Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Role Of Hymnody In Shaping Religious Identity And Beliefs In Churches: An Ethnographic Case Study In The Chesapeake Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Erwin Gabriel Nanasi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores how varying worship style preferences influence worship experiences, theological beliefs, and sense of belonging among clergy and congregants within the Chesapeake Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. While music and hymnody are integral to Adventist worship, differing stylistic preferences can lead to tensions, satisfaction gaps, and fragmented community life. Despite the formative role of congregational singing in shaping religious identity, little research has examined these dynamics within the Adventist context. Using a mixed-methods ethnographic case study design, the research combines qualitative interviews with 26 pastors and quantitative survey data from 257 congregants across diverse churches. It investigates the criteria …

The Impact Of The Mental Health Epidemic On Recruitment And Retention Of High School Male Singers, Trish Gladstone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative methods study examines the impact of the mental health pandemic on the recruitment and retention of male choral members in Pennsylvania high school music choral programs since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment in many choral programs increased since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of male enrollment is rising slower than ever. This thesis explores existing literature, personal interviews, and student focus group results to understand how mental health affects male singers quitting or remaining in the choral program. Research and investigations into the impact of the mental health pandemic in choral classrooms …

Living Art: The Arabian Horse Industry Boom And Bust, 1970-1990, Jill R. Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Arabian horse world in the 1980’s was characterized by high prices followed by an unprecedented fall of the market. The Arabian horse industry was a boom and bust cycle, much like the Dutch Tulipmania of the 1630’s. Many breeders reveled in the status of owning an Arabian and prospered in this inflated market. They could make a quick profit buying a horse and reselling it a short time later, as the prices quickly rose. High prices, which were the boom, turned out to be the issue. The horses, referred to by many as living art, were not a good …

The Effects Of Modern Band Performance On Enhancing Confidence And Emotional Maturation In Fifth-Grade Students, Julia M. Wetherhold

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Current research notes that participation in modern band general music instruction elicits improvements in students’ sense of inclusion in school; however, it is yet to be determined if additional benefits of modern band implementation occur. This applied study aims to investigate the potential for a causal comparison between fifth-grade students’ confidence levels and emotional maturity after exposure to modern band instructional techniques and performance compared to fifth-grade students engaged in music education with an emphasis on vocal instruction. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were implemented. Data were collected and analyzed by surveying thirty-seven fifth-grade students reporting their confidence levels and …

Counseling Professionals’ Perceptions On The Demand For School-Based Counseling In Public Schools: Addressing The Mental And Behavioral Health Challenges Of At-Risk Youth, Including Gang-Involved Youth, Xzondra Heleen Bergman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objective of this qualitative descriptive research study was to deeply explore the perceptions of school-based counseling professionals, specifically within the St. Lucie Public Schools (Florida), and their role in addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of at-risk youth, including gang-involved youth. This includes middle and high school counseling professionals, Mental Health Counselors, and Social Workers, each playing a critical role in supporting this vulnerable population. The study sought to gather rich and nuanced insights into how these professionals view their capabilities to effectively aid at-risk youth, including those entangled in gang involvement, utilizing the resources and established therapeutic …

Perceptions Of Congregational Engagement In Evangelical Church Worship Programs, Tim Allums

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite existing research on worship leader training and choosing music for congregational worship, a study on the perceptions of congregational worship engagement from the perspectives of worship leaders and congregants has yet to be examined. Congregational worship is formational and helps believers continue to grow in their faith by singing their praise to God with one voice and declaring the tenets of their shared faith. This study sought to reveal perceptions of worship engagement by surveying nineteen worship leaders and one hundred fifteen congregants from thirty-nine evangelical churches around the United States to identify the musical aspects that either enhance …

The Interplay Between Hospitality And Patronage In The Greco-Roman World And Its Implications For Reading Third John, Julie L. Denham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation will seek to explore the social concepts found within the Book of Third John, examining the intricate and nuanced relationship between hospitality and patronage in early first-century Christian communities. By employing a comprehensive approach that integrates historical, cultural, and theological methodologies, this study aims to delve deeply into the multifaceted roles these practices played in shaping the social, spiritual, and theological framework of the early Church. Specifically, this dissertation seeks to address the following questions: How did first-century Christian communities navigate the interplay between hospitality and patronage as reflected in Third John? How did these practices influence communal …

Membership To Contemplative Discipleship: Using Contemplative Praxis To Enhance Spiritual Growth, Charlene N. Boone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis explores the role of contemplative spirituality, particularly through practices such as meditation, Lectio Divina, and silence, in fostering spiritual growth within the context of Visitors Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. In an era marked by rapid change and increasing distractions, the need for deeper spiritual engagement has become paramount. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews, teaching modules, participant observations, and reflective journaling to investigate how these contemplative practices can enhance individual and communal spiritual development.

