Practical Theology Commons^™

Real People, Real Faith, Real God: Encountering The Divine In Preaching Biblical Characters, Cynthia Halvorson

Doctor of Ministry Theses

Using the Action/Reflection method, this project examines sermons which aim at the heart by using character development within a storytelling sermon style. This thesis considers the effectiveness of intentional reimagining of biblical witnesses by overlying behavioral styles and archetypical fears and desires onto various characters of the Gospel of John. It designs a methodology for intentional development of characters and examines the responses of the listeners. It asserts the value of creating space within a sermon for the listener to encounter the Divine by identifying with the people of scripture.

Confessional Biblical Preaching In The Face Of Whiteness: Challenging The Preacher’S Understanding Of White Supremacy, Laurie P. Feille

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This thesis addresses the need for preachers to hear the voices of people of color, to hear the “prophets in the streets,” specifically African-Americans, and to have their eyes opened to their own white privilege and role in white supremacy. This thesis argues that this is an important step in preachers finding their confessional voices for preaching before they can begin to help the individual members of those congregations become aware of their individual and collective white privilege and role in white supremacy. With the help of black clergy a “Twin Cities Pilgrimage” was created. This involved learning the stories …

Preaching To Shape Christian Witness: He Cannot Be The Messiah, Can He?, Christine M. Bellefeuille

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This action-reflection project explores the effectiveness of preaching in shaping witnesses to tell their own stories of their experiences of God. Uses preaching that models witness, helps the listener identify experiences of God and offers language for disciples to use in their own witness. Also explores the challenges of preaching to a congregation that has experienced uncertain theological grounding and conflict. Other considerations explored are trust, changing calls mid-doctoral program, and project fit.

Table, Food, Waiter: Preaching The Eucharist To Today’S Popular Food Culture, Richard W. Vevia Jr

Doctor of Ministry Theses

The centrality of the Eucharist to the Church cannot be underestimated. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, decreased frequency of shared meals, a growing distrust of food, and a disregard for the obligations and responsibilities that accompany eating have resulted in a disconnection between the Eucharist and daily life. This thesis will demonstrate the loci method derived from Philip Melanchthon’s Loci Communes as a tool for gathering scripture and non-scriptural sources around loci suggested by Catherine of Siena: Table, Food, and Waiter. The aim of this thesis is that it will aid preachers preparing sermons that address today’s …

Seeing Salvation: The Effectiveness Of Preaching On The Sacramental Life In A Salvation Army Context, Steven Mark Cameron

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This thesis begins by acknowledging that The Salvation Army is a non-practicing sacramental church. The Army abandoned the practice of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper officially in 1883 and its focus since then has been on developing holiness through sacramental living. The sacraments have been a topic of theological conversation in Army since the 1883 decision. In recent years, in Canada, this conversation has become increasingly divisive with questions being raised as to the soundness of the Army’s position. To bring opposing positions into a place of dialogue this thesis project engages in a five part biblical …

Faith Formation For Families In A Post-Programmatic Era, Susan Megrund

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This thesis project sought to answer the question: What are effective ways for congregations to engage in ways of faith formation that encourage spiritual growth and Christian identity in over-programmed families, so they may see God as an active subject in their daily lives? The research in this thesis included case studies from the current congregation I am serving in, and other selected congregations. While implementing my research, I discovered that we struggle to find the right language around how to address the issue of busy families. When asking colleagues for input, the responses went back to the implementation of …

Perichoretic Worship: Cultivating Relationships With The Triune God, With One Another, And With The World, Greg G. Busboom

Doctor of Ministry Theses

A Participatory Action Research (PAR) study focusing on perichoretic worship as a way of cultivating holy relationship with the Triune God, with others, and with the world. Theoretical lenses include ritual studies, Faith Development Theory, and personhood in social relationships. Theological lenses include perichoresis, Lutheran worship, and faith practices. Using both quantitative and qualitative research, the study explores the practice of Christian worship in a large Lutheran congregation and seeks to grow active participation in the missional work of the Triune God through worship grounded in Word and Sacrament. Presents the Triune God as the active subject of Christian worship.

