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Articles 1681 - 1710 of 2338
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
A Legacy Of Millennials: Discovery Of A Leader Development Process For Family Church In North Carolina, Herman H. Walker Jr
A Legacy Of Millennials: Discovery Of A Leader Development Process For Family Church In North Carolina, Herman H. Walker Jr
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Millennial leadership development for church ministry is the key to reaching future generations with the gospel. Unfortunately, many critical scholars predict the ultimate demise of the church as they highlight an unprecedented exodus of millennials from its ranks. The purpose of this study is to challenge the misplaced focus on those who have left the church and refocus on the millennials who remain. The biblical record supports the view that God has repetitively used a remnant of leadership to rebuild his people when they were in decline. The millennials who actively attend church are a contemporary remnant whom God can …
Improving Adoptive Mergers At River Community Church, Gavin Roger Adams
Improving Adoptive Mergers At River Community Church, Gavin Roger Adams
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis project cross compared the adoptive mergers of River Community Church (RCC) to identify the methodologies and strategies that created one successful campus via adoptive merger and a subsequent unsuccessful campus. Empirical analysis quantified the gap in success between RCC Chesterfield and RCC Fairway. Qualitative research provided the thematic points of differentiation in RCC’s adoptive merger implementations. The thematic findings detailed a potential revitalization plan for RCC Fairway, a common structure for future RCC adoptive merger considerations, and insight for churches contemplating adoptive merger pursuits.
The Sent Life: Discovering The Mission Of God And The Christian's Place In It, Cliff Roberts Jordan
The Sent Life: Discovering The Mission Of God And The Christian's Place In It, Cliff Roberts Jordan
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The church in the West today has separated something that was never intended to be divided. This critical error impacts the very core of who a Christian is which informs and empowers what a Christian does. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you,” and in doing so He designated all Christians as “sent ones.” This means living on mission as a sent one is not reserved for a special class of Christians, but is the very calling of all Christians. Since that is true, all Christians need to understand and be equipped for the mission …
Surviving A Divorce With An Intact Faith: A Strategy For Ministering To Those Experiencing Divorce In The Church, Brandon Paul Wells
Surviving A Divorce With An Intact Faith: A Strategy For Ministering To Those Experiencing Divorce In The Church, Brandon Paul Wells
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Effectively ministering to divorcees is a unique aspect of church leadership. The majority of church leaders have never experienced divorce, so the unique problems that divorce presents are not familiar to them. The purpose of this D. Min Thesis Project is to investigate those problems and develop strategies that will allow church leaders to minister to divorcees effectively. This will be accomplished using questionnaires and interviews where difficult questions are asked to divorcees, and honest answers are revealed. Church leaders will also be interviewed about their positions on divorce and their responses compared to those given by divorcees in order …
An Evaluation Of The “40 Days Of Prayer For Church Revitalization” As An Instrument For Initiating A Revitalization Process At First Baptist Church, Pikeville, Ky, John Anthony Lucas
An Evaluation Of The “40 Days Of Prayer For Church Revitalization” As An Instrument For Initiating A Revitalization Process At First Baptist Church, Pikeville, Ky, John Anthony Lucas
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The current lack of health found in many churches across the United States requires the development of prayer strategies that will propel local churches toward a renewed passion for the gospel through revitalization. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of the “40 Days of Prayer for Church Revitalization” devotional guide, a resource developed by the Church Consulting and Revitalization Team of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, when utilized in local Churches. By using quantitative surveys in three Kentucky Baptist churches that utilized the “40 Days of Prayer” resource as well as qualitative interviews with those church’s pastors …
Establishing Christ Community Church As A Sent Community: Initiating Spiritual Conversation With Confidence, Relevance, And Conviction, William Leland Burch Ii
Establishing Christ Community Church As A Sent Community: Initiating Spiritual Conversation With Confidence, Relevance, And Conviction, William Leland Burch Ii
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The problem is that Christ Community Church does not see itself as a ‘sent community.’ A ‘sent community’ is one where purpose and forward movement in Kingdom work is embraced. A church must seek to involve itself in the community, delve into the needs, and speak to the emptiness with the Gospel of Jesus. The purpose of this project is to establish Christ Community Church as a ‘sent community’ by offering a sustentative engagement program which will: 1) describe the mission of Jesus; 2) assess the culture in which the church is situated; 3) answer six frequently asked theological questions; …
