Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Religion (1694)
- Christianity (896)
- Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion (471)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (429)
- Practical Theology (386)
-
- Music (380)
- Education (367)
- History (241)
- Leadership Studies (139)
- Liturgy and Worship (130)
- Counseling (112)
- Other Religion (110)
- Comparative Methodologies and Theories (98)
- Biblical Studies (66)
- Missions and World Christianity (63)
- Psychology (63)
- Philosophy (57)
- History of Christianity (54)
- Ethics in Religion (51)
- Educational Leadership (39)
- Christian Denominations and Sects (37)
- Sociology (34)
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (32)
- Communication (29)
- Educational Methods (25)
- Higher Education (22)
- Curriculum and Instruction (20)
- Music Education (20)
- Counseling Psychology (19)
- Keyword
-
- Discipleship (228)
- Leadership (137)
- Church (115)
- Religion, General (105)
- Evangelism (94)
-
- Worship (94)
- Theology (86)
- Religion, Clergy (67)
- Music education (63)
- Music (61)
- Education (60)
- Ministry (60)
- Apologetics (48)
- Christian (47)
- Community (46)
- Music Education (43)
- Training (43)
- Church Growth (42)
- Spiritual Formation (38)
- Spiritual formation (36)
- Burnout (35)
- Mentoring (35)
- Pastor (32)
- Culture (28)
- Religion (28)
- Christianity (27)
- Retention (27)
- Pastors (26)
- Preaching (26)
- Education, Religious (25)
Articles 2071 - 2100 of 2338
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Biblical Principles Of Small Group Ministry, Shawn Barr
Biblical Principles Of Small Group Ministry, Shawn Barr
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Small group ministry models abound today, and so do the materials that provide the methodology for these models. However, there seems to be a dearth of resources that connect the methods with a theological foundation. This project will demonstrate the need for examining small groups from a theological aspect, and then examine the principles of biblical community as found in Scripture. These principles will then be measured through surveys of at least fifty participants in small group settings from several churches, including the churches where the author was the small group pastor for the last seven years and where he …
Developing A Model For Church-Based Disaster Relief, Brady Rose
Developing A Model For Church-Based Disaster Relief, Brady Rose
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this project is to provide a manual for the local church to implement in preparation for and during times of disaster. The author will specifically focus on the region of Amherst County, Virginia for this project. The author will approach this project by first defining what a disaster is and the role the church should play during times of great need. Attention will be given specifically to how the church should respond during times of disaster in foreign nations, in the United States, in nearby counties, and in the community of the church’s backyard. This project will …
The Effect Of Gender On The Attitudes Of Undergraduates Toward Young-Earth Creationism After Enrollment In An Origins Course, Sean Vinaja
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many Christian students graduate from secondary schools and enter Christian colleges with worldviews that are unbiblical or contain unbiblical components, many of which stem from their beliefs regarding origins. Little research has been done to study the effect of gender on the role of a young-earth creationist (YEC) origins course in shaping students’ worldview. Research has shown that males and females respond differently to science and religion instruction; because the origins discussion is an intersection of science and religion, the study of gender’s effect in developing a Bible-based worldview is important so that Christian colleges might more effectively guide their …
A Causal Comparative Analysis Of Biblical Worldview Among Graduate Students Based On Christian School Attendance, David Baniszewski
A Causal Comparative Analysis Of Biblical Worldview Among Graduate Students Based On Christian School Attendance, David Baniszewski
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
One of the primary objectives of the Christian school (K-12) is the development of a biblical worldview in its students. This study examined the impact that these Christian schools had on their students’ biblical worldview development by administering a biblical worldview assessment to graduate students at a private, Christian university (Liberty University). Christian, graduate students in the School of Education at Liberty completed a demographic survey and a biblical worldview assessment. The survey collected information on age, gender, type of K-12 schools attended, profession to the Christian faith, and denominational background. The results of the survey and assessment were analyzed …
Homiletical Discipleship: Developing An Approach To Small Group Study Based On Sunday Morning Exposition, Lance Cole
Homiletical Discipleship: Developing An Approach To Small Group Study Based On Sunday Morning Exposition, Lance Cole
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Jesus promised to make Peter a “fisher of men,” while The Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations. The purpose of this project is to create a discipleship approach for the local church that helps teach the church’s members based on the Sunday morning sermon. One disciple making problem is that many people attend a church to spectate and not participate. Some sit for years listening to the pastor preach without having any desire to be an active disciple. Others completely leave the church after a short time. This approach for churches will teach them how to …
Proposal For A Local Church Ministry To Mentally Ill Addicts, Terry Jacobs
Proposal For A Local Church Ministry To Mentally Ill Addicts, Terry Jacobs
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
There is a significant sub-culture of mental health patients who are addicted to prescription drugs, whose needs are not being met by the mental health rehabilitation system. These individuals are incapable of functioning or working normally and exist solely on welfare and community charities. This thesis will investigate this nationwide problem to determine existing ministry approaches, to create a reproducible ministry strategy for reaching this segment of our society with the gospel, by implementing Christian growth, and providing God’s hope for recovery from addiction. The writer has experience with such a ministry, including a church ministry home in the community, …
