Religion Commons^™

The Canonical-Legal Status Of Autocephaly And Autonomy In The Context Of Pan-Orthodox Dialogue, Ivan Yovchev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Historical procedures for granting autonomy and autocephaly are not strictly standardized in canonical law and often rely on local traditions, agreements, and specific historical-political circumstances. This leads to a diversity of practices – from unilateral tomoses (decrees) of autocephaly issued by the mother church to decisions supported by a broader pan-Orthodox consensus. At the pan-Orthodox level, the question of how new autocephalous and autonomous churches are proclaimed has been under discussion since the Pan-Orthodox preparatory commissions of the 20th–21st centuries. Preparatory documents envisage the need for a pan-Orthodox agreement, with autocephaly to be granted through a tomos signed by the …

Islamic Identity In Post-Soviet Kazakhstan: Between Nation-Building And Global Religious Transformations, Ainur Adaikhan, Ainur Shormanova, Nurlan Orynbekov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This study examines the formation and expression of Islamic identity in Kazakhstan within the broader post-Soviet transformation of religion, nationhood, and state governance. Following decades of Soviet-imposed atheism, Islam re-emerged as a significant cultural and social force after independence in 1991. The objective of this research is to analyze how Islamic identity is constructed, expressed, and regulated in contemporary Kazakhstan, and to assess the interaction between ethnocultural belonging, institutional governance, and global religious influences. Methodologically, the study employs a mixed analytical approach combining theoretical interpretation, quantitative analysis of census and survey data, and institutional analysis of religious policy frameworks. Empirical …

Influence Of Culture On The Practice Of Christianity Among Yoruba In Nigeria And Its Implications For Christian Missions, Olayinka John Akinola

The Asbury Journal

This study investigates the profound influence of Yoruba culture on the practice of Christianity among the Yoruba people in Nigeria. The Yoruba people group is in the western part of Africa with a larger percentage found in Nigeria. The Yoruba people of Nigeria have a rich cultural heritage that significantly influences the practice of Christianity among them. By employing a qualitative research approach, using descriptive research method, this study delves into the intricate relationships between Yoruba cultural values, beliefs, and practices and Christian teachings and practices.

The findings of this study reveal that Yoruba culture has significantly shaped the practice …

The Rise And (Sudden) Fall Of The New York Magdalen Society: How A Methodist Doctor Upset The Entire City Of New York, Philip Hardt

The Asbury Journal

In the 1820s, several new interdenominational societies distributed Bibles and tracts, formed Sunday Schools, and launched missions in areas of the city that lacked a religious presence. Another society called the New York Magdalen Society (hereafter, NYMS) was formed on January 1, 1830, to rescue women from prostitution. To be sure, this society was greatly needed as this activity had been steadily increasing. Their primary focus was a dilapidated area known as the “Five Points.” Purchasing an asylum (i.e., a large house), they started to accept women who sincerely wanted to change. Yet, their first annual report, issued in July …

Three Mothers Who Prayed, James M. Taylor

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

Touring South America With The Gospel, James M. Taylor

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

From The Editor, Robert Danielson

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

Ammas, Abbas And Art: Theological Reflections On Divine Nurture, Kristen Harris, Emma Morgan, Kara Roberts

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Students in this session will present their final projects from a semester-long independent study on art, motherhood, and theology; drawing on written, visual, and musical texts from 2000 years of tradition, they reflect on the ways Christian practice and language have invited contemplation on the role of mothering.

Introduction, Philip P. Arnold, Sandra L. Bigtree, Adam Dj Brett

Religion - All Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Master Plan Of Evangelism (Daai Chin Version), Robert E. Coleman

GO InterNational Books

No abstract provided.

La Iglesia Ante La Migración: Hospitalidad, Justicia Y Testimonio Cristiano, Gricelda Careaga

Apuntes: Reflexiones teológicas desde el margen hispano

This paper examines migration as a central theological and social reality, drawing on biblical narratives, Christian ethics, and contemporary experiences. It argues that migration, present from the history of Israel to the present, has shaped communities and continues to challenge the Church to respond faithfully. Grounded in Lovin’s concept of integrity and the theology of the Incarnation, the study contends that the Church is called to embody a distinctive witness through hospitality, justice, and dignity toward migrants. Through an analysis of key biblical accounts—such as Abraham, the Exodus, Ruth, and the flight to Egypt—alongside insights from liberation theology, migration is …

La Enfermedad Del Nacionalismo Cristiano, Joaquín Martinez

Apuntes: Reflexiones teológicas desde el margen hispano

This paper critically examines Christian nationalism as a distortion of the Christian faith, arguing that it is rooted in historical systems of oppression that can be traced back to the Doctrine of Discovery and early European colonial expansion. While often presented as a movement to restore a nation “for God,” Christian nationalism frequently aligns itself with political and economic interests that marginalize vulnerable communities. Drawing from theological reflection, particularly the frameworks of liberation theology and practical theology, this study proposes that the incarnation of Christ serves as a foundational model for understanding true Christian discipleship as one oriented toward justice, …

Relación De Los Desafíos Que Sufren Los Indocumentados En Estados Unidos Con Las Disciplinas Teológicas Y La Historia De La Iglesia, Zulma Tifre

Apuntes: Reflexiones teológicas desde el margen hispano

This theological essay examines the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States through the lens of theological disciplines and church history. Drawing parallels with the biblical experience of Israel in Egypt, it argues that contemporary immigrants endure systemic injustice, economic exploitation, and social exclusion, particularly due to the lack of legal status and access to basic rights. Using insights from practical theology, liberation theology, and the doctrine of the Imago Dei, the study emphasizes the inherent dignity of all human beings and critiques structures that perpetuate marginalization. It further highlights the historical role of the Church as a …

Pastors In Crisis: A Proactive Prayer Life As A Measure Against Pastoral Burnout, Seth W. Hinrichs

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Doctor of Ministry project examines the relationship between a proactive prayer life and pastoral burnout among senior pastors in Converge North Central churches. Addressing the increasing prevalence of burnout in vocational ministry, the study reframes burnout as a fundamentally theological issue rather than merely a psychological or organizational problem. Drawing on the work of Ray Anderson and others, the project argues that burnout reflects a misalignment between a pastor’s lived theology—particularly in identity, calling, and dependence on God—and the realities of ministry practice. The research integrates biblical-theological reflection, a review of contemporary literature, and quantitative field research through a …

A Ministry Manual For Supporting Pastoral Transitions: Addressing The Emotional And Spiritual Needs Of Clergy And Their Families, John Tucker

Dissertations

Pastoral transitions represent spiritually significant yet often under-supported moments in the life of clergy, congregations, and ministry networks. While leadership change is frequently framed in theological language emphasizing divine calling and institutional continuity, insufficient attention is given to the emotional, relational, and familial dimensions of these transitions. This Doctor of Ministry project examines the spiritual and emotional impact of pastoral transitions within African American church contexts, with particular attention to clergy wellbeing and systems of care.

This study employed a mixed-methods research design integrating quantitative survey data with qualitative semi-structured interviews. Survey instruments were distributed to pastors affiliated with The …

Master Plan Of Evangelism. – Romanian Version, Robert E. Coleman

GO InterNational Books

No abstract provided.

Master Plan Of Evangelism Korean Version, Robert E. Coleman

GO InterNational Books

No abstract provided.

Master Plan Of Evangelism- Mongolian Version, Robert E. Coleman

GO InterNational Books

No abstract provided.

Master Plan Of Evangelism – Sinhala Version, Robert E. Coleman

GO InterNational Books

No abstract provided.

No One Told Their Story: Acculturation, Faith Formation, And Belonging In Multicultural Congregations Led By African American Pastors, Alicia L. Partee

Doctor of Ministry

The search for meaning, identity coherence, and belonging often intensifies when individuals cross cultural boundaries. Faith communities can serve as sanctuaries for identity renegotiation, but congregations may also reproduce the social distance and exclusion found in the broader society. This dissertation addresses a scholarly and pastoral gap at the intersection of acculturation and Christian faith formation, and more specifically how identity, belonging, and spiritual formation are negotiated within multicultural congregations led by African American pastors in San Jose, California, and similar contexts.

Drawing on acculturation research in psychology, sociology, and anthropology, this study examines how culturally diverse newcomers experience culture …

Binding The Strongman: Understanding And Disarming Society's Anxious Systems, Jacob Eugene Osborne

Doctor of Ministry

Binding the Strongman seeks to address an underlying problem at the heart of western evangelicalism, an idolatry which contemporary Christianity has become enmeshed in as it relates to political figures, cultural influencers, and unhealthy spiritual leaders. The NPO examines how evangelicals engaged in politics are encountering barriers to spiritual growth largely due to systemic social and spiritual leadership issues caused by their position in a relational system that is experiencing chronic anxiety.

Binding the Strongman addresses underlying dynamics at the heart of every Christian, such as the unhealthy emotional systems they are prone to rely on as systems of truth, …

The New, New Song: Answering Decline In Mainline Communities Of Faith, Daniel Garrett Kuckuck

Doctor of Ministry

This project addresses the NPO Statement: “The practical theology of mainline congregations in decline is no longer speaking at all.” Research conducted across congregational contexts revealed that many communities of faith still believe deeply, but have lost the confidence and practice of articulating their faith story aloud. Decline is not only a matter of resources and worship size, but also of a congregation’s ability to name who they are, what God is doing among them, and why their story matters now.

The project emerges directly from my vocational context as a pastor and judicatory leader accompanying 130 worshipping communities across …

Cultivating Belonging In Church Communities: A Repeatable Model For Small Groups, Clancy Z. Kiener

Doctor of Ministry

NPO Statement for this project is as follows:

Many individuals experience a diminished sense of belonging within religious environments. This lack of belonging can lead to disengagement and limit opportunities for authentic spiritual and communal formation. Structured, repeatable, moderator-led small groups— guided by trained moderators—offer a practical approach for fostering connection and strengthening a sense of belonging within church communities.

