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Articles 781 - 810 of 2338
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Biblical Choice Model: A St. Augustine-Inspired Approach To Behavioral Economics, Adebukola Adebayo
Biblical Choice Model: A St. Augustine-Inspired Approach To Behavioral Economics, Adebukola Adebayo
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Economics as defined by Lionel Robbins (1932), is a science which studies human behavior as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses. While human behavior relates to how wants and desires are coordinated given decision-making mechanisms, social customs and political realities of society, the natural end of individual human actions should be eudaimonia (human flourishing). However, since sin has affected both our emotive and cultural plausibility structures, thereby leading to a distortion in our wants and desires and ability to desire the good, this has led to a generation that is self-ruling, self-creating and self-evaluating. The …
Grounded In Faith: Maintaining And Appreciating A Relationship With God, Oneself, And Others In An Ever-Changing World With New Ears And Eyes, Antoinette Marie Reaves
Grounded In Faith: Maintaining And Appreciating A Relationship With God, Oneself, And Others In An Ever-Changing World With New Ears And Eyes, Antoinette Marie Reaves
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The declining Mass attendance and participation in campus ministries at Cabrini University prompted this action research project. It was designed to engage students in guided dialogue defending key Christian doctrines to boost their Mass attendance and deepen their spiritual engagement. By involving seventeen students and employing interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaires, and surveys, the intersection of religion and spirituality among young adults was explored. Insights highlighted the participants’ perspectives regarding declining Mass attendance and disengagement from institutionalized religion. Meaningful dialogue around fundamental Christian doctrines, such as God’s existence and Jesus’ death and resurrection, was fostered to motivate students to increase …
Print Culture In New York: The Essence Of The Benevolent Empire From 1816 To 1837, Merritt Morgan
Print Culture In New York: The Essence Of The Benevolent Empire From 1816 To 1837, Merritt Morgan
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Print Culture in New York: The Essence of the Benevolent Empire from 1816 to 1837 is a story that places technological and organizational business innovations at the center of the American evangelical print culture of the "Benevolent Empire" during the Early Republic. After about 1815, during the "market revolution" (western expansion, eastern urbanization, and boom in trade and manufacturing), the business of benevolence boomed in religious publishing that inspired American merchants and prominent businessmen to consolidate hundreds of missionary, Bible, and tract societies. The consolidation process resulted in the creation of national benevolent societies that produced the first wave of …
Establishing A Christ-Centered Understanding Of The Minor Prophets At First Baptist Church, Greenville, Ky, John Michael Galyen
Establishing A Christ-Centered Understanding Of The Minor Prophets At First Baptist Church, Greenville, Ky, John Michael Galyen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this action research project is to help members of First Baptist Church Greenville, KY, interpret and apply the Minor Prophets from a Christ-centered perspective. This project measured church members’ understanding of the Minor Prophets as they pertain to Christians today. It also measured attitudes and affections toward the Minor Prophets. A total of eleven people participated in the study. Eight were female; the other three were male. Each participant completed a pre-intervention survey, along with three instructional workshops that focused on biblical exposition, biblical theology, and hermeneutics. An eight-part sermon series was implemented to model the kind …
Equipping Spiritually Mature Men To Mentor The Next Generation Of Leaders, Seth S. Carter
Equipping Spiritually Mature Men To Mentor The Next Generation Of Leaders, Seth S. Carter
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The primary objective of the study was to enhance the operational leadership within the church by implementing a mentorship program. The main target audience consisted of existing ministry leaders who would undergo specialized training to empower them in mentoring the upcoming generation of leaders within the church community. Emphasis was placed on the significance of dedicating resources toward nurturing the spiritual growth of the current leaders, as this would offer valuable insights into effectively guiding the spiritual journey of the future leaders based on solid biblical principles. The project probed into various key themes such as Story, Wisdom, Prayer, Character, …
A Lifestyle Who Is Christ: An Integrative Model Of Spiritual Formation, Katherine L. Pang
A Lifestyle Who Is Christ: An Integrative Model Of Spiritual Formation, Katherine L. Pang
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The field of spiritual formation is replete with models, ways, and processes, including many that propose the integration of psychology and Christianity and have further examined the psychology of Paul. Yet, none emphasize the impact of neuroscience, our brain function, neurochemistry, and neurobiology integrated with the tools and techniques of psychological science facilitated by the Holy Spirit and scripture-based truths derived primarily from Pauline theology in the Christ-follower for growth in spiritual maturity. A model formulated from Pauline theology, psychology, and neuroscience, as such, is novel within the field of spiritual formation. Therefore, the claim stems from the need for …
