Practical Theology Commons^™

Transforming Narratives Through “Live”: A Pastoral Model Of Care For Women In Sex Work, Nkiruka Okafor Ihm

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

This work, “Transforming Narratives Through “Live”: A Pastoral Model of Care for Women in Sex Work,” seeks to provide the Church with a pastoral response from the narratives of the women doing sex work as streetwalkers in Nigeria. The work uses the four steps of practical theological model of Rick Osmer to describe, interpret, theologize, and strategize on pastoral care of women in sex work. The literature review, both descriptive and interpretive, examines the perception of agency as exercised by the women in sex work through the work of scholars, writings by women in sex industry, the different pastoral models …

A Theological Playground: Christian Summer Camp In Theological Perspective, Jacob Sorenson

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

Christian camping ministry is a vibrant and well-established form of ministry in the church, but it has received shockingly little scholarly attention. Supporters and detractors alike rely on anecdotal evidence to support their claims. Many in the academic community have dismissed camp as theologically shallow or mere fun and games, while others have praised it as a form of ministry proven to facilitate life-changing experiences. Much of the confusion comes from conflating very different models of camping ministry, though most is the result of a simple dearth of scholarly research.

This project takes a close look at the rich history …

Christian Youth Ministries And Youth Sports: A View From The Trenches, Mark A. Granquist

Faculty Publications

Although youth sports have long been a challenge to Christian youth ministries, these activities are now consuming more and more time of the youth involved, often drawing them away from activities and ministries sponsored by churches. What are the issues (and opportunities) in this challenge, and what can be learned from those currently doing Christian work with youth?

Sports Fandom: Worthless Idol And Wonderful Thing, Rolf A. Jacobson

Faculty Publications

When thinking about the spectacle of sports fandom in light of the Bible, two assertions immediately come to mind. First, sports have become—for much of North American or Western society—an idol. Second, sports have also co-opted many aspects of the life of faith. These two immediate perspectives are so obvious that one is left to wonder whether there is anything more to say about sports in light of the Bible. Maybe there is.

Preaching The Psalter's Words Of Praise, Prayer, And Trust, Rolf A. Jacobson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Putting The Puzzle Together Piece By Piece: How Genuine And Authentic Friendships Can Transform Faith, Kayla Ranae Billings

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

The Millenial Generation Crisis: Reimagining The Church’S Mission In A Secular3 World, Corey J. Lange

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

Stop Worrying About The Millennials*: *And Learn To Love Them Instead, Andrew Root

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Learning With Digital Technologies: Privileging Persons Over Machines, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

Learning with digital technologies, at least when framed by moral commitments, requires lifting up specific epistemological frames, beginning with a conviction that learning involves human persons in interdependent communities who are involved in a shared search for truth. Such a conviction necessitates moving from teaching-centered to learning-centered pedagogies, and from explicit content to shaping tacit forms of knowing. Digital technologies can prove highly beneficial when used within those constraints.

Practical Advice On Prayer From Martin Luther, Mary Jane Haemig

Faculty Publications

Martin Luther’s comments and instructions on prayer permeated his work. Luther sought to build an evangelical prayer practice that reflected the key insights of his theology: just as God redeems the unworthy human, so God promises to hear and respond to the one praying, despite his or her unworthiness.

Praying The Psalms, Kathryn M. Schifferdecker

Faculty Publications

The Psalms teach us how to pray. When we pray the Psalms, we follow in the footsteps of a long line of Christians and Jews who have used the Psalter as a guide to prayer. We learn from those saints to bring all of ourselves to God in prayer: our sorrows, our laments, and our anger as well as our joys and praise.

The Story We Find Ourselves In: Nurturing Christian Identity In A Consumer Culture, Terri L. Elton

Faculty Publications

Consumerism has become society’s prevailing story, the story in which young people cultivate their identity. If ministry leaders are to help young people nurture their identity as children of God and help them discover a faith that speaks into the current culture, it will be important to help them shift from viewing themselves as objects within a consumer society to seeing themselves as subjects and agents of God’s love.

We Are Our Stories: Narrative Dimension Of Human Identity And Its Implications For Christian Faith Formation, Rolf A. Jacobson

Faculty Publications

Increasingly, representatives of diverse disciplines have come to a significant consensus about human identity. Each of us constructs and lives in a narrative that is, in fact, us. If this is the case, we will need an outside source to construct a narrative that is both good and true—one to which and in which we can give our lives. Such a story is given us in Holy Scripture and in the collective memory of the church.

From The Other Side: Funeral Directors Talk About The Changing Face Of Funerals, Mark A. Granquist

Faculty Publications

This report of interviews with funeral directors will provide pastors with insight on funeral trends from the side of these professionals. More, it might serve as an impetus for useful conversations between pastors and funeral directors in their areas.

Corporate Worship’S Pedagogy, Cullyn Curtis

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

The Sanctified Life: Modesty Is Not The Best Policy, Ali C. Ferin

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

Jesus' Prophetic Reach: Drawing Children To The Center Of Congregational Life, Tim Coltvet

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Theology Of Fenedata Youth, The Flowers And The Fruits Of Today In The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Rode Shewaye Molla

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Dystopia And Individualism, Jacob Scott Anderson

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Disconnect: Reframing Vocation For The Sake Of Young Adults, The Church, & Its Leaders, Aaron David Fuller

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

Narrative Beings: What Virtual Media Is Revealing About Our Youth, Kyle W. Zvejnieks

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

The Really, Really Empty Nest: Single Parents Launching Only Children, Carla M. Dahl, Katie Dahl

Faculty Publications

When only children of single parents leave home, the nest is really, really empty. This situation requires particular understanding and certainly is an area for fruitful ministry.

From Establishment To Innovation: Rethinking Structure In A New Apostolic Age, Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Digital Storytelling: Empowering Feminist And Womanist Faith Formation With Young Women, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Dwelling In The Word: Affirming Its Promise, Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Things We Never Preach About, Part I: Gluttony, Dirk G. Lange

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Fading From The Family Portrait, Andrew Root

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Ten Commandments 2.0, Adam J. Copeland

Faculty Publications

Since the Ten Commandments still enjoy a primary place in both church teaching and cultural debate, it will be both helpful and faithful to interpret them anew in the light of our new media and new technologies. Adam Copeland does just that in this article.

Life On Screen And Other Musings On Faith, Food, & Media, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

Media and food have this in common: a healthy diet of either one nourishes us, while an unhealthy diet causes problems. Just as we eat together in families, we should find ways to engage media together as well.

A Screen-Based World: Finding The Real In The Hyper-Real, Andrew Root

Faculty Publications

What is real? In our media-filled world, have we mistaken the image for the real thing? The church is called to proclaim the real, not by rejecting the use of sign and image, but by affirming those that speak the truth of our existence.