaders lack both understanding and the training necessary to minister to this growing population. Often step-families choose anonymity or leave the local church for fear of being shunned. In synthesizing, existing research with data garnered from stepfamilies via their participation in an anonymous online survey and participatory learning activity (PLA), challenges unique …
Ten Essential Lessons Learned When Transitioning From A Long-Term Tenured Pastor In The African American Baptist Church, Marcus Allen
Ten Essential Lessons Learned When Transitioning From A Long-Term Tenured Pastor In The African American Baptist Church, Marcus Allen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
When a pastor has a served long tenure at one church, the members hold this individual in high regard. He has conducted many marriages and countless burial ceremonies, baptized most of the membership, and have been there for the members and their families during their most difficult moments in life. When pastors are called to these churches, they are faced with several challenges. The church is unsure of the leadership ability of the new pastor, their expectations are high, congregants are hesitant to change things, and refuse to be challenged with new methods of doing ministry. This research is based …
Two Way Discipleship Curriculum: Correlation Of Discipleship With Pastoral Counseling For South Korean Churches, Yoonsu Lee
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In South Korea, many churches create and run discipleship programs. The programs help many people to focus on Jesus, but the programs come with significant problem. . If a person is experiencing a mental problem like stress, depression, or addiction, that person has a much more difficult time focusing on Jesus Christ rather than the struggles in his or her own life. Most discipleship programs ignore these prevalent mental issues, but including mental care in the course is vital to develop true disciples. Pastoral counseling has various mental care methods that address the problems facing many of its participants. South …
Case Studies Of The Participation And Results Of Professional Visitation To Schools By Youth Ministries Of Local Churches In Korea, Young Cho
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this case study is to get results from youth ministry participation in local churches through a school visitation ministry. Youth ministry faces a crisis in Korea because the number of church attendees is decreasing. In fact, the number of church members in Korea is decreasing, but the numbers of people in the youth group are much smaller than other age groups. Thus, the study shows the failure of education from church and home. The researcher experienced this issue in his own church and tried to find alternative methods. Upon closer study, he found hope for a youth …
Burnout Among African American Pastors: A Biblical And Practical Solution, Ronald Strong
Burnout Among African American Pastors: A Biblical And Practical Solution, Ronald Strong
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Pastors are dropping out of the Christian ministry at an alarming rate. These spiritual leaders often experience burnout due to excessive demands, which lead to physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion, impairing their pastoral effectiveness. Qualitative and quantitative surveys and interviews were used to determine the relationship between burnout and ministry effectiveness by focusing on three mitigating factors: physical, emotional, and spiritual rest. The results identified overall fatigue as the primary cause of spiritual aridness and pastoral failings. Using this research, this thesis provides a model for holistic health with specific solutions for ministry burnout, thereby, improving pastoral effectiveness.
Before God And These Witnesses: An Evangelistic Guide To Weddings, David Anderson
Before God And These Witnesses: An Evangelistic Guide To Weddings, David Anderson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Every year, according to the Center for Disease Control, an average of 2.3 million couples wed in the United States, while nearly 900,000 divorces occur. One fourth of couples marry outside of a church. Though most ceremonies take place in a church building, the church’s presence is small. An opportunity exists to reach receptive engaged couples and provide needed counseling services to those marrying outside of the church. Premarital counseling reduces the risk of divorce approximately 30 percent. To impact marriages and see growth, the church must take a proactive and evangelistic role in providing premarital counseling and weddings services …
A Study On The Church Growth Method Through The Vitalization Of Small Groups In Traditional Korean Churches: The Case Of Daegu Dong-Sung Church, Byung Min
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Nowadays, Korean society is faced with social issues, like individualism arising from fast growth. The traditional society has become dominated by individual interest and intention, as well as by new social aspects such as the loss of community ethics at large. This can also be seen in Korean churches; we have noticed an increase in Sunday service visitors and unregistered members. This change has brought a number of spiritual crisis into churches and is even a huge crisis in and of itself. In this regard, through research on church growth through small group ministry in traditional Korean churches, this study …