Prosperity Gospel In Liberia: A Theological Alternative To The Gospel Of Jesus Christ, Jerome A. Newman
Prosperity Gospel In Liberia: A Theological Alternative To The Gospel Of Jesus Christ, Jerome A. Newman
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many indigenous Liberian pastors are not theologically grounded on a solid biblical foundation. As such, many Liberian Christians lack foundational knowledge of the truths of the Gospel of Christ for salvation. The prosperity gospel or “Faith, Wealth, and Health” theology in Liberia is a significant deviation from the Gospel of Christ that undermines sound hermeneutical interpretation of Scripture. This study examines why a growing number of pastors in Liberia are replacing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the prosperity gospel. An anonymous survey research study of 12 pastors from Unity Light Ministry Network (Unity Community Church) in Kakata, Liberia, West …
Preaching And Teaching: An Integrative Evaluative Approach To Christian Practices At Fil-Am Sda Church, Ernst Jacques
Preaching And Teaching: An Integrative Evaluative Approach To Christian Practices At Fil-Am Sda Church, Ernst Jacques
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In this thesis, biblical expository preaching is defined as the exegetical method that brings out the theological nuances of a narrative biblical passage in relation to content and context. Biblical expository preaching in the USA is facing a significant theological challenge as churches are becoming culturally diverse. Research has shown that theological understanding plays a great role in Christian spiritual formation; it has also shown that believers are generally more receptive to sermons that are contextualized. This thesis project aims to determine how biblical expository preaching can make sense to believers and spur them on to spiritual maturity in a …
A Mixed Methods Study Concerning Biblical Worldview Formation In Children And Adolescents Through Informal Learning By Parents And/Or Guardians, Joan Ellen Appleton
A Mixed Methods Study Concerning Biblical Worldview Formation In Children And Adolescents Through Informal Learning By Parents And/Or Guardians, Joan Ellen Appleton
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Children and adolescents need spiritual nurturing and teaching to instill biblical worldview and to make possible the development of lifelong spiritual formation. Informal learning as an educational format is foundational to and provides an avenue by which to impart early biblical worldview formation for children and adolescents. The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to examine and explore the knowledge and behaviors of informal learning of the study participants (parents and/or legal guardians) in five U.S. Southeast states to determine the relationship between informal learning and outcomes of biblical worldview formation in children and adolescents. The mixed …
Archaeology And Biblical Inspiration, Garry Leo Hill
Archaeology And Biblical Inspiration, Garry Leo Hill
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The thesis project topic is on Inspiration and Bible Archaeology. The project's main reason is a perceived lack of confidence in the Bible’s stories being real. The project addresses this worldview, which causes this belief to influence our church members. The study includes an explanation of the post-modern world view concerning the certainty of historical events. A Biblical viewpoint is addressed, and the relationship with this to Bible inspiration is explored. A survey is given to individual members of the congregation, which gives questions concerning these issues. Two interventions are then presented, one in which the debates concerning the United …
Biblical Warrior Integration Connecting Veterans And Civilians In Oakland Baptist Church, Alva Ray Bennett
Biblical Warrior Integration Connecting Veterans And Civilians In Oakland Baptist Church, Alva Ray Bennett
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
As a small, less than a 150-member church, located close to Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, Oakland Baptist Church struggles to fully integrate veterans and civilians within the congregational setting. The author studied biblical postwar rituals and used them to design the Biblical Warrior Integration model to enhance the relational connectivity between veterans and civilians. It was congregation-based and relationship-focused. It helped to heal misunderstandings and neglect between veterans and civilians. Also, it was biblically based and reflected a modern application of biblical postwar rituals identified within the biblical text. Thirty of the 150 members of Oakland Baptist Church …
Healing Through Preaching: Recovery For Red Oaks Baptist Church, Darin Scott Wilt
Healing Through Preaching: Recovery For Red Oaks Baptist Church, Darin Scott Wilt
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this Doctor of Ministry thesis, Healing Through Preaching: Recovery for Red Oaks Baptist Church, is to address the need for healing Red Oaks Baptist Church’s members through a coordinated preaching and counseling ministry. Research shows there is a lack of information available on how to preach to a church after a traumatic event such as a church split or revitalization effort. The literature available addresses church problems that may have led a specific situation but does not help the pastor use the preaching of scripture to lead the church in recovery and to use God’s word to …
Freemasonry And Evangelical Christianity: Are They Compatible?, John Carl Mozingo
Freemasonry And Evangelical Christianity: Are They Compatible?, John Carl Mozingo
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Since 1717 there has been a formalized organization known as the Freemasons. Currently, there are over six-million members worldwide, with over 18% of those members residing in the United States. The Freemasons have been controversial since their inception due to their secret nature. There are claims that the organization is anti-Christian as well as claims that support its compatibility with the church, indicating that there are Freemasons on the rolls of our Evangelical Churches. Therefore, using observation and participant research as well as secondary data analysis and archival study, this paper will seek to determine if Freemasonry is compatible with …
The Decline Of Ministry Participation And Leadership Amid Black Males In The Worthington Missionary Baptist Church In Houston, Texas, Joseph Ray Davis
The Decline Of Ministry Participation And Leadership Amid Black Males In The Worthington Missionary Baptist Church In Houston, Texas, Joseph Ray Davis
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This DMin thesis project sought to address the decline of male participation in ministry leadership at the Worthington Missionary Baptist Church (WMBC) in Houston, Texas. Not only are males absent from many church congregations, but those that do attend church services tend to be seemingly content with the female populace leading an abundance of church ministries. This research study accessed rationales prompting male withdrawal and then ascertained how to restore balance to the initial design of God at WMBC. Assessment tools of questionnaires, surveys, and one-on-one interviews were utilized to gain insights from 10 WMBC males between the ages of …
A Model For Pastoral Care And Shepherding Of A Mid-Sized Growing Church, Willis Dean Wainwright
A Model For Pastoral Care And Shepherding Of A Mid-Sized Growing Church, Willis Dean Wainwright
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study addresses the challenges related to the caregiving ministry of Mountain View Community Church located in Temecula, California. This revitalized Church has grown from 50 attendees in 2004 to over 2000 by 2010. The growth has led to many challenges, including the development of a ministry strategy that will meet the needs of the congregation. The leadership team sought to answer the question of an appropriate ministry strategy through examining scriptures, reviewing the history of ministry, and evaluating current models of caregiving used in large Baptist churches. Additionally, a survey of pastoral care methodology employed in large Baptist churches …
The Role And Function Of A Hospital Chaplain In An Interdisciplinary Team, Joseph Richard Jeffries
The Role And Function Of A Hospital Chaplain In An Interdisciplinary Team, Joseph Richard Jeffries
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Healthcare workers provide quality of care to patients who enter the hospital. However, to provide the holistic care, patients need interdisciplinary teams who meet and collaborate on a plan of care. There are various skills sets required on an interdisciplinary team including chaplains. However, members of an interdisciplinary team do not necessarily understand how to utilize the chaplain’s multifaceted training for the best holistic care of the patient. The purpose of this study is to review the interdisciplinary team in the hospital context and address the understanding of the chaplain’s role and function. The study will utilize a qualitative research …
An Experience, A Story And A Song: An Investigation Of How Using Biblical Parables Can Aid As A Method In The Creative Process Of Songwriting And Self Efficacy, Willie James Stroud Iii
An Experience, A Story And A Song: An Investigation Of How Using Biblical Parables Can Aid As A Method In The Creative Process Of Songwriting And Self Efficacy, Willie James Stroud Iii
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Psalm 96:1 declares, "O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord all the earth." In essence, of this scripture, there is a need for the worship leader to return to this unique command. The church can be the creator of not only worship songs but also worship songs that are rich in theology. The interest for worship leaders and their staff to write their songs, operating in the role of a musical artist, is becoming more of a sought-after asset to produce a freshness on the worship platforms. Parables are stories used to capture the imagination …
A House Mended: Hope For Christians Who Are Married To Or Cohabitate With Unsaved Spouses/Partners, Angela Marie Houchins
A House Mended: Hope For Christians Who Are Married To Or Cohabitate With Unsaved Spouses/Partners, Angela Marie Houchins
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Some Christians face unique challenges within the context of their marriages and cohabitating relationships because their spouses or partners are unsaved. This unequally yoked spiritual dynamic may negatively impact not only their marital/cohabitating relationships, but also their Christian spiritual growth and maturity. Many of these Christians are unsure about what the Bible advises about their situation. Unfortunately, many churches do not have programming to support this Christian demographic. This thesis project, through a qualitative, phenomenological research framework, will seek to understand, interpret, and describe the experiences these individuals contend with as a result of their unequally yoked marital/cohabitating way of …
The Public Reading Of Scripture As Integral For Biblical Development, Raymond David Campbell
The Public Reading Of Scripture As Integral For Biblical Development, Raymond David Campbell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this Doctor of Ministry project is to show the impact the public reading of Scripture in worship has on spiritually developing the people of God, and by further showing whether public Scripture reading will enhance biblical literacy, spiritual development and a change of perception relating to Scripture’s role in worship. Despite the surge of worship practices in the contemporary evangelical church designed to attract people to the worship service, and practices which seek to develop spiritual growth, the actual biblical mandated practice of the public reading of Scripture as one method for developing individuals is negligible in …
Information To Transformation: The Implementation And Effects Of Sermon-Aligned Daily Bible Study On Spiritual Growth, Stephen J. Kimpel
Information To Transformation: The Implementation And Effects Of Sermon-Aligned Daily Bible Study On Spiritual Growth, Stephen J. Kimpel
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
What would occur if the biblical text that was preached in a weekend sermon was not relegated to a singular communication of information? What would change if the life of the sermon was extended through the practice of daily, scriptural study? What growth could we expect from an individual who is involved in daily Scripture that is not only integrated in the community of faith, but also aligned with the weekend sermon? It is precisely from questions such as these, that this thesis was formed. The purpose of this project was to study the implementation and effects of Sermon-Aligned Daily …
Predicting And Preventing Inactive Members, James David Barrett
Predicting And Preventing Inactive Members, James David Barrett
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Most churches have many members classified as inactive. The purpose of this project is to discover if there are any common characteristics among those who have become inactive that can be used to identify and prevent others from becoming inactive members. Based on surveys and questionnaires sent to pastors, active, and inactive members from several churches in the Cabarrus Baptist Association, the project seeks to identify patterns among members who have become inactive. It then reviews the information to propose strategies to identify possible methods for preventing members from becoming inactive in the future.
The Utilization Of The Internet In The Advancement Of Discipleship In The Traditional Black Church, Marshall Williams
The Utilization Of The Internet In The Advancement Of Discipleship In The Traditional Black Church, Marshall Williams
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Discipleship and technology are interrelated. Discipleship is the process of maturing in Christ through our actions, life, and words, as well as how we present ourselves to the world. This must become integral to the vitality and mission of the traditional Black Church. Technology is a resource that can assist the traditional Black Church to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20. This thesis premise is supported by applied research (survey findings from pastoral leaders within the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia), academic research (scholarly material from experts in the fields of theology, sociology, statistics, and church growth), and …
Effective Church Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence, Joshua T. Lancaster
Effective Church Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence, Joshua T. Lancaster
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In On Leadership, John Gardner wrote, “Most of what leaders have that enables them to lead is learned.” Effective leadership skills can be learned and become habits. In Primal Leadership, Daniel Goleman wrote, “Not only can emotional intelligence be learned, but it also can be retained over the long term.” Southern Baptist congregants expect their pastors to be theologians, but also effective leaders. The emotional quotient barrier suggests that pastoral leadership is less effective because of behaviors such as inconsistent management of emotions, inability to genuinely connect with people, or leading without inspiration. This has led to stagnated or declining …
An Approach To Teaching Christian Apologetics To The Believers In The Local Church, Reba Renorder Gore
An Approach To Teaching Christian Apologetics To The Believers In The Local Church, Reba Renorder Gore
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This research project is an academic research on apologetics, which will be taught in the in the future in local church. Many people in the Christian community may be attending the local church and living in their community that may not clearly understand apologetics. As followers of Christ, in the Christian community and the local church, can everyone defend the Faith and feel comfortable? In the Old and New Testament, God has given His road map for man. He came, lived, was buried, and resurrected for all humankind that would accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior. As Christians, …
