Christian Denominations and Sects Commons^™

Experiencing The Spirit: The Magnificat, Luther, And Feminists, Lois E. Malcolm

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Complexities Of Pastoral Change And Transition In The Megachurches Of The Baptist General Conference, Evangelical Lutheran Church In America, And Presbyterian Church (Usa), Sheila Strobel Smith

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

The emergence of the megachurch in the United States represents a unique phenomenon which was shaped by a variety of cultural, political, economic, and religious forces. Megachurches have grown exponentially in recent years and now exercise unprecedented influence on the religious landscape in this country. Accompanying this phenomenon is a new and unique group of leaders who have guided these congregations through periods of rapid growth and substantial organizational change.

It is anticipated that many megachurches will encounter significant challenges in the future as the current senior pastors retire. Since existing research on megachurches has focused primarily on the congregations, …

Im Zeitalter Der Globalisierung Den Dreieinigen Gott Bekennen -- Eine Lutherische Stimme, Guillermo C. Hansen

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Equipping Parents : A Study Of Baptism Education In The Twin City Area, Kathleen J. Wolf

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Resistance, Adaptation Or Challenge: The Versatility Of The Lutheran Code, Guillermo C. Hansen

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Blessing, Well-Being, And Salvation: Should Lutherans Learn To Dance To Another Tune?, Guillermo C. Hansen

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Missional Interim Ministry Processes A Case Study, Christopher Edwin Hagen

Doctor of Ministry Theses

A case study of conducting an interim missionally. Presents theological and theoretical bases for missional interim processes and description of an actual interim period in which the interim was approached missionally. Units of analyses are environment/context, power/leadership, conflict, organizational restructuring, trust, and conventional interim tasks. Interpretation of data is by time-sequence analysis and explanation building.

Charismatic power yielded to democratic expressions through process of legitimization. Political organizing within congregation was method for power transformation. Goal was communicative action that discerned the mission of God, determined congregation’s calling within that mission, and described congregation’s ministries to carry out its calling. i

Reframing Mission: An Action-Research Intervention Into A Mainline Judicatory, Dwight J. Zscheile

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

A system-wide, action-research intervention into a mainline church judicatory sought to empower its members to respond to the adaptive challenges facing them through reframing their understanding of mission in light of their changing context and theological tradition, and through actively discerning the leading of the Holy Spirit. Recognizing that the problems facing mainline denominational systems in 21st century America require attention to foundational questions of identity and purpose in a post-Christendom era, this study utilized a multi-layered, participatory process that encouraged grass-roots transformation.

Over the course of one year, approximately 2,000 members of a diocese of the Episcopal Church participated …

A More True ‘Domestic And Foreign Missionary Society’: Toward A Missional Polity For The Episcopal Church., Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Two Kinds Of Authority: Law And Gospel, Steven D. Paulson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Preaching In Lutheran Pulpits In The Age Of Confessionalization, Mary Jane Haemig, Robert Kolb

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Renouncing The Devil, Confessing The Christ The Centrality Of Christ's Victory Over The Devil Within The Lutheran Tradition, Erik P. Gravrock

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Reconciling The Believing Nonbelonger: Readiness To Reach And Receive Lost Sheep, Robert E. Sachs Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This study examines and explains readiness of reconciling with believing nonbelongers from 284 respondents in two categories of 139 systematically selected ELCA congregations in the western United States that received adults during 2001-2005. A concurrent-nested, mixed-method design integrates biblical-theological missio Dei and missio ecclesia foundations with Prochaska’s Transtheoretical Stages of Change and Parshall’s Contextualization Spectrum. Chi-square crosstabulations, simple logistical regression, and Centering Resonance Analyses show: faith of origin, worship attendance growth trend, regional location, population size and growth trend, clergy and lay partnership, and programmatic emphasis has significant effects on the readiness of congregations and respondents to receive the unaffiliated.

Congregations As Systems For Empowering Missional Leadership: A Lutheran Hermeneutic For Leading In Mission, Terri Lynn Martinson Elton

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

What are the cultural dynamics within a congregational system that are vital to the empowering of missional leadership? Do Lutherans have anything to contribute to the missional church movement in the United States? These two questions were primary for this dissertation and emerged out of two gaps identified in the missional church literature. Seeing congregations as complex, open systems, missional leadership within congregational systems was studied using a grounded theory, qualitative research approach. The five ELCA congregational systems in this study were identified by their peers as excelling in helping their faith community discover their calling as disciples of Jesus …

What Is Essential In Lutheran Worship?, Steven D. Paulson

Faculty Publications

Martin Luther’s simple definition of worship remains valid: “nothing else” need ever happen “except that our dear Lord himself may speak to us through his holy Word and we respond to him through prayer and praise.” The essential moments of public worship are reading, preaching (including the presence and proclamation of Christ in the sacraments), and prayer.

Justificación, Sanación Y Responsabilidad, Guillermo C. Hansen

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Preaching Office And The Preacher Among American Lutherans Today, Steven D. Paulson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Opportunities Amidst Challenges: Denominations And Rural Ministry, Alvin Luedke

Faculty Publications

The changing social, economic, and religious landscape of rural communities offers denominations an opportunity for demonstrating renewed relevance to congregations in those areas, as denominational leaders and structures help rural congregations identify and meet the mission challenges they now face.

Mormon Growth And Practices: Christian Theological Reflections, Patrick R. Keifert

Faculty Publications

Mormonism, despite its manifest departures from orthodox Christian faith, models practices of relating faith and everyday life that can be significantly instructive for Christian congregations.

A Rhetorical Approach To Theological Education: Assessing An Attempt To Re-Vision A Curriculum, Patrick R. Keifert, Donald Juel

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

El Uso Político De La Cruz: Poder Y Contra-Poder En La 'Theologia Crucis' De Lutero, Guillermo C. Hansen

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

North American Lutheranism And The New Ethnics, Mark A. Granquist

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Confessional Basis Of Lutheran Thinking On Church-State Issues, Mary Jane Haemig

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Law And The Danger Of Freedom, Steven D. Paulson

Faculty Publications

Proposing a “third use of the law”—a law for Christians after faith—arises from a fear of freedom. It is finally a christological problem, since Christ put an end to the law not only in himself but also in us.

Making Our Home In The Works Of God: Lutherans On The Civil Use Of The Law, Marie A. Failinger, Patrick R. Keifert

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Communication, Consolation And Discipline: Two Early Lutheran Preachers On Confession, Mary Jane Haemig

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Daunting, Indeed! A Critical Conversation With The Promise Of Lutheran Ethics, Gary M. Simpson

Faculty Publications

The seven essayists in The Promise of Lutheran Ethics provide material for a fruitful conversation with the reviewer, which in turn provides food for thought for readers of the volume and the review.

The Christian Communio And The Question Of Identity, Guillermo C. Hansen

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Lutherans In The United States, 1930-1960: Searching For The "Center", Mark A. Granquist

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Church Growth Movement: A Wesleyan Critique, Alan G. Padgett

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.