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Articles 1711 - 1740 of 2338
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Exploring The Perceived Impact Of Retired Senior Pastors On The Ministry Of Evangelical Churches Of America, Frank France Delange
Exploring The Perceived Impact Of Retired Senior Pastors On The Ministry Of Evangelical Churches Of America, Frank France Delange
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of retired senior pastors’ (RSPs) involvement in ministry following retirement. The study sought to understanding the perceived impact of RSPs on the ministry of American evangelical Protestant church of RSPs after retirement. The rationale behind the research was the phenomenon that a significant portion of the cohort of retired senior pastors continue to serve in ministry after they have retired. The study heard and analyzed first-hand data from RSPs who had lived experience in ministry after leaving the local church they led and RSPs who had lived experience …
The Impact Of A Lectio Divina Bible Reading Methodology In The Lives Of A Sample Of Congregants At Crestview Baptist Church, Robert Milton Stephens
The Impact Of A Lectio Divina Bible Reading Methodology In The Lives Of A Sample Of Congregants At Crestview Baptist Church, Robert Milton Stephens
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Consistent Bible engagement is an indispensable spiritual discipline in the life of growing Christians. Many who profess they are Christian will also unashamedly state that they are too busy or have no time to read the Bible at all. Pastors who take upon the mantle of leadership within the local church must seek ways to be intentional about mobilizing their congregations to engage with Scripture in order to address this alarming trend. This thesis project desires to offer the local church a practical suggestion for getting their congregation to engage with the Bible in addition to times of corporate gathering. …
A Curriculum For Developing A Biblical Worldview In Students Attending Central Africa Baptist University, Timothy D. Murdoch
A Curriculum For Developing A Biblical Worldview In Students Attending Central Africa Baptist University, Timothy D. Murdoch
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The problem posed in this thesis project is a segment of the students at Central Africa Baptist University are not exhibiting a worldview change in their lives and ministry after graduation. The purpose of this study is to develop, implement, and test the validity of teaching the core Bible courses using a chronological metanarrative method of instruction to develop a biblical worldview in the students enrolled in Central Africa Baptist University (CABU) in Kitwe, Zambia. The study was conducted on the campus of (CABU), and used the secondary data derived from a worldview questionnaire developed and implemented by CABU. The …
Beautiful Feet: Infusing Liturgical Dance And Discipleship, Ariesha Wilbert Murray
Beautiful Feet: Infusing Liturgical Dance And Discipleship, Ariesha Wilbert Murray
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Liturgical dance, when combined with other biblical elements in addition to worship, can revolutionize the life of a disciple. This mixed-method study explores the infusion of liturgical dance and discipleship as another method that can be used to help disciples better understand the scriptures used in the pastor’s message on fulfilling the Great Commission. While discipleship was previously the church’s primary focus, it has slowly fallen to the wayside, whereas disciples are not being made or taught how to make disciples of all nations. This research uses a focus group with the members of a local ministry to demonstrate whether …
Spiritual Disciplines For Men In A Medium-Sized Church, Scott Lowry Willis
Spiritual Disciplines For Men In A Medium-Sized Church, Scott Lowry Willis
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The problem is that the men of Freedom Fellowship Church in Canyon, Texas, do not have adequate training in the spiritual disciplines. Training in the spiritual disciplines would offer to the men in the church the proper leadership instruction that would give them the tools necessary to accomplish this goal. If the men of the church receive instruction in the spiritual disciplines, they will be able to utilize them in their daily lives. The men will, in turn, be able to use the spiritual disciplines in leadership positions in the church with confidence in being able to increase the spiritual …
Prayerlessness: Using Expository Sermons To Change The Way Believer's Pray, Joshua Kenton Smith
Prayerlessness: Using Expository Sermons To Change The Way Believer's Pray, Joshua Kenton Smith
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In America, the church is operating with less supernatural power than it once did or currently does in other parts of the world, especially as it relates to those like East Barbourville Baptist Church who belong to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). For example, the Annual Church Profile data of the SBC for the 2018 year reveals that its overall membership has reached a thirty-year low. Likewise, the data reveals a decline in baptisms for the tenth year in a row. Yet, the church has access to more ministry tools and better training than any previous generation, so what is …
Experiencing God: Engaging Elementary-Aged Children In Corporate Worship, Laura Rushing Hancock