God’S Beautiful Mission: Missional Church And Leadership In The Light Of Theological Aesthetics, M. Scott Boren

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This project seeks to ascertain how pastoral leaders who have been trained in missional theology have led in a way that has been influenced by theological aesthetics. The view of missional leadership here is built upon a re-imagination of missio Dei and missional church that is informed by theological aesthetics. This theology of beauty is based upon the work of Gregory A. Boyd, Jonathan Edwards, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This proposal seeks to advance the views of the missional church rooted in the work of Lesslie Newbigin and advanced by Craig Van Gelder, Alan Roxburgh, and Pat …

Lutheran Higher Education In A Secular Age: Religious Identity And Mission At Elca Colleges And Universities, Brian A.F. Beckstrom

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This exploratory mixed methods case study examined the relationship between espoused and perceived religious identity and mission at five colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through the lenses of secularization theory, missional leadership, ecclesiology, Trinitarian theology, adaptive leadership, and challenges in the higher education market. Results indicated that humanism is the primary means of describing religious identity and mission at ELCA schools and there are widely varying assumptions about what it means to be a college or university of the church. Advocates and skeptics of the institution’s religious identity and mission interpret reality through the lens …

Luther's Understanding Of Grace And Its Implications For Administration Of The Lord's Supper In The Lutheran Church Of Christ In Nigeria (Lccn), Yelerubi Birgamus

Master of Theology Theses

This thesis will describe Luther’s understanding of grace and its centrality for the Lutheran understanding of the Lord’s Supper. The thesis will also describe and analyze theological and pastoral problems of withholding the sacraments to non-communicant members by the LCCN, which claims to follow after Luther’s teaching. This thesis is not anti-church discipline, but rather, will argue for a better form of church discipline than withholding the Lord’s Supper from the excluded members of the church. The thesis will also provide some suggestions for a better form of church discipline than withholding communion from excluded members of the church. This …

Looking High And Low For Salvation In Luke, Matthew L. Skinner

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Better Together: Leadership That Enhances Ministry Collaboration, Kristine K. Bjorke

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This project is an exploratory case study research project of three different collaborative efforts consisting of one or more congregations working together or a congregation and agency working together. Each entity operated independently prior to working together. Collaboration was understood through the theoretical lenses of adaptive leadership and collaboration theory as well as a biblical and theological understanding of the body of Christ and perichoresis. Qualitative research using interviews and focus groups was used to identify how leadership enhances ministry collaboration. Three findings emerged with regard to leadership: flexibility, proactive communication, and external support, each with internal and external indicators.

Great Members, Great Churches: Adaptive Change And Missional Theology In The Local Church, Christopher Jacobsen

Doctor of Ministry Theses

An Action Research (AR) project focusing on congregational participation in ministries within the church and outside it. Theological lenses of Trinitarian theology, missional theology, and spiritual practices. Theoretical lenses of adaptive change theory, consumerism and social capital, and organizational theories of relationship, four-frame model, and open source model. Identifies adaptive challenges faced by a small Reformed Church in America church in northern New Jersey, with a strong emphasis on the tension between living busy lives and active participation in the ministry of the triune God. Reframes leadership through the lens of writing the church’s story.

Stewardship 101: An Invitation To Financial Stewardship, Adam J. Copeland

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Encountering The Gospel Anew: Confirmation As Ecclesial, Personal, And Missional Practices, Terri L. Elton

Faculty Publications

Given the challenges facing congregations and young people today, some church leaders are wondering if confirmation continues to have a role in discipling young people. Based on the findings from The Confirmation Project, this article asserts that confirmation is, in fact, uniquely positioned to be a vibrant ministry for young people to encounter the gospel anew when congregations integrate ecclesial, personal, and missional practices. Such an approach strengthens confirmands’ understanding of faith, deepens their experience with Christian community, and equips them to discern their call to join in God’s mission in the world.