The Importance Of The Culturalization Process For The Transition From A Traditional Church To A Small Group-Focused Church, Young Lee
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this research is to clarify the importance of the process of culturalization, which takes place before a full-scale transition, to Korean churches that are attempting to change the direction of their ministries from traditional to small group-oriented ministries. Since the introduction of the small group ministry, Korean churches have been trying to convert to small group churches. Many churches, however, are struggling with the transition due to hastiness instead of following the right philosophy and roadmap. Having led cell group and small group ministries for the last ten years in Korean churches in both the United States …
Every Life Matters To God: A New Paradigm Of Care For Suicide Prevention, Antonio Campbell
Every Life Matters To God: A New Paradigm Of Care For Suicide Prevention, Antonio Campbell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Since 2001, National Guard soldiers and airmen have been ordered to multiple deployments In Iraq and Afghanistan. The Department of Defense (DOD) has released data that shows a dramatic increase in suicides by military personnel. This author has chosen this topic to develop a pastoral care strategy, by civilian clergy and/or military chaplains, to help lessen the number of suicides by National Guard personnel. The research will introduce a strategy in which pastoral care practitioners can be actively involved in the therapeutic counseling of National Guard soldiers and airmen who may be at risk. Currently, there is a lack of …
A Phenomenological Study Exploring Factors That Contribute To Academic Persistence For Nontraditional Undergraduate African American Male Degree-Completers From Bible Colleges In The Southeast, Rodney Phillips
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand factors that contribute to college persistence for nontraditional undergraduate African American male four-year degree completers from select evangelical Bible colleges in the southeastern United States. An ecological and adult resiliency theoretical framework guided the research. Three research questions framed this study: (a) How do nontraditional undergraduate African American male four-year degree completers from select evangelical Bible colleges describe persistence? (b) What type of experiences do participants understand as having contributed to their persistence at Bible colleges? (c) What specific factors do participants identify as having contributed to their persistence at …
Five Strategies To Assist Spiritual Leaders In Implementing Self-Care Programs For Compassion Fatigue, Dallas Scales
Five Strategies To Assist Spiritual Leaders In Implementing Self-Care Programs For Compassion Fatigue, Dallas Scales
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this thesis project is to provide five strategies for spiritual leaders to combat the negative affect of compassion fatigue due to trauma events. Although pastoral care and counseling is an effective instrument by which churches stay germane to changing human needs in a shifting society and churches, pastors and caregivers have grown susceptible to compassion fatigue. The researcher will gather data from a survey of 100 spiritual leaders constructed around four hypotheses related to self-care after a trauma event: psychological, emotional, physiological and theological created uniquely for this thesis process. This research will provide five strategies for …
Discipleship Counseling: Developing Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Followers Of Jesus, James Albritton
Discipleship Counseling: Developing Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Followers Of Jesus, James Albritton
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This project will look at how professional or lay counseling can increase the effectiveness of making and maturing followers of Jesus. An effective strategy for disciple-making that targets the whole person will be established to help followers of Jesus overcome the emotional pain due to past sin and hurts which have left them ineffective and stagnant in their growth as disciples. Research will be conducted through articles, websites, and books dealing with the subject as well as a survey of at least 50 pastors to determine whether a clear process of disciple-making exists in their church and if any form …
A Strategic Plan To Develop A Healthy Church, Jeffrey Hackley
A Strategic Plan To Develop A Healthy Church, Jeffrey Hackley
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Not all churches are healthy; however, to be effective, churches must be healthy. The purpose of this thesis project is to assist pastors in developing strategies for church health. When the work of evangelism is a stated goal, the greatest catalyst for the community is the presence of a healthy church. This thesis project will clarify the biblical definition and purpose of the church and describe the characteristics of church health as suggested by experts. This thesis project will also share a brief history, vision, and ministry example of church health, and analyze and evaluate the current condition of Mount …
Establishing The M7 Dream Builder Pastoral Care Ministry: A Christ-Centered Spiritual Oasis For Women-By-Women With Dreams Deferred, Sylvia Medley
Establishing The M7 Dream Builder Pastoral Care Ministry: A Christ-Centered Spiritual Oasis For Women-By-Women With Dreams Deferred, Sylvia Medley
