Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Arts and Humanities (285)
- Religion (279)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (200)
- Christianity (155)
- Counseling (102)
-
- Practical Theology (82)
- Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion (50)
- Leadership Studies (42)
- Education (40)
- Psychology (34)
- Liturgy and Worship (25)
- Other Religion (18)
- Comparative Methodologies and Theories (17)
- Educational Leadership (13)
- Music (13)
- Ethics in Religion (10)
- Medicine and Health Sciences (10)
- Counseling Psychology (8)
- Sociology (7)
- Christian Denominations and Sects (5)
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (5)
- History of Christianity (5)
- Missions and World Christianity (5)
- Educational Psychology (4)
- Higher Education (4)
- Biblical Studies (3)
- Curriculum and Instruction (3)
- Military and Veterans Studies (3)
- Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration (3)
- Adult and Continuing Education (2)
- Keyword
-
- Religion, General (44)
- Leadership (37)
- Church (33)
- Religion, Clergy (33)
- Discipleship (31)
-
- Burnout (29)
- Pastors (24)
- Pastor (21)
- Chaplaincy (20)
- Counseling (19)
- Theology (19)
- Clergy (18)
- Ministry (18)
- Spirituality (18)
- Stress (17)
- Chaplain (16)
- Mental health (16)
- Pastoral care (15)
- Pastoral Care (12)
- Training (12)
- Depression (11)
- Mental Health (10)
- Moral injury (10)
- Pastoral Counseling (10)
- Resilience (10)
- Spiritual formation (10)
- Anxiety (9)
- Education (9)
- Pastoral (9)
- Pastoral counseling (9)
Articles 61 - 90 of 450
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Integrating African American Veterans Into Church Life: The Impact Of Urban Neo-Tribalism At Olivet Church, Dennis Allen Rose Jr.
Integrating African American Veterans Into Church Life: The Impact Of Urban Neo-Tribalism At Olivet Church, Dennis Allen Rose Jr.
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
African American veterans at Olivet Baptist Church attended worship services but did not participate in broader church activities. Many remained disconnected except during annual recognition events. This project was developed to address that gap. The Veteran Re-engagement Module (VRM) was delivered through six small group sessions. It focused on helping veterans talk through their past experiences, explore how those experiences affected their faith, and reconnect with the church. The approach centered around Scripture, group conversation, and spiritual storytelling. To evaluate its impact, data came through before-and-after surveys, individual interviews, and session notes. Twelve veterans participated. Some said this was the …
The Role Of Standard Business And Biblical Principles In The Strategic Human Resource Management Practices Of Contemporary Protestant Churches, Brandon Marshall Mccutchen
The Role Of Standard Business And Biblical Principles In The Strategic Human Resource Management Practices Of Contemporary Protestant Churches, Brandon Marshall Mccutchen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) practices have consistently evolved in the for-profit business sector to support business profitability. Nonprofit organizations have also adopted strategic HRM practices. Despite their status as tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, contemporary Protestant churches have not been included in the current literature discussing the use of strategic HRM practices in nonprofit organizations. Adoption of an HRM strategy varies across the spectrum of nondenominational Christian churches, and churches that are affiliated with a denomination. This qualitative study assesses the leadership perspective of five local churches to determine how standard business practices and biblical principles combine to create a formal …
Enhancing Collaborative Care: A Training Manual For Improving Veterans Affairs Mental Health Chaplaincy, Eddie L. Jones
Enhancing Collaborative Care: A Training Manual For Improving Veterans Affairs Mental Health Chaplaincy, Eddie L. Jones
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) launched a study to investigate the integration of chaplains in mental health care. This research expands on that study by focusing on the critical need for enhanced collaboration between chaplaincy and mental health services at local VA facilities. While existing literature affirms the integral role of chaplains in addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals, significant gaps in awareness and effective collaboration practices were identified at the Marion, IL VA Health Care System (VHCS). This study aimed to assess and address the specific training …
Integrating Mental Health And Pastoral Counseling At Calvary Baptist Church, Jacqueline Y. Ghee
Integrating Mental Health And Pastoral Counseling At Calvary Baptist Church, Jacqueline Y. Ghee
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
