Religion Commons^™

Authority, Autonomy, And Healthy Communication: Embracing The Organizational Complexities Of The Multisite Church, Jamus Edwards

Great Commission Research Journal

A perplexing matrix-style of leadership that reflects numerous leadership teams across multiple locations typically characterizes multisite churches. As a result, the most volatile element in the multisite church is the distribution of decision-making authority. The unique organizational challenge for multisite churches is determining the balance of trust, freedom, and control in the relationship between each campus’s leadership and the primary leadership team of the overall church. Inevitable frustrations among campus pastors can often be decreased when multisite leadership teams are characterized by clarity in roles and authority. Additionally, responsiveness in the areas of authentic communication and the embracing of conflict …

Book Review: Together In One Mission: Pentecostal Cooperation In World Evangelization By Arto Hämäläinen And Grant Mcclung, Eds., David Rogers

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Pastoral Attitudes That Predict Numerical Church Growth, David R. Dunaetz, Kenneth E. Priddy

Great Commission Research Journal

The attitudes of 92 head pastors were measured concerning 20 ministry-relevant ideas and practices, as well as information about their church’s present numerical growth. A statistical analysis found four pastoral attitudes that predict positive or negative numerical church growth. Positive predictors of numerical church growth were strong beliefs that 1) personal and corporate prayer are important and 2) transfer growth is an indicator of congregational health. Negative predictors of numerical church growth were strong beliefs in the importance of 1) preaching and 2) outreach to the community. The practical implications of these findings are discussed in light of evangelical theology.

Book Review: Franchising Mcchurch: Feeding Our Obsession With Easy Christianity By Thomas White And John M. Yeats, Brandon Kiesling

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Planning And Implementing Successful Pastoral Succession, Parnell M. Lovelace Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

The senior pastor serves as the visionary catalyst for the local church congregation. Cultural, ethnic, and theological traditions define the pastor’s role, often determining how the pastor plants a church, leads people, and transitions once the pastoral assignment is completed. None of these responsibilities is easy. However, the matter of pastoral succession brings concerns, sensitivities, and challenges that are unique within any discussion of ministerial success. Center of Praise Ministries in Sacramento, California, provides several examples of paradigms, challenges, and mores that one must address when facilitating healthy transition. This article explores how intentional and strategic pastoral succession planning provides …

Book Review: Making Your Vision A Reality: Proven Steps To Develop And Implement Your Church Vision Plan By Paul Cannings, Kenneth Lewis

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Timeless Growth Principles From The Movement Of Hans Nielsen Hauge: A Case Study In Pietism, David Stein, Frederick Thoni

Great Commission Research Journal

As existing churches continually face the challenge of staying relevant, and new churches face the challenge of establishing traction in the first place, a fresh look at the dynamics of movements will help both. While large, existing churches can often operate from an institutional focus, new and growing churches have to operate from a movement focus. Declining churches need to recapture the dynamism that helped them come into being in the first place. In order to break free from the status quo a new catalyst must be inserted into the equation in order to move forward to the next level. …

Book Review: Size Does Matter: Moving Your Ministry From Micro To Mega By R. A. Vernon, Jeremy Upton

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Trees, My Lungs: Self Psychology And The Natural World At An American Buddhist Center, Daniel S. Capper

Faculty Publications

This study employs ethnographic field data to trace a dialogue between the self psychological concept of the selfobject and experiences regarding the concept of “interbeing” at a Vietnamese Buddhist monastery in the United States. The dialogue develops an understanding of human experiences with the nonhuman natural world which are tensive, liminal, and nondual. From the dialogue I find that the selfobject concept, when applied to this form of Buddhism, must be inclusive enough to embrace relationships with animals, stones, and other natural forms. The dialogue further delineates a self psychological methodology for examining religions in their interactions with natural forms.

America The Yogiful: Insights Into American Yoga Culture Today, Carolina Castaneda

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

Originally a spiritual technology, yoga has been practiced in India and surrounding areas for thousands of years. In the late nineteenth century the practice of yoga gained popularity as a physical, mental and spiritual commodity among the masses in America and the world. Yoga is now a globally recognized fitness routine, part of the everyday lives of men and women seeking relaxation, stretching and mental sanity. In today’s fast paced world it is easy to understand yoga is appealing to the masses, however, as a yoga practitioner myself I often wondered if Americans are gaining all the benefits of the …

The Soul Of Korean Christianity: How The Shamans, Buddha, And Confucius Paved The Way For Jesus In The Land Of The Morning Calm, Colin Lewis

Honors Projects

Whether one is speaking of its progressive elements or its charismatic characteristics, Korean Christianity exhibits a vibrancy that stands out among the religious traditions of modern East Asia. Its evangelistic zeal and enormous growth have led to its being a locus point of Christian faith for those in non-Western contexts. In light of its vibrancy and prominence, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the church in Korea is proof that Christianity may thrive outside of the West.

