Digital Commons Network^™

Strategies For Using Spiritual Gifts In Korean Church Growth, Nam Ju Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This writer believes that one of the key ingredients to building an effective growing Korean church is spiritual gifts. If every Korean Christian were involved according to his spiritual gifts, he would be used in ministering where he is most usable. This writer finds that growing churches cannot be dissociated from growing Christians, when spiritual gifts are well used. Therefore, when Christians have found their gifts, knows the significance of their gifts and properly exercise them, the Korean church will grow. The purpose of this dissertation is to introduce readers to the best use of spiritual gifts in the contemporary …

Factors For Successful Adolescent Ministry In The Local Church Today, Steve Vandegriff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to wade through a number of ideologies and practices that pose as successful in the venue of local church ministry and identify those factors that truly reflect success. This will be based upon surveying several prominent veteran youth workers. The identified factors will be a reflection of the larger picture of youth ministry. There will also be some prognoses as to where youth ministry is headed in the near future.

Developing And Evaluating A Program Of Evangelism For The Local Church, John W. Ott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop and test a training program and a training manual that would effectively mobilize a large local church congregation for personal evangelism. To accomplish this, the thesis will strive to establish the mission of evangelism and how it relates to the problems facing the local church in this vital area of responsibility. Out of this mission, the thesis will identify and discuss some common misconceptions of evangelism. It will also set forth the biblical mandate of evangelism and research the New Testament model of evangelism both in the life of Christ and in …

Turning Plateaued And Declining Churches Around, David M. Odom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to reveal that there is a danger of churches being lulled to sleep and becoming plateaued or in a declining state. The project also offers several reasons why churches stop growing and possible solutions to turn a non-growing church into a growing church.

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.

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Age On The Academic Performance Of Students In The Liberty University External Degree Program, Frank Lyle King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to explore whether the age of a Liberty University External Degree Program (EDP) student impacts the degree of student success, as measured by the earned grade point average (GPA). EDP student GPAs were compared with Liberty University resident students GPAs. The EDP students consistently performed better than the resident students in all age groups examined. Demographic variables such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, marital status, military status, and amount of credits transferred to Liberty University were found not to be statistically significant factors in the performance of EDP students compared to resident students.

A Strategy To Revitalize Daybreak Prayer Meeting In Korea With Quiet Time, Heon Jae Shin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Prayer has been the one of the most significant factors in the rapid growth of Christianity in Korea. The Daybreak Prayer Meetings, which are common to all churches in Korea, has been a major part of the special prayer emphasis. The thesis studies the Biblical background, the history, the benefits, and some of the problems of the Daybreak Prayer Meeting.

The Daybreak Prayer Meetings are not as well attended or as powerful as they once were. This thesis proposes adding a Quiet Time type of personal Bible study to the regular traditional early morning prayer meetings. A major part of …

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, …

Deagil Presbyterian Church Renovation: Another Opportunity At A Crisis, As A Traditional Church In Korea, Hyun Sik Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature demonstrates that very little material exists concerning the renovation of traditional churches. The purpose of this project is to illuminate leaders of traditional churches in Korea regarding renovation. Based on the surveys and questionnaires sent to Daegil Presbyterian Church members, to the neighbors in the community, and to other church leaders in the synod, the project reviews the historical perspectives, the present conditions, and the future vision. There are two kinds of crises in Korea: one is the stagnation of church growth; and the other is an IMF economic crisis. This project was developed using …

The Influence Of Shamanism On Korean Churches And How To Overcome It, Jin Woo Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

What problem do Korean churches have now? Korean churches have had serious growth problems since the 1990s'. Although Korean churches have grown rapidly with the economic growth of Korea, there have been many contributions and evil influences of shamanism, which lies deep in the minds of Korean people. Obviously, shamanism has made a contribution to growth of the Korean church since Christianity was introduced. Many churches and pastors have consented to or utilized such a tendency. However, this created serious problems. Shamanism is anti-Biblical. Shamanism brought about a theoretical combination, transmutation of religion and many mistakes in church life. A …

A Strategy For The Use Of Ministry Action Teams In The Relocation Of A Church Of The Nazarene, Truman Daniel Casey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When Atlanta First Church of the Nazarene faced the task of relocating their current facilities to a location several miles away, the pastor and the leaders of the church searched for a strategy that would allow the church to relocate without greatly reducing the amount of time the pastor had available for pastoral care. The church also wanted to avoid an excessive increase in the level of stress for other participants in the project. Based upon (1) research of church management literature, (2) research of the Bible, (3) a survey of the people involved in the church relocation project, and …

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.