A key insight from this project is that many people in church communities experience a persistent sense of not belonging, even when they attend, serve, and believe alongside others. The research shows that belonging is not automatically created by shared …

Silent Struggles: The Hidden Burden Of Depression Among Black Single Mothers In Ghana, Sonja Brown

Doctor of Ministry

Reflections Through the Single Mothers of the Bible examines depression among Black single mothers in Ghana as an overlooked yet urgent mental, physical, economic, social, and Spiritual concern, highlighting the need for integrated Faith-based and community-centered responses. While global attention to maternal mental health has increased, the lived experiences of Black single mothers, particularly within faith-shaped, patriarchal, and economically constrained Ghanaian contexts, remain underrepresented in scholarly research, theological discourse, and public policy. This gap presents a problem and an opportunity to develop holistic, culturally responsive, and faith-informed approaches to care and advocacy.

This dissertation argues that depression among Black single …

Digging Deep: Food Sovereignty, Belonging & Community- A Systemic Approach, Julie Lynn Gullett

Doctor of Ministry

Set in the rural, agrarian context of Lewis County, Washington, one of the poorest counties in Washington State, this project explores the following NPO: Addressing the concerns of marginalized populations by fostering care of Creation, offers an innovative path to meaningful reciprocal community connections, and a future filled with hope. Drawing on the wisdom and methodologies of Seedpod Farm, my vocational context, a key insight of the Project centered on three interrelated outcomes that my research identified as critical for success: Sovereignty through the development of food skills, belonging through mentoring and cohort relationships, and fostering community connections through service. …

Embracing God's Call: The Case For The Ordination Of Black Female Pastors Within The Church Of God In Christ, Luquanda Hawkins

Doctor of Ministry

This dissertation explores the intersection of social justice and the ministry journey of Black women within the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the most prominent Black religious denomination in the United States. It examines the historical and theological foundations of COGIC, with a focus on the systemic devaluation of Black women, the suppression of their leadership roles, and the antiquated policies that confine them to subservient positions. This study argues that the denial of leadership opportunities to women constitutes unequal treatment and represents a critical social justice issue.

The research highlights how many Black religious organizations, including COGIC, have …

Flourishing In The Wilderness: Soul Care For The Disoriented, Disillusioned, And Deconstructing, Becky Frazier

Doctor of Ministry

Seasons of disorientation, disillusionment, and deconstruction are normal parts of the Christian spiritual life. This can be seen throughout church history and is even an integral theme of scripture. Yet many churches do not prepare Christians for this possibility, leaving many to struggle more than is necessary through the loneliness, doubt, and confusion of these seasons. This experience of being “unmoored” and alone was a key insight that emerged throughout my research. It is my belief that churches should equip and support members who find themselves in a wilderness season of their faith. To that end, the NPO that this …

Stefan Tsankov And Orthodox Ecumenical Theology: Foundations, Grammar And Reception, Ioannis Kaminis, Nikos Kouremenos

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This paper examines the life, theology, and ecumenical legacy of Protopresbyter Dr. Stefan Tsankov (1881-1965), a leading Bulgarian Orthodox theologian and one of the earliest Orthodox pioneers of the modern ecumenical movement. Situating Tsankov within the broader trajectory of twentieth-century Orthodoxy, the study traces his biographical formation, academic career, and active participation in key inter-Christian and inter-Orthodox forums, including the Faith and Order and Life and Work movements. Particular attention is given to his theological “grammar” of ecumenism: a vision grounded in the catholicity of the Church, the inseparability of unity and doctrinal truth, and an irenic ethos marked by …

Eldad And Medad’S Effusive And Momentous Worlds: A Diachronic View, David J. Zucker

The Asbury Journal

In Numbers 11, Eldad and Medad, two of the seventy chosen elders of the people of Israel remain in camp, while their counterparts join Moses at the Tent of Meeting. At the Tent, God takes some of the divine spirit that is on Moses and puts it on the elders, who then speak in ecstasy (others: prophesy, have a vision). Suddenly and simultaneously Eldad and Medad also speak in ecstasy (others: prophesy, have a vision). This article addresses how the text has been received and interpreted in the postbiblical world, largely in rabbinic writings, but also in religiously based homilies …

The Christ Of The Asbury Road, E. Stanley Jones

The Asbury Journal

This is an unpublished sermon, given by E. Stanley Jones on May 8, 1942, at 11:00 am at a special assembly at Asbury College. The day was named E. Stanley Jones day by the administration, and the 1942 yearbook was dedicated to Dr. Jones, who was also a member of the Board of Trustees. Jones had been asked to adapt the idea of his most well-known book, The Christ of the Indian Road, to his experience and knowledge of Asbury in Wilmore, Kentucky. He provided several interesting points to help ground Asbury’s theological position of holiness and build on that …