Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Kyiv Christianity In The Portraits Of Metropolitans: Artistic Language And Coding Of Identity In The 18th Century, Oleksandr Lukyanenko, Vitaly Dmytrenko, Vita Dmytrenko, Nazar Maistruk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to the analysis of the iconography of the Kiev metropolitans of the 18th century as a unique phenomenon of religious Ukrainian Baroque art. The portraits of the bishops are considered not only as representative images of spiritual power, but also as carriers of cultural codes that record a special type of “Kyiv Christianity” formed on the border of Eastern and Western civilizations. Special attention is paid to Baroque aesthetics – the splendor of the bishop’s vestments, the ornamentality, theatricality of the compositions and at the same time the psychological depth of the portrayed. The study shows …

The Judicial System Of Kazakh Beys In Central Asia: Shari'a And Customary Law, Dinmuhammad Smanov Kul, Alau Adilbayev, Rakhimov Abdukhalik, Yerzhan Kalmakhan

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This study examines the judicial practices of Kazakh beys in 18th–19th century Central Asia, emphasizing their application of Islamic fiqh alongside traditional Kazakh customary law (adat). In a decentralized and nomadic society, beys acted as hybrid legal authorities, integrating Shari’a principles – such as ‘adl (justice), maslaha (public interest), and ijtihad (independent reasoning) with local customs to resolve disputes over property, family matters, and blood feuds. Through historical-legal analysis of oral traditions, archival documents, and ethnographic accounts, the research demonstrates how beys preserved Islamic legal norms while adapting them to practical realities, creating a dynamic model of legal …

The Sacred Dimensions In Attitudes Toward Military Personnel During The War In Ukraine, Hnat Mierienkov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article analyzes the sacred dimensions of military burial during the war in Ukraine. It highlights the use of sacred symbolism, particularly the image of angels, associated with fallen defenders, living volunteers, and soldiers who support the army and civilians. The study examines the religious and mental aspects of war that compel Ukrainians to rely on divine protection in the struggle against a more powerful aggressor. It emphasizes that the sacralization of the fallen as guardian angels is a significant component of how Ukrainian society interprets the war. Additionally, the article explores the perception of the Russian-Ukrainian war as a …

"Caesaropapism" In The Religious And Political Struggle For The Restoration Of The Orthodox Church In The 20th And Early 21st Centuries: Parallels Between The Roc And The Ukrainian Church, Bohdan Synchak, Iryna Vakulova

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article characterizes the phenomenon of caesaropapism as a model of state governance in which the church and its structures are entirely dependent on secular authority. Within the context of the stated issue, the primary periods and contexts of the religious and political struggle for the restoration of the Orthodox Church in the 20th and early 21st centuries are identified. Parallels are drawn between the struggle for the legitimization of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC)'s fight for self-governance and independence from the Moscow Patriarchate. In the church-historical context, the article describes several declassified KGB …

The Ever-Present Nature Of Christ In The Title Of Jehovah, Dan Belnap

Faculty Publications

In January 2000 the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bore testimony to the world of the reality, humanity, and divinity of Jesus Christ in a document titled “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.” Among its many truths was the following: “He [Christ] was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament.”1 Though this was not the first time Church leadership had declared Christ to be Jehovah, the pronouncement does reemphasize this teaching. It also emphasizes the centrality of Christ in the Old Testament. In fact, the …

Oil And Wine: A Christian Reflection On The Sacred Oath, Faith Abraham

be Still

This essay explores the intersection of medicine, faith, and the deeper calling to heal. Reflecting on experiences at the Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) Conference, it examines the weight of the physician’s oath—not just as a professional obligation, but as a sacred commitment to justice, dignity, and human connection.

The Mythic Seeds Of Human Rights, Joshua Mackenzie Luna

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

In this thesis, I propose a causal relationship between ancient societies’ mythic corpuses and their law codes. I begin by presenting the histories and historiographies of ancient Israel and Mesopotamia to highlight important themes in their development. Then, I place their creation and flood myths side-by-side for comparison, yielding key differences in the way each group conceptualizes human form, value, and purpose. Once these key differences have been established, I compare each group’s set of slave laws to demonstrate how each law code remains philosophically consistent with its respective set of myths and diametrically opposed to the set from the …

Week 8: A New Set Of Clothes, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 4: The Family Expands, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 7: Follow The Leader, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 1: Overview Of Growing Up In Christ, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Mark 6:30-44, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Week 2: Our Origin Story, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Conectados Para Crescer: Um Modelo De Capacitação De Discipulado Em Rede Para Aspirantes Ao Ministério Pastoral Da Associação Pernambucana Central, Everon Dias Donato