Experiencing God: Engaging Elementary-Aged Children In Corporate Worship, Laura Rushing Hancock
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The engagement of children in meaningful worship has been neglected, despite the investment of modern churches in essential safety protocols and digital media in children’s ministry. The twenty-first-century consumerist mindset is driving worship design, essentially undermining the worship leader’s role as the shepherd of a child-centered and Christ-focused approach. Many churches are neglecting the biblical instruction to cast vision and express value for children’s corporate worship. A sense of awe and wonder is notably absent in many corporate services designed for children. Drawing upon biblical principles, educational theory, and corporate worship practices throughout history, this qualitative historical study seeks to …
Dynamics Of Youth Engagement In The Local Church, Jacqueline C. Hanna
Dynamics Of Youth Engagement In The Local Church, Jacqueline C. Hanna
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
According to many biblical accounts, children were included in worship experiences. Despite the efforts of many churches to engage, attract, and retain youth, there is still a lack of youth participation, involvement, and interest in the local church. This not only affects youth, but also the church. Unengaged youth do not have the opportunity to become future leaders of the church. In turn, churches will experience a void in future leadership and will be prohibited from flourishing. This qualitative historical study examined reasons for youth disengagement in an effort to find strategies for effective retention and engagement to benefit youth …
The Rise Of Corporate Individualism In Twenty-First Century Worship, Russell Allen Robbins
The Rise Of Corporate Individualism In Twenty-First Century Worship, Russell Allen Robbins
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Western society has experienced a monumental paradigm shift which has influenced the way in which the church worships in the twenty-first century. Postmodernism has led to an increasingly self-focused individualism in corporate worship which overvalues personal experience and undervalues the communal aspect of corporate worship. Despite much discussion concerning postmodern generations, the influence of postmodern thought upon the rise of corporate individualism in worship has yet to be examined. The purpose of this qualitative, historical study is to examine the factors that have led to the rise of corporate individualism in worship, the indications of corporate individualism in worship, and …
The Old Testament Precedent For The Role Of The Worship Leading Choir, Justin Alan Mclaughlin
The Old Testament Precedent For The Role Of The Worship Leading Choir, Justin Alan Mclaughlin
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
God designed mankind to find fulfillment through worship of him in corporate praise and worship. Detailed plans for corporate worship are outlined in the Old Testament Pentateuch, Books of History and Kingdom Books, especially as related to guidelines for worship in the Tabernacle and Temple. Despite the many biblical examples of the importance of corporate singing and the use of choir in worship, many contemporary evangelical congregations are finding just reason to abandon the use of choirs in any strategic role in facilitating or leading of worship. Thus, establishing the need to discover, determine and articulate the biblical role choir …
Combatting Secular Humanism: Creating A Strategy To Teach Theology And Apologetics To High School Students, Chad J. Brown
Combatting Secular Humanism: Creating A Strategy To Teach Theology And Apologetics To High School Students, Chad J. Brown
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In today’s society, there are more distractions than ever before. Students graduate from high school and often face worldview attacks from their professors. Many times, students do not have a solid enough understanding of a biblical worldview to respond confidently. The postmodern culture has created a gap between student’s emotional need and the intellectual need for a solid biblical foundation. Secular humanism has become a dominating worldview in our culture, and this project will formulate a strategy to teach theology and apologetics to high school students to combat secular humanism. Discipleship is training of a person’s mental, emotional, and spiritual …
A Strategy For Conducting Evangelism And Discipleship With The Unchurched In The Cane Bay Plantation Residential Development’S Restricted Communities In Summerville, Sc, John Paul Tornifolio
A Strategy For Conducting Evangelism And Discipleship With The Unchurched In The Cane Bay Plantation Residential Development’S Restricted Communities In Summerville, Sc, John Paul Tornifolio
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The late Twentieth and early Twenty-first Centuries witnessed an unprecedented rise in the numbers of families moving into restricted, residential communities, seeking security, an improved quality of life, and high property values. These communities hinder traditional churches from fulfilling the Great Commission. Homeowners’ associations disallow door-to-door neighborhood evangelism. Zoning laws prevent churches from erecting buildings for church services and discipleship programs. This research studies the effectiveness of small group ministries, using non-traditional evangelism and discipleship methods, as a counter measure to these hindrances. The study results found small groups are an effective method of fulfilling the Great Commission in restricted, …