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
One of the long standing problems of Christ-Centered pastoral care in the local church is the need for a practical innovative pastoral care ministry for women whose dreams have been deferred that not only provides healing, hope, and encouragement, but also incorporates the discipling culture of the Great Commission. Based on Matthew 28:19-20, Proverbs 13:12, and supported by surveys, development of an M7 network will culminate in an annual women’s conference. The establishment of the women’s center will consist of a three-part program utilizing a methodology of pastoral care developed specifically for women-by-women. It will include: 1) radical Christ-Centered programs …
Exploring Intercessory Prayer As It Relates To Spiritual Warfare Preaching At Mount Zion Christian Church, Vernon Langley
Exploring Intercessory Prayer As It Relates To Spiritual Warfare Preaching At Mount Zion Christian Church, Vernon Langley
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The focus of this thesis is exploring the influence of intercessory prayer; from the standpoint of spiritual warfare preaching. Present day homiletics concentrates on the method of sermons by applying information within the message to a great story and powerful scriptural passages which is imperative to make the sermon thought provoking and applicable to contemporary congregations. However, there is another element to preaching the gospel, which has gotten considerably less attention in modern day study. How the evaluations of Divine powers of intercessory prayer operate behind the discourse, and spiritual powers of darkness that endeavor to obstruct the reception of …
The Image Of Leadership: Man’S View Of God As Reflected In His Leadership Style, Leslie Pope
The Image Of Leadership: Man’S View Of God As Reflected In His Leadership Style, Leslie Pope
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis project will demonstrate the connection between a pastor’s practical perceived theology of the inner workings of the Trinity and his desired leadership style. Because “God’s people are stamped with the tag of ‘gods’,”1 they will seek to rule in a similar manner. These perceived relationships will drive the pastor toward a desired style of leadership. In turn, examining horizontal styles of leadership will reveal true vertical beliefs. These levels of leadership interaction will be researched through literature and interviews with eight church leaders. As the leader defines the leadership structures and recognizes hidden similarities and disparities between practical …
Pastoral Counseling: The Pastor's Guide To Helping Korean Youth In Crisis, Jeong Kook
Pastoral Counseling: The Pastor's Guide To Helping Korean Youth In Crisis, Jeong Kook
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many Korean teenagers are suffering from physical and psychological abuse, anxiety, and depression due to dysfunctional family life. Korean Christian pastors and counselors need to be educated and trained in order to guide these families through such crisis. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, the author surveyed over fifty troubled families. The findings were alarming and led the author to build a pastoral counseling model based on the biblical definition of the role of pastoral counseling using adept research of key scriptural principles. This pastoral counseling model provides a well-balanced biblical strategy to guide the troubled teenager through such crisis.
The Challenges And Biblical 'Self-Care' Strategies For 'Direct-Care' Staff In Residential Treatment Facilities, Michael Jones
The Challenges And Biblical 'Self-Care' Strategies For 'Direct-Care' Staff In Residential Treatment Facilities, Michael Jones
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Ministry means more than just pastoral duties within the context of the church. Those in ministry, and particularly those in ‘direct-care’ positions working in residential treatment facilities in childcare face a plethora of issues that can be mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, and spiritually taxing. This project will provide biblically based engaging, edifying, encouraging, and equipping ministries the necessary skills to enable those who are in ‘Direct-Care’ positions to develop ‘self-care’ practices to address these issues. This thesis will investigate the causes and effects that impact those in ‘direct-care’ ministry to experience disillusionment, discouragement, depression, despair, defeat, and/or departure from ministry. …
Facilitating A Change Of Mind About Father God Through Mentoring Of The Fatherless, Stephen Madosky
Facilitating A Change Of Mind About Father God Through Mentoring Of The Fatherless, Stephen Madosky
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The consensus of published research has proven beyond question that fatherlessness is a crisis in America. Textbooks and autobiographies have covered and reported the statistical effects of fatherlessness; nonetheless, there is far less literature dealing with the solution of fatherlessness and even less literature from Church scholars on how the Church may participate in its correction. This thesis presents an understanding of fatherlessness and proposes a resolution to act on behalf of fatherless children. The resolution will be comprised in preparing Church leaders to equip Church laity to understand and to minister to the fatherless in their affliction effectively.