There is a critical need to provide mental health support to the congregation in the Black church, especially at Calvary Baptist Church. During the research study, the participants have made it clear that they need more support when it comes to emotional help for those who are facing mental health challenges. To address this, initiatives such as mental health training for clergy, establishing support groups, or partnering with mental health professionals can be implemented. Based on the outcome of the one-on-one interviews, the focus group participants from Calvary shared their disappointment with the pastor and leaders for not being able …
Lived Experiences Of Black Clergy Counseling White Female Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence In Predominantly White Churches Of Christ, Archie Ray Green
Lived Experiences Of Black Clergy Counseling White Female Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence In Predominantly White Churches Of Christ, Archie Ray Green
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This hermeneutical phenomenological study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of Black male pastors in predominantly White Churches of Christ who provide pastoral care to White female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). These Black male spiritual leaders often serve as the initial point of contact for individuals seeking help, yet they may face unique challenges shaped by cross-racial, gender, and theological dynamics. This study examined how spiritual beliefs, educational preparation, and ministerial experiences influenced the responses of the participants to IPV. The findings revealed that in the absence of formal IPV training and institutional protocols, pastors often relied …
A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Role Of Resilience In Trauma Recovery Of Those Living In Southeastern Rural America, Summer D. Loduca
A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Role Of Resilience In Trauma Recovery Of Those Living In Southeastern Rural America, Summer D. Loduca
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative phenomenological study explored the ways in which adults who live in rural communities in the Southeastern United States convalesce from trauma within the framework of barriers and limited access to mental health services. Garmezy’s (1991) developmental psychology approach to resilience, which highlights internal and external protective factors, guides this study as personal resilience, and how it contributes to trauma recovery in underserved settings, is explored. Ten participants aged 32 to 49, engaged in semi-structured interviews as they shared their lived experiences of coping with, and healing from, trauma. Five principal themes were reach in analyzing the data through …
Biblical And Spiritual Disciplines And The Worship Leader, Milagros Rodriguez Trinidad
Biblical And Spiritual Disciplines And The Worship Leader, Milagros Rodriguez Trinidad
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite the expectation of spiritual leadership from worship leaders, many of them may struggle with consistently practicing biblical and spiritual disciplines. This qualitative study examines the need for spiritual preparation, the importance of spiritual community, and the spiritual life of the worship pastor/leader, all of which are central to the spiritual health of worship leaders. To build and grow in the daily practice of spiritual disciplines and to mature in spiritual formation, worship leaders must have a correct understanding of these disciplines and a humble spirit to self-evaluate their presence through the lens of Scripture. This understanding is crucial not …
The Indications Of The Need For Training For Biblical Worship Principles In Evangelical Churches In Texas, Carlos Benson
The Indications Of The Need For Training For Biblical Worship Principles In Evangelical Churches In Texas, Carlos Benson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite numerous Evangelical churches in Texas, most churchgoers hold limited ideas about what defines worship. There is a shortage of biblically principled teaching in the Evangelical Church, particularly in the areas of First and God-honoring worship and its practices, including the Great Commission. This research primarily defines and explores the current state of worship in the Evangelical Church. This research examines how the original Adam and Eve beings, created to worship, have transformed into present-day worshipers. Today's worshipers include Sunday-only attendees, schedule-driven individuals, and spiritually drained souls, with a particular focus on those in Texas. This study will also provide …
Understanding How The Spiritual Formation Process Has Been Affected In A Post-Covid 19 World, Matthew E. Hunter
Understanding How The Spiritual Formation Process Has Been Affected In A Post-Covid 19 World, Matthew E. Hunter
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The need for community is essential in the life of the believer. Without a solid community, a believer may fall into isolation and even driven away from God instead of closer to Him. Psychologists have stated that community impacts human cognitive and moral development. James Fowler takes this a step further, outlined a believer’s stages of faith compared to human development. These levels of development directly impact the spiritual formation process in the life of a believer and demonstrate the vital role it plays in the believer’s life. Discipleship remains an important tool for helping a believer move through these …