Emerging Trends In Confirmation And Equivalent Practices, Terri L. Elton, Katherine Douglass, Richard Osmer

Faculty Publications

This article highlights the findings of The Confirmation Project research, a mixed methods project that studied confirmation and equivalent practices in five denominations in the United States. (The denominations were United Methodist, Presbyterian USA, African Methodist Episcopal, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Episcopal Church.) What that discovered was confirmation can provide an opportunity for young people to encounter the gospel anew. It is an important ministry when it strengthens young people’s understanding of faith, deepens their experience with Christian community, and equips them to discern their calling to join in God’s mission in the world. As congregations …

Confirmation Basics, Terri L. Elton, Lisa Kimball, Gordon Mikoski

Faculty Publications

This article moves the findings of The Confirmation Project research from theory into practice. Three members of the research team highlight three themes (purpose, design, and leadership) and walk congregational leaders through a process of discovering how these ideas can help them find a way forward that is meaningful to their congregation.

Número 169: Jueves Santo-4.º Domingo De Pascua

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Jueves 02.de Abril de 2015 – Jueves Santo (Blanco)

Éxodo 12:1-4.(5-10).11-14; Salmo 116:1-2.12-19; 1 Corintios 11:23-26; Juan 13:1-17.31b-35

Viernes 03.de Abril de 2015 – Viernes Santo

Salmo 22:1‑23; Isaías 52:13‑53:12; Hebreos 4:14‑16 y 5:7‑9; Juan 18:1‑19:42

Sábado 04. de Abril de 2015 - Sábado Santo (Blanco)

Job 14:1-14; Salmo 31:1-4.15-16; 1 Pedro 4:1-8; Mateo 27:57-66

Domingo 5 de Abril, Domingo de Resurrección (Blanco)

Isaías 25:6-9; Salmo 118:1-2.14-24; 1 Corintios 15:1-11; Juan 20:1-18

Domingo 12 de Abril, Segundo Domingo de Pascua (Blanco)

Hechos 4:32-35; Salmo 133; 1 Juan 1:1-2:2; Juan 20:19-31

Domingo 19 de Abril, Tercer domingo de …

Número 172: 6.º Domingo De Pentecostés-9.º Domingo De Pentecostés

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 5 de julio, Sexto Domingo de Pentecostés

II Samuel 5,1-5.9-10; Salmo 48; II Co. 12,2-10; Mc. 6,1-13

Domingo 12 de julio, Séptimo Domingo de Pentecostés

II Sam.6,1-5.12b-19; Salmo 24; Ef. 1,3-14; Mc.6,14-29

Domingo 19 de julio, Octavo Domingo de Pentecostés

II Sam. 7,1-14ª; Salmo 89,20-37; Efesios 2,11-22; Mc. 6,30-34.53-56

Domingo 26 de julio de 2015, Noveno Domingo de Pentecostés

II Sam. 11,1-15; Salmo 14, Ef. 3,14-21; Juan 6,1-21

Número 171: 2.º Domingo De Pentecostés-5.º Domingo De Pentecostés

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 7 de junio de 2015, Segundo Domingo de Pentecostés (Verde)

Salmo 138; Génesis 3:8-15; 2 Corintios 4:13- 5:1; Marcos 3:20

Domingo 14 de junio de 2015, Tercer Domingo de Pentecostés (Verde)

Salmo 20; Ezequiel 17:22-24; 2 Corintios 5:6-17 ; Marcos 4:26-34.

Domingo 21 de junio de 2015, Cuarto Domingo de Pentecostés (Verde)

1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49; Salmo 9:9-20; 2 Corintios 6:1-13; Marcos 4:35-41

Domingo 28 de junio de 2015, Quinto Domingo de Pentecostés (Verde)

Salmo 130; Lamentaciones 3:23-33; 2 Corintios 8:7-15; Marcos 5:21-43

Número 170: 5.º Domingo De Pascua-Domingo De Trinidad

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 3 de Mayo de 2015, Quinto domingo de Pascua (Blanco)

Hechos 8:26-40; Salmo 22:25-31; 1 Juan 4:7-21; Juan 15:1-8

Domingo 10 de Mayo de 2015, Sexto domingo de Pascua (Blanco)