The findings suggest that meditation serves as a vital tool for cultivating inner peace and awareness, allowing individuals to connect profoundly …

Exploring Higher Education Shared Governance Constitutional Documents As Potential Culture Building Contributors To Friction Between Faculty And Administration Through A Qualitative Analysis Of Foundational Institution Documents, Lanna Monday Emmett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research project investigates the role shared governance documents in higher education institutions play in communicating the guiding principles and expectations used to create, sustain, and challenge culture through a content analysis of foundational institutional documents. Colleges and universities face challenges driven by technology, globalization, the capitalization of education, and shifting expectations regarding diversity, equity, and sustainability. These changes require institutions to adapt their organizational models for more competitive decision-making while navigating evolving governance issues. In some instances, these changes have been cited as one cause for friction between institutional stakeholders, particularly faculty and administration. Previous studies have more …

Developing A Biblical Emotional Intelligence Strength Training Program For Upper School Teachers, Jessi M. Bage

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teachers continue to leave the teaching profession at an alarmingly high rate with emotional exhaustion and stress being the leading causes of teacher attrition in the United States. Despite the high levels of stress experienced by teachers, professional development rarely includes training in emotional intelligence. Attention must be given to emotional intelligence training to strengthen teachers' emotional regulation, stamina, and resilience and cultivate their ongoing community spiritual formation for Christian education to continue to have educators that provide continuity for students and make disciples of Christ. This project collaborated with Roanoke Valley Christian Schools to develop and implement a biblical …

The Nuptial Metaphor From Genesis To Revelation: An Examination Of Yahweh’S Divine Romance With Israel And Mankind In Scripture, Clement Chen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study demonstrates that the nuptial metaphor is not merely a marginally interesting literary motif but deeply embedded in the meta-narrative of the text of the Bible and hermeneutically significant in providing an interpretive thematic framework for rightly reading the Scriptures. In other words, this study is a literary and thematic biblical theological study, utilizing historical, biblical, grammatical, and canonical theological approaches to the entire biblical text, of the nuptial metaphor found throughout Scripture as a thematic framework that is hermeneutically significant. Contemporary studies of the nuptial metaphor that recognize and value the nuptial metaphor of God marrying His people …

How Media Framing Of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (Cte) Influences Parental Experiences In Youth Football Programs: A Mixed Methods Study, Valerie Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by repetitive jostling of the brain inside the skull. The disease was first discovered in boxers in the 1920s. Further accounts surfaced in combat soldiers, firefighters, and soccer players. However, once Dr. Bennett Omalu found the infliction in NFL Hall of Famer Mike Webster in 2002, CTE hit center field in the media and became synonymous with football and concussions. CTE is not a concussion. During the rise in media coverage, youth football witnessed its largest decline since Pop Warner began compiling participation data. This dissertation used a mixed-method, …

Seed Of The Woman, Son Of David, Son Of Abraham: Exploring The Progression Of God’S Redemptive Plan For All Nations And Rethinking Gentile Integration In Messianic Hope, Dieufort Dieujuste

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines and reconstructs the progression of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, exploring its inception from an oracular promise in Genesis and investigating how it unfolds through various promises, covenants, and prophecies culminating in Jesus, the Messiah, identified as the seed of the Woman (Gen. 3:15b), Son of David, Son Abraham (Matt. 1:1). Central to this exploration is the theological significance of key biblical figures and historical events while tracing the development of the promise of redemption from Genesis to the New Testament. One can suitably underscore the universal scope of God’s covenant to extend blessings to all nations …

How The Book Of Genesis Addresses The Problem Of Evil From A Biblical Theological Perspective, Fabio Delgado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study focuses on the conventional conception of God, specifically, the question of the problem of evil from a Biblical theological perspective. Theists believe that God is supremely powerful, completely benevolent, and all-knowing. Evil may be found everywhere, as seen in our everyday lives: sickness, natural catastrophes, warfare, a lack of opportunity for advancement, poverty, bigotry, murder, animal abuse, and the list goes on.1 According to conventional beliefs, the problem of evil arises from the apparent contradiction in stating that the Lord, who possesses unlimited power and is kind-hearted, is the origin of all that is good while also acknowledging …

A Comparison Of Evangelical And Pentecostal Soteriology To The Bible, Kamia G. Brillon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Soteriology is the study and development of God’s plan to bring mankind back in right standing with Him. Soteriology presents God as the One who delivers humanity from the power of sin through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Human sin is what brought about a need for salvation. Salvation can be seen as a process that involves specific elements. The gospel message reveals how the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ leads to salvation. The New Testament presents faith, repentance, water baptism and reception of the Holy Spirit …

