Leadership And Emergent Faith Communities In Canada: A Phenomenological Study, Anne Anderson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The purpose of this study is to explore how participants within emergent faith communities in Canada experience leadership. Through a phenomenological approach, members from five emergent faith communities across Canada have been interviewed in a semi-structured format. Emerging themes of transformational leadership, community along with belonging, and possible future areas of research will be discussed.

The Sower, The Story & Kingdom Space In The Gospel Of Mark, Susan Lankowski

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The kingdom of God is an ambiguous term that Jesus does not explicitly define. Traditional scholarship has explained the kingdom in terms of its social, cultural and time aspects. Recent scholarship is examining the spatiality of the kingdom of God to uncover its characteristics as a “space.” Spatiality seeks to understand how humans interact with space. Space captures the experience of human life and activity and stories, and storytelling reveal that experience. It is at the intersection of space and storytelling that this project examines the kingdom of God. The Gospel of Mark is a story that grew from an …

Second Generation Christian Korean Canadians: Exploring Their Lived Experiences Of Mental Health Issues And Services, Kyoung Jung Kim

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of second-generation Christian Korean Canadian young adults with mental health issues (MHI) and their use of health services (MHS). In addition, this study asked this cohort to discuss their beliefs about the views their parents held about MHI and MHS. All research participants were born and raised in Canada by Korean born immigrant parents. This study was descriptive, phenomenological, and qualitative in nature; it consisted of in-depth interviews with six male and six female participants. In their experience with MHI, seven participants experienced fear and sadness (depression and anxiety) and three of them …

Clergy Supportive Spiritual Practices, Gregory Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Clergy wellness is of keen interest to church leadership in recent years as mainline Canadian churches face rapid decline. The financial diminishment of the church has led to fewer clergy looking after more churches, and larger churches having fewer staff. The result is increased demands on clergy’s time and energy that pose a challenge to their wellness. Given this current reality, the importance of understanding what can support clergy wellness is crucial. The purpose of this research is to explore the question: “What is the experience of Anglican priests in the Diocese of Huron as they engage in supportive spiritual …

A Phenomenological, Arts-Based Study Of Art Therapists’ Self-Reflective Practice, Laurie Ponsford-Hill

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This phenomenological, arts-based study examined the experiences of 15 art therapists using five-minute, full-bodied self-portraiture with 55 minutes of self-reflective journaling once a week for four weeks at the end of each work week. The therapists determined the location for this practice. Subsequently, the four artworks, as a serial, were explored with each participant in a one-hour telephone or Skype interview to understand their lived experience through art, and its signs, and symbols. This process enabled the therapists to act as witness to their respective self/selves, deepening their insights and connections about self. The transcribed audio-taped interviews were manually coded …

"A Meruelous Thinge!": Elizabeth Of Spalbeek, Christina The Astonishing, And Performative Self-Abjection In Oxford, Bodleian Library, Ms Douce 114, Murrielle Michaud

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Contributing to the spirited discussion regarding feminist and pro-feminine readings of Middle English hagiography, this dissertation challenges the tradition of grouping accounts of medieval holy women into a single genre that relies on stereotypes of meekness and obedience. I argue that fifteenth-century England saw a pro-feminine literary movement extolling the virtues of women who engaged in what I term “performative self-abjection,” a form of vicious self-renunciation and grotesque asceticism based on Julia Kristeva's model of the abject. The corollary of women's performative self-abjection is ex-gratia spiritual authority, public recognition, and independence, emphasized in the English corpus of fifteenth-century women’s hagiography. …

The Christian Farmers Federation Of Ontario: Integrating Christian Principles With The Practicality Of Farming, Suzanne M. Armstrong

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis examines the Christian identity and characteristics of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO), a general farm organization active in the diverse agricultural sector of Ontario, Canada. It highlights the intersection of religion and farming that emerged from interviews and participant observation within this group. The thesis probes what it means for them to be responsible Christian farmers in contemporary agriculture. Christian and secular scholars from three key areas of scholarship—Dutch immigration to Canada, agriculture of the middle or family farming, and Christian stewardship—help to contextualize their responses.

The CFFO was founded as a Dutch neo-Calvinist organization within …

The Reinvention Of The Canadian Armed Forces Chaplaincy And The Limits Of Religious Pluralism, Michael T. Peterson Rev. Dr.