Developing A Curriculum Ministry For Widows In The Local Church, Gail Nanez
Developing A Curriculum Ministry For Widows In The Local Church, Gail Nanez
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
An examination of widows in the local church reveals a growing percentage of widows in many churches today, signifying a significant ministry need for widows in the church. An abundance of widows sitting in churches, are not only suffering the grief, and loneliness from their loss, some have lost their only income and sometimes feel neglected or a burden to others. As a biblical mandate, it is imperative that the church, pastors, and counselors take heed to the biblical command of ministering to the comfortlessness and insecurity many widows are facing. This will entail revitalization of the care of widows, …
How To Impact A Nation: Leadership Lessons Learned From Jerry Falwell And The Moral Majority, George Johnson
How To Impact A Nation: Leadership Lessons Learned From Jerry Falwell And The Moral Majority, George Johnson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This project seeks to enhance the leadership development of the next generation by considering the perceived strengths and lessons to be learned from Jerry Falwell and the leadership of the Moral Majority (MM). The commands of Christ call the Christian to engage the culture (Matthew 5:13-16). The trend in church leadership today is too often looking forward without having looked back. Wise church leaders do both and stand on the shoulders of great leaders who have gone before, thus accomplishing “greater things” (John 14:12) for the kingdom of God. Through a survey of current church leaders, and a sampling of …
Exploring Intercessory Prayer As It Relates To Spiritual Warfare Preaching At Mount Zion Christian Church, Vernon Langley
Exploring Intercessory Prayer As It Relates To Spiritual Warfare Preaching At Mount Zion Christian Church, Vernon Langley
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The focus of this thesis is exploring the influence of intercessory prayer; from the standpoint of spiritual warfare preaching. Present day homiletics concentrates on the method of sermons by applying information within the message to a great story and powerful scriptural passages which is imperative to make the sermon thought provoking and applicable to contemporary congregations. However, there is another element to preaching the gospel, which has gotten considerably less attention in modern day study. How the evaluations of Divine powers of intercessory prayer operate behind the discourse, and spiritual powers of darkness that endeavor to obstruct the reception of …
Proposal For A Local Church Ministry To Mentally Ill Addicts, Terry Jacobs
Proposal For A Local Church Ministry To Mentally Ill Addicts, Terry Jacobs
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
There is a significant sub-culture of mental health patients who are addicted to prescription drugs, whose needs are not being met by the mental health rehabilitation system. These individuals are incapable of functioning or working normally and exist solely on welfare and community charities. This thesis will investigate this nationwide problem to determine existing ministry approaches, to create a reproducible ministry strategy for reaching this segment of our society with the gospel, by implementing Christian growth, and providing God’s hope for recovery from addiction. The writer has experience with such a ministry, including a church ministry home in the community, …
Perceptions Of Southern Culture And Writing Program Effectiveness At A Community College: A Phenomenology, Mary Fetters
Perceptions Of Southern Culture And Writing Program Effectiveness At A Community College: A Phenomenology, Mary Fetters
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to develop a deeper understanding of the perceptions of students, faculty, administration, and visiting Southern authors of the effectiveness of Chattanooga State Community College’s Writers@Work program for encouraging composition student writing and learning about Southern culture. Southern culture is defined as phenomena which shape the regional experience and resonate through the lives of individuals native to the US South. Participants in the study that was conducted in Chattanooga, Tennessee consisted of two current English administrators, four current English professors, eight composition students who participated in the Writers@Work program, and two visiting Southern …
Five Principles To Empower The Worship Leader, Stacey Brown
Five Principles To Empower The Worship Leader, Stacey Brown
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The role of the worship leader exists in most churches. These leaders serve in roles from volunteer choir directors to the directors of large worship staffs. They are the standard-bearers of worship for their teams and their congregations. To successfully serve, they must possess knowledge of worship practices and leadership skills. While students of worship may have a firm foundation of biblical, historical, and philosophical principles, many current leaders do not have strong leadership backgrounds and, therefore, lack basic foundational skills for leadership. Through a study of current literature and a survey of leaders of worship in churches of various …
Breaking Free From Cults: A Guide For Pastors To Lead Individuals To A New Christian Identity, Brandon Waters
Breaking Free From Cults: A Guide For Pastors To Lead Individuals To A New Christian Identity, Brandon Waters
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The spiritual scars inflicted on individuals who severed relationships with religious cults or legalistic institutions are widespread. This research will show former cultist experienced spiritual, mental and physical abuse in the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). Through a survey of 150 former members of the WCG and thirty evangelical local pastors, this research will validate the need for support for those individuals seeking personal recovery and the formation of a new spiritual identity. This thesis project produced a manual to assist pastors in understanding the needs of former cultists, specifically in assisting them in developing a new spiritual identity.
