Digital Commons Network^™

Turn On The Light Of Life(Tll) Pastoral Theology For Integrated Mental And Spiritual Health In The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Perspective, Leulekal Akalu Alemu

Doctor of Ministry

This study explores a unified framework for integrating mental health counseling with spiritual guidance within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church pastoral theology, emphasizing the essential role of clergy in promoting both spiritual and mental well-being. The initiative aims to establish a structured approach that aligns mental health strategies with theological principles, thereby enhancing the connection between mental wellness and spiritual vitality.

Current observations indicate that many clergy members lack adequate training in pastoral counseling, which significantly impedes their ability to effectively address the mental and social issues faced by their communities. This research seeks to empower church leaders by providing …

Experiences Of Jewish Women In Continuous Identity Cognitive Therapy And The Conceptual Alignment Of Treatment Goals Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Stages 3 And 4, Elisabeth Zigelstein

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Stages 1 and 2 of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which emphasize behavioral control and emotional experiencing, have received considerable operational and empirical attention, unlike the latter two stages of DBT which are meant to help individuals develop meaningful and fulfilling lives. CI-CT is a novel 12-week manualized group-psychotherapy intervention designed to enhance individuals’ connection to their life stories, future selves, and positive identities, while supporting the development of meaning-making and goal-directed behavior following suicidal crises and/or in the context of severe mental illness. This qualitative study explored 13 Jewish women’s experiences participating in a 10-session adaptation of CI-CT, following completion …

A Ministry Manual For Supporting Pastoral Transitions: Addressing The Emotional And Spiritual Needs Of Clergy And Their Families, John Tucker

Dissertations

Pastoral transitions represent spiritually significant yet often under-supported moments in the life of clergy, congregations, and ministry networks. While leadership change is frequently framed in theological language emphasizing divine calling and institutional continuity, insufficient attention is given to the emotional, relational, and familial dimensions of these transitions. This Doctor of Ministry project examines the spiritual and emotional impact of pastoral transitions within African American church contexts, with particular attention to clergy wellbeing and systems of care.

This study employed a mixed-methods research design integrating quantitative survey data with qualitative semi-structured interviews. Survey instruments were distributed to pastors affiliated with The …

Flourishing In The Wilderness: Soul Care For The Disoriented, Disillusioned, And Deconstructing, Becky Frazier

Doctor of Ministry

Seasons of disorientation, disillusionment, and deconstruction are normal parts of the Christian spiritual life. This can be seen throughout church history and is even an integral theme of scripture. Yet many churches do not prepare Christians for this possibility, leaving many to struggle more than is necessary through the loneliness, doubt, and confusion of these seasons. This experience of being “unmoored” and alone was a key insight that emerged throughout my research. It is my belief that churches should equip and support members who find themselves in a wilderness season of their faith. To that end, the NPO that this …

"Let The Little Children Come To Me:" Examining The Importance Of At-Home Discipleship And Spiritual Formation For Children Ages Zero To Three Years Old, Kamilah Kay Edwards

Doctor of Ministry

The narratives of children in the Bible links the Old and New Testaments, continually shaping our understanding from past to present. Likewise, children hold a significant place in Christian churches and homes as the legacy of the lived Christian experience. Considering 21st century research findings highlighting the perceptions of children in the American Christian church, American Christianity is seeing a departure of youth. This departure is more than an exodus, it is an identity crisis that calls into question contemporary discipleship and spiritual formation practices at home and in the faith community. The importance of discipling children from the earliest …

Audacious Saints: A Spiritual Formation Journey Toward Freedom And Flourishing, Carroll Lane Parsons

Doctor of Ministry

This doctoral project addresses a common challenge for many Christian women. In spiritual direction, they often express emotional, spiritual, and psychological pain because their voice, vision, and power are limited in their faith communities. Even though these women are deeply devoted to God and their beliefs, this pain can often make it difficult to experience spiritual confidence, discover their calling, and trust their own discernment. The project explores how engaging with the lives of female saints, alongside contemplative and embodied practices, can offer a healing way forward.

Audacious Saints is a twelve-module spiritual formation program that integrates sacred stories, group …

The Reconnection Experience: A Black Pastor's Journey Back To God And Self, Lindsay Mcghee Alexander

Doctor of Ministry

NPO

The Need/Problem/Opportunity (NPO) statement guiding this project is: Pastors in the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church feel disconnected from God and themselves.