The Preeminent Biblical Role Of The Father: A Qualitative Action Research Project, Frank Wilhelm Heilmeier
The Preeminent Biblical Role Of The Father: A Qualitative Action Research Project, Frank Wilhelm Heilmeier
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Fathers have a biblical role to teach their children commandments, statutes, judgments, and God's Law. The father's duty to teach his children should be handed down from generation to generation. The assumption is that fathers do not teach their children as God commanded. When fathers do not teach their children, they risk becoming an absentee father which leads to fatherlessness, ultimately ending in a broken home. To address this issue and offset this risk, a qualitative action research project was conducted. This intervention implemented two small group training sessions for fathers with children ages six and under. The sessions were …
Millennials In The Marketplace: Transitioning From Marketplace Discipleship To Relational Discipleship At New Life Community, Marcus D. Steele
Millennials In The Marketplace: Transitioning From Marketplace Discipleship To Relational Discipleship At New Life Community, Marcus D. Steele
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This action research project seeks to resolve the problem of marketplace discipleship superseding relational discipleship among the millennials connected to New Life Community, a house church ministry in Hilliard, Ohio. For ministry gatherings at New Life Community, such as worship services, there was a noticeable decline in overall participation from the largest demographic of the ministry, the millennial generation. However, when there were ministry gatherings specific to marketplace initiatives that focused on career and entrepreneurship, most, if not all, of the millennials participated. This selective participation by millennials resulted from ministry gatherings that were too infrequent and needed more opportunities …
Missional Leadership: An Instructional Program To Cultivate Leaders Of A Missional Church, Conner Mathias Brew
Missional Leadership: An Instructional Program To Cultivate Leaders Of A Missional Church, Conner Mathias Brew
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this action research project is to design, execute, and evaluate a small group instructional framework that cultivates a missional culture focused on communal discipleship at MVMNT Church, a local church in the Association of Related Churches network, while also addressing a gap in scholarship surrounding the interrelation of discipleship and the missional church. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study leveraged inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with survey data to validate the lack of discipleship activity at MVMNT Church and moderate-to-low comprehension of topics related to mission, discipleship, and leadership in the church. This project recommended and …
Pastor's Cultural Intelligence And Personal Character Influence Within Youth Ministries, Linwood J. Sealey Iii
Pastor's Cultural Intelligence And Personal Character Influence Within Youth Ministries, Linwood J. Sealey Iii
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Within this study, the logic was to understand the natural development of cultural Christlike character traits among youth pastors who serve in the 6th-12th grade youth ministry loneliness environment. The sample population comprised between 22 church pastors within the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The sample included participants with different experience levels in pastoral and bi-vocational pastoral ministries. The guiding rationale was that the pastor's cultural Christlike character should be a positive factor in their ministry in the loneliness environment of the youth they serve. The sample covered the geographical settings within rural, suburban, and city environments. A purposive …
A Phenomenological Study Of Church Revitalization In Coastal North Carolina, Paolo Engle Santos
A Phenomenological Study Of Church Revitalization In Coastal North Carolina, Paolo Engle Santos
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Pastors and ministry leaders share the important responsibilities of church growth and revitalization. This research focused on overcoming decline and moving towards a season of strength and multiplication. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore church growth and revitalization within Southern Baptist churches in coastal North Carolina. The theory guiding this study was Rainer's (2020) central thesis about revived churches, which suggests that churches must adapt to cultural shifts and actively engage with the changing world. The study sought to gain insights into the perspectives and mindsets of full-time pastors and ministry leaders regarding numerical expansion, spiritual awakening, …
African, American, And Southern: The Survivors Of The Clotilda And The Wanderer, Kirsten Chaney
African, American, And Southern: The Survivors Of The Clotilda And The Wanderer, Kirsten Chaney
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the life experiences of first-generation enslaved Africans illegally brought to the United States of America after the passage of the 1808 Act Prohibiting the Importation of Enslaved Persons to the United States of America. The life experiences of those brought to the United States on board ships such as the Clotilda and the Wanderer create a stark contrast to the life experiences of multigenerational enslaved persons. The difference and Americanization can be viewed through the organization of the freedmen towns founded by each group, the education level achieved by the descendants of …
