Digital Commons Network^™

Going Inside A Church Staff Group: A Qualitative Case Analysis Of Team Characteristics, Decision-Making, And Identity, Hillary Rose Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Many organizations, including churches, rely on leadership groups to coordinate efforts and fulfill their mission. Guided by the characteristics of highly effective teams, the functional theory of group decision-making, and symbolic convergence theory, this study examines how one church staff group engages in decision-making and enacts identity through socioemotional and task-related communication. This group is unique in that its members each lead different areas necessary for the church’s functioning. Data for this qualitative case-study consists of semi-structured interviews with each group members and five meeting observations. Findings provide insight into the group’s dynamics, decision-making process, and identity. However, of most …

The Power Of Church Leadership Training And Development: Equipping, Empowering, And Encouraging Church Leaders To Lead Effectively, Monique Kirk

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study explored perceptions of a church’s ministry leadership team to determine their preparation in the tools, skillsets, and strategies needed to lead themselves and others well. The study sought to understand the needs of these church ministries to meet the spiritual and daily needs of the members they serve. The study used a mixed methods design, employing a survey and focus group that examined perceptions of ministry experiences, training, development, and other support. Results were examined through the lens of Lewin’s (1947) force field analysis to determine both driving and restraining forces on effective ministry leadership (Hussain et al., …

Solutions To Building Consistent And Sustainable Youth Ministry Programming, William C. Kincy

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods convergent study explored strategies for building consistency and sustainability in Baptist youth ministry programming, with a particular focus on the AFC Youth Ministry. Guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Hitt et al., 2018) and Senge’s (2006) Systems Thinking approach, the study addressed three key research questions: What needs are youth seeking to meet that lead them to join a Baptist church youth ministry? What programming can AFC Baptist Church’s youth ministry provide to youth that would promote retention of the youth in the youth ministry? What are the best practices in delivering programming to youth in a …

Barriers To Churches Understanding How They Are Impacted By White Supremacy Culture, Pamela R. Ngunjiri

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem this project addressed was the barriers to Christian churches' understanding how they are impacted by white supremacy culture. The research identified themes that hinder racial equity and arrived at recommendations on how to disentangle white supremacy culture and the Christian Church. Biblical and theological resources were utilized to provide support for the scriptural foundation of the Christian faith, and current literature provided scholarly backing to identify the barriers to understanding the possibility of the entanglement of Christian churches and white supremacy culture. Conclusions reached included that the same foundational faith among folks of different races/color, results in a …

A Jesus Seminary: More Than A Classroom, Jeff Thorp

Doctor of Ministry

Ember Discipleship College (EDC) reimagines church internships for young adult Christians in the Northwest U.S., revitalizing spiritual formation and equipping them with practical ministry experience. This opportunity helps deepen their faith and engage in ministry within a rapidly changing culture. Unlike traditional programs that focus on students serving the church, EDC combines theological education, hands-on ministry, and immersive experiences to cultivate well-rounded disciples of Jesus. Research indicates that immersive learning, referred to as “experiential learning,” “action learning,” or “orchestrated immersion,” is among the most effective learning methods. This approach emphasizes formation over mere information, creating environments where context serves as …

Programa Para Formar Líderes Jóvenes En La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día Hispana De Fresno, Edward Alexander Charles Smith

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church of Fresno faces a significant challenge in developing trained youth leaders capable of directing and sustaining the Youth Ministry. Despite having a large and active membership, the church lacks a structured leadership development process for young people between the ages of 18 and 35. This deficiency resulted in the inability of the Nominating Committee to appoint a youth director due to the absence of adequately prepared candidates. The lack of intentional leadership formation has limited the involvement of youth within the congregation.