Pastoral Counseling: The Pastor's Guide To Helping Korean Youth In Crisis, Jeong Kook
Pastoral Counseling: The Pastor's Guide To Helping Korean Youth In Crisis, Jeong Kook
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many Korean teenagers are suffering from physical and psychological abuse, anxiety, and depression due to dysfunctional family life. Korean Christian pastors and counselors need to be educated and trained in order to guide these families through such crisis. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, the author surveyed over fifty troubled families. The findings were alarming and led the author to build a pastoral counseling model based on the biblical definition of the role of pastoral counseling using adept research of key scriptural principles. This pastoral counseling model provides a well-balanced biblical strategy to guide the troubled teenager through such crisis.
Ministry Partners: Ten Key Characteristics Of A Healthy Marriage In Ministry, Arlen Pfenninger
Ministry Partners: Ten Key Characteristics Of A Healthy Marriage In Ministry, Arlen Pfenninger
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In the beginning, God created a partner for man to have as they live their lives together. This partnership was created so they could work together for the kingdom God created. There has been literature written about the unhealthiness of some marriages in ministry because the pastor has neglected his or her family for the cause of Christ. There are others who have advocated a partnership in marriage ministry where the husband and wife work together as a ministry team. This thesis project presents an understanding of the healthy characteristics couples portray as they partner together in the ministry in …
The Image Of Leadership: Man’S View Of God As Reflected In His Leadership Style, Leslie Pope
The Image Of Leadership: Man’S View Of God As Reflected In His Leadership Style, Leslie Pope
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis project will demonstrate the connection between a pastor’s practical perceived theology of the inner workings of the Trinity and his desired leadership style. Because “God’s people are stamped with the tag of ‘gods’,”1 they will seek to rule in a similar manner. These perceived relationships will drive the pastor toward a desired style of leadership. In turn, examining horizontal styles of leadership will reveal true vertical beliefs. These levels of leadership interaction will be researched through literature and interviews with eight church leaders. As the leader defines the leadership structures and recognizes hidden similarities and disparities between practical …
A Case Study Examining Growth In Understanding Biblical Anointing At Faith Baptist Church, Steven Headrick
A Case Study Examining Growth In Understanding Biblical Anointing At Faith Baptist Church, Steven Headrick
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Why do some Christians expect and experience the power of God (biblical anointing) in their daily living and other Christians rarely do? This project contends that a lack of understanding the principles of biblical anointing is a fundamental cause of this difference. The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of biblical anointing by the Christians attending Faith Baptist Church. Biblical principles related to understanding, living and maintaining the anointed life will be presented. This project will measure the increase in understanding biblical anointing from the responses given to pre-study and post-study surveys. The teaching will be in …
Discipleship: Encouraging Haitian Churches In The United States To Fulfill The Great Commission Mandate, Lony Antoine
Discipleship: Encouraging Haitian Churches In The United States To Fulfill The Great Commission Mandate, Lony Antoine
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis project makes a comparative analysis between the way discipleship was performed by the first century Christians with the way it is accomplished by the Haitian-American churches today. Extant studies in this field demonstrate that there is a lack of participation in missionary work and discipleship among Haitian-American Christians. They are failing to fulfill the command of Jesus Christ in Matthews to “Go and make disciples” (28:19-20). This project surveyed Christians in twenty-five Haitian American churches in order to evaluate their understanding of the Great Commission. The author also consulted religious and historical documents with the goal of conducting …
A Study Of Developing Healthy Disciples In The Korean-American Church, Kyung Seo
A Study Of Developing Healthy Disciples In The Korean-American Church, Kyung Seo
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Korean-American congregations within the Presbyterian denomination need to implement a Bible-centered discipleship model in order to become a more spiritual and viable Christian church. As the Senior Pastor for the Columbia Korean Presbyterian Church (2009-2014), the author utilized qualitative and quantitative analysis when interviewing church pastors within the Korean-American Presbyterian Churches of America. The surveys identified the need for a practical model of spiritual growth to develop healthy disciples within the Korean-American Church. Based upon the biblical principle of Christian discipleship, the author developed an overall a three-level strategy of making healthy disciples.