Recognizing And Overcoming The Problem Of Individualism In A Local Church, Michael John Jackson
Recognizing And Overcoming The Problem Of Individualism In A Local Church, Michael John Jackson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Individualism, the concept that a person’s own thoughts and interests are ethically paramount over any governmental system, can be a problem in a church, especially a small church where changes in numbers can directly affect the church’s ability to carry out its vision and mission. This project will look at a rural Illinois church to show how it handles the problem of individualism, specifically in its leaders, by emphasizing the biblical concepts of the body of Christ and the family of God. The project will include an interview with a Bible college president who has researched church leadership to talk …
A Biblical System For Growth In Traditional Churches Through Evangelism And Discipleship, Marcus Denton Floyd
A Biblical System For Growth In Traditional Churches Through Evangelism And Discipleship, Marcus Denton Floyd
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The prominence of self-centered philosophies in today’s culture has infiltrated the minds of contemporary believers and has produced a difficult context for urban traditional churches to function in because many parishioners are gravitating away from churches that faithfully proclaim the selfless nature of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. The thesis project will contend that the erosion of truth can be opposed through a systematic process that underscores biblical concepts, which have been proven to be effective. Additionally, the thesis will demonstrate the importance of churches being spiritually healthy to gain and retain members by interacting with the scriptural mandate …
The Influence Of Charismatic Worship Forms In The Local Evangelical Church In The 21st Century In The United States, Kyle Edward Grizzard
The Influence Of Charismatic Worship Forms In The Local Evangelical Church In The 21st Century In The United States, Kyle Edward Grizzard
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite a continued desire to understand the direction of worship liturgy in the American evangelical church culture, many scholars are unable to identify the influence of charismatic worship forms in various evangelical churches in the United States. This research is important for understanding the future of worship in the local evangelical church in America and will aid in determining the theology, liturgy, and philosophy of worship and its practices. Guided by scholars of worship in both charismatic and traditional evangelical worship cultures, this qualitative historical research study provides insight to the worship culture in current evangelical worship. Perspectives on behavior, …
Evaluating Critical Dysfunction Of Leadership In The Church: Motivating The Church To Growth, Frank Graham Iii
Evaluating Critical Dysfunction Of Leadership In The Church: Motivating The Church To Growth, Frank Graham Iii
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this study is to examine the decline in church membership. Leaders in the church are not addressing the issue of why people are not staying once they join the church, or why are the ones that have been there for a while leaving the church. It seems like our leadership department is out of zinc. There is far too much confusion between each other. Leaders are not focusing on the initial issue of the church, instead they are fighting amongst one another. I think that it may be beneficial if leaders would take a profile assessment about …
The Jewish Origins Of The Ordinances Of Christianity: Worship Within Baptism And The Lord's Supper, John Edward Ross
The Jewish Origins Of The Ordinances Of Christianity: Worship Within Baptism And The Lord's Supper, John Edward Ross
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The modern evangelical denominations have worship services that include many forms of worship and functions to bring the worshiper into communion with the living God as a disciple of Christ. These worship forms include the two ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Generations of denominational congregants have participated in these ordinances with little knowledge of the origin of these two rites. This qualitative historical study focuses on the roots of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper formed within Christianity during the early church years. Using research from Christian and Messianic Jewish scholars along with Jewish sources, this …
The Acts Model Designed To Make Disciples, Phillip Harold Stevens
The Acts Model Designed To Make Disciples, Phillip Harold Stevens
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Churches are in decline. Every relevant statistic reveals the church has a major problem, and if it is to continue to survive it must make changes. The church is not evangelizing, not making disciples, and not making an impact in our communities. Every year it is estimated that over 4,000 churches close each year. The organism founded by Jesus is being overcome. Winfall Baptist Church, located in Gladys, VA, was arguably a church on the decline. Members of the Winfall community believed the church building would one day end up becoming a hay barn. Based on Scripture, surveys of current …