Methodology

This Doctor of Ministry project employed an applied ministry approach focused …

Clinical Implications For Helping Professionals Learned From The Pastoral Care Of Lgbtq+ Youth, John Willis Ward, Heather Deal, Gaynor Yancey

Funded Scholarship

This qualitative article is informed by queer theory, and more specifically queer theology, and explores how youth ministers in various denominations care for LGBTQ+ teenagers in their congregations. Seven youth pastors from three major denominational groups were interviewed from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), Alliance of Baptists, and Presbyterian Church, USA (PC-USA). Participants had to identify as LGBTQ+ affirming, though their congregations could be in various states of affirmation. Thematic analysis found the following significant categories: confidentiality, implications of whole church engagement, student-led engagement, theology/image of God, and degree of support for identity development.

A Catholic Positive Youth Development Model Based On The Context Of The Catholic Church In Thailand, Sarawin Patsriruang

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

In 2007, the Catholic Youth Council of Thailand was restructured into the Catholic Commission for Laity on Youth Desk to collaborate with all Catholic youth organizations in Thailand and expand the work of Catholic youth development. Despite the announcement of its 10 major youth development plans since 2015, there is still an opportunity to incorporate the widely adopted Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach into its projects and programs. Similarly, research on Catholic youth development reveals a gap in the concrete application of PYD. To address these practical and research gaps, this study aims to develop a PYD model suitable for …

A Mission Simulation Retreat For Senior Youth Leaders To Train Adventist Young Professionals In The South Bahamas Conference, Jamal Doran Franklyn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The mission simulation retreat SDA action research project trains senior youth leaders of young adult professionals for urban ministry through their vocational orientation. To address the problem of only having a global youth day one-day mission drive, the Mission Simulation Retreat (MSR) equipped young leaders in local SDA churches to simulate mission projects matching their professional careers. By building on the Hebrew culture, the priesthood of all believers, and spiritual gifts, MSR customizes a spiritual gifts database that aligns with vocational careers to provide mission project options by vocational skills. Through focus group presentations, a questionnaire, and a survey, data …

St. John's Aiken Church Council Minutes 2006-2024, St. John's United Methodist Church, Aiken

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

St. Paul's Waccamaw Church Council Minutes 2008-2015, St. Paul's Waccamaw United Methodist Church, Pawleys Island

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

The Banner - V. 159, No. 11 - (December 2024), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

No abstract provided.

Rejuvenating Ministry Engagement: Developing Small Spiritual Formation Groups For Young People At Salem Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Speker Antoine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This doctoral research project addresses the need for enhanced youth engagement within the Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church. The study aims to identify and implement strategies to foster participation and commitment among youth members. Key goals include assessing current engagement levels, identifying barriers to participation, exploring preferred formats for involvement, and evaluating church leadership's role in youth engagement.

A multi-method approach was used, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data collection involved a Likert Questionnaire to gauge youth engagement levels, pilot testing to refine the questionnaire, and focus group discussions for in-depth insights. Quantitative data identified trends and patterns, while thematic …

Expository Based Discipleship Plan For Freed Youth Ministry Of Riverdale Baptist Church, Kshitiz Sharma Ghimire

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to develop an expository-based discipleship plan that implements expository preaching and uses it to empower the discipleship of youths through small groups and parental involvement. The objective was to see spiritual maturity in the teenager through expository preaching and discipleship as proposed by the expository-based discipleship plan. The expository preaching plan sought cooperation from the youth, leaders, and parents to see how expository preaching and effective discipleship can help students grow spiritually so that they stay at church after they graduate from youth group. All the middle schoolers and high schoolers …

Children Evangelism In The Kingdom Cathedral Reaching Children Ages Five To Ten Years Of Age, Gayle Vernice Sampson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Former President George W Bush initiated the “No Child Left Behind Act” in 2001 aimed at improving schools and the child’s ability to learn. The phrase coined by the former president is still relevant today. The writer believes this phrase can be initiated in this research because no child or children should be left behind in any instance, especially in the Kingdom of God. According to Mark 10:13–14, King James Version: “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, …