Unburden The Pastoral Chair To Create A More Effective Minister, William Travis Boyd
Unburden The Pastoral Chair To Create A More Effective Minister, William Travis Boyd
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This dissertation explores how to alleviate the burden on senior pastors to create more effective ministers. This research aims to explore the implications of the pastoral chair’s duties and responsibilities and focuses on how the church community can support the senior pastor through encouragement and awareness of the importance of maintaining the pastoral chair’s mental, emotional, and professional health. This research features a comprehensive literature review on the current state of senior pastors’ professional health and the impact that overwhelming duties and responsibilities impose on their professional confidence, ministry, and overall sense of productivity and accomplishment in providing pastoral services …
Exploring The Bidirectional Relationship Between Attachment Styles And Spiritual Practices In Protestant Christians: A Qualitative Study, Emily Lauren Pritt
Exploring The Bidirectional Relationship Between Attachment Styles And Spiritual Practices In Protestant Christians: A Qualitative Study, Emily Lauren Pritt
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative study explores the bidirectional relationship between spirituality and attachment among Protestant Christians—a topic with limited empirical focus. Grounded in attachment theory and theological insights, prior research often treats attachment as a static predictor of spiritual development, with little attention to how spiritual engagement may reshape attachment. This study addresses the gap by examining how these relational domains mutually inform each other and affect psychological well-being within a Christian context. The purpose was to explore if adult attachment styles and spiritual practices influence emotional health, relational security, and overall well-being among active Protestant Christians. Twenty-two adults actively engaged in …
Apologetics Curriculum In A Chinese International School, William Kiel Nation
Apologetics Curriculum In A Chinese International School, William Kiel Nation
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Christian schools face the challenge of engaging students whose biblical views are being secularized by a culture that is individualistic and materialistic. At International Christian School Hong Kong, in response to such secular challenges, the overreliance on classical and evidential apologetics in the Bible curriculum has led to student disengagement, as these methods often fail to address the presuppositions of secular youth. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a presuppositional apologetics curriculum, grounded in Tim Keller’s Making Sense of God, compared to the traditional classical approach grounded in Keller’s The Reason for God, to determine which method better …
Exploring The Stigma Of Mental Health In Oneness Pentecostal Churches From A Pastoral Perspective, Jannett Liburd
Exploring The Stigma Of Mental Health In Oneness Pentecostal Churches From A Pastoral Perspective, Jannett Liburd
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the stigma of mental health in Oneness Pentecostal churches in the Northeast from a pastoral perspective. The theory guiding this study is Sigmund Freud’s object relational theory (ORT), as it focuses on the past experiences an individual has with an object, person, or event, and how the experience, whether negative or positive, shapes the person’s attitude and behavior in the future. Mental health stigma is a phenomenon with which individuals may have had a harmful experience. In the study, the central research question was: What are the lived experiences of Oneness …
Pastoring The Pastor: Self-Care Among African American Clergy, Alexander Jamerison
Pastoring The Pastor: Self-Care Among African American Clergy, Alexander Jamerison
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
When self-care is effectively implemented, it can help individuals avoid or reduce mental health challenges throughout their lives (Luis et al., 2021). Unfortunately, research indicates numerous mental health challenges faced by clergy (Chan & Chen, 2019; Jackson, 2013; Gallagher, 2019; Edward, 2020). To assist ministers in cultivating a healthier life and a more effective ministry, this study will specifically explore the relationship between self-care and mental health challenges among African American clergy. The literature on this subject will identify historical, cultural, and spiritual influences. It will also examine specific mental health concerns, effective self-care practices, and relevant outcomes. Although research …
A Case Study For Faithful Biblical Expository Preaching And Teaching: The Transformation Of Members In The Anointed Church Of Jesus Christ, Elijah Narplah Wreh
A Case Study For Faithful Biblical Expository Preaching And Teaching: The Transformation Of Members In The Anointed Church Of Jesus Christ, Elijah Narplah Wreh