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Central Pernambuco Conference (APeC), the regional headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) based in inland Pernambuco, Brazil, develops discipleship as one of its work programs through an organic network of leaders in small groups. -- However, pastoral ministry interns who join this region annually do not receive adequate training contextualized to the specific demands of the APeC discipleship network, which compromises the effectiveness of the initiative. -- Given this scenario, this study focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating a proposal for ministerial training that is contextualized to prepare pastoral ministry interns in the context of the discipleship …

An Urban Discipleship Model For Young Adults Of The New Jersey Conference Of Sda Churches, Carl Rodriguez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

The New Jersey Conference Young Adults Department presented three challenging areas to resolve before becoming a vibrant ministry: (1) a leadership succession pathway to train and develop state and area coordinators to plan regional and Conference-level events and initiatives; (2) training, nurturing, and discipling local church young adult leaders to discover their spiritual gifts while providing opportunities to serve; and (3) uniting the different young adult cultural groups to work together as a community of believers.

Method

A new urban approach was used to aid in changing the course of the Young Adults’ ministry for the New Jersey Conference. …

Seminar On Biblical Hermeneutics For The Leaders Of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In North Dallas, Texas, Evelio Miranda Páez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The district of McKinney, Lewisville, and Grand Prairie South in North Dallas, Texas, evidences a significant lack of training in biblical hermeneutics among its leaders. This deficiency limits their capacity to understand Scripture faithfully and to provide sound guidance for the congregations. The absence of hermeneutical competence is reflected in four main areas: ignorance of the basic principles of interpretation, lack of methodology for narrative texts, inadequate criteria for complex passages, and insufficient understanding of apocalyptic prophecy, which is central to Adventist identity. As a result, leaders struggle to apply consistent hermeneutical practices in both personal study and ecclesial …

Programa De Evangelismo A Través De Las Redes Sociales En Tucson, Arizona, Cesar Sanchez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Northwest Adventist Church (IAN) in Tucson, Arizona, faces challenges in maintaining a meaningful missional presence within the local community. Despite the growing importance of digital platforms as communication tools, the church has neither developed nor implemented a comprehensive evangelism program that utilizes social media, nor has it provided a training program in this area. This lack of a digital program may be limiting its capacity to attract new members and to increase its relevance in today’s world. Without an appropriate intervention, the church risks continuing to miss opportunities to fulfill its evangelistic mission effectively.

Method

This project employed …

Volunteering And Spiritual Practices: A Cross-Country Analysis In The Seventh-Day Adventist Context, Elbert Kuhn

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although the number of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) volunteers worldwide has increased dramatically, the Church continues to face challenges in engaging people, particularly young adults, in volunteer and mission projects on a global scale. While interest in volunteering is growing, especially in countries within the southern hemisphere, the percentage of participation remains disproportionately small in comparison to the global church membership. Given this disparity, there is a pressing need to research the impact of the volunteer experience on spiritual practices and discipline. Understanding how volunteering influences young adults’ spiritual growth is critical to developing strategies that can effectively engage more …

A Strategy To Address The Challenges Of Intergenerational Conflict In The Haitian Churches At The Southeastern Conference In Florida, Nicolas Louis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Haitian churches in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of Florida, are severely affected by intergenerational conflict, persisting between young people and adults who cannot get along. Churches affected by this misunderstanding are facing a loss of young people, particularly college-educated members and people with vocational skills. This conflict has touched entire congregations, decreasing growth numerically and financially. Between 2013 and 2018, there was a 60 percent decline in members with college degrees and vocational skills. This study analyzes this intergenerational conflict, which manifests in disagreements over leadership preferences and worship styles.

Method

To address this problem, I established a series …

Developing A Mentoring Model For Nurturing Worship Leaders In The Berrien Springs, Michigan Area, Jonathan Paul Rosengren

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Pastoral observation suggests that the use of worship leaders in the area of music is gaining prominence in Adventist churches today. However, because this is a relatively undefined ministry, worship leaders often lack spiritual preparedness and support for ministry in the local church.

Method

As a pastor I want to learn from worship leaders so I can help develop mentoring models that nurture their calling and ministry. The theological basis for nurturing worship leadership is based on a Seventh-day Adventist understanding of worship being central to the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14:6-7. In a practical sense, two theological stories …

Developing And Implementing A Course On Homiletics To Enhance The Preaching Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors In The Western Ontario Region, Laurentiu A. Prelipcian

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Pastors in the Western Ontario region are divinely entrusted with the responsibility of delivering contextually relevant sermons that foster spiritual growth and inspire transformation within their congregations. While these ministers are deeply committed to their calling and possess substantial theological training and pastoral experience, the continually evolving field of homiletics and the shifting expectations of contemporary audiences requires renewed engagement with current preaching methodologies. For many, formal instruction in homiletics iii occurred decades ago, and opportunities for sustained exposure to emerging current preaching strategies have been minimal or nonexistent. This project seeks to address this critical deficiency by designing …

Programa Para Fomentar Las Disciplinas Espirituales En La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día De Forest, Mississippi, Hugo Gomez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The absence of a program focused on fostering spiritual disciplines within the Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church of Forest, in the Meridian District, has led to limited awareness of the importance of essential practices such as prayer, Bible study, fasting, singing, and worship gatherings. As a result, the practice of these disciplines has been affected, thus missing out on valuable opportunities for spiritual growth and a deeper communion with God.

