Digital Commons Network^™

Evangelism, Social Media, And The Mum Effect, David R. Dunaetz

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

The Mum effect is the natural human reluctance to share bad news with others, due to a desire to avoid a range of negative consequences, consequences affecting both self and the recipient of the bad news. Although the gospel is good news to those who believe, it may be viewed negatively by those who do not believe. Thus, Christians may be hesitant to share the gospel because of the negative consequences associated with the Mum effect. Because of the anonymity of the internet, social media is often filled with unre­strained criticism of Christianity. This may amplify the perceived negative consequences …

The לֵב†Of The Lectures: Human Embodiment, Rhetoric, And Adolescent Spiritual Formation In Proverbs 1–9, Logan T. Thompson

Harding School of Theology Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Gold & Blue, Spring 2019, St. Mary's University- San Antonio, Texas

Gold & Blue

This is the Spring 2019 edition of Gold & Blue which is St. Mary's University's official school publication.

College Of Business News & Views, Spring 2019, Illinois State University

College of Business News & Views

Newsletter of the Illinois State University College of Business

Appreciating Every Generation: An Exploration Of Intergenerational Ministry And Its Effect On Faith Formation, Megan Zika

CUP Undergraduate Research

Imagine you are a child once again. You are sitting in a pew at church, and you hear the pastor say to the congregation, “Let us pray,” but you don’t know what to do. You look around and make eye contact with a little old lady across the aisle; she smiles, motions for you to fold your hands, close your eyes, and bow your head. You do as she indicates and participate in the congregational prayer in the best way you can. In this manner, we all learn from those who come before us.

Youth Participation In Urban Mission And Ministry, Michelet William

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

"The God of Scripture consistently called faithful youngsters to participate in his redemptive mission on earth. The mission of God is not only carried out by young men and women but also intentionally aims at reaching out to them. Drawing on biblical examples, this article advocates a youth-focused approach to urban ministry whereby young people are both actors and recipients of all activities. Youth participation is beneficial for society because their alienation is a cause of social and political disruption, of gang formation and criminal behavior in many contexts. Youth participation is beneficial for the church because, as reported in …

Common Areas To Integrate Young People Into Active Church Ministry Roles, David M. Gantt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

All throughout Scripture one can see God calling and using young people to carry out important parts of His narrative. Research has shown that seventy percent of young people drop out of church following high school graduation. One of the reasons this group is leaving is due to a lack of opportunities within ministries in the context of the local church for young people to serve. Through the investigation of applied research and surveys completed by pastors, youth pastors and other church pastoral staff of one hundred forty-seven different churches, the author will identify ministry practices that churches today are …

Discipling Children And Youth: Helping The Church Enable Parents To Lead, Angela Hazel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parental apathy in the discipleship of children has become a worrisome issue in the Protestant churches of the United States. Where once the home was the foundation of Bible learning and character building, now parents have placed the responsibility of spiritual formation of children squarely on the shoulders of the church. The church, however, is ill-equipped to fully disciple a child or youth during this transformational time in their lives. This study sought to examine the issues that lead to parental withdrawal from discipleship training of their offspring and develop a method for the church to equip and enable parents …

Implementation Of A Basic Exegetical And Hermeneutical Class For Students: To Interpret God’S Word Exegetically And Apply God’S Word Hermeneutically, Casey Whiteis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A course to use in student ministries that addresses the capabilities of students in being able to interpret and apply the Bible for themselves. The rationale for choosing this topic is that students are aging out of the student ministry without a basic understanding of how to read, interpret, and apply God’s Word for themselves. All too often, while attending the student ministry, students understand topics that relate to what they are experiencing in high school; however, are they receiving the tools required to continue applying God’s Word to their lives? Tools are provided to students that will guide them …

Join The Band: Benefits Of Engaging Intergenerational Volunteers In The Local Church Worship Ministry, Jamie R. Coates