The Challenges And Biblical 'Self-Care' Strategies For 'Direct-Care' Staff In Residential Treatment Facilities, Michael Jones
The Challenges And Biblical 'Self-Care' Strategies For 'Direct-Care' Staff In Residential Treatment Facilities, Michael Jones
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Ministry means more than just pastoral duties within the context of the church. Those in ministry, and particularly those in ‘direct-care’ positions working in residential treatment facilities in childcare face a plethora of issues that can be mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, and spiritually taxing. This project will provide biblically based engaging, edifying, encouraging, and equipping ministries the necessary skills to enable those who are in ‘Direct-Care’ positions to develop ‘self-care’ practices to address these issues. This thesis will investigate the causes and effects that impact those in ‘direct-care’ ministry to experience disillusionment, discouragement, depression, despair, defeat, and/or departure from ministry. …
Reframing The Imperative Of The Great Commission In The Haitian Context: Discipleship Strategies To Impact Haiti For Christ, Dieufort Dieujuste
Reframing The Imperative Of The Great Commission In The Haitian Context: Discipleship Strategies To Impact Haiti For Christ, Dieufort Dieujuste
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Haitians generally identify themselves as Christians. According to World Factbook, Haiti is 80% Catholic and 16% Protestant; however, nearly all the population practices or believes in Voodoo, which is now a national religion. Idolatry permeates every segment of life while the Haitian Protestant Church remains powerless and disengaged. The purpose of this thesis project is to develop key strategies of discipleship for Haiti in view of Matthew 28:18-20. The author proposes to survey 300 Haitian pastors, seminarians, and lay leaders in order to gauge the status of discipleship and to identify hindrances to the gospel in Haiti. The survey will …
A Biblical Strategies For Optimizing The Disciple Training Ministry (Dtm) Within Korean Churches, Keeyoung Kim
A Biblical Strategies For Optimizing The Disciple Training Ministry (Dtm) Within Korean Churches, Keeyoung Kim
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this thesis project is to provide biblical strategies for optimizing the Discipleship Training Ministry (DTM) within Korean churches, which will transform and equip their laity to live incarnationally for Christ in the church and the world. Many different forms of DTM have developed within Korean churches during the recent decades, playing both positive and negative roles in church growth, but many unfortunately digressed into marketing programs that do not transform and equip the laity to follow Christ in every sector of their lives. This thesis project will examine, through a comparative analysis, diverse growth and health factors …
Understanding African American Preaching: The Style, Culture, And Rationale For The Worship Experience And The Value For Education, Harry Zimmerman Jr.
Understanding African American Preaching: The Style, Culture, And Rationale For The Worship Experience And The Value For Education, Harry Zimmerman Jr.