Self-Efficacy Among Christian Educators, Jonathan Blake Tolbert
Self-Efficacy Among Christian Educators, Jonathan Blake Tolbert
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Christian educators often lack specialized training in message delivery which leads to a lower self-efficacy. Christian educators devote their lives to fulfillment of the Great Commission; it is the job of the church universal to provide resources and support that equip the saints to boldly share the Gospel with great confidence. When self-efficacy is low, confidence is low. Theological foundations are often strong and well-developed by the local church. The practical aspect of preaching, meaning delivery, is an area that is underrepresented in academic research. This project presents specialized training in message delivery as a catalyst for improving self-efficacy. The …
The Hmong Spiritual Formation From Animism To Christianity, Lang Yang
The Hmong Spiritual Formation From Animism To Christianity, Lang Yang
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The research project is on the Hmong religion. Hmong people believe in a faith called "Animism – the way of the spirit," which is a created religion that they practiced and passed down from generation to generation. The Hmong like to live in the past and do not want to change their customs, traditions, and cultural practices that their ancestors practiced for centuries. They put all their hope in their dead ancestors' spirits to guide them until a new religion appeared to them, and it is called "the Christian faith." The Christian faith brings new hope to the Hmong people, …
From Ideology To Implementation: Moving One Church Staff From An Aspirational Mindset Of Developing Leaders To An Actionable Movement Of Leadership Development, Trevor Blake Hislop
From Ideology To Implementation: Moving One Church Staff From An Aspirational Mindset Of Developing Leaders To An Actionable Movement Of Leadership Development, Trevor Blake Hislop
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
According to a recent article on “The Paradox of Leadership” from Harvard University, there are more than 15,000 books in print on the topic of leadership, and the number of works written about leadership in the past decade is greater than the total number of works ever written. So, if leadership is so highly valued in our culture today, then why is there a decline in leadership development in the church? Additionally, there are a growing number of churches that have detailed programs for leadership development; however, few churches are producing new leaders. Church at Viera in Viera, Florida, embraces …
The Effective Bi-Vocational Pastor, Cory A. Macneil
The Effective Bi-Vocational Pastor, Cory A. Macneil
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Pastors fill an important role as they lead churches to fulfill the Great Commission. This is especially challenging for bi-vocational pastors who have jobs outside of ministry. Meanwhile, some church members view the bi-vocational pastor as the paid professional and misunderstand their role as members/ministers. The original design of God is for pastors and members to be disciples who make disciples according to 2 Timothy 2:2. The purpose of this project is to help bi-vocational pastors in the Northeast strategically equip their people to become effective members, ministers, and missionaries who realize the significance of being disciples who make disciples. …
The Intergenerational Worship Model: Youth-Specific Benefits, James Alan Lott
The Intergenerational Worship Model: Youth-Specific Benefits, James Alan Lott
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
King David declared that one generation should proclaim the goodness of the Lord to another, yet what David writes of cannot take place in an age-segregated setting. Multiple generations must be present. Much progress has been made regarding the church’s acknowledgment of the significance of an intergenerational worship (IGW) model. Though each generation is precious to God and created in His image, IGW holds considerable benefits for churched youth, as it is one of the few places in society where youth can intentionally connect with older generations. Despite the importance of youth engagement in IGW, there is a limited amount …
Catechesis: Returning To A Deeper Teaching That Produces Transformed Disciples For Christ, Jeremy T. Conn
Catechesis: Returning To A Deeper Teaching That Produces Transformed Disciples For Christ, Jeremy T. Conn
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This Thesis Project addresses the lack of commitment found in many new and young believers today by providing a catechesis that engages individuals emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and experientially. After a thorough review of many biblical, historical and contemporary approaches to religious teaching, this study developed an intervention plan that merged five essential elements: (1) A culture that emphasizes the importance of baptism; (2) Adequate time to instill spiritual habits; (3) The utilization of multiple volunteers; (4) The incorporation of experiential learning; and (5) Content that encompasses both theology and discipleship. Qualitative research was conducted through the interviews of fourteen participants …