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Throughout the Bible and much of church history, intergenerational ministry was the common practice. However, in recent decades many local evangelical churches have abandoned the practice of intergenerational ministry and have instead embraced age-segregated ministry models. Reflecting this shift, age-segregated worship ministries within the local evangelical church have become the norm. This qualitative study examined biblical examples and teachings regarding worship and ministry and examined worship and ministry practices from throughout church history. Analysis of the research findings addressed the characteristics of an effective intergenerational worship ministry. Although facilitating an intergenerational worship ministry is a complicated endeavor, this study revealed …

When A Stone Is Not A Stone: Memories Of Clerical Abuse, Charles V. Sords

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

From the fourth to the sixth grades, Charles V. Sords suffered traumatic sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. He suppressed these memories, yet the pain of what happened impacted every aspect of his life. As an adult, several strong, sensory experiences brought the truth of his childhood into focus. He confronted the Church—and the system that protected clerical criminals. This memoir is an account of childhood sexual abuse, the particularly shameful nature of being raped by priests, and how the Catholic Church’s method of handling this and similarly horrifying revelations has re-traumatized survivors.

Perceived Strengths And Weaknesses Of American Churches: A Quadrant Analysis Of Church-Based Ministries, David R. Dunaetz, Joshua Mcgowan

Great Commission Research Journal

The needs and expectations of both Christians and non-Christians concerning churches vary according to the cultural context. Similarly, a church’s ability to respond to these needs depends on its ability to fine-tune ministries so that they are appropriate to the cultural context. This study uncovers various elements of American church ministries (especially those that can be supported by technology) which church members consider important but which are poorly executed. A sample of 325 members of American churches indicated which ministries they considered most important and to what degree they believed that they were carried out well in their church. A …

Reach, Assimilate And Develop: Essential Keys For The Resurgence Of The Church In America, Gordon E. Penfold

Great Commission Research Journal

This article presents a way to understand church growth from the perspective of reaching, assimilating, and developing people in the church. In Re:Vision: The Key to Transforming Your Church, Aubrey Malphurs and Penfold researched the characteristics discovered in re-envisioning (turnaround) pastors. The two researchers gathered a great deal of information about the ministry and practices of effective pastors including statistics on worship attendance, conversions, and baptisms. The statistics on conversion and baptism did not find their way into the book. This article examines worship attendance, conversion, baptism, and assimilation rates of reporting pastors. These rates reveal a great deal about …

The Makes Of A Turnaround Church : Common Patterns And Contributing Factors, Edgar Bazan

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Best Practices Of Merging Churches In A Multiethnic, Multicultural, And Multilingual Environment, Rodrigo Azofeifa

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Bison, March 22, 2019

The Bison Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Echo: March 8, 2019, Taylor University

2018-2019 (Volume 106)

Envision hosts film guests – English department exceeds expectations – Hitting the roads in style – The Halbrook lecture series hosts Tim Goeglein – Corrections – Starbucks impacts Taylor community – Taylor students serve moms and children in the community – Athletes compete in Special Olympics event – Students serve at Basics – Three healthy and affordable mug and microwave meals – Taylor University Survival Guide – The Weekly Bachelor and Bachelorette – “World of Disney” Weekly Crossword -- #TaylorU’s Top Tweets – Local filmmakers demonstrate their projects – Musician prays through violin – A&E Stay Up To Date – …

Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Five Things They Want You To Know, Corbin Hannah, Tricia Eskridge

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This workshop will invite participants to identify their current knowledge and biases related to youth who are experiencing homelessness. Presenters will share information gathered from focus groups of youth in Louisville, KY, who have utilized the services of the YMCA Safe Place Services. The presenters will walk the participants through the top five things that youth want the adults in their lives to understand, highlighting resiliency factors for this specific population. Finally, presenters will work with participants in developing the skills of understanding and expressing empathy with this population. Participants will gain a greater knowledge for working with this population. …

On Waking Up, Becky St. Clair

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

The Banner - V. 154, No. 3 - (March 2019), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

No abstract provided.