Citizenship Christian Values Education Empowerment In Papua New Guinea Through Integration Of Curriculum, Funding, And Professional Training, Timothy Hawes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 2018, the Papua New Guinea Education Department has opened the door for Christian Citizenship Value Education, but previously, no organization has successfully addressed this opportunity. The problem is that the CCVE program in PNG does not integrate curriculum, funding, and professional training. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to develop and deploy the CCVE Empowerment plan. Through a survey given to CCVE teachers and multiple focus groups with six different CCVE leaders, the CCVE Empowerment plan was developed. The plan included a new organizational structure, the prayer model, the self-teaching student journals, sufficient funding, and applied …

Jet: The Engine That Changed Everything What, When, How, And Why, Richard Kazares

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation poses the question of just how important the introduction of jet engine technology was and is to the aviation industry and its place within the military and civilian segments of society. A corollary to that question is the premise that jet engine technology was virtually as crucial to the growth and impact of aviation as the introduction of the airplane itself. That is not to denigrate the importance of any means of flight and propulsion but to emphasize that aviation would not be anywhere close to where it is today without the jet and the level of its …

Leadership Training And Development For The Purpose Of Biblical Literacy In The Christian Fellowship Church Membership, Bancroft Augustus Battick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem at Christian Fellowship Church in Anguilla is the high rate of biblical illiteracy due to the lack of trained leaders to preach and teach the Word effectively. The purpose of this action research project is to train and develop five leaders to preach and teach the Word effectively. If leaders are trained and developed to preach and teach the Word effectively, the biblical literacy of the CFC membership will increase. The goal of this leadership training is to create a cadre of leaders who will be qualified to preach and teach the Word. During the action research, the …

Aiming High: A Narrative Inquiry Of Christian Music Educators’ Higher Purpose, William E. Rhoden Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Educators in the United States may question music education’s higher purpose, considering high-stakes testing and an emphasis on non-musical subjects. This qualitative narrative study examines three American protestant Christian music educators’ perceptions of music education’s higher purpose and compares them to Martin Luther’s (1483-1546) writings. The researcher conducted interviews with three participants to record the story of how they developed their higher purpose for music education. The data was tabulated and coded for thematic analysis. This study supports a Christian defense of continued music education in America’s schools, distinguishes modern Christian perspectives, and offers a fresh understanding of the historical …

“What Is Good For The Children Of Man To Do”: Ecclesiastes And The Covenant Instruction, Elaine A. Higgins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The epilogue of Ecclesiastes may be considered an addition by a redactor in an attempt ensure theological orthodoxy to a writing which is often thought to have little in common with the remainder of Scripture. However, this research proposes that the concluding statements of Ecclesiastes cohere with the overarching message of the book and are based on connections to the covenant instruction in Genesis and Deuteronomy. Moreover, the concluding statement is consistent with the New Testament epistle of James. Thus, human beings should conduct their lives in reverent fear of the covenant making God who has given his people the …

How Did Peter Use The Torah? A Bible Exposition Of Every Petrine Use Of The Torah, Jacob Christopher Berlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to answer an unasked research question: How did Peter use the Torah? The findings help fill a hole in scholarship on the NT’s use of the OT and provide practical guidance to the modern church as it struggles to use the Law appropriately. The question was answered by conducting a Bible exposition of every Petrine use of the Torah, which totaled 20 pericopes. The research assumed that Peter wrote or significantly influenced the Petrine corpus, comprised of 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and all the words Peter spoke in the canonical Gospels and Acts. The …

Developing Effective Discipleship Tools For Disciple-Makers In The Digital Age, John Isaac Brandt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctor of Ministry portfolio explores the development and implementation of digital tools to equip and empower disciple-makers in the local church context. Rooted in the ministry of First Baptist Church of Hempstead, Texas, where I have served as Senior Pastor for over a decade, this project addresses the challenge of cultivating a culture of biblical discipleship in a small-to-mid-sized church setting. The portfolio is structured around four integrated Micro-Projects: the launch of The Rudimental Discipleship Podcast, the creation of a YouTube channel, the development of a discipleship-focused blog, and the construction of a comprehensive website (www.rudimentaldiscipleship.com). Each of these …