A Descriptive Study Of Youth Ministry Models In Evangelical Churches, Douglas Hunter Randlett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to examine six accepted church ministry models that have evidenced themselves in the evangelical church within the last twenty years. The project will analyze and apply these models to youth ministry. Based upon surveys and follow up interviews administered to alumni of the Liberty University Youth Ministry program and youth leaders associated with the Center for Youth Ministry at Liberty, the project will be a descriptive study of these models in representative youth ministries. An in depth interview will be conducted with each youth ministry that best represents the dominant model. An observation report …

Church Planting In Appalachian Mountain Culture, Timothy William Compton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project is a review of Appalachian Mountain culture and the church planting practices of the region. The purpose of the project is to review the approach being employed in establishing churches as indigenous bodies of believers. This is based on a survey of pastors in the area and an interview of an evangelist with roots in Appalachia. Problems are addressed that the church planter will face. This is a plan for the Bible school, the home mission board, and the local church to work together in the establishment of indigenous local churches.

Justification For Master Of Arts In Religion With A Concentration In Leadership – Program And Curriculum Suggestions, Jack F. Deans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature reveals a critical need for Christian Leadership Development. The purpose of this project is to document, both Christian and secular literature, demonstrating that need. It also includes interviews with recognized Christian leaders in Leadership Development. The project examines the curriculum programs of other seminaries and theological schools in order to ascertain the contemporary teaching on the subject. The project surveys pastors throughout the United States to determine their opinions as to effective education and their suggestions of problem areas in which to focus curriculum. The conclusion shows an agreement with the stated thesis.

Single Parent Ministry In The Local Church, William A. Connors

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project in ministry titled, "Single Parent Ministry in the Local Church," is the result of the author's concern for the unique issues faced by today's ever increasing single parent households. This relatively new phenomenon is discussed in light of the historical roots of singleness in general. It is then shown that this "new phenomenon" is really not new at all. Single Parenting is virtually as old as creation itself, going back to the first single parent described in the Bible, Hagar. Much instruction regarding the circumstances of the single parent is discussed. The paper then examines the various, specific …

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 …

Seminary Student Spiritual Formation: Recommendations Based On A Review Of Scripture And A Survey Of Evangelical Seminaries, William E. Wegert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Concern for the spiritual formation in ministerial training has grown in recent years, and reasons for this are discussed. The history of spiritual formation in pastoral training as well as relevant Scriptures are reviewed. Particular attention is given to Christ's earthly ministry as well as key biblical terms related to spiritual formation. Certain expectations based on the weight of Scripture are determined. Results of a spiritual formation survey sent to thirty-five evangelical seminaries and a self-study of the writer's own seminary are analyzed. This project makes recommendations for enhancing seminary spiritual formation efforts.

A Strategy For Understanding And Ministering To Troubled Vietnamese Families In The United States, Minh Van Lam

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Very little literature regarding troubled families is available for the Vietnamese Christians in the United States to use. This project is written to review the biblical principles, the cross-cultural perspectives, and the practical methods to contributing to the Vietnamese pastors' work for reducing family troubles in this country. It presents a brief background of Vietnam geography and history with the reasons for the Vietnamese presence in the United States. It reviews the causes, diagnoses, remedies, and ways of preventing the troubles, based on questionnaires, the writer's experience in his fifteen year pastorate in Vietnamese Baptist churches and personal studies and …

A Strategy For Church Planting In The Central Region Of The Fellowship Of Evangelical Baptist Churches In Canada, Douglas Brent Powell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Church planting is essential for the evangelization of Canada. The purpose of this project is to develop a strategy for church planting within the central region of The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada (FEB CENTRAL).

This project examines the biblical nature of the church and church planting, highlights salient features of contemporary church planting, outlines a history of Baptist church planting in FEB CENTRAL, reviews two survey/questionnaires given to FEB CENTRAL church planters and administrators, and develops a strategy for church planting in the FEB CENTRAL region of The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada.

A Strategy For Ministry To Widows In The Local Church, Richard Watson Sadler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In examining current literature, very little research has been done in the area of caring for widows in the local church. The biblical mandate, present social conditions, and the results from questionnaires sent to pastors and widows of Southern Baptist Churches of West Virginia validate the need to assist the church in developing and implementing a strategy in ministering to widows. Deacons, the servant-leaders, are the responsible agents for ministry to widows and the catalyst in getting others involved. This project is an instrument to awaken and equip God's people for the tremendous ministry privilege in serving widows.