Method

This program, which falls under the field of applied theology, follows an “action research” design, as the director was not limited to observation but also participated as an active …

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 …

Teologia A Serviço Da Missão: Uma Análise Da Conexão Entre A Teologia E A Prática No Seminário De Teologia Do Unasp Campus Engenheiro Coelho, Evandro Carlos Favero

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This dissertation investigates the possible dichotomy between academic theology and pastoral practice, questioning whether there is, in fact, a separation between the role of the theologian and that of the pastor, as well as between the formative ideals of the seminary and ministerial reality. If such a division is confirmed, formal theological study could be considered secondary for the exercise of pastoral ministry. However, if theory and practice are understood as integrated and inseparable dimensions, theological training becomes essential for all who aspire to ministry, requiring training institutions to provide preparation that unites knowledge, vocation, and mission. -- Assuming …

Leading The Church Out Of White Supremacy And Toward Biblical Justice And Reconciliation: A Leadership Approach Using The Arc Model, Keenan Tyler

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Seventh-day Adventist church members need to be equipped to respond faithfully to injustice in their communities, beginning with an understanding as to how to respond to systemic racism rooted in White Supremacy.

Method

This Doctor of Ministry project implemented an adapted form of Jamar Tisby’s ARC model—Awareness, Relationships, Commitment—contextualized for a Seventh-day Adventist theological and ecclesial setting. The immediate goal was to move beyond raising awareness of racial injustice to equipping congregations to actively resist systemic racism and dismantle the lingering influence of white supremacy in church life and mission. Over six interactive sessions, 18 participants engaged in historical, …

Transforming Pathfinder Acculturation Gaps: Confronting Intergenerational Cultural Conflict Between First- And Second- Generation Immigrants With Family Strengthening Workshops Among Scottish Mission Pathfinders And Their Parents, Njabulo King Ndlovu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The immigrant population in the UK is rapidly increasing along with correlated increases in the membership of both the British Union Conference (BUC) and the Scottish Mission (SM) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Scottish Mission Pathfinder clubs (SMPCs) have many immigrant children. However, as immigrants’ home culture comes into continuous contact with the British culture, acculturation gaps between first- and second-generation immigrants tend to form naturally as a result of the differing pace with which these two generations acculturate. Adolescents are generally thought to adapt quicker. Parent-child miscommunication and disagreement on critical matters such as values, beliefs, and …

A Cross-Cultural And Inter-Ethnic Awareness Strategy For Members Of Ipswich, Colchester And Clacton Adventist Churches, Robin Johannes Lewis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The three multicultural, multi-ethnic (MCME) churches in my district were facing tension among members from diverse cultures, ethnicities, countries of origin, and languages. Factions formed cliques and vied for leadership roles, while some groups appeared to dominate the worship services. Certain members became upset when people with difficult accents from specific language groups led out in services and could not be understood. Others shared their distinctive foods only within their own groups. Some members felt isolated and believed they lacked a voice.

Method

Nine seminars and workshops were organised to raise awareness among the MCME congregants about the causes …

The Mordecai-Esther Mentorship Initiative: A Cross-Gender Mentorship Model For Commissioned Female Pastors In South Central Conference, Latina Carriger

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SCC), while male pastors receive formal mentorship through the ministerial internship program leading up to ordination, female pastors—who are only commissioned and not ordained—often experience a lack of continued mentorship beyond commissioning. This absence hinders their professional development, limits leadership opportunities, and contributes to feelings of isolation. The current mentorship framework does not adequately support the ongoing growth of female pastors in a context where ordination is not extended to women, thereby creating a gap in pastoral leadership development and equity.

Method

This project utilized a qualitative case study design to …

Estratégia De Discipulado Para Crescimento Com Retanção De Membros: Um Estudo De Caso Na Igreja Adventista Do Sétimo Dia De Vilas Do Atlântico, José Wilson Da Silva Barbosa

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since 2013, the Vilas do Atlântico Church has seen above–average growth compared to other churches in the Bahia Conference. However, at the same time, there has also been a significant attrition of members. This likely occurred because the local church lacked a discipleship strategy for growth and member retention. Although the evangelistic strategy produced significant results, it lacked a broader vision of discipleship as a process, both cognitively and relationally. Considering this, a discipleship strategy for growth and member retention was developed for this church, starting in 2022. This strategy sought to answer three questions. The first two refer …