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The Reinvention of the Canadian Armed Forces Chaplaincy offers an analysis of how an historically Christian religious organization, one prominently sited within an important Canadian institution, adapted to pluralism. This research is the first to examine Canada’s military chaplaincy since Benham Rennick’s (2011) more broadly focused study of the role of religion in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). My study is the first to focus specifically on the chaplaincy and on the ways in which it has sought to develop and maintain a pluralist identity. I trace the process by which a legacy Christian institution developed a self-image as a …

Canadian Christian Nationalism?: The Religiosity And Politics Of The Christian Heritage Party Of Canada, Leah A D Mckeen

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In this dissertation I examines the worldview and concerns held by members of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada (CHP) as a means of understanding Canada’s Christian Right. I present a perspective of Canada’s Christian Right that challenges assumptions made about this religio-political ideology by showing how the political choices made by members of the CHP make sense within the members’ context. The CHP is a federal political party, first registered in 1986, that markets itself as “Canada’s only pro-life party.” Although the party was initially developed by a group of conservative Protestants and Roman Catholics, the majority of its …

Living On Breath And Spirit: Spiritual Intelligence And Spiritual Journey In The Christian Faith Tradition, Maria Zinsstag

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In the last decade, one observes an increased interest in applied spirituality that takes into account the fact that spirituality has left the boundaries of religion. Psychologists and neuroscientists postulate a spiritual intelligence. As a scientific concept it adopts an etic perspective on spirituality. It is used in healthcare, management and education. It is interested in spirituality but not in religion. Christian spirituality on the other hand is rooted in a particular religion. Lytta Basset offers guidance for spiritual growth in the Christian faith tradition. Because spiritual growth is very personal, Basset adopts an emic perspective on spiritual experiences. This …

Saltwater Sacraments And Backwoods Sins: Contemporary Atlantic Canadian Literature And The Rise Of Literary Catholicism, Andrew Peter Atkinson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In the 1990s, Canadian readers were offered a new literary trend: the Atlantic Canadian Catholic novel. In this dissertation, I examine works from six authors whose writing reflects the scope of this trend and I argue for a consideration of their collective impact on our social imaginary. The bulk of my argument is devoted to an examination of the Catholic religious content in the five novels and one memoir: David Adams Richards’ Bay of Love and Sorrows (1998); Ann-Marie MacDonald’s Fall on Your Knees (1996); Lynn Coady’s Strange Heaven (1996); Wayne Johnston’s Baltimore’s Mansion: A Memoir (1999); Patrick Kavanagh’s Gaff …

Using Scripture In Counselling Evangelicals, A. Tim Span

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis examines how the Bible can be used beneficially and ethically as a resource in counseling evangelicals. For evangelicals the Bible is their “primary text”—an unequalled source of authority and comfort. Evangelicals begin with the self-attestation of scripture to its own reliability and usefulness (e.g. 2 Tim. 3:16–17). When the scriptures are used in a responsible way using sound exegetical method there can be real dividends for the hearer. With proper preparation and informed consent, the counselor who ministers to evangelical clients can appropriate the message of the scriptures in a way that brings emotional and spiritual health. The …

Impact Of Diagnostic Labels, Janice E. Dinsmore Czechowsky

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

To determine whether there was a difference between a physical or mental health diagnosis on well-being, identity, relationship with God, and ability to use faith as a source of support, quantitative and qualitative studies were conducted using surveys and three focus groups. Of the 360 surveys returned 54% failed to indicate whether they experienced a physical or mental health issue, resulting in the quantitative data being unusable. Focus group participants reported feeling safe during the group to disclose their health issue, but not prior, resulting from previous experiences with stigma. Mental health diagnoses still carry stigma. Participants reported a strong …

Computer Mediated Communication: Providing Pastoral Care To Youth In “A High Tech” World, Tanya L. Ramer

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study used a hermeneutical methodology to explore how Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) can be used to provide pastoral care to youth in a high tech world. The research was motivated by the writers desire to find ways to be in communication with youth and provide pastoral care to them during their adolescent years. The thesis will explore computer mediated communication and its usefulness in providing pastoral care to youth by exploring the benefits and limitations, how it can be abused, namely cyber bullying, how it can provide an opportunity for mentoring and a theological reflection on how it can …

Children's Bible Story Books In A Protestant Church Context, Louise Gilmour

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This work is an examination of children's bible story books, as found in eighteen Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and United churches in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. It briefly outlines the place of these books in the churches and closely examines a selection of the most frequently appearing and/or important children's bibles found. The thesis of this work is that these books are pulled, to varying degrees, between being "children's" and being "Bible" and that the "Bible" aspect of the books has been underappreciated in discussions of the books to date. 1149 individual children's bible story book titles were catalogued by both their …