Complete Issue

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Biblical And Historical Criteria For Evaluating A Ministry Organization, Peter J. Smith

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Dissertation Notices, G. Anderson, O. Garza, K. A. S. Jessie, S. Posey, A. G. Satyputra, D. R. Williams

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Resolving Intergenerational Conflict Within The Rural Black Churches Of Central Virginia, Patrick Ward Bland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to assist church leaders and their congregations in the rural black churches in Central Virginia to become more aware of the intergenerational conflict that has governed and, in some instances, legitimated the church. Qualitative and quantitative analysis and academic research revealed a majority of rural black churches in central Virginia are challenged with limited increase in membership because of the frequency of blatant disregard shown among the various generations. This thesis proposes a biblical model for Christian pastors and church leaders to provide resourceful methods of leading their congregations into more productive growth.

Reaching The Next Generation Of Leaders, Ron Whitehead, Petr Cincala

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Ron Whitehead has served in four North American Division unions as a local pastor, conference youth, and church ministries director. He has also served the NAD as associate youth director and directed five International Pathfinder Camporees. At Andrews University, Ron has served as assistant to the president for Spiritual Life and currently serves the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary as assistant professor for Youth Ministry and executive director for the Center for Youth Evangelism. Since 1996, Ron has been honored to serve the Lake Union Conference as youth director. Some of Ron’s most recent ministry projects include an International Camporee for …

College Students From Around The Nation To Gather At Taylor, Taylor University

2019 Website News Stories

No abstract provided.

Retaining Second Career Pastors In Recognized Ministry, David L. Carringer

Doctor of Ministry

All Christians are called into ministry through their commitment to Christ and baptism. Some are called into church- or denominationally-recognized pastoral ministry. A traditional way for those called into pastoral ministry would be to follow an educational path of higher education and, upon completion of their studies, entrance into pastoral ministry. There also exists a less traditional path that includes careers and occupations not recognized as church or denominational pastoral ministry. Those who follow this less traditional path will be referred to as a ‘second-career pastor’.

During the transition from a non-ministry career into church- or denominationally-recognized pastoral ministry, many …

Children's Faith Formation As Mutually Transforming Opportunity: Leading Systemic Change, Robin Michelle Turner

Doctor of Ministry

Training congregational leaders in the theological foundations and practical resources of children’s spiritual formation helps them lead congregations to value and nurture the entire communities’ spiritual formation.

An exploration of the role and nature of children from both biblical and theological perspectives reveals they are welcomed and valued members of the faith community and the Kingdom of God. Attempts to welcome and value children in faith communities have focused on their acquisition of religious knowledge rather than their holistic formation. Learning to value their presence, worship, and holistic formation in community requires a shift in vision and methodology.

Children’s sense …

The Promise And Purpose Of Love And Belonging In Shaping The Spiritual Destiny Of Sixth Graders, Jim Newby

Doctor of Ministry

The consilience of interpersonal neurobiology and theology is the template for the viscidity of faith throughout one’s lifetime. The congruence of disciplines conclude that what is experienced and believed before the age of thirteen determines how one will live their life. The loss of connection to parents at home and adults within the faith community, is cultivating isolation, loneliness, and the loss of love and belonging in each emerging generation.

Chapter One introduces the deprecating beliefs that are practiced during the first twelve years of one’s life that ultimately lead young believers away from homes and communities of faith and …

Capitalizing On My African American Christian Heritage In The Cultivation Of Spiritual Formation And Contemplative Spiritual Disciplines, Claire Appiah

Doctor of Ministry

This project addresses what I perceive to be an opportunity for some aspects of African American spirituality to become more holistic. It is noteworthy that many African American communal worship experiences are powerful and dynamic. I hypothesize that many African American Christians can enjoy an even more enhanced spiritual experience by integrating contemplative spiritual disciplines into present dynamic communal practices for spiritual formation. In Section One, I look at the genesis of the circumstances that necessitated communal solidary for enslaved Africans in the New World. I follow the path of their religious journey from being a clandestine group of ecstatic …