Redeeming Pastoral Evaluation: A Comprehensive Approach To Annual Pastoral Evaluation In A Congregation-Led Church, Drake Andrew Caudill
Redeeming Pastoral Evaluation: A Comprehensive Approach To Annual Pastoral Evaluation In A Congregation-Led Church, Drake Andrew Caudill
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Surrendering to the biblical mandate and God's call to pastoral ministry produces profound joy. However, pastoral burnout intensifies, and pastors leave the ministry at a staggering rate. Adding to the pressure of pastoral ministry, many churches implement an annual pastoral performance review policy. Imitating secular employment performance reviews, many churches base successful pastoral ministry on numerical metrics, performance goals, and preaching effectiveness. The researcher evaluated various pastoral evaluation forms across different denominations. Additionally, the researcher investigated the biblical theology of pastoral leadership. The action research project aimed to design a comprehensive, intentional, and biblical pastoral evaluation strategy for a congregation-led …
Becoming A Disciple-Making Disciple Through A Written Guided Plan In A Handbook, Benjamin T. Morrell
Becoming A Disciple-Making Disciple Through A Written Guided Plan In A Handbook, Benjamin T. Morrell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis addresses the lack of disciple-making at Richland Heights Baptist Church by implementing a disciple-making plan through a handbook. Churches needing revitalization often lack a disciple-making plan. Historically, Richland Heights had not implemented any New Testament training to develop disciple-makers. The project utilized triangulated methods consisting of a survey, questionnaire, interview, and observations. The observations took place during the implementation of opportunities before and after the sessions in the handbook. These incorporated the researcher's knowledge of the responses in the survey and questionnaire. By having a plan to make disciples with tools, training, and opportunities to implement the lessons …
Servant Leader Choral Conductor: The Effect Of Servant Leadership In Community Choirs And Community Partnerships, Zachary Debois Cooke
Servant Leader Choral Conductor: The Effect Of Servant Leadership In Community Choirs And Community Partnerships, Zachary Debois Cooke
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite servant leadership primarily establishing itself as an appropriate leadership style, there is little research on how servant leadership affects community choirs in music education. Community choirs are prevalent in music education due to the number of individuals seeking choral experiences and community gatherings to sing and express their musicality. This hermeneutic qualitative phenomenological study explores the leadership styles of community choir choral conductors and their perspectives on servant leadership. By surveying current choral conductors of community choirs and community partnerships, this qualitative study identifies the overarching leadership styles and servant leadership qualities that are consciously considered or not implemented …
The House That Love Builds: An Allegorical Interpretation Of The Song Of Songs, Tricia Lee Kline
The House That Love Builds: An Allegorical Interpretation Of The Song Of Songs, Tricia Lee Kline
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Over the last two hundred years, natural interpretations of the Song of Songs have become predominant among scholars. Shying away from the earlier, sometimes fanciful, allegorical interpretations of ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters, these modern-day scholars have argued that the plain sense of the text is of an ideal marriage relationship between a man and woman, and that the Song of Songs is simply a picture of the beauty of love and sex. This dissertation challenges this more modern view and argues again for an allegorical interpretation in which the man represents God and the woman represents His faithful covenant …
A Position Of Strength: The Reagan Military Buildup And The Conventional Forces, Kevin D. Smith
A Position Of Strength: The Reagan Military Buildup And The Conventional Forces, Kevin D. Smith
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Ronald Reagan's military program, commonly known as the buildup, was one of the most high-profile and enduring aspects of his presidency. Often characterized as “the largest peacetime buildup in U.S. history,†the program remains ill-defined in the extant historiography except concerning the strategic nuclear forces and total cost. This study provides a more in-depth examination of the greater fiscal beneficiary, the non-nuclear conventional forces. Fundamental questions are addressed on the rationale, necessity and destination of expenditures in the primary budget areas of Procurement, Research, Personnel, and Operations. Funding is analyzed in terms of linkage to the administration and the armed …
Charter School Music Programs In The Southwest: Innovation Or Isomorphism, Joseph Justo Ulibarri
Charter School Music Programs In The Southwest: Innovation Or Isomorphism, Joseph Justo Ulibarri
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The school choice movement is gaining popularity in the American education system, with supporters touting innovation and improvement in educational outcomes. Research on school choice efficacy—particularly comparisons between charter and traditional public schools (TPS)—is in its infancy. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to compare the incidence of nontraditional music courses in secondary charters and TPS in the Southwest. Secondly, the study utilized the Climate for Innovation Measure (CIM) to quantify teachers’ perceptions of organizational innovation. This research collected a randomized sample (N = 30) of secondary charter school music teachers (n = 15) and TPS music teachers (n …
Diverting The Mob Mentality: The Real Dam History Of Las Vegas, Stephen J. Mislan
Diverting The Mob Mentality: The Real Dam History Of Las Vegas, Stephen J. Mislan
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Las Vegas emerged as one of the most popular cities in the United States. Many factors impacted this improbable transformation from just a remote desert valley to a world-class resort destination in its relatively short existence. The story of how all of these factors led to such a fabulous city in such an unlikely location was truly the stuff of legends. The most prevalent narrative about the history of Las Vegas was that the mob built the city. The mob, indeed, was responsible for many casinos and casino innovations. Several other key figures, events, and circumstances contributed to the city’s …
Beyond Galilee: The Shift In Focus Of The Ministry Of Jesus Culminating At Caesarea Philippi, Kathryn Erin Dreesen
Beyond Galilee: The Shift In Focus Of The Ministry Of Jesus Culminating At Caesarea Philippi, Kathryn Erin Dreesen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A study of the travels of Christ leads to new insights about his ministry and ministry foci at different times in his life. By segmenting the life of Christ into three major portions – public ministry, private ministry, and mixed-focus ministry – the reasons behind Christ’s different attitudes toward crowds and miracles and his different emphases in his sermons become clearer. Portions of the Gospels are better understood with this segmentation. The locations that Jesus traveled to and stayed in also play a part in understanding his motives. At times, Jesus was keen to show himself to the crowds, doing …
The Australian Woolen Industry; British Investment In Colonial Australia: Unraveling The Threads Of Economic Development 1788-1850, Marie Cecilia Hedrick
The Australian Woolen Industry; British Investment In Colonial Australia: Unraveling The Threads Of Economic Development 1788-1850, Marie Cecilia Hedrick
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this study is to examine the dynamic relationship between British investment and the development of pastoralism and wool production in Australia from 1788 to 1850. It focuses on the crucial period of early European settlement and the subsequent growth of the wool industry as one of their first major staple industries. This study utilizes a multidisciplinary methodology approach, integrating historical, economic, political, and agricultural perspectives in order to provide a clearer understanding of the factors influencing British investment decisions. Research is conducted into the motivations behind British colonization in Australia with an emphasis on the role of …
Evangelicals As Zionists And Peacemakers In Arab And Israeli Peacemaking Through Track Ii Diplomacy, Johnnie Moore
Evangelicals As Zionists And Peacemakers In Arab And Israeli Peacemaking Through Track Ii Diplomacy, Johnnie Moore
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative study contributes to the literature at the intersection of religion and foreign policy by focusing on one of the modern era's most protracted and relevant foreign policy issues (the conflict between Israelis and Arabs), the influence of one of America’s most powerful religious constituencies (evangelicals), and one of the most widely used tools of non- governmental diplomacy (Track II diplomacy). It provides original research related to the relevancy of Track II diplomacy by evangelicals, specifically pro-Israel or “Zionist” evangelicals, in Israeli and Arab peacemaking. The study analyzes three relevant case studies to answer the research question: “How are …
A Correlational Study Between Spiritual Bible Reading And Spiritual Formation Of Leaders Of Pentecostal Churches, Mark Kwablah Buku
A Correlational Study Between Spiritual Bible Reading And Spiritual Formation Of Leaders Of Pentecostal Churches, Mark Kwablah Buku
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study aimed to understand the nuances of spiritual Bible reading and how it connects to the spiritual maturity of Christian leaders. The lack of spiritual formation in Christian spiritual leaders motivated this research. Literature abounds with spiritual reading, biblical engagement, interpretation methodologies, and the spiritual formation of Christian leaders. However, only a few studies exist on how people engage with the Bible. There is no empirical data on how biblical interactions impact spiritual development. The theory that guided this study was Jack Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory. With a quantitative survey methodology and non-probability sampling, data was collected from 91 …
The Singing Instrumentalist: A Sound-Before-Sight Approach In Instrumental Instruction, Tammy Joy Bartz
The Singing Instrumentalist: A Sound-Before-Sight Approach In Instrumental Instruction, Tammy Joy Bartz
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this quantitative experimental study was to examine the impact of two differing instructional strategies in beginning band instruction. One approach followed a traditional method, emphasizing technical proficiency and note-reading skills, while the other adopted a sound-before-sight approach where aural and oral skills were nurtured before introducing notation. The experimental study involved fourth and fifth-grade beginning band students from a rural elementary school in the Midwest. All participants were randomly divided into either the experimental or control group. The control group (n = 21) received instruction using a traditional note-reading approach, whereas the experimental group (n = 22) …
Pastoral Prose And Civic Engagement: Crafting The Call To The Public Square, Christopher Ian Thoma
Pastoral Prose And Civic Engagement: Crafting The Call To The Public Square, Christopher Ian Thoma
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis explores the relationship between creative writing techniques employed by pastors and congregational engagement in the public square. The central thesis posits that if pastors incorporate creative writing methods in extended weekly communications with congregants, then the necessary factors for engagement in the public square will be fostered, leading to attitudinal shifts demonstrated by increased congregational interest or participation in civil affairs. Through an extensive literature review, the thesis fairly examines historical and contemporary views of church and state, the Two Kingdoms doctrine, concepts relative to public square participation, Christianity’s waning cultural influence, communication science, developmental theory, literature familiarity, …
Mass Incarceration: Racial Disparities Within The U.S. Criminal Justice System, Crystal Nichole Pugh
Mass Incarceration: Racial Disparities Within The U.S. Criminal Justice System, Crystal Nichole Pugh
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The United States incarceration rate has remained steady at over two million people incarcerated within their criminal justice facilities. Among the U.S. criminal justice system incarcerated populations, African Americans are disproportionately represented contributing to its overwhelming numbers and overcrowded facilities nationwide. Studies have shown racial disparities experienced within the correctional system have been credited as a direct result of decision-making at various points throughout the criminal justice process. Previous and even current research on racial disparities within the criminal justice system have attributed much of its data to disproportionate minority contacts in the juvenile population and a heavy police presence …
Building Bridges: Connecting The Disconnected To God And Others After Counseling, Jonathan W. Terry
Building Bridges: Connecting The Disconnected To God And Others After Counseling, Jonathan W. Terry
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Previous research reveals that building bridges is not a new concept, but most of these topics do not involve the combination of relationships and counseling. Building Bridges is a metaphor for building healthy relationships. All participants were willing volunteers and were ensured anonymity. Twenty-three participants signed up for the workshop, and nineteen received a certificate of completion. The inspection report questionnaire and self-reflection homework assignment were used to introduce some vital tools for spiritual journaling, self-accountability, and self-assessment for each participant. The problem at FBC-GA is the relational disconnection caused by shame, guilt, and unresolved hurt that remains an inward …
The Protestant Vatican: Black Churches Involvement In The Nashville Civil Rights Movement 1865-1972, Samuel Dingkee Momodu
The Protestant Vatican: Black Churches Involvement In The Nashville Civil Rights Movement 1865-1972, Samuel Dingkee Momodu
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Black churches played a significant role in the Long Civil Rights Movement in Nashville, Tennessee, from Reconstruction to the early 1970’s. A more detailed study of the history of the movement and the role that Black churches played needs to be done at the local level, to gain a better understanding of how the Nashville Civil Rights Movement developed logistically and ideologically. This dissertation assesses how the Black Church, as an institution of African American life in Nashville, shaped and directed civil rights activism in that city. Black churches provided the headquarters that established two of the most influential civil …
The Middle School Developmental Vocal Methodology: A Middle School Vocal Music Instructional Methodology - The Vocal Pedagogy Branch, Eunice Nogueras
The Middle School Developmental Vocal Methodology: A Middle School Vocal Music Instructional Methodology - The Vocal Pedagogy Branch, Eunice Nogueras
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Middle school can be a precarious time for students and teachers. During this seemingly difficult time, some students cope by participating in choir. Studies outline that middle school choir can be notably beneficial for students. However, teaching middle school choir can be challenging, as directors must respond to students’ varying physiological development, especially when training their voices and establishing a choir. Further, choral music education throughout the United States tends to lack uniformity in curricula despite national and state standards, particularly at the middle school level. While some choral music educators in low socio-economic locations maintain successful programs, some are …
Developing A Pathway For Ministry Leaders At Southside Church Of The Nazarene, Reginald David Phillips
Developing A Pathway For Ministry Leaders At Southside Church Of The Nazarene, Reginald David Phillips
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This action research project created a leadership development pathway to produce more ministry leaders at Southside Church of the Nazarene. A five-step leadership development pathway culminating in discipleship integration was designed and implemented. This pathway produced a statistically significant increase in the number of new leaders in one quarter of a calendar year compared to the quarterly average of new leaders in the previous three years. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, and roundtable discussions, and reviewed by multiple researchers to help remove bias.