Digital Commons Network^™

Forming Saints In A Digital Context, Mark R. Teasdale

Great Commission Research Journal

Biblical and scholarly sources agree on the importance of forming Christians to seek after holy living to make them more effective evangelists, such that the ministries of evangelism and spiritual formation are intertwined. They also agree that one of the primary roles of the church is to provide for this formation. However, the practices for doing this have been complicated by the heavy move toward digital ministry because of COVID-19. Congregations can continue this formational work even in highly digital contexts by helping Christians tell their story through lifelogging, providing rituals and disciplines to sanctify time and physical spaces, and …

Developing, Training, And Equipping Lay Ministers To Serve In Leadership Roles At Small African American Churches, Angelia V. Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project explores the validity of a ministry training manual for developing, training, and equipping lay ministers at Fredericksburg Missionary Baptist Church. It assumes that if church members have leadership tools, they will use them to become more effective leaders. However, lay ministers often serve in ministry leadership roles without formal training. They should be trained and equipped by church leaders to lead effectively. Therefore, the question that this thesis project ask is, "Will a development and implementation of a leadership training manual equip lay ministers?" The Scripture is the primary literature resource for God’s provision in developing ministry …

Soldiers’ Inward Battle: A Theological Anthropology Of War-Based Moral Injury And The Role Of The Church, Emily Ann Bogle

Honors Projects

Within the interpretive framework of theological anthropology, this paper seeks to address the moral impacts war-based violence can have on the human body, as well as argue how Christian communities and the larger Church are uniquely positioned to faithfully minister to, and with, soldiers who experience moral injury. Along with an introduction to moral injury, scriptural connections, military training effects, church practices, and mutuality in ministry are addressed

Ministry Mentoring Matters : Best Practices For Mentoring New Pastors, Keith Koteskey

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church: Foundation And Beginnings In Post-War Germany, Vladyslav Fulmes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) met many obstacles regarding its activities from the Soviet and German occupation regimes. Due to persecution and oppression, the hierarchy and clergy of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church decided to emigrate. Preserving the canonical episcopate, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church began a new stage of existence in emigration, ushering a new period of activity of UAOC. This study is relevant to modern historical science since the study and introduction into the scientific sphere of new archival documents and memoirs of contemporaries gives an opportunity to establish a coherent picture of the activities of the UAOC …

A Strategy To Manage Members Expectation Of Pastor's Work In Multicultural Churches In Birmingham, England, Steve Palmer

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

2017 the North England Conference administrators evaluated my ministry, and although they were satisfied with my work, the feedback from some of the church members indicated dissatisfaction. It was evident that the diverse ethnic and cultural groups had different expectations of the role and responsibility of the pastor. It was difficult for me to do fulfill all their expectations.

Method

The research method employed in the design of this project was a qualitative one. It explored the question under examination by using semi-structured interviews, questionnaire, mentorship training, discussions, pastors' expectations, and cultural intelligence seminars. The semi structured interview and …

Building A New Model Of Church-State Collaboration On Environmental Care In Ghana Based On Catholic Social Teaching And African Theological Traditions, Emmanuel Abbey-Quaye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The care of the environment has always been considered by the Ghana Catholic Church as an important aspect of her pastoral care and evangelizing mission in Ghana. Hence, in their various teachings in communiqués and other pastoral documents from 1965 till now, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has consistently addressed the major environmental challenges confronting Ghana such as deforestation, mining, pollution, etc., applying the principles of stewardship and care of creation, intergenerational solidarity, integral ecology, etc., to ground these teachings.

Besides, in acknowledging that neither the Catholic Church nor the Ghanaian Government alone can resolve the various ecological crises …

Breaking Depression’S Silence Within The Church Through Friendships, Robert D. Mcbain

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

This article explores the silent nature of depression in the local church and suggests that developing Jesus-style friendships can break the silence. It adapts the author’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) research project, which explored the silent nature of depression in the local church and Christianity’s interpretive healing qualities. This article argues that the church has a rich history of helping sufferers interpret their experiences of depression, but changing worldviews, the growth of the modern medical model, and the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals monopolized health and shoved the church to the periphery of the conversation. Silence became the church’s typical response, which …

All God's Children: An Exploratory Study Of Factors To Promote Inclusion Of Autistic Children Within Local Church Congregations, David John Scott Quel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the gap that exists within the literature concerning the parent’s perspective for incorporating Autistic individuals into the life of the church. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In Maslow’s hierarchy, there are five level of needs. These areas are physical needs, security needs, love and belonging, esteem needs and self-actualization. These are the most basic needs whether someone is disabled, has special needs, or has no problems at all. The problem remains, far too often, those individuals who are on the Autistic spectrum are looked at as …

And The Lord Added To Their Number Daily: A Historical Overview Of The Growth Of The American Evangelical Church, Erica Morgan Wrench

Masters Theses

A Study Of Support For The Bereaved In The Local Congregation, Ngoy Nadine Ilunga

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The bereaved often face the ongoing challenges of grief with little support from the Church. This study aimed to resource the Church with practical methodologies to help congregants cope with grief. The study examined the troubling issues the bereaved experience after the death of a loved one. Survey data was collected from ten United Methodist members and had lost an immediate family member within the past five years. The measure consisted of interviews and questionnaires. An email and a verbal announcement during church worship service built the sample. Findings reveal that approximately 90% of participants experienced grief and emotional effects …

Breaking Depression’S Silence Within The Church Through Friendships, Robert D. Mcbain

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This article explores the silent nature of depression in the local church and suggests that developing Jesus-style friendships can break the silence. It adapts the author’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) research project, which explored the silent nature of depression in the local church and Christianity’s interpretive healing qualities. This article argues that the church has a rich history of helping sufferers interpret their experiences of depression, but changing worldviews, the growth of the modern medical model, and the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals monopolized health and shoved the church to the periphery of the conversation. Silence became the church’s typical response, which …

A Study On The Practice Of Rural Mission Through Agricultural Activities: The Case Of Geumam Church, Jin Woo Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study has its purpose on presenting a model of rural missions by examining the case of Geumam Church which grew via agricultural activities. In the midst of crisis of Korean churches due to decline or stagnation in growth, situations for rural churches are far more disastrous. Yet, this does not mean that they should be disregarded. In this context, the researcher will examine biblical and theological grounds and related literatures to search for alternatives that would bring vitality to rural missions which, at the moment, have lost their vividness. There will be studies of rural culture characteristics through understanding …

Seasons Of Change : Navigating New Beginnings And Endings Within The United Methodist Church, Wade Killough

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Holistic Transformation : The Importance Of Faith And Works In Major Christian Communities Of The Kathmandu Valley, Thakur Prasad Paudel

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

21st Century Class Meeting : Wesleyan Discipleship With Software Facilitated Blended Learning, Michael Koho Larbi

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Discipleship Band : Evaluating The Transformative Potential And Best Practices For Seedbed's Model Of Discipleship Bands Among Students At Asbury University, Mark A. Benjamin

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Man Up Retreat : An Instrument Of Defense Against Absentee Fatherhood, Jaime Faberlle

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Quantitative Research On Peer-To-Peer Biblical Soul Care Through The Encourager Program, Michelle D. Dickens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study sought to discover what impact a church program could have on personal well-being, spiritual well-being and church engagement, well-studied constructs in a variety of other clinical type settings. Quality, long-term research has been lacking in regard to the efficacy of pure, biblical soul care, a type of pastoral care methodology, that is provided strictly in a church setting. This type of research could allow for critical conversations about the larger ministry of soul care and potentially withstand scientific criticisms as biblical soul care becomes a proven, quantitative resource to help those who are hurting. The significance of this …

Church Guests Matter: A Strategic Program To Welcome Guests, Adam Mark Walker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project will measure the success of acquiring and retaining guests by gauging the efforts made to welcome guests by utilizing a questionnaire among community guests. A Church sitting in a diverse community in Moravian Falls, North Carolina, accessible to nearby schools and a local town is in decline. Today, small churches close their doors, and pastors are leaving the vocational ministry. The ministry of the church is to fulfill the greatest commandment by loving God and loving others. However, many churches today have confined the essentials of the church to inside the walls. A church willing to seek the …

Fruitfulness And Ordination : Ministry Effectiveness As A Prerequisite For Ordination, Edney Joaquim

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Latino Church Planting Challenge : Factors That Impact Latino Church Planting In Orlando, Florida, Within The Encuentro Ministries Network, Carlos DaríO Peralta

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Homiletics : Strengthening Preaching Through A Community Of Practice Model, Paul M. Risler

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Unhealthy Leadership In The Christian Church: A Study Of The Divorce Rate, Curtis William Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to bring healing and direction to a particular area of the Christian church that is destroying marriages and greatly emotionally damaging children and families. This specific research will look at both the divorce rate in the secular community and the divorce rate in the Christian church, thus comparing and contrasting the two. While at the same time, showing how unhealthy leadership in the Christian church continues this damage. Furthermore, this research will also illustrate which gender is most likely filing for the divorces here in the 21st century and answer the questions why, where, …

Religious Organizations Under Quarantine: Ukrainian Realities, Petro Kraliuk, Igor Bogdanovskiy, Kateryna Yakunina

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

On March 11, 2020, quarantine restrictions were introduced in Ukraine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They concerned all spheres of public life, including the religious sphere. Accordingly, all religious organizations in Ukraine had to adapt to the new rules and conditions of their liturgical practice. A dialogue at the state-church level took place immediately after the introduction of the quarantine. Some spokesmen for religious organizations (Greek Catholics, Protestants) called for a consolidation of efforts to support the population under conditions of the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The article analyzes the situation of religious organizations under the conditions of the …

Holistic University Spiritual Formation And Ecclesial Relationships, Sara G. Barton

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

In an effort to learn more about student experiences of disembodied and dis-embedded spirituality, the researcher conducted a qualitative research project among undergraduate students who expressed a desire to grow spiritually. This research was conducted as part of the author’s doctoral project. The participants were volunteers who had attended a university spiritual life retreat and wanted to continue growing in their faith over a six-week period, expressly committed to life embedded in community and through experiments in embodied spiritual practices. Using questionnaires, surveys, and interviews that included both fixed-choice questions and open-ended questions, the researcher gathered data that would help …

Increase The Attendance Of The Parish Health Ministry By Ten Percent At The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral Of New York, Christine A. Walcott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church is not responsible for the dietary behavior of its congregants, but the mission of the church is to make disciples that will go into the nation to profess the word of God. The mission to serve God with efficacy and stamina will become a difficult task for many Christians if they are not healthy. In the Bible Jesus makes it undeniably clear the importance of taking care of the body. This is an important issue for pastors as well as for believers. This thesis project will help believers remember that the health of their bodies is an important …

Grace That Goes Before : John Wesley's Doctrine Of Prevenient Grace And Its Significance For Youth Ministry, Brandon W. Dasinger

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Team Leadership : Core Competencies In Children's Ministries, Jessica E. Fleck

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Best Of All, God Is With Us : A Wesleyan Approach To Funeral Preaching, Joshua L. Duckworth

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.