At the same time, the reasons for Christianity’s success on the Korean peninsula are more difficult to pin down. Why …

Religiously Affiliated Law Schools Database, American Bar Foundation

Law School and Faculty Information

The information for this database was collected in the spring of 2014. Variables include:

• School Location
• Public/Private
• Mentions Religion in Mission Statement
• Religiously Affiliated Based on Baylor's Association of Religiously Affiliated Law Schools
• Religiously Affiliated Based on Other Information
• Religious Affiliation

Seeking The Will Of God: The Information Seeking Experiences Of The Leaders Of Nova Scotia Churches In Transition, David H. Michels

PhD Dissertations

Christian Churches in Nova Scotia are facing economic, social, and theological stresses. In response many are engaged in processes of restructuring and renewal. Leaders are initiating and managing these change processes, and they are seeking information to make their decisions, and “God’s will for their churches.” Very little is known about how church leaders seek, gather, evaluate, and use information in their decision-making. In this study I asked the question: “Of the Nova Scotia churches in transition, what are the information seeking experiences of their leaders?” Using ethnographic methods at three church sites, I explored this particular context. I gathered …

Pastoral Attitudes That Predict Numerical Church Growth, David R. Dunaetz, Kenneth E. Priddy

Selected Faculty Publications

The attitudes of 92 head pastors were measured concerning 20 ministry-relevant ideas and practices, as well as information about their church’s present numerical growth. A statistical analysis found four pastoral attitudes that predict positive or negative numerical church growth. Positive predictors of numerical church growth were strong beliefs that 1) personal and corporate prayer are important and 2) transfer growth is an indicator of congregational health. Negative predictors of numerical church growth were strong beliefs in 1) the importance of preaching and 2) the importance of outreach to the community. The practical implications of these findings are discussed in light …

Gateways To The Goddess: Devotion To Kali In Cross-Cultural Perspective, Nicole C. Petersen

Departmental Honors Projects

Kali, the dark Hindu goddess of time and fierce Mother of the universe, has a pervasive global presence. This project traces Her from historical roots in India across borders to temples in California. A theoretical synthesis of the experiential approaches of sensory anthropology and Victor Turner's three-part model of ritual processes, the project presents an innovative approach through which to study and articulate devotion to Kali in diverse cultural contexts. Through textual research, interviews and observant participation, I analyze the process whereby devotees separate themselves from the mundane and enter liminal spaces of worship, understood both spatially and temporally. I …

"Not A Hand Bound; Not A Voice Hushed": Ordination And Foundational Adventist Understandings Of Women In Ministry, Ginger Hanks Harwood, Beverly Beem

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

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Glorious Adornment: The Social Function Of Cloth And Clothing In Israel's Tabernacle, Selena Billington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the tabernacle narratives of Exodus, the LORD instructs the Israelites to build a tabernacle and to make special garments in which to consecrate Aaron (proto-type high priest) and his sons (proto-type priests). The garments are to be for Aaron's and his sons' "glorious adornment." Detailed descriptions of the special garments are provided, and the description shares much in common with the descriptions of the cloths which comprise the tabernacle complex. What is there about the unique clothing of Aaron and the cloth of the tabernacle that causes Aaron and the tabernacle to be glorified? What is being said about …

Towards A Conceptual Map Of Academic Libraries' Role In Student Retention, Seth Allen

The Christian Librarian

Academic libraries, like other academic departments, are developing strategies to retain students given the high cost of withdrawing to both students and institutions. The relatively few empirical studies of college libraries and retention efforts cite comfortable library facilities, student employment in the library, and inter-departmental partnerships as effective library strategies to prevent attrition. Much of the professional literature on libraries and retention extrapolates what libraries could be doing based on general studies of retention. These empirically-based and theoretical strategies are presented in the form of conceptual map at the end of this review along with a map of institutional stakeholders …

Library Research Instruction For Doctor Of Ministry Students: Outcomes Of Instruction Provided By A Theological Librarian And By A Program Faculty Member, Charles D. Kamilos, Rodney Birch

The Christian Librarian

At some seminaries the question of who is more effective teaching library research is an open question. There are two camps of thought: (1) that the program faculty member is more effective in providing library research instruction as he or she is intimately engaged in the subject of the course(s), or 2) that the theological librarian is more effective in providing library research instruction as he or she is more familiar with the scope of resources that are available, as well as how to obtain “hard to get” resources.