Hechos 10:44-48; Salmo 98; 1 Juan 5:1-6; Juan 15:9-17

Domingo 17 de mayo de 2015, Séptimo Domingo de Pascua (Blanco)

Ascensión del Señor

Hechos 1:15-17.21-26; Salmo 1; 1 Juan 5:9-13; Juan 17:6-19

Domingo 24 de mayo de 2015, Pentecostés (Rojo)

Hechos 2:1-21; Salmo 104:24-34.35b; Romanos 8:22-27; Juan 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Domingo 31 de mayo de 2015, Domingo de Trinidad. Primer domingo de Pentecostés (Blanco)

Isaías 6:1-8; Salmo 29; …

Número 168: 2.º Domingo De Cuaresma-Domingo De Ramos

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 1º de marzo de 2015, Segundo Domingo de Cuaresma (Morado)

Génesis 12:1-4; Samuel 121; Romanos 4:1-5.13-17; Juan 3:1-17

Domingo 8 de marzo de 2015, Tercer Domingo de Cuaresma (Morado)

Éxodo 17:1-7; Salmo 95; Romanos 5:1-11; Juan 4:5-42

Domingo 15 de marzo de 2015, Cuarto Domingo de Cuaresma (Morado)

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Salmo 23; Efesios 5:8-14; Juan 9:1-41

Domingo 22 de marzo de 2015, Quinto Domingo de Cuaresma (Morado)

Ezequiel 37:1-14 (EEH 60 del 13 de marzo de 2005); Salmo 130; Romanos 8:6-11 (EEH 96 del 9 de marzo de 2008); Juan 11:1-45 (EEH 24 del 17 …

Número 167: 4.º Domingo Después De Epifanía-1.ᵉʳ Domingo De Cuaresma

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 1º de febrero de 2015, Cuarto Domingo después de Epifanía (Verde)

Deuteronomio 18:15-20; Salmo 111; 1 Corintios 8:1-13; Marcos 1:21-28

Domingo 8 de febrero de 2015, Quinto Domingo después de Epifanía (Verde)

Sal 147:1‑11; Is 40:21‑31; 1 Co 9:16‑23; Mc 1:29‑39

Domingo 15 de febrero de 2015, Sexto Domingo después de Epifanía (Verde)

2 Reyes 5:1-14; Salmo 30; 1 Corintios 9:24-27; Marcos 1:40-45

Domingo 15 de febrero de 2015, Último Domingo después de Epifanía (Blanco)

2 Reyes 5:1-14; Salmo 30; 1 Corintios 9:24-27; Marcos 1:40-45

Domingo 22 de febrero de 2015, Primer Domingo de Cuaresma (Morado)

Génesis 9:8-17; Salmo …

Número 166: 2.º Domingo Navidad-3.º Domingo Después De Epifanía

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 4 de enero de 2015, Segundo Domingo Navidad (Blanco)

Sal 147:13-21; Jer 31:7-14; Ef 1:3-14; Jn 1:10-18

Domingo 11 de enero de 2015, Bautismo de nuestro Señor – Primer Domingo después de Epifanía (Verde)

Sal 29; Gn 1:1‑5; Hch 19:1‑7; Mc 1:4‑11

Domingo 18 de enero de 2015, Segundo Domingo después de Epifanía (Verde)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20); Salmo 139:1-6.13-18; 1 Corintios 6:12-20; Juan 1:43-51

Domingo 25 de enero de 2015, Tercer Domingo después de Epifanía (Verde)

Jonás 3:1-5.10; Salmo 62:5-12; 1 Corintios 7:29-31; Marcos 1:14-20

Número 165: 2.º Domingo De Adviento-Domingo Después De Navidad

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 7 de diciembre de 2014, Segundo Domingo de Adviento, Morado

Isaías 40:1-11; Salmo 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Pedro 3:8-15a; Marcos 1:1-8

Domingo 14 de diciembre de 2014, Tercer Domingo de Adviento, Morado

Isaías 61:1-11; Salmo 126; 1 Tesalonicenses 5:16-24; Juan 1:6-8, 19-28

Domingo 21 de diciembre de 2014, Cuarto Domingo de Adviento, Morado

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Lucas 1:47-55 o Salmo 89:1-4.19-26; Romanos 16:25-27; Lucas 1:26-38