An Analysis And Prospect Of Korean Church Growth Based On Functions Of The Church, Timothy Hyun Seo Choi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of the functions of the church and growth of Korean churches illustrates that God has blessed Korean churches. The purpose of this thesis is to understand the biblical functions of the church and the relationship between these functions and church growth. This project explains the historical background of the Korean church for church growth and makes suggestions to prepare the Korean church for the 21st century. This thesis is based on conclusions drawn from an extensive published research on church growth and is illustrated by a scientific survey given to thirty-five Korean pastors.

The Institution Of An Equipping Ministry Utilizing Spiritual Gifts To Overcome The Pastor/Laity Dichotomy, Mark Alan Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to research and develop an equipping ministry based on the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer emphasizing spiritual gifts. A 27-item Lay Ministry Survey was completed by 99 men and women at four North Carolina churches. Findings indicate that 43 percent of the respondents believe ministry should be performed by professional pastors. Research reveals that the professional pastor and laity have received a call to serve God by spiritual gifts. The church's responsibility is to affirm the call of believers to serve God through their spiritual gifts.

Ministry To Families Of Handicapped Children, John Nickerson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Public attention has been drawn to the presence and needs of handicapped members of society. Little attention, however, has been given by the institutions of society, beginning with organized religion, to the families of the handicapped, the caregivers, and their special needs. This project is directed to the clergy and consists of two parts. The first is a seminar for clergy, to inform and sensitize them to said families. The second is a model forum with which the clergy will be equipped, in turn, to inform, sensitize, and prompt congregational members toward appropriate outreach in this specialized ministry.

The Foundational Principles And Policies Of A Local Church Operations Manual, Daniel John Grabill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The administration of a local church often so occupies a minister's time that less than appropriate time remains for study of the Word. An administration manual that would objectify and standardize procedures would help alleviate this problem. The purpose of this project was to design a manual that would answer the need for what to do but would go beyond that to provide a theological base for the procedures. A comprehensive survey of Grace Brethren Churches was conducted to ascertain what has been done and what needs remain. This project has incorporated the best insights and hopefully met the remaining …

A Survey Of Church Growth Methods Used By Christian Churches In The Southeastern United States, E. Arlin Bolejack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The development, distribution, reception and interpretation of a survey sent to selected Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in eight of the southeastern United States. The survey's purpose was to discover the church growth methods and philosophies used by these churches where the migration of the population from the northern states has increased the population in their areas. The survey was sent to churches that displayed at least a ten percent membership increase between 1985 and 1992. The data was reviewed to determine what these churches were doing and conclusions made on effective church growth methods.

The Development Of Youth Ministry As A Professional Career And The Distinctives Of Liberty University Youth Ministry Training In Preparing Students For Youth Work, David E. Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to demonstrate that youth ministry is a viable discipline warranting appropriate career consideration for those called into ministry. This project documents the development of the distinctiveness of the Liberty University Youth Major in preparing men and women for youth work.

The first part documents the historical roots of youth ministry. Special attention is given to significant events, important personalities and founding youth organizations. Part two reveals how youth ministry became a profession. Ecclesiastical and sociological influences are considered. Section three demonstrates how Liberty University is responding to the need to prepare competent professionals.

A Rationale For An Independent Baptist Church To Clarify Its Mission, Analyze Its Program, Prioritize Its Objectives And Revitalize Its Ministry, Richard T. Carns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to provide a rationale for the pastor of an independent Baptist church to lead his church into a revitalization program. The author selected the topic for two reasons: (1) Church stagnation/decline has become a spiritual disease of epidemic proportions and (2) The author pastored a church which was experiencing decline and viable strategies needed to be understood, accepted and implemented. The main body presents the reasons a church needs to clarify its mission, analyze its program, prioritize its objectives and revitalize its ministry. The appendices delineate the steps taken in the author's church …

Follow-Up: A Model For Bonding Young Believers To Christ And His Church Developed At Liberty Baptist Church, C. P. Tarkington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Various conflicting concepts of discipleship and follow-up exist in churches and parachurch groups. This paper describes another understanding of follow-up and discipleship which the author has developed over time, while leading both parachurch and local church ministries.

In contrast to the view that discipleship is for only a few selected people, the author sees follow-up as a ministry offered to every convert. Follow-up is the ministry of mature Christians helping new or immature Christians to be bonded to Christ and His church where discipleship continues throughout his lifetime.

The author disagrees with the popular concept that discipleship is a ministry …