A Field Theory Guided Quantitative Study Into Environmental Forces Impacting Christian Leadership And Instrument Development, Leonard Scott Momeny
A Field Theory Guided Quantitative Study Into Environmental Forces Impacting Christian Leadership And Instrument Development, Leonard Scott Momeny
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this descriptive quantitative study was to determine and then evaluate perceptions of Christian seminary students with recent ministry related leadership experience on the environmental factors and forces, both internal and external, that either enable or constrain the efforts of the modern Christian leader. Christian leadership study, much like general leadership study tends to focus directly upon the leader, thus ignoring the potential impact of environmental variables upon resultant leadership. For this knowledge gap to be properly investigated a new instrument, based upon work by Dr. David Dockery, was developed, refined, and utilized to investigate the perception of …
Pastoral Stress: The Urgent Need For Self-Care, Remiel Lockwood
Pastoral Stress: The Urgent Need For Self-Care, Remiel Lockwood
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Pastors are called to the ministry of helps while also needing help. The care and counseling they offer others can also be beneficial to them. Unfortunately, they are often so busy helping others they may neglect themselves and their families. Consequently, what is meant to be a blessing becomes a curse. Pastors often suffer with the silent frustrations of their call, personal temptations, family pressures and career desires while struggling to hold it together. The pastor may be limited in who can be entrusted with the deep concerns of their hearts. Everybody needs someone they can talk with and the …
Resolving The Issue Of The Exodus Of The Second Generation Of Haitian Americans In Naples Haitian Church Of God, Frantz Elijah Machoule
Resolving The Issue Of The Exodus Of The Second Generation Of Haitian Americans In Naples Haitian Church Of God, Frantz Elijah Machoule
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The thesis project was an examination of how the Haitian evangelical churches in Southwest Florida, specifically, Naples Haitian Church of God (NHCG), which have been operated for decades under the first generation, where the second generation of Haitian American has yet to experience change. The project addressed the components of that cultural gap that kept the church in a state of redundancy and, therefore, constituted an impediment to its growth. This examination conducted for Naples Haitian Church of God, located in Southwest Florida, gave a true biblical interpretation of what God has called the church to be in this generation. …
A Mixed-Method Study: Executive Pastors And The Performance Of Fast-Growing Churches, Donald Wouter Bosch
A Mixed-Method Study: Executive Pastors And The Performance Of Fast-Growing Churches, Donald Wouter Bosch
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Based on available literature, little systematic investigation has explicitly considered the extent to which investing in church management, including hiring executive pastors, affects church performance. The purpose of this exploratory sequential mixed-methods study is to assess phenomenological and correlational data from one hundred of the fastest-growing churches in the United States, as ranked by LifeWay Research (2018) for calendar years 2017-2018 and draw available conclusions on church executive leadership capacity versus performance. Phenomenological data was used to qualitatively examine the executive management functions at these churches and analyze how each determined its need for such expertise based on leadership team …
Using The Myers-Briggs Type Inventory As A Discipleship Tool In Marriage, Marcy Gail Ripberger
Using The Myers-Briggs Type Inventory As A Discipleship Tool In Marriage, Marcy Gail Ripberger
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Making disciples is a requirement for every Christian, given by Jesus as His mission. It would be advantageous for spouses to learn to disciple each other. This project will set forth specific guidelines for spouses making disciples of each other, using the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory. Focus will be given to spiritual growth as it relates to two areas within a marriage- communication and conflict resolution. Research will establish the importance of the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory in understanding personalities. Volunteers will be asked to take an assessment similar to the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory and turn in results; they will receive teaching …
Mental Illness And Demonic Influence: The Difference Between Them And The Difference It Makes, Alton Kawan Parks
Mental Illness And Demonic Influence: The Difference Between Them And The Difference It Makes, Alton Kawan Parks
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis project presented how mental illness and demonic possession were viewed by and how counseling was beneficial for the members of Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church. The gathered information was used for an informed outlook on the subject matter, and research was gathered through surveys. This process was designed to increase knowledge, consideration, and understanding of the subject matter to promote an in-depth basis for development.