Evaluating The Influence Of Self-Determination In Secondary Writing Instruction On Post-Secondary Academic Success, Mary A. Peach Partridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to discover what components of secondary education writing instruction develop adequate self-determination for post-secondary academic writing success for first year university students at Central midwestern metropolitan area universities. The theory guiding this study was Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory as it connects the idea of developing adequate relatedness, competence, and autonomy with successful development of critical thinking and social cognitive skills for success beyond secondary education. The Central Research Question asked, “what methods of secondary writing instruction adequately develop self-determination for first year university students in the Central midwestern metropolitan area to enable …

A Phenomenological Study: African American Female Millennial Church Attendance And The Implications Of Spiritual Formation, Licia Williams-Hawthorne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a quiet exodus from the church amongst African American female millennials. In church, Christians gather for corporate worship, a renewal of faith through sermons and songs, and to strengthen spiritual formation. This study aimed to highlight the lived experiences to connect church leadership with raw data from a subpopulation that the church cannot leave behind. The theory guiding this study is the Phenomenological Theory as defined by Husserl (1859-1938) and supported by Peoples (2021) as it allows the researcher to uncover the experiences that shaped this population's decision to no longer regularly attend church. Three research questions defined …

Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Importance Of The Holy Spirit Experience Among Non-Cessational Church Leaders In South Carolina, Amelia J. Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Over time, many movements have influenced the theological foundations of Western Christianity and culture. For example, modernism has influenced Western culture leading to a rejection of supernaturalism, causing many individuals to overlook the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in personal and social life. Few theological works focus specifically on the Holy Spirit, and what is often proposed lacks a unified synthesis of empirical evidence. The foundation guiding this study is the biblical New Testament, which expresses the importance of the Holy Spirit and how He changes believers into diehards for Christ Jesus. Some church leaders today exhibit reluctance toward …

Gen Mz Discipleship: Training A Generation To Live In The Postmodern Age, Christian E. Kolthoff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church exodus of Gen MZ is one of the most significant issues affecting the health of churches in the West. Recent research has indicated that many in Gen MZ have left the church not for lack of knowledge but because of a lack of understanding of the why. It has also indicated that Gen MZ has not been trained to respond to why they are holding on to the hope of the Gospel. So, when presented with opposing views, they struggle to maintain their faith in today’s postmodern society. It is an age in which a war on ideas …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Individuals Who Participated In Pastoral Counseling And Discipleship Within The Assemblies Of God In Washington State, Jonathan J. Burger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of individuals who participated in pastoral counseling and discipleship within the Assemblies of God in Washington State. The first focus of this study was to describe congregants’ experiences with pastoral counseling in Assemblies of God churches in the state of Washington. Secondly, this study sought to understand and uncover any themes, trends, or influences that emerged from participants' experiences within pastoral counseling and discipleship. Four themes emerged from this study: Theme One: There is Power in Relationships, Theme Two: Pastoral Counseling is Foundational to Healing and Growth, Theme Three: The Impact of …

A Descriptive Study Exploring The Role Church Leaders Have In Maintaining Liberty Within A Free Republic, Rashad R. Gibson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study explored the assumptions, perceptions, and understood responsibility of church leaders in New England to maintain liberty and virtue in a free republic. The theory that guided this study is transformational leadership, as it emphasizes morality in both the leader and the follower (Burns, 1978; Northouse, 2015). Within the last six decades, the United States Supreme Court has made rulings to remove from public schools, prayer, general Bible reading, and the Ten Commandments (Abington School District V. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963); Facts and Case Summary - Engel V. Vitale, 1962; Stone V. Graham, …

Using Technology Responsibly To Align Church Ministry With God's Plan, Sandra Rolon-Rodriguez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The proliferation of digital technologies, including live-streaming services, online community platforms, and virtual events, is revolutionizing the operational dynamics of church ministries. Churches of all sizes are embracing these changes to expand their influence, engage with members in new ways, and enhance the impact of digital technology on their ministry. Implementing digital transformation has led to innovative approaches in worship services, outreach programs, and community engagement, enabling churches to meet the evolving needs of their congregation and the broader community.

This dissertation-in-praxis explores the broader biblical and theological significance to gain a deeper understanding and demonstrate the practical application of …

Utilization And Perception Of Individual Performance Assessments Among Instrumental Music Educators In Northeastern Pennsylvania, Thomas Bassett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative grounded theory study aimed to develop a theory explaining how secondary instrumental music educators in Northeastern Pennsylvania select, implement, and perceive performance assessments. Teachers need actionable data to determine the next steps in the learning process. The study design included twelve semi-structured interviews of Pennsylvania-certified music educators and a content analysis of any scoring tools or rubrics that they provided. The analysis process included open, axial, and thematic coding with the development of the core category and theory. Despite some prior research into performance assessments in music education, the literature lacked research with explanatory power over teachers’ assessment …