The Making Of The Virgin: Mary In The 'Protevangelium Of James', Sherry Angela Smith

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The Protevangelium of James is an important early Christian text narrating the birth, childhood and adolescence of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This thesis explores Mary's transformation from a secondary New Testament figure into the embodiment of sacred purity. The image of Mary in the Protevangelium of James is different than other early Christian representations, emphasizing both purity and a recapitulation with Eve. As a means to better understand Mary's purity in the narrative, I explore the theories of three scholars: Jacob Neusner, Beverly Roberts Gaventa and Mary Douglas. I conclude that Douglas's theories make the most sense for comprehending …

Client Satisfaction And Goal Achievement: From A Client's View At Cambridge Interfaith Family Counselling Centre, Dawn Diane Yarker

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Qualitative interviews were conducted with eleven clients, former and active, at CIFCC (Cambridge Interfaith Family Counseling Centre) to understand how client satisfaction and goal achievement in therapy were related. Content analysis of the interviews revealed that satisfaction with the counsellor, especially rapport building, is the greatest contributory to client satisfaction. This observation is discussed for counselling practice.

The Welcoming Congregation Movement And The Experiences Of Lesbian Women In The Christian Church, Kathryn Lynn Dykeman

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This research project examines the church experiences of seventeen lesbian women who were participants in at least one of the following groups: Christian Lesbians Out (CLOUT), the Brethren and Mennonite Council for Gay and Lesbian Concerns (BMC), and Olive Branch Mennonite Church. This paper noted the existence of some literature about the experience of gay men, but little was found about the experiences of lesbian women. The paper focused on the ethic of radical inclusion and avoided discussions about sexual ethics. A primary premise of the paper is that a general consensus about a sexual ethnic about homosexuality is unlikely …

How Does A Female Clergy's Personal Experience Of Divorce Affect Her Religious Faith?, Darlene Verna Gidge

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

How does a female clergy's personal experience of divorce affect her religious faith? The female identity is based in relationship both divine and human. Though there is nothing written about female clergy and divorce, the literature on clergy and divorce is fairly extensive. Professional implications of clergy divorce, the uniqueness of clergy marriage and divorce, differing Protestant theological viewpoints, the need for support systems and personal divorce as resource for ministry. are all examined. To ascertain female clergy’s experience of divorce, an analysis of women and crisis, the differences between women and men including how each experiences the Divine, and …

Is Tolerance Enough? One Christian's Perspective, Mario Daniel Sassi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Tolerance is an ever-evolving discussion growing in complexity and importance. This paper will approach the topic from a personal perspective and a Christian bias. We begin with tolerance as seen in retrospect through the eyes of a boy growing up in a town where people of many different cultures lived and worked together. Many things came out of that experience including rudimentary working definition of tolerance and how it affected life in that small town. Tolerance is made up of certain characteristics and these either add or detract from the quality of life, it can make life more bearable in …

A Qualitative Study Of The Experience Of God By Palliative Care Patients In The Context Of Innocent Suffering, Colleen Patricia Lashmar

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This research project explores the experience of God and the discussion of God in the context of the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering of patients who are in palliative care. It first places suffering and the experience of God in the theological language of theodicy. It also places suffering and the experience of God in the language of Grace, utilizing Karl Rahner's definition of Grace as the self-gift of God to humanity. The nature of the suffering, in the words of Gustavo Gutierrez, is "innocent." The thesis probes the question of how palliative patients, as people who suffer innocently, talk …

The Odd Couple: A Developmental Perspective In Pastoral Relationship Dynamics, Paul Donald Scuse

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis looks at the complex nature of the relationship between the pastor of a congregation and the members of the parish. The relationship is first viewed from a number of different perspectives: self psychology, systems theory and object relations. Each perspective adds new insight to the nature of this many-sided relationship. These perspectives, however, look primarily at a static view of the relationship. A qualitative research study was conducted to investigate the following research question: D0 pastors and congregational members experience the pastor-parish relationship as developing over time? Fourteen pastors and nine parishioners were asked to comment on their …

A Question Of Integrity: A Theological Exercise In Relating Process Thought With Object Relations Psychology In Pastoral Counselling, Cindy Schnasa Jacobsen

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The role of identity for the pastoral counsellor is explored in its function in the development of professional identity. This thesis utilizes Object Relations Theory and Process Theology as conceptual foundations in articulating the unique process of the emerging professional identity of the pastoral counsellor. It is argued that, when grounded within selfobjects that embrace our theological training as pastors, we can as clinicians engage ourselves in the process of change. This thesis stresses that as pastoral counsellors acknowledge within themselves their important role as theologian in the room with clients, they join in the “aim of God” for change …