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This DMIN action research evaluates the effectiveness of biblical expository preaching in demonstrating the inerrancy of Scripture and determining the impact of the twelve-week sermon series with the congregation at the Anointed Church of Jesus Christ in Elyria, Ohio. The process is designed to benefit the church’s congregation, help them faithfully obey God’s Word, and be drawn to God’s reality and the answers it provides through biblical preaching. The research methodology covers the application of biblical expository preaching. The congregation was instructed on various phraseological expressions, including expositional preaching, bibliocentric, Christocentric, inspired Scripture, applications, and illustrations, which helped enhance and …
Building Resilience In Ministry With Effective Supports Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study Of Long-Tenured Pastors In The Southeastern United States, Tina Marie Powell
Building Resilience In Ministry With Effective Supports Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study Of Long-Tenured Pastors In The Southeastern United States, Tina Marie Powell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This phenomenological study, which involved long-tenured pastors in a southeastern state in the United States, explored how these pastors framed resiliency in ministry during COVID-19 and what tools or practices helped them to be resilient. The study also explored the effects of social distancing on the demands of ministry, on pastors, and their congregations, and if earlier resiliency practices continued to suffice. Pastors were often the first professionals people went to when guidance was needed in every aspect of life. Pastors aided with not only spiritual guidance, but also, they were sought after for guidance in mental health and emotional …
The Role Of Divine Forgiveness On Depressive Experiences Through Self-Forgiveness And Self-Condemnation On Hispanic/Latino American Population: Serial Mediation Analyses, Betsaida Giotto
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This quantitative study examined the role of divine forgiveness on depressive experiences by self-forgiveness and self-condemnation in a sample of Hispanic/Latinos. Since research indicates a positive association between divine forgiveness, self-forgiveness, and well-being, this study’s importance includes gaining knowledge to increase well-being and exploring virtue ethics and theological perspectives. This research addressed a significant gap in the literature by interaction of divine forgiveness, self-forgiveness, self-condemnation, and depressive symptoms on the Hispanic/Latino population of believers. The research questions are whether the direct and indirect effects of divine forgiveness on depressive experiences will be serially mediated first by self-forgiveness and by self-condemnation. …
A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Church In The Healing Process For African American Women In The Washington, D.C., Area Suffering From Self-Diagnosed Depression In Recovery From Intimate Partner Violence, Kimberly D. Brooks
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of African American women who have utilized the church after intimate partner violence (IPV) suffering self-diagnosed depression in the Washington, D.C. area. The approach guiding the methodology of this study is Clark Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological approach. There is a need to explore what type of support the church offers as a source of healing for those who need assistance and will not seek professional counseling for various reasons. While there has been much research on depression resulting from IPV, there is a gap in the literature regarding …
Emotional And Spiritual Support Assessment For Clinical Outpatient Staff At Lower Cape Fear Lifecare, Jamie Champion
Emotional And Spiritual Support Assessment For Clinical Outpatient Staff At Lower Cape Fear Lifecare, Jamie Champion
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This action project in the field of pastoral counseling is designed to assess the level of emotional and spiritual support that clinical outpatient workers receive at Lower Cape Fear Lifecare. The problem is that clinical outpatient workers do not utilize spiritual care services for themselves, and the purpose of this study is to create and implement tools to increase chaplain utilization amongst team members. This action project utilizes qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data including surveys and interviews and a workshop, newsletters, and videos to disseminate to team members for education and encouragement. This project will help to identify …
Pastoral Resilience Of The Igbo Clergy In The United States, Anthony Eboh
Pastoral Resilience Of The Igbo Clergy In The United States, Anthony Eboh
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The research provided a description of the pastoral resilience of the Igbo clergy in the United States. It began with an exploration of pastoral stresses and coping strategies employed in mitigating the impacts associated with the exercise of their priestly ministries in the States. The study was theoretically grounded in the framework of Job Resources (JD-R), which integrated positive psychology to guide the research process. The JD-R framework is a model for work that shows how stress in ministry happens when the demands on clergy are greater than the resources they have, including positive psychology, to handle those demands. The …
Care And Resource Support For Surrogate End-Of-Life Decision-Makers, Evelyn L. Globe
Care And Resource Support For Surrogate End-Of-Life Decision-Makers, Evelyn L. Globe
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Surrogate end-of-life decision-makers are family members facing the emergent task of making end-of-life care decisions for their loved ones many times without prior knowledge of what their family members would want. Afterward, the surrogate decision-maker is often without support to process their experience and grief. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to provide a faith-based support group for those who have had the experience of being a surrogate end-of-life decision-maker and through an advance care planning and advance directives seminar and workshop provide an informational resource for individuals who have not had the experience and want to …
The Role Of Hymnody In Shaping Religious Identity And Beliefs In Churches: An Ethnographic Case Study In The Chesapeake Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Erwin Gabriel Nanasi
The Role Of Hymnody In Shaping Religious Identity And Beliefs In Churches: An Ethnographic Case Study In The Chesapeake Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Erwin Gabriel Nanasi
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study explores how varying worship style preferences influence worship experiences, theological beliefs, and sense of belonging among clergy and congregants within the Chesapeake Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. While music and hymnody are integral to Adventist worship, differing stylistic preferences can lead to tensions, satisfaction gaps, and fragmented community life. Despite the formative role of congregational singing in shaping religious identity, little research has examined these dynamics within the Adventist context. Using a mixed-methods ethnographic case study design, the research combines qualitative interviews with 26 pastors and quantitative survey data from 257 congregants across diverse churches. It investigates the criteria …
An Analysis Of The Adequacy Of Preparation For The Totality Of Worship Leadership, Michael Kenneth Geake
An Analysis Of The Adequacy Of Preparation For The Totality Of Worship Leadership, Michael Kenneth Geake
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite the gradual transition of “music minister” into “worship leader,” preparation and training for the expanded roles may be considered slow in terms of total responsibilities. While degree programs have incorporated in-depth coursework in essential ministry topics – such as theology, discipleship, and evangelism – there has been little recognition of their roles as managers and counselors. Many of these programs prepare students for jobs that no longer exist. This study focuses on the worship leader, both as a student and as one who has already started their career, with responsibilities in the church and to their family. Through qualitative …
The Interplay Between Hospitality And Patronage In The Greco-Roman World And Its Implications For Reading Third John, Julie L. Denham
The Interplay Between Hospitality And Patronage In The Greco-Roman World And Its Implications For Reading Third John, Julie L. Denham
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This dissertation will seek to explore the social concepts found within the Book of Third John, examining the intricate and nuanced relationship between hospitality and patronage in early first-century Christian communities. By employing a comprehensive approach that integrates historical, cultural, and theological methodologies, this study aims to delve deeply into the multifaceted roles these practices played in shaping the social, spiritual, and theological framework of the early Church. Specifically, this dissertation seeks to address the following questions: How did first-century Christian communities navigate the interplay between hospitality and patronage as reflected in Third John? How did these practices influence communal …
Exploration Of The Congruence Between Environmental Concerns And Eco-Spirituality Programming At Retreat Centers As Experienced By Participants, Jean Golicz
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this multiple-embedded case study was to explore the role of environmental awareness and concerns in influencing engagement in retreat practices that were organized around the theme of eco-spirituality and the impact on organizational leadership and program development at two retreat centers in the northeastern region of the United States. Roman Catholic retreat centers were the focus of the study as they endeavored to fulfill leadership directives reflected in the papal encyclical Laudato si’. The centers examined offered immersion in nature, reflection on the interdependence of organic systems, and the development of action plans to address environmental issues. …