Miércoles 24 de diciembre de 2014, Nochebuena, Blanco

Isaías 62:6-12; Salmo 97; Tito 3:4-7; Lucas 2:1-7.8-20

Jueves 25 de diciembre de 2014, Día de Navidad, Blanco

Salmo 98; Isaías 52:7‑10; Hebreos 1:1‑4 …

Número 164: 21.º De Pentecostés-Primer Domingo De Adviento

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 2 de noviembre (21º de Pentecostés, verde)

Josué 3:7-17; Salmo 43; 1 Tesalonicenses 2:9-13; Mateo 23:1-12

Domingo 9 de noviembre (22º de Pentecostés, verde)

Josué 24:1-3a, 14-25; Salmo 78:1-7; 1 Tesalonicenses 4:13-18; Mateo 25:1-13

Domingo 16 de noviembre, Vigésimo tercer domingo de Pentecostés (Verde)

Jueces 4:1-7; Salmo 123; 1 Tesalonicenses 5:1-11; Mateo 25:14-30

Domingo 23 de noviembre, (Último domingo del año eclesiástico – Reinado de Cristo)

(Si se celebra el “Reinado de Cristo”, ornamentos blancos)

Ezequiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Salmo 100; Efesios 1:15-23; Mateo 25:31-46

Domingo 30 de noviembre, Primer domingo de Adviento (Morado). Comienza Ciclo B

Isaías …

Número 163: Domingo 17 Después De Pentecostés-Domingo 20 Después De Pentecostés

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 05.10.2014, Domingo 17 después de Pentecostés (Verde)

Éxodo 20:1-4.7-9.12-20; Salmo 19; Filipenses 3:4b-14; Mateo 21:33-46

Domingo 12.10.2014, Domingo 18 después de Pentecostés (Verde)

Éxodo 32:1-14; Salmo 23; Filipenses 4:1-9; Mateo 22:1-14

Domingo 19.10.2014, Domingo 19 después de Pentecostés (Verde)

Éxodo 33:12-23; Salmo 99; 1 Tesalonicenses 1:1-10; Mateo 22:15-22

Domingo 26.10.2014, Domingo 20 después de Pentecostés (Verde)

Éxodo 34:1-10 (-12); Salmo 1; 1 Tesalonicenses 2:1-8; Mateo 22:34-46

Número 162: 13.º Domingo Después De Pentecostés-16.º Domingo Después De Pentecostés

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 07.09.2014, 13.º Domingo después de Pentecostés. Verde

Éxodo 12:1-14; Salmo 119:33-40; Romanos 13:8-14; Mateo 18:15-20

Domingo 14.09.2014, 14.º Domingo después de Pentecostés. Verde

Éxodo 14:19-31; Salmo 114; Romanos 14:1-12; Mateo 18:21-35

Domingo 21.09.2014, 15.º Domingo después de Pentecostés. Verde

Éxodo 16:2-15; Salmo 145:1-8; Filipenses 1:21-30; Mateo 20:1-16

Domingo 28.09.2014, 16.º Domingo después de Pentecostés. Verde

Éxodo 17:1-7; Salmo 25:1-9; Filipenses 2:1-13; Mateo 21:23-32

Número 161: 8.º Domingo Después De Pentecostés-12.º Domingo Después De Pentecostés

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 03.08.2014, 8.º Domingo después de Pentecostés

Salmo 65:9-13

Domingo 10.08.2014, 9.º Domingo después de Pentecostés

Mateo 13:24-30, 36-43

Domingo 17.08.2014, 10.º Domingo después de Pentecostés

Mateo 15: 21-28

Domingo 24.08.2014, 11.º Domingo después de Pentecostés

Romanos 12: 1-8

Domingo 31.08.2014, 12.º Domingo después de Pentecostés

Mateo 16:21-28

Número 160: 4.º De Pentecostés-7.º Domingo De Pentecostés

Estudios Exégeