Pastoral Burnout: Causes, Consequences And Closure, Hyveth A. Williams

Faculty Publications

Pastoral burnout is a growing concern among religious leaders in North America, with significant consequences for both individuals and congregations. No denomination is unaffected by its debilitating presence; even Seventh-day Adventist clergy are not immune to this increasing stress-related twenty-first century health malady. Several factors contribute to pastoral burnout, including excessive workload, unrealistic expectations, lack of support, and boundary violations. These aspects often lead to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishment, and though rare, suicide. This presentation will explore the causes, consequences, and suggested conclusion with potential strategies for intervention and prevention of pastoral burnout.

Biblical And Theological Principles For A Chaplaincy Ministry, Shelby Davidson

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

The term chaplaincy does not directly appear in the Bible. However, the principles of chaplaincy are very much present in the Scriptures. Jesus, the greatest chaplain, was present in the Garden of Eden. Later, he incarnated as a human to this fallen world to be with humanity, to go through what human beings go through. A chaplain primarily is present with the people; therefore, a ministry of presence, empathy, giving wise counsel, and many other qualities describe what a chaplain is. This article looks at biblical and theological principles to guide a chaplaincy ministry from Scripture as well as from …

Transitional Support Programming For First-Year Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Samantha Proctor

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Transitional Support Programming for First-Year Occupational Therapy Graduate Students

Background: The focus of the project represents the Scholarship of Application, which is the translation of existing research into practice. A student’s transition from undergraduate to graduate-level programs can be challenging due to the increased academic rigor inherent to graduate programs. This can lead to an imbalance in students' lives and an increase in stress, anxiety, and burnout. As the overall well-being of students decreases, the likelihood of students experiencing academic hardships increases. Students need diverse academic and professional skills to navigate graduate school successfully; however, many students lack those …

Relational Apophaticism And A Contemporary, Ecumenical Practice Of Christian Spiriutal Direction In The Western Church, Ian Raymond Wilson

Theses

Defining and nurturing Christian spiritual growth and maturity is challenging. This is especially so in a contemporary environment that might be considered individualistic and self-preoccupied and where the meaning of the term ‘spiritual’ has become increasingly vague. This thesis explores the concept of ‘relational apophaticism’ proposing it as a pathway of spiritual growth and the essence of spiritual maturity. A contemporary, ecumenical ministry of Christian spiritual direction in the Western Church, and perspectives on spiritual growth and maturity evident in St. Gregory of Nyssa’s mystical writings The Life of Moses and Homilies on the Song of Songs are drawn on …

Psychological Traits And Public Attitudes Towards Abortion: The Role Of Empathy, Locus Of Control, And Need For Cognition, Jiuqing Cheng, Ping Xu, Chloe Thostenson

Faculty Publications

In the summer of 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the historic Roe v. Wade ruling, prompting various states to put forth ballot measures regarding state-level abortion rights. While earlier studies have established associations between demographics, such as religious beliefs and political ideologies, and attitudes toward abortion, the current research delves into the role of psychological traits such as empathy, locus of control, and need for cognition. A sample of 294 U.S. adults was obtained via Amazon Mechanical Turk, and participants were asked to provide their attitudes on seven abortion scenarios. They also responded to scales measuring empathy toward the …

Louise De Marillac: Ingenuity, Mission, And Mystique, Betty Ann Mcneil D.C.

Vincentian Studies

Betty Ann McNeil profiles Louise de Marillac as “a prototype social worker whose social service interventions highlight how twenty-first-century social issues echo those of the seventeenth century.” In response to the political, religious, and social upheaval in seventeenth-century France, she and Vincent de Paul founded the Confraternities of Charity and the Daughters of Charity. These groups made innovative use of women’s leadership and organizational skills to provide the poor with quality care. McNeil explains how Louise’s “approach to serving people in need remains relevant for social work practitioners today.”

Dual Relationships Of Psychotherapeutically Untrained Imams Who Counsel Their Congregants: A Qualitative Study, Muhammad Abuelezz

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

Canadian Imams, like many other religious leaders, provide counselling for members of their congregations though most of them have no formal training in psychotherapeutic counselling. The very nature of the Imams’ multiple roles in the community leads to the development of dual relationships. These dual relationships can create an ethical dilemma for Imams because they have a potential to affect the congregants positively or detrimentally. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experience of 15 psychotherapeutically untrained Canadian Imams with dual relationships. Within a psychotherapeutic and an Islamic theoretical framework, this study provided a thorough analysis of five superordinate …

The Light Of Hope: Representations Of Salvation In The Great North Window Of St Mary’S Cathedral, Sydney, Carolyn Amy Lewis Flynn

Theses

St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney is considered to be the Mother Church of Australia. Yet, the rich architectural and artistic heritage contained therein has been little studied. This is an interdisciplinary study of John Hardman Powell’s Great North Window in that cathedral. It draws on theological and art historical research methods to interrogate the window’s underlying meanings, and the aims of its patrons. An examination of the doctrinal, devotional, and theological writings of the nineteenth century shows that this stained-glass window reflects the period’s understanding of salvation history. The window, firstly, tells the story of salvation through the stories about …

The Impact Of Service-Learning On The Development Of Servant Leadership In An Ignatian Context, Antony Sindone

Theses

This thesis investigates the impact of domestic and international service-learning on servant leadership development. Utilising mixed methods, the case study extends the current literature, which has relied largely on quantitative or qualitative data. The research comprises three Sydney Jesuit institutions and seven service-learning experiences of differing lengths and locations. The quantitative phase surveyed 60 participants using the Servant Leadership Behaviour Scale (Sendjaya et al., 2008) to capture statistically significant growth in servant leader attributes, including: voluntary subordination, covenantal relationships, authentic self, responsible morality, transforming influence and transcendental spirituality. The second phase involved 62 individual interviews with leaders and volunteers to …

Leadership In Social Service Non-Profit Organizations: An Interpreative Phenomenlogical Analysis Of Executive Leadership High Attrition Levels And Proposals For Change, Stephanie Fredericka Wanza

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to address how leaders who are employed at non-profit organizations can utilize change management frameworks, leadership style, strategic planning and organizational best practices to reduce attrition levels at their organizations. The focus of this study is three-fold: a) to understand why high attrition takes place at non-profits; identify what change model/s, types of leadership styles and best practices can be effective in reducing leader attrition, b) explore the development of a leadership framework by understanding how to manage change at nonprofits through the Carnall (1986), Shields (1999) and Cummings and Worley (2009) change management …

Veterans, Providers, Moral Injury, And The Integration Of Spirituality In Clinical Care, Claire Muldrew

Theses and Dissertations

Moral Injury (MI) is known to be prevalent among military populations, however, the integration of spirituality into the treatment of veterans with trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an understudied topic. This systematic review sought to explore how mental health clinicians and chaplains view the integration of spirituality in the course of clinical care with traumatized veterans who experience MI. Utilizing qualitative methodology, the existing knowledge base was studied to shed light on this topic and to also identify the similarities and differences between these types of providers. The meta-aggregation approach was applied to analysis of the available data and a …

Anchored In Faith, Soaked In Blood: Black Social Activists Strategies For Developing Equitable Policy In Education, Civil Rights, And Citizenship, Sharletta Michelle Green

Theses and Dissertations

Religious beliefs and the use of race to create a narrative of inferiority plague education, civil rights, and citizenship policy development and implementation, causing harm to Black citizens. Public education is the bedrock of a democratic society. Civil rights and the ability to exercise those rights within a country are vital elements of citizenship. A well-educated populace provides a country's position and power. Equitable education, civil rights, and the vestiges of full citizenship in the U.S. for Black people have been a constant battle. This fight has been at the forefront of the demands for this nation since Reconstruction. Black …

Spiritual Practices And Artistic Professionals Of Faith, Daniel L. Wilt

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Feminized Servanthood, Gendered Scapegoating, And The Disappearance Of Gen-X/Millennial Protestant Clergy Women, Lynn Horan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In today’s mainline Protestant churches, young women clergy navigate a precarious leadership space. While women’s ordination is well-established in American Protestantism (Burnett, 2017), Gen-X/Millennial clergy women find themselves at the crosshairs of conflicting gender narratives and unsustainable expectations of what it means to be both a woman and an ordained pastoral leader. Through the use of feminist constructivist grounded theory methodology, this study explored the lived experiences of Gen-X/Millennial clergy women who have left active ministry or a specific pastoral position due to concerns over their own interpersonal boundaries and psychological safety. Through dimensional analysis of in-depth interviews with 20 …

"The Mission Of The Church In The Post-War Perspective Of Ukraine": International Theological Conference 2024, Vladyslav Fulmes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

On June 06, 2024 Volyn Orthodox Theological Academy (Lutsk, Ukraine) held an international theological conference “The Mission of the Church in the Post-war Perspective of Ukraine”. Brief information about this international scientific conference is given.

Divine Attachment As A Context For Discipleship Transformation In Youth, Kristina Freed

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

O ne of the most profound human lifespan needs, especially among youth, is to have a worthy purpose for living. A growing body of research has identified a serious discrepancy between a Christian’s doctrinal and experiential knowledge of God, leading to disengagement from the practice of discipleship. This may be related, in part, to an unfortunate null curriculum rooted in the assumption that believers understand God in such a way that predisposes them to a discipleship lifestyle. This paper suggests that the missing relational context and the discrepancy between doctrinal and experiential knowledge of God may be remedied by an …

Switching The Narrative: Pastors’ Beliefs And Reasonings, Dejaune K. Thompson, Sheriyse M. Williams, Shuntay Tarver, Portia C. Stokes

Psychology Faculty Publications

Although many African Americans experience mental health/addiction (MH/A), only 39% of the population seek professional treatment. Several significant barriers contribute to their ability to seek treatment, and as such, many African Americans feel more comfortable relying on the Black Church and pastors for support. However, many pastors are not prepared to support the MH/A needs of their parishioners thus leaving those who seek help without the proper MH/A care they need. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the perceptions held by African American pastors on preparedness based on experience and theological beliefs to address MH/A issues within …

Critical Reflection Through A Growth Mindset: Project Report, Fiona Boylan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This resource describes a project where eight Western Australian Independent Schools engaged in critical reflection using a growth mindset. Partnerships between early childhood teachers/leaders, schools and the university were enhanced through a community of practice to share information, critically reflect, problem solve and create new knowledge. Participating schools explored emerging issues and changing policy directions in the new Early Years Learning Framework v2.0 (Australian Government Department of Education [AGDE], 2022) to design, deliver and evaluate quality learning and teaching practices for children through critical reflection. Teachers expanded their knowledge of mindset theory and importantly how a growth mindset can be …

The Sense Of Safety Theoretical Framework: A Trauma-Informed And Healing-Oriented Approach For Whole Person Care, Kurt C. Stange

Faculty Scholarship

Objectives: This research describes four aspects of the development of the Sense of Safety Theoretical Framework for whole person care: exploring the meaning of the phrase “sense of safety”—the whole person language; the range of human experience that impacts sense of safety—whole person scope; the dynamics that build sense of safety—the healing goals; and the personal and cross-disciplinary trauma-informed practitioner skills and attitudes that facilitate sense of safety. Methods: This qualitative participatory study was conducted in two phases. Researchers iteratively explored the concept of sense of safety using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Overarching research questions were: “Does the transdisciplinary …

Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2024, Tennessee. Department Of Correction

Annual Reports

This document is the annual report for the Tennessee Department of Correction during the fiscal year.

Searching For Equity In Positivity: A Two-Year Case Study Of The Effectiveness Of The Implementation Of Positive Education In A West Australian Public Secondary School Following A Year 7 Cohort To Year 8, Veronica J. Sutton

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research evaluated the effectiveness of explicitly teaching Positive Education to early adolescent learners transitioning into a metropolitan, secondary public school in Western Australia and to understand the source of their stress and where they felt supported. Based on teacher feedback, a model for embedding the development of social and emotional competencies (Equity in Positivity) in the Western Australian secondary metropolitan public-school context, in a sustainable and cost-effective way, was developed over a six year period and linked to the Australian Wellbeing Hub (2020).

The researcher adopted a mixed method, instrumental bounded case study methodology, longitudinally applied through the lens …

Modified First Amended Chapter 11 Plan

Catholic Dioceses in Bankruptcy

No abstract provided.