African American Pastors' Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence Among Church Members, Nickeshia Evans-Gordon
African American Pastors' Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence Among Church Members, Nickeshia Evans-Gordon
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perspectives of African-American pastors’ experiences with (IPV) among their congregation members. This study applied the religious coping theory (RCT) to the experiences of African American pastors with IPV among church members. This helped the study provide valuable insights into how pastors utilize religious beliefs, practices, and support systems in addressing and supporting individuals affected by IPV. African-American pastors may encourage individuals experiencing IPV to seek solace, strength, and guidance through their religious faith. Understanding how pastors utilize religious coping strategies has contributed to fostering safer environments and more effective support …
Hope As A Source To Strengthen Chaplain Resiliency In The Christian And Missionary Alliance, Javier M. Torres-Chinea
Hope As A Source To Strengthen Chaplain Resiliency In The Christian And Missionary Alliance, Javier M. Torres-Chinea
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This research project intends not only to assess the levels of hope of the population of chaplains of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, but also to educate on how hope can strengthen resilience. Using Snyder's Theory of Hope (2000) provides a theoretical framework that allows a positive vision of the social and employment situation of millions of people. Snyder's Adult Hope Scale measures the hope trait in the chaplains, both male and female, between the ages of 25-65. For the participants, a questionnaire called the Hope Questionnaire was used. The SurveyPlanet website, to be distributed, answered, and collected data through …
Qualitative Analysis Of Chaplains’ Experiences Supporting Military Service Members And Veterans With Moral Injury, Marangely Mesa
Qualitative Analysis Of Chaplains’ Experiences Supporting Military Service Members And Veterans With Moral Injury, Marangely Mesa
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This transcendental phenomenological study explored the frequent themes identified by chaplains while supporting service members and veterans (SM/V) from diverse Christian denominations, such as Catholics, Protestants, and other Christian groups, who have suffered a moral injury. I described the lived experience of chaplains using in-depth surveys as part of a phenomenological approach to data collection. In the qualitative interview, the interest is hearing the chaplains’ thoughts on the nature and manifestations of moral injury in chaplaincy contexts. The study explored chaplains’ observations concerning what service members and veterans have in common when they experience moral injury. This qualitative research approach …
Pastoral Unity Community Engagement Of Shiprock Area Ministry Association In Shiprock, New Mexico, Rosalind Ann Russell
Pastoral Unity Community Engagement Of Shiprock Area Ministry Association In Shiprock, New Mexico, Rosalind Ann Russell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This praxis project examines the Shiprock Area Ministry Association (SAMA), a pastoral group which represents different religious denominations of faith in the community. SAMA is located on the Navajo Indian reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico and has struggled to return as a group amid the post COVID-19 pandemic. Since its founding as an organization, the group has gathered for support in unity, prayer, and engaged in activities in Shiprock. The return of SAMA members and new membership is to include pastor spouses, church workers, and ministers within a 15-mile radius. The Hershey and Blanchard (2001) Situational Leadership Self-Assessment will be …
A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Individuals Who Participated In Pastoral Counseling And Discipleship Within The Assemblies Of God In Washington State, Jonathan J. Burger
A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Individuals Who Participated In Pastoral Counseling And Discipleship Within The Assemblies Of God In Washington State, Jonathan J. Burger
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of individuals who participated in pastoral counseling and discipleship within the Assemblies of God in Washington State. The first focus of this study was to describe congregants’ experiences with pastoral counseling in Assemblies of God churches in the state of Washington. Secondly, this study sought to understand and uncover any themes, trends, or influences that emerged from participants' experiences within pastoral counseling and discipleship. Four themes emerged from this study: Theme One: There is Power in Relationships, Theme Two: Pastoral Counseling is Foundational to Healing and Growth, Theme Three: The Impact of …