Integrating The Psychological Audit Of Interpersonal Relationships Into Short-Term Pastoral Marital Counseling – Help Or Hindrance?, Floyd Marsh
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This research project was undertaken to determine if integrating the Psychological Audit of Interpersonal Relationships (PAIR) test into a short-term pastoral marital counseling model would help or hinder the busy multi-tasking pastor in economizing his time and improving his effectiveness while counseling couples presenting with mild to moderate dissatisfaction. The PAIR test is a relationship compatibility inventory, used by psychologists, physicians, professional counselors, and licensed clinical social workers, which assesses 20 separate dimensions of interest, personality, behavior, attitudes, and values. The research findings of this study strongly suggest that the PAIR test, when integrated into the counseling plan, will help …
Rescuing The Millennials: Four Essential Lessons Learned And Eight Key Principles To Reclaiming This Generation, Alethia Janise Simmons
Rescuing The Millennials: Four Essential Lessons Learned And Eight Key Principles To Reclaiming This Generation, Alethia Janise Simmons
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Recent trends reveal the decline in church attendance among younger generations, with the Millennials. The purpose of this project is to develop a Christian model that will offer churches practical steps and instructions on how to rescue this generation. Research will be conducted through surveys and interviews with sixty senior pastors, young adult pastors, and Millennials between the age of 18 and 29 years old to ascertain relevant data. This research will provide four essential lessons learned and eight key principles to reclaiming the Millennial generation.
What Are United Pentecostal Church International Women Pastors Experiencing: A Qualitative Inquiry, Cynthia Miller
What Are United Pentecostal Church International Women Pastors Experiencing: A Qualitative Inquiry, Cynthia Miller
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Clergywomen make up less than four percent of the licensed ministers of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI). This phenomenological inquiry explored how female pastors of the United Pentecostal Church International described their experience of being a female in a profession where men significantly outnumber women in both pastoral and leadership positions. In an attempt to identify factors to guide clergywomen in a truer sense of what it means to be a woman in ministry, eight women serving in pastoral ministry were interviewed. After data analysis of transcribed interviews and participant journals, five findings emerged. The five main findings were …
Six Key Concepts In Training Evangelical Lay Chaplain For Effective Local Hospital Ministry, Lisa Kanne
Six Key Concepts In Training Evangelical Lay Chaplain For Effective Local Hospital Ministry, Lisa Kanne
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many professional hospital chaplaincy organizations have ethics statements that specifically prohibit paid chaplains from proselytizing, unless specifically requested by the patient. The intention of the dissertation is to train lay chaplains in what to communicate with the patients, family and friends. Restrictions will be imposed on lay volunteer chaplains by the hospital and the chaplaincy department dealing with proselytizing and other topics concerning religion. The presentation will introduce biblical principles regarding ministering to the sick and dying, providing comfort to those who are hurting, and fostering hope and who are grieving. Between the survey findings and the interview key concepts …
The Pastor Search Process: A Proposed Manual For The Objective Investigation And Evaluation Of A Church By The Pastoral Candidate, John David Lones
The Pastor Search Process: A Proposed Manual For The Objective Investigation And Evaluation Of A Church By The Pastoral Candidate, John David Lones
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
It is commonly acknowledged by both clergy and laity that a problem exists in the Southern Baptist Convention concerning both the length of pastoral tenure and the number of forced terminations of ministerial staff. Solutions have been proposed but little measurable change has been forthcoming. Much has been written about conflict resolution, communication between staff and lay leadership and realistic expectations. However well-intended these efforts may be, the statistics seem to indicate little or nothing has changed. This project intends to evaluate the pastor-search process from the perspective of the pastoral candidate. Churches make efforts to evaluate and investigate candidates …
Surviving The Other War: Group Intervention For Military Sexual Trauma In The Local Church, Ed Ellis Barker
Surviving The Other War: Group Intervention For Military Sexual Trauma In The Local Church, Ed Ellis Barker