Christian Librarians And The Library Bill Of Rights: A Survey Of Opinions And Professional Practice, Scott Kaihoi

The Christian Librarian

This study used a survey methodology to discover how Christian librarians working in academic libraries responded to the American Library Association’s (ALA) ethical standards as embodied in the Library Bill of Rights (LBR). The results showed that while the Christian librarians surveyed largely support the LBR and adhere to it professionally, their interpretation of its sometimes ambiguous language is made through the lens of a Christian worldview and can conflict with the ALA’s interpretation. Of particular concern to the respondents were issues of collection development and access to content like pornography, violence, or other similar material that conflicts with Christian …

The Fear Of The Lord Is The Beginning Of Librarianship, Garrett Trott

The Christian Librarian

Terminology plays a critical role in understanding any discipline. The terms data, information, knowledge and wisdom are key terms when working with library and information science, thus how they are defined underpin a librarian’s philosophy, which is manifested in service. This article will look at these four key terms through a rigorous Christian intellectual framework, suggesting that the fear of the Lord provides a foundation upon which library services should be based. After providing this framework, this article will provide some examples of how the fear of the Lord can be applied in library services.

Library As Place: Being Human In A Digital World, Amanda C.R. Clark

The Christian Librarian

Despite the increasingly digital nature of information retrieval, both users and computers continue to occupy physical space, and the library – as place – offers an essential location for inspiration. In an age when one might assume that the digital negates the physical, a finite place can root the individual within space regarding both composition and information retrieval. In this seeking for the essentially human element of the physical book within space, we may also discover a need for the library as place.

"The Best-Selling Bibles: What Librarians Need To Know", Stephanie P. Livengood

The Christian Librarian

This article presents guidance for librarians in the selection and recommendation of Bible translations. Pairing a reader with an appropriate Bible requires clear understanding of patron reading level and intended purpose along with a general knowledge of the major translations and their key characteristics. Bibliographic details and annotative summaries of the 10 best-selling Bibles in the United States are included. Ranking is based on the latest unit sales data released April 2014 by the Association for Christian Retail.

"Tutorials: Resource Instruction For Distance Learners", Pamela Greenlee

The Christian Librarian

Academic librarians, devoted to providing resources and services for learners, find both opportunity and challenge in the continuing growth of online programs in higher education. The technology tools available for online courses are also available to librarians seeking to support those courses with research and information literacy skills instruction. Researchers have delineated factors necessary for achieving defined learning outcomes with online tutorials. These factors include assignment relevance, faculty collaboration, and student interaction. A fourth issue emerges as equally critical; there must be a single iteration of the tutorial, posted in a unique online location, and subject to dynamic revision. There …

"Doing Good With A Slice Of Pi: Ideas For Using The Raspberry Pi As A Low Cost Information Platform In Libraries", Michael Wells

The Christian Librarian

In the last decade, librarians have been under pressure to cut costs at every level. These cuts often occur in acquisitions, while other areas such as technology demand fiscal expansion just to meet user demand. In the last few years, University of Cambridge computer science researchers have developed a credit card-sized computer, affectionately known as the Raspberry Pi. Intended to serve as an educational platform for children learning Python programming, the project has far exceeded its original scope. At $35, this small computer can now serve as a creative solution in various areas of librarianship.

Investing In The Student Staff Development Process, Jeremy Mcginniss, Joshua B. Michael

The Christian Librarian

This paper argues for the need for librarians to invest in the student staff development process, particularly in the context of biblical higher education. The foundational pieces of hiring, training, development and assessment which inform the student staff development process are defined and explored to see how they should fit into the library context. Examples from the library literature coupled with practical experience provide a framework that encompasses theoretical and pragmatic application. This paper narrates how a particular library worked through this process while providing principles from which libraries of varying sizes of collections and staff can benefit.

Acl News & Notes

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Using Prezi As A Library Instruction Tool, Amy James

The Christian Librarian

Prezi is a cloud-based presentation tool that is built with the help of many open source projects. Not only in Prezi free, but users also gain access to video tutorials, live online training sessions and webinars given by Prezi experts; and community forums where users can talk about problems, give tips, and learn from one another. Signing up for the “Edu Enjoy” account with an .edu email address provides additional benefits. This article will cover the features of Prezi, discuss pros and cons, and will conclude with ways to successfully incorporate Prezi into information literacy instruction sessions.

Annotated Bibliography: Faith, Learning And Christian Higher Education In The Twenty-First Century, Joshua M. Avery

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Annotated Bibliography: A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf, Jeannie Ferriss

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.