Practical Theology Commons^™

"Everyone Who Hears Will Laugh With Me": Humor And Telling God's Truth, Rolf A. Jacobson, Karl Jacobson

Faculty Publications

Since humor is an essential part of human nature, speaking the truth, including the biblical truth, seems to require the use of humor. Humor exposes our flaws and opens us to new vistas—or in theological terms, it preaches both law and gospel.

Categorical Preaching, Steven D. Paulson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Hiv/Aids Stigmatization Among Oromo Immigrant Congregations In The Twin Cities : A Call For Biblical And Theological Response, Fikru Andea Eticha

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

A Future Horizon For A Prophetic Tradition: A Missional, Hermeneuical, And Pastoral Leadership Approach To Education And Black Church Civic Engagement, David L. Everett

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

This mixed-methods study performed among six congregations explored how the historical framework, fabric, and focus of the Black Church have changed throughout a modern/postmodern context. An exploratory approach was used to study congregations identified by a 10-person pastoral focus group using methods of interviews and questionnaires. This researcher hypothesized that the social gospel dimensions and prophetic radicalism of the historic Black Church have diminished, but that it might reestablish itself as a pillar in the community through a retrieval of its prophetic voice and social gospel roots which caused it to be missional-minded and civically-engaged. It is anticipated that this …

Communities Of Creativity: The Role Of Symbols On Youth Formation, Andrew Locke Kellner

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

A Future I Trust In: Identity And Vocation As The Parent-Leader, Karen M. Gieseke

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

A Missional Theology Of Spiritual Formation, Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Joining God's Work, Andrew Root

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Doing What The Bible Does, Karoline M. Lewis

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Learning The Bible In The Twenty-First Century: Lessons From Harry Potter And Vampires, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Spiritual Dimension Of Aging And Forgiveness, Darlene Faye Olson

Master of Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

On Beyond Zebra: Thinking Beyond Traditional Models Of Children's Ministry, Amber Espinoza

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

Art As Church, Katy Vitek

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

"Putting On The Neighbor": The Ciceronian Impulse In Luther's Christian Approach To Practical Reason, Gary M. Simpson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Attending To Local And Diverse Communities: Toward A Theological Learning Community For A Missional Era, Patricia Taylor Ellison, Patrick R. Keifert

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

What Difference Does It Make?: E-Learning And Faith Community, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

By adopting a relational model of teaching and learning we can better align our programs of Christian education with our fundamental understandings of the faith. Digital technologies can help us do this more fully and more effectively.

Identity In A Digital Age, Andrew Root

Faculty Publications

Not long ago, “identity” was understood to be established and retained more-or-less as is throughout life. No longer. The digital shrinking of time and space has made identity fluid, and the church faces a new task.

Social Networking And Church Systems, Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

Most existing church systems were shaped by bureaucratic organizational paradigms of a previous century that are coming under increasing stress today. The shift to a network society brings both profound challenges and great opportunities to the church in our culture.

Preaching The Seventh Commandment: "You Are Not To Steal", Mary Jane Haemig

Faculty Publications

In his catechisms, Martin Luther spoke directly about the economic life of his time. Christian preachers are invited to do the same. Only when the commandments are preached in full force—in both their positive and negative admonitions—can we know what forgiveness really means.

On Forgiveness And Healing: Narrative Therapy And The Gospel Story, Lois E. Malcolm, Janet L. Ramsey

Faculty Publications

Psychologists and theologians often talk past each other, particularly when discussing forgiveness. Comparing narrative therapy and the gospel story provides a way to engage the conversation meaningfully, both realities providing ways to transform human lives

Sharing Witness Along The Way: Engaging The Lived Theology Of An Urban Congregation In Evangelical, Public, And Missional Strands, Scott J. Hagley

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

This ethnographic phenomenology explores the lived theology of an urban congregation as it engages with civil society. Drawing methodological considerations from Jen-Luc Marion, Paul Ricoeur, and James Clifford, the research journey attends theologically to the sociality embodied both within the congregation and with its neighborhood for the sake of participating with this congregation in bringing to discourse its lived evangelical, public, and missional theological strands.

Drawing upon Charles Taylor's use of moral frameworks in relationship to narratives, practices, and goods, the evangelical strand explores intimacy as a strongly valued good. Theologically, such a good makes possible James McClendon's vision of …

Youth Homelessness: A Cry For Right Memory And Embrace, Matthew Maas

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

Martin Buber's “I And Thou”, Pastoral Counseling And Reading Text: A Proposal For An Integrated Approach, David Hawkinson

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

Pastoral care and the biblical tradition are inextricably linked in the minds of Jews and Christians for whom a central human task and calling is healing which leads to wholeness with each other, the world and God.This study explores the possibility of integrating reading the biblical text with a pastoral counseling approach informed by Martin Buber's I-Thou relation that serves this goal of healing and wholeness.

In Martin Buber's I-Thou wholeness is understood in relational terms. Healing is accomplished through "meeting" each other in genuine encounter. Buber's I-Thou dialogical philosophy has influenced a relational approach for the practice of pastoral …

From Ict To Tci : Communicative Theology(Ies), Pedagogy And Web 2.0, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Offering And Accepting Forgiveness: How The Aged Do It, Kathleen Hughes Brighton

Master of Arts Theses

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.

Adolescents As Cocreators In Ministry, Derek J. Tronsgard

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

No abstract provided.

God, Civil Society, And Congregations As Public Moral Companions, Gary M. Simpson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Powerpoint In Preaching? Yes...But!, Andrew Root

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

"Shepherd My Sheep": Preaching For The Sake Of Greater Works Than These, Karoline M. Lewis

Faculty Publications

The conversation between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15–19 highlights Peter’s work as an apostle but also reveals our own call to care for the sheep—as Jesus says, to “do the works that I do.” The text offers an opportunity to preach about Christian vocation and daily life.