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Preaching is an oratorical method for sharing the biblical text, which God uses to affect the lives of people for His glory. In the context of the African-American culture, preaching highlights differences between the rationales of the practical approaches of African-American and other styles of preaching. This project will examine fundamentals of African-American preaching as well as its dynamics while focusing on African-American traditions in a critical and creative manner. It will provide insights for training associate ministers at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The research utilizes a single method research approach, utilizing surveys of pastors and …
Spiritual Nurture In Developing The Faith Of Christian High School Students: A Phenomenological Study, Marsha Boyd-Mitchell
Spiritual Nurture In Developing The Faith Of Christian High School Students: A Phenomenological Study, Marsha Boyd-Mitchell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many Christian schools provide solid academic environments for adolescents. The programming promises to deliver an education to nurture the human soul. This qualitative, transcendental, phenomenological study was for the purpose of discovering how spiritual nurture in Christian high schools aided and encouraged faith development. Christian high school is the lived experience of adolescents going to school with spiritual nurture at the heart of their programming. The participants were 15 adolescents who attended a Christian high school that implemented spiritual nurture by use of prayer, worship, biblically-integrated curriculum, Bible study, teacher-student relationships, holistic correction, and peer relationships. The epoche was the …
Effects Of Child-Parent Attachment And God Attachment On Depression In Adolescent Christians, Soloman Aifuwa
Effects Of Child-Parent Attachment And God Attachment On Depression In Adolescent Christians, Soloman Aifuwa
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis contains a description of a study that examined the relationships between parent attachment, God attachment, and depression in adolescent Christians. It was predicted that secure parent and God attachment are related, and that they will have positive effects on depression and that God attachment will mediate the effects of parent attachments on depression. The study was a cross-sectional correlation study that employed 75 adolescents in youth ministries in North-east Jersey. Depression and attachment measures were administered and the results were analyzed using hierarchical and simultaneous multiple regression, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient. The study findings demonstrated that parent …
Facilitating A Change Of Mind About Father God Through Mentoring Of The Fatherless, Stephen Madosky
Facilitating A Change Of Mind About Father God Through Mentoring Of The Fatherless, Stephen Madosky
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The consensus of published research has proven beyond question that fatherlessness is a crisis in America. Textbooks and autobiographies have covered and reported the statistical effects of fatherlessness; nonetheless, there is far less literature dealing with the solution of fatherlessness and even less literature from Church scholars on how the Church may participate in its correction. This thesis presents an understanding of fatherlessness and proposes a resolution to act on behalf of fatherless children. The resolution will be comprised in preparing Church leaders to equip Church laity to understand and to minister to the fatherless in their affliction effectively.
A Practical Guide For Creating A Group Environment To Reach A Postmodern World, Anthony Michael Randall
A Practical Guide For Creating A Group Environment To Reach A Postmodern World, Anthony Michael Randall
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
There are disturbing statistics about the number of young people who are leaving the church after they graduate high school and are no longer bound by obligation to the family to attend worship services. If the church does not begin to change its methodology, it will not be able to succeed in reaching this generation. This project seeks to help local churches create an environment in their groups that is comfortable and engaging to the postmodern generation. Churches must create a group environment that not only fosters true Biblical community but also engages our congregations in fulfilling the mission of …
Teacher Preparedness For Spiritually Transformational Teaching: A Case Study In One Christian High School, Wendy Lewis
Teacher Preparedness For Spiritually Transformational Teaching: A Case Study In One Christian High School, Wendy Lewis
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This single instrumental case study examined a purposive sample of teachers from Live Oak Christian High School (a pseudonym) for indications that they were spiritually qualified, sufficiently trained, and intentionally committed to transformational Christian teaching. Spiritually qualified teachers would evidence an active Christian faith as demonstrated by a sound basic theology, verbalization of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and various spiritual practices. Teachers who were sufficiently trained would evidence personal knowledge, experience, education, or training related directly to Christian education. Teachers who were committed to transformational Christian teaching would evidence that intentionality in documents, surveys, classroom observations, and personal …
A Strategy Of Ministry For Small Korean-American Church Growth: Centered On Tallahassee Korean Community Presbyterian Church, Ju Yang
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many small Korean-American churches have difficulties. The small number of members causes financial problem and causes member burn out. Also a lot of church members have difficulty which comes from the difference of language and culture in America. The purpose of this thesis project is to provide a strategy to help small Korean-American churches to grow and be more effective. Tallahassee Korean Community Presbyterian Church will be used as a model. Even though this is not an exceptionally successful church, it has potential for growth. First, literature research about church growth, worship, homiletics, leadership, and discipleship will be processed based …
Exploring The Relationship Between Attachment Style, Stress Perception, And Religious Coping In The Evangelical Missionary Population, Laurie Tone
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This cross-sectional survey design study examined the relationships between attachment style, stress perception and religious coping in a sample of 267 cross-cultural, evangelical missionaries. No significance for effect for attachment style on perceived stress was found. However, both age and gender demonstrated significant effects on perceived stress. There was also a significant association between perception of stress and religious coping, independent of attachment style. Religious coping accounted for a small amount of the variance in perception of stress. The vast majority of the sample reported patterns of positive religious coping, which was not influenced by attachment style. A new tool …