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is, together with the current military suicide epidemic, arguably the greatest danger to soldiers serving at home or abroad, and sadly the former is a contributing factor for the latter. MST involves the sexual assault or sexual harassment of an individual by one or several fellow service members. An important avenue of assistance is through the local church; however, "the quality of mental health providers does not include a sufficient number of faith-based counselors (especially Christian) to serve the predominantly Christian demographic in the U.S. Armed Forces." To assist in this, a psycho-educational support group has …
Shepherding The Flock: C.A.R.E. - A Model For Pastoral Ministry, Ronald Hughes
Shepherding The Flock: C.A.R.E. - A Model For Pastoral Ministry, Ronald Hughes
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A seminary graduate is often well equipped in a variety of areas including preaching, languages, church growth, and the like. One area that graduates often feel ill equipped is the practical area of pastoral care; however, every minister, whether in a church of ten or ten thousand, must have a way to effectively deal with this part of their ministry. From a review of the literature and a survey of pastors, this project will confirm the current need for further training in the area of pastoral care. In addition, this project will offer a plan to meet those needs within …
An Investigation Of Adversity In Christian Living And Proposal For Discipleship Response, Christopher Payne
An Investigation Of Adversity In Christian Living And Proposal For Discipleship Response, Christopher Payne
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
With numerous ministries teaching a cultural gospel comprised of prosperity and pleasure, people have the impression that a saving faith limits personal hardships. Jesus taught his disciples the truth about hardship and how to struggle well and the Church is called to do likewise. This thesis will present five key biblical truths to equip Christians for growing their faith through personal struggle. Moreover, the project will give leaders a guide for discipling hurting church members. The author will research current and historical discipleship materials and models, examine current teachings on faith and struggle, explore relevant biblical teachings, and survey fifty …
The Pastor's Faithless Child: Strengthening Methods For Hurting Parent-Pastors, Ryan Ayers
The Pastor's Faithless Child: Strengthening Methods For Hurting Parent-Pastors, Ryan Ayers
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Parent-pastors face challenges when balancing vocational and familial responsibilities every day, and when faithless adolescent children are part of their family dynamic the hardship is magnified. These pastors often experience debilitating critique from their faith communities and colleagues while carrying the burden of raising a rebellious child. Utilizing a phenomenological study process, one hundred transparent interviews with parent-pastors are used to identify assumptions and realities surrounding the hurting parent-pastor's dilemma. Leading principles that have helped other parent-pastors cope with the overwhelming affects of their child's behavior will be introduced, empowering those who are hurting identify their stress points and overcome …
Equipping New Pastors Within The African Methodist Episcopal Church: A One Year Training Manual, Delphoney Kargbo
Equipping New Pastors Within The African Methodist Episcopal Church: A One Year Training Manual, Delphoney Kargbo
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this thesis is to create a training manual for the development of and successful transition to a new appointment as a pastor within the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Based on the surveys and questionnaires collected from fifty newly-appointed pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and through a well-developed manual, pastors will become better equipped for the ministry. This thesis will show that the decline in membership is a direct result of the lack of post-seminary training for those in the ministry. This thesis seeks to demonstrate that through a well-developed and practical classroom and online training …
The Case For Closing The Contagiously Conflicted Church: Three Reasons Why It Is Necessary, Michael Sanders
The Case For Closing The Contagiously Conflicted Church: Three Reasons Why It Is Necessary, Michael Sanders
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The topic of this thesis focuses on the harm of severely conflicted congregations and necessary reasons for their existence to cease. The rationale behind this choice is that there are numerous congregations that are contagiously conflicted and harming the lives of vocational ministers, the name of Christ, and the witness of the church. This issue needs to be addressed. Having served as pastor of two contagiously conflicted congregations, it is this writer's hope that this document will help others discern if and when such an unpleasant decision is necessary. The research for this thesis was derived from surveys of pastors …