Key Insights

The research revealed that pastoral disconnection is driven less by lack of skill and more by identity loss, performance pressure, and the absence of safe spaces for vulnerability. Spiritual formation remains largely absent from Black pastors' lives and churches. Cultural and denominational expectations reward quantitative data over spiritual growth. Self-care and inner work are not recognized as integral to ministry success or effectiveness. Many pastors operate from “doing” rather than “being,” leading to …

The Theological Tradition Of The Orthodox Church In The Aspect Of The Formation Of Military Leadership In Ukraine, Olga Dobrodum, Andrii S. Zborchyi, Tetyana Kondratyuk-Antonova, Oleksandr L. Kolomiiets

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Analysis of the Orthodox theological tradition as a moral foundation for military leadership in the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the full-scale war. The study moves beyond pragmatic managerial models, exploring Orthodox categories such as service (diakonia), sacrifice, and spiritual warfare. Drawing on patristic heritage and modern theologians, the authors examine leadership motivation, the role of faith in professional resilience, and the integration of Orthodox anthropology into military training. Special emphasis is placed on the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's chaplaincy as a key mechanism for actualizing these values while addressing challenges like secularism and multiconfessionalism.

Beyond The Heroic Leader: Formation For Collaborative Ministry, Graham English

Doctor of Leadership

I have served as a local church pastor for 28 years. In my current service on a denominational team that supports 500 Licensed Workers and 115 churches within the Western District of The Alliance Canada, I identified the following Need, Problem, or Opportunity (NPO): “Many leaders in The Alliance Canada lack collaborative skills, inhibiting participatory leadership, stifling innovation, and diminishing congregational empowerment to engage in God’s mission.” My research highlighted the limitations of heroic leadership in complex and rapidly evolving ministry contexts. Leadership approaches that were once effective in the church no longer align with current relational, cultural, and organizational …

Judgement Morning: Studies In Holiness Radicalism, William Kostlevy

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

The Silent Witness: The Journey Of Celibacy In The Life Of Diocesan Clergy Of Pagadian, Jumar T. Lague, Enrique C. Tapanan, Raven M. Leyte, Jinggle C. Selgas

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Celibacy is a defining vow in the life of Catholic priests, requiring thorough preparation and ongoing commitment. While celibacy enables priests to devote themselves fully to ministry, it also presents challenges that can influence their fidelity to priesthood. This study aimed to explore how Catholic priests experience, sustain, and interpret their vow of celibacy within their ministry. Using a transcendental phenomenological design, ten diocesan priests from Pagadian, representing junior, middle, and senior clergy, were purposively selected and interviewed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, validated with participant feedback, and analyzed thematically while bracketing researcher biases. The findings reveal that priests …

From Liahona To Talk: An Inspired Method 2, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

In my previous series, Actionable Insights from the Liahona, I introduced many principles that felt like tightly cut jewels. This time, I'm changing the tempo and delivering those same principles set to a heart-stirring melody. I've set aside the rigid outlining and repackaged the principles with relatable stories and humorous metaphors that I hope will make you chuckle and think, "Oh, I know that feeling!" My wish is that this new approach helps these vital principles to gently drop anchor deep within your heart.

From Transactional To Transformational: Cultivating A Theologically Robust Learning Experience For Upper School Senior Bible Classes, Linus Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem at Holy Ground Christian Academy is that its approach to senior-level Bible classes is transactional rather than transformational for life and godliness. With parents feeling pressured to find effective educational options for their children and teachers facing growing demands from administrative duties, education urgently needs a new vision. Parents want their children to succeed and leave a lasting impact on society, while educators seek purpose in their careers. Modern educational trends push schools toward a utilitarian, transactional approach to learning, and private Christian college-preparatory schools are no exception. Within the Christian college-preparatory setting, Bible classes often struggle with …

A Journey In Prayer With Father Libermann, Marc Whelan Cssp

Spiritan Horizons

No abstract provided.

Book Reviews, John C. Bates Esq.

Gathered Fragments

No abstract provided.

Stoic Wisdom For The Contemplative Teacher: Prosochê And Praemeditatio Malorum As Alternative Approaches To Mindfulness, Anna Rumjahn

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

In K-12 environments where teacher burnout and attrition are increasingly prevalent, where can educational professionals seek sustainable approaches to reduce exhaustion, emotional demands, and uncertainty? In this paper, I extend Christopher McCaw’s research on the direct and dynamic relationship between contemplative practices and who teachers are and are becoming. By examining the current debates around defining reflective and contemplative practitioners, I call for alternative definitions of mindfulness when considering teacher professional becoming and submit for consideration the perspectives of Greco-Roman philosophy which has hitherto been less explored apropos education. Using prosochê (attention) and the Stoic exercise of praemeditatio malorum to …

Ready For A Theology Of The Mind? Faith Response To The Mental Health Crisis, Ramil R. Marcos, Phil Nielsen G. Galvez

Loyola Papers

This article argues for the urgent development of a “theology of the mind” as a pastoral and theological response to the growing mental health crisis in the Philippines. This timely study highlights the systemic problems surrounding this important concern, such as limited access to professional help, cultural stigma, poverty, and inadequate government facilities. The paper draws from Scripture, Church teaching, papal pronouncements, and local initiatives to show that mental health struggles are not alien to Christian life but resonate deeply with biblical figures, the life of Christ, and the Church’s mission of compassion. Among its unique contributions is the proposal …