The Relationship Between Pastoral Servant Leadership And Congregational Spiritual Formation In U. S. Churches, Rich J. Sironen
The Relationship Between Pastoral Servant Leadership And Congregational Spiritual Formation In U. S. Churches, Rich J. Sironen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this correlational study was to determine if a relationship exists between pastoral servant leadership and congregational spiritual formation in Protestant churches located in the United States of America. The context of this study was to assess possible relationships between pastoral servant leadership and congregational spiritual formation. The population of churches used for this study was comprised of Protestant churches located within the United States of America. The methodological research design for this study was a quantitative non-exploratory correlational approach, which is used to "describe and measure the degree of association (or relationship) between two or more variables …
Keeping The Faith: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Intellectually-Gifted Adults Who Remain Practicing Christians, Deborah Jean Glynn
Keeping The Faith: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Intellectually-Gifted Adults Who Remain Practicing Christians, Deborah Jean Glynn
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the life experiences of intellectually-gifted adults in the United States who persist in their Christian beliefs. At this stage in the research, an intellectually-gifted adult will be generally defined as an individual who has scored at least two standard deviations above the mean (minus the standard error of measure) on a standardized intelligence test (Ohio Department of Education, 2017). The primary theory guiding this study will be Vygotsky’s (2011) theory of cognitive development. It is appropriate for this study because it will shed light on Jesus as a possible more knowledgeable …
Effective Pastoral Leadership To Catalyze A Disciple-Making Church, Juan Victor Acevedo
Effective Pastoral Leadership To Catalyze A Disciple-Making Church, Juan Victor Acevedo
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Most churches are in a current state of plateau or declining. Although there are several variables that contribute to this status, a lack of willing and qualified disciplers have contributed to it. Why is there a lack of willing and qualified disciplers? Do pastors understand their biblical role as equippers? Does the church understand their role in ministry? Through the result of this research, the researcher will propose a biblical-based discipleship plan as well as other biblical recommendations to ameliorate the areas identified with deficiencies to improve leadership as well as the discipleship-making process.
Deep Doctrine And Passionate Proclamation: How Understanding The Relationship Between God's Sovereignty And Evangelism Increases Evangelistic Zeal, Christopher Lee Verser
Deep Doctrine And Passionate Proclamation: How Understanding The Relationship Between God's Sovereignty And Evangelism Increases Evangelistic Zeal, Christopher Lee Verser
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The gospel must be accurately communicated to a lost man for that individual to have the opportunity to be saved. It is the responsibility of Christians to be ambassadors of Christ and proclaim this gospel to all men. All Christians can grow in their zeal for evangelism. Many Christians have very little zeal for evangelism due to several reasons. This lack of evangelistic zeal can be increased by a robust understanding of the doctrine of God’s sovereignty and the relationship between God’s sovereignty and evangelism. In the Scripture, Christians are taught that doctrine directly affects behavior and action. The more …
The Relationship Between Music Performance Anxiety And Self-Efficacy In Sixth To Eighth Grade Instrumental Students, Brian Bersh
The Relationship Between Music Performance Anxiety And Self-Efficacy In Sixth To Eighth Grade Instrumental Students, Brian Bersh
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This research study examined the relationship of self-efficacy to performance anxiety, as outlined in social cognitive theory. The purpose of this nonexperimental, quantitative study was to test the theory of social cognitive theory that relates self-efficacy to anxiety. MPA and music performance self-efficacy (MPSE) were tested within the context of a school setting for instrumental music-making. The participants (N = 228) included a stratified random sample of Grade 6 to 8 instrumental middle school students located within the Mid-Atlantic region. To determine levels of MPA and MPSE, participants completed the Music Performance Anxiety Inventory for Adolescents and the Music Performance …
Pastoral Burnout: Practical And Biblical Insights For Prevention And Rehabilitation Within The International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Jim Tunnell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
With the excessive demands in pastoral ministry, the spectrum of ministry workload has become a stressful occupational peril that could trigger pastors to give in and ultimately abandon ministry altogether. Before and after secession, clergy, particularly pastors, experience a wide variety of maladies, including but not limited to physical and psychological distress, that may lead to intensive outcomes. As the number of resignations continues to rise, there is an emergent interest among leaders, particularly in the denominational sector, to determine the interposing contributing factors and to develop appropriate resources to be of assistance when pastoral burnout is recognizable. With the …