Jumpstart: A Biblically Based Program That Helps Reduce Recidivism, Michael Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following project was developed to enhance the materials used in the Jumpstart program by implementing a daily journal that incorporates spiritual disciplines, S.M.A.R.T Goals, and relational accountability while augmenting spiritual growth that will help reduce recidivism. This professional dissertation provides a compelling theological and theoretical justification for implementing the daily journal, along with the project's details, processes, and outcomes.

An Integrated Approach To Developing Pastoral Efficacy For Addiction Crisis Ministry, Matthias Ponce-De-Leon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current addiction epidemic has heightened human suffering in many ways globally. This action research project built and implemented a training system to prepare pastors for encounters with individuals and families in substance addiction crises. The primary focus of the training system was to integrate existing approaches to pastoral equipping while advancing the theological framing of addiction models. In doing so, pastors developed understanding and confidence for facing the logistical, personal, and theological challenges in ministry to addicts and their families. Twelve pastors participated in the designed intervention, a 3-hour training workshop, and their shifts in perspectives and strategies for …

The Impact Of Moral Injury On Character Identity For Divorced Catholics: A Character Domain Perspective, Mary Susan Mcauliff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Catholics who are faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church on the indissolubility of marriage and who experience a civil divorce are at high risk for moral injury. This study was anchored on a character domain theoretical framework, and it investigated the impact of moral injury on character identity (measured by self-discrepancy) through the mediation of the perception of suffering. Religiosity was explored as a moderator for the relationships of moral injury to perception of suffering, perception of suffering to character identity, and moral injury to character identity. Participants (N = 251) were recruited from social media groups, various …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring An Infertile Christian Woman's Experience From Clergy Counseling In A Local Church, Laura Lasek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the perceptions of infertile women’s perceived experiences with receiving counseling from their local church pastor. The theories guiding this study were identity theory and narrative identity theory, as an infertile woman often feels a loss in their identity due to not being able to become a mother. This study explored how an infertile woman had hope to identify as a mother perceived counseling from her local church. The central research question for this transcendental phenomenological study was: How does a Christian woman who is coping with infertility describe the impact of …

A Phenomenological Study In Understanding African American Spiritual Leaders And The Black Church On Elder Abuse, Cassandra R. Downey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study described how the Black Church and African American Spiritual Leaders in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, understood the issue of elder abuse and the Black Church's role in navigating education and resources to those who are victims or at risk. African-American Spiritual Leaders' role and leadership are integral in combating elder abuse among their older members of the church and society. African Americans have always placed a significant portion of their support in the church and frequently turn to them before considering other options. Acknowledging the church's and spiritual leaders' involvement in comprehending the awareness of elder maltreatment is essential …

A Mixed-Methods Inquiry Into Pastors' Knowledge And Responses To Human Trafficking In Their Congregations In The Baptist Convention Of Maryland/Delaware, Denise A. Beck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to discover the knowledge of human trafficking of the pastors in the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware churches and their responses to this crime. The guiding theory was the words of Jesus in Exodus: Chapter 3 concerning slavery and the tribulations of Israelites. A questionnaire provided enlightenment regarding the levels of knowledge in the church communities, how pastors viewed it, the methods by which they received the information, and how they responded to it. This study reflected a gap in the knowledge of pastors in their congregations. The data were collected through emails and …

Collegiate Sport Chaplaincy: Problems And Promise, Steven Waller, Lars Dzikus, Robin Hardin

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Sport chaplaincy has been evolving since the latter half of the twentieth century, and many professional teams and professional organizations utilize the services of chaplains. Several licensing and credentialing organizations do train chaplains, counselors and mentors, but they are not necessarily aimed at sport chaplains. Chaplains have become more prominent in collegiate athletics as well and as such several training programs have developed for collegiate sport chaplains. Collegiate institutions, parachurch organizations and nonprofit faith-based organizations offer the programs that do exist. However, in collegiate athletics there is no governing body that oversees the training requirements or qualifications of chaplains. This …

Evangelism As Worship: Instead Of Working "For God," Engaging In Ministry "To God", Marilyn Draper

Witness

No abstract provided.