Never Call Them 'Jerks': An Approach To Responsible Pastoral Leadership In The Face Of Difficult Behaviour In The Congregation, Arthur Paul Boers

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Being a pastor demands responsible leadership in the face of difficult behaviour in the congregation. This thesis explores a pastor's responsible options in the face of adversarialism, a specialized problem of conflict management. Unfortunately, most literature that focuses on difficult behaviour relies on labelling. Thus this hermeneutical study considers literature on conflict management, family systems, leadership, pastoral care, pastoral terminations, and theology. This thesis takes a family systems approach, emphasizing that well-differentiated leaders are essential for organizational health. It proposes that by adopting a ‘research stance“ to problems and understanding why congregations and parishioners behave as they do, pastors increase …

The Search For Meaning In Grief: A Comparison Of Victor Frankl's Search For Meaning With Douglas Hall's Theology Of The Cross, And Their Implications For Grief Ministry, Byron Ross Gilmore

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This paper addresses the Search For Meaning in Grief by attempting to examine two theoretical perspectives: Victor Frankl's Search for Meaning and Douglas Hall's Theology of the Cross. These two models serve as paradigms for different polarities, in critically reflecting upon the grief experience. By exploring the psycho-therapeutic and theological issues raised by both Frankl and Hall, weaknesses and deficiencies in one are effectively addressed by the other, resulting in a more holistic model for grief ministry. I begin by exploring the perspective of Victor Frankl where such topics as the freedom of the will, the will to meaning, …

A Study Of Biblical Families From The Perspective Of Family Systems Therapy, Gunar John Kravalis

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study proposes that family systems therapy can prove useful in understanding Biblical families and thus add to our understanding of the Bible. Employing family systems therapy is appropriate because the Biblical narrative contains a comprehensive treatment of the human family. The Bible deals with family overall, many specific families as in the Jacob cycle, and ends with a vision of the family of God that exists already in the kingdom of heaven. Family systems theory is often useful to the pastor in understanding his/her own family, and the larger extended family of their church congregation. Thus, with new freshness …

The Emotional Appeal Of Television And Its Implications For Preaching, Michael John Rattee

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study analyzes the nature, messages, and methods of television communication through the rhetorical categories of 'ethos', 'logos', and 'pathos', to determine the implications for preaching today. Television's main goal is to attract the largest audience for advertisers, and uses messages and methods that appeal to emotion, so that people experience television more than they learn from it. Deductive 'logos' is virtually absent from television, and only messages that elevate 'pathos' and 'ethos' succeed on television. The environment, values, and perceptions of everyone have been altered by television. It is the major storyteller of the culture, and has redefined society's …

The Holocaust: A Catalyst For Theological Evolution As Exemplified By The Writing Of Dr. John T. Pawlikowski, O.S.M., David Joseph Levy

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Beginning with James Parkes and Jules Isaac, and continuing even until this day, extensive effort has been focused on the issue of Christian-Jewish relations. The Holocaust is a topic central to those reflections. This is due to the general acceptance of the thesis that, in some fashion, Christianity can be described as having contributed to the Holocaust. To appreciate that thesis one need only consider Hitler's own remarks, made at the 1933 Concordat Conference, "I am only continuing the work of the Catholic Church: to isolate the Jews and fight their influence." One outcome of the effort has been courageous …

Resources For The Church In The Prevention Of Suicide, Robert Ian Cuthbertson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This paper is an analysis of the history and signifcance of suicide in relation to the church and its mission to be "the salt of the earth". It will be an analysis of the types of suicide and its frequency in Canada. The paper will also review the resources, both literary and community, which are available for the minister. Interviews were conducted with ministers of various denominations, primarily in the Hamilton Region to determine the extent of their contact with suicidal situations. Possible reasons for the lack of interest on the part of the church in this issue are discussed. …

Women's Experience Of Cappe Review Committees: Lions' Den Or Circle Dance, Elizabeth Jean Bower

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In the past few decades women have been educated by the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education (CAPPE) in increasing numbers. This research looked at women's experience of the CAPPE Review Committee. Nine women who had experienced Review Committees at the Regional and/or National levels of CAPPE were interviewed. Inductive content analysis of the data indicated that women experienced Committees as generally competitive or collegial in their style of functioning. Although women were resourceful in responding to competitive Committees, they thrived both personally and professionally with collegial Committees. The implications for CAPPE are to examine the standards and criteria …