Practicum One: The Art & Discipline Of Christian Spiritual Direction, Stephen (Steve) Martyn

Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Foundations In Christian Spiritual Direction, Michael Voigts

Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Insufficient Leadership Training For Ministers At Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church That Enables Them To Serve The Congregation In The Absence Of The Senior Pastor, Shirley J. Gamble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to create an operation and coaching module on every aspect of church ministry to train ministers. This project aims to establish a process following Ephesians 4:11-12, which states, “And He gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (King James Version). The Christian leadership training for ministers at MSMBC will enable them to serve the congregation in the absence of the senior pastor. The desired …

Spirituality And Perceived Insider Status: A Study Of Organizational Commitment Of African American Female Leaders In Fortune 1000 Companies, Toni Y. Stubbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationships among spirituality, perceived insider status, and organizational commitment among African American female leaders within Fortune 1000 companies. Using a cross-sectional design, the research gathered data from 119 participants through online surveys that included the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), the Perceived Insider Status Scale (PIS), and the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Analyses included Pearson correlations and mediation modeling to address the research questions. The results revealed a strong, statistically significant relationship between perceived insider status and organizational commitment. Although spirituality did not directly predict organizational commitment, it demonstrated a small but significant mediating effect between …

The Shorthorn: December 12, 1963

The Shorthorn Newspaper Collection: 1960s

No abstract provided.

2025-2026 Lindenwood University Graduate Course Catalog, Lindenwood University

Course Catalogs

Lindenwood University Graduate Course Catalog

2025-2026 Lindenwood University Undergraduate Course Catalog, Lindenwood University

Course Catalogs

Lindenwood University Undergraduate Course Catalog

Handbook Of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapies, Thomas St. James O'Connor

Consensus

Richards, P. S., Allen, G. E. K., & Judd, D. K. (2023). Handbook of spiritually integrated psychotherapies. American Psychological Association. ISBN: 9781433835933

A Student-Centered Coaching Program In Jesuit & Mercy Traditions, Sara Gifford, Karen Mihelich, Arthur Ko

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

A student-centered coaching program grounded in Jesuit and Mercy traditions, called “Coaching for Care,” was implemented at a midwestern Jesuit and Mercy institution. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the development of future nurse educators’ pedagogy, foster holistic licensure examination preparation among pre-licensure nursing students, and examine students’ perceptions towards the program’s guiding Jesuit and Mercy values. Pre-licensure students who received coaching felt that their uniqueness/holism, accountability, and reflection were important for their licensure exam preparation at significantly higher rates than pre-licensure students who did not receive coaching. Themes identified from the doctoral student coaches included instilling confidence …

Of Modern Monsters And Scientific Magic: The Design Challenges Of Simulating An Enchanted World In Dungeons And Dragons 5th Edition, Leonid Moyzhes

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

This article analyzes the magical system of Dungeons and Dragons 5 edition in the context of an idea of the enchanted world, highlighting controversial relationships between this concept and the rules of the game. On the one hand, D&D’s magic constantly borrows the imagery and ideas from different texts that follow the logic of enchanted world, starting with the idea of magic itself and ending with particular spells being grounded in the fundamental traits of enchanted world like ubiquitous of liminality and the anxiety about agency. On the other hand, broader logic of D&D’s rules inadvertently influences the way those …

Reformed Worship (Rw) 156 - Doxology (June 2025), Reformed Worship Editors

Reformed Worship Magazine

Editorial: Of Thresholds, Stones, and Doxologies by Joyce Borger....2

Release and Receive by Gary Brouwers....6

Full Circle by Colin P. Watson, Sr.....8

A Chorus of Praise by Diane Dykgraaf....12

Q&A: Developing Identity as a Worship Leader by Paul Ryan....13

For Pastors: The Word of the Lord by Scott Hoezee....15

Singing Stones by Bethany Besteman....17

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words by Joyce Borger and Dean Heetderks....18

Songs for the Season: Sonic Standing Stones by Chris Walker....25

Mile Markers by Trudy Ash....31

Creation's Song by Diane Dykgraaf....36

The Goodness …

Psychotherapeutic Strategies To Cope With The Dark Side Of Religious Engagement, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Although spiritual and religious engagement that includes beliefs, practices, and community involvement has been found to offer numerous physical and mental health benefits, it can also be associated with problematic and dysfunctional perspectives and behaviors. Tragically, many people suffer from obsessive scrupulosity, guilt, anxiety, and depression, as well as discrimination, racism, and violence associated with their religious traditions and engagement or those of others. Mental health professionals must be mindful of both the upsides and the downsides of religiosity and find a way to secure appropriate consultation, embrace professional ethical principles, and support health and wellness for clients. This brief …

Narrative Counseling, Tapiwa Mucherera

Syllabi

No abstract provided.