Chimes: November 4, 2024, Calvin University

Chimes

2024 election: How are students feeling? by Ethan Meyers & Grace Buller

Reformation Day: A look at a historic moment in the ever-reforming church by Ella Vanden Berg & Graham Kort

Restoring Shalom: Calvin grad and wife start transitional housing program for single mothers by Sarah Sparling

Highlighting club sports: Women’s rugby, ultimate frisbee and club soccer by Dillion Baumchen

Calvin receives grant to revamp safety phones by Ian Tjoelker

Yeah, K-dramas can be silly: they’re worth watching anyway by Ethan Meyers

The Greatest Gift, Lindsey Pratt

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Myrtle Beach First Church Council Minutes 2016-2024, Myrtle Beach First United Methodist Church

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Leesville Church Council Minutes 2013-2024, Leesville United Methodist Church

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

The Beacon, October 11, 2024, Beacon Staff

The Beacon, 2024-2025

The joys that come with the fall season; Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month; Talent Showcased at music concert; NW students' favorite fall classics; Coldplay signs off with new album; It's more than just a meeting space; Former NW student athlete comes back to coach; Students are able to embrace fall fun; Students recall amazing SSP experiences; Hispanic Heritage Month; Things to consider as a first-time voter; Chopsticks: 1, Forks: 0; Gennis invented by Mark DeYounge; Raider volleyball gains career highs; Quarterback switch at Doane football game; Preparing students for success; A Homecoming full of running events;

History Of The Grover United Methodist Church, Grover United Methodist Church, St. George

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

The Beacon, October 4, 2024, Beacon Staff

The Beacon, 2024-2025

An exciting Homecoming weekend ahead; Another new(ish) face on NW's campus; A new twist on the children's show; Review of "Transformers One" movie; Buble adds to his popular hits; Honors students discover Greece; Students flock to local flower farm; Homecoming events welcome alumni; Raider Homecoming Crossword Puzzle; New costume studio manager; The true cost of cheap clothing; Is your local music scene dead?; Raider Esports prioritizes teamwork; Homecoming weekend filled with sports; Two Raiders showcase excellence on the field; Trivia night is off to a good start; Steggy Keggy is back and better than ever;

Innovations In Engaging The Next Generation Towards Discipleship And Mission, Billy Mcmahan

Great Commission Research Journal

This research addresses the central question: How can the church adapt to reach and disciple Generation Z in a way that speaks to their distinctive experiences and needs? To answer this question, the paper will first explore Gen Z’s defining characteristics and then examine how various organizations, particularly for-profit organizations, engage this emerging generation. Finally, the study will highlight innovative ministries gaining significant traction with Gen Z, offering insights and models for broader church applications.

Experiential Learning From Stakeholder Perspectives At A University Partnership Program, Maggie M. Shader

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative survey study was to determine the stakeholders' perspectives on experiential learning at Canvas College. Experiential learning has potential benefits for students as stakeholders, and internship can be a vehicle for experiential learning. Experiential learning can involve benefits such as employability, real-world experience, calling confirmation and spiritual growth, soft skills, and immediate application of learning. Stakeholders in an internship are not limited to students. Faculty and internship leaders are also stakeholders; however, a partnership program encompasses more stakeholders, including church staff, alumni, and host university staff. The survey was researcher developed and the Cronbach’s alpha …

101st Annual Inspire Bible Lectureship Program (2024), Harding University

Lectureship Programs

This document contains the printed lectureship schedule.

The Bison, September, 27, 2024

The Bison Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Bethel Winnsboro Church Council Minutes 2013-2018, Bethel United Methodist Church, Winnsboro

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Beulah Gilbert Church History 1897-2012, Beulah United Methodist Church, Gilbert

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Bethel Ruffin History, Bethel United Methodist Church, Ruffin

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Andrew Chapel Pastor's Reports 2019-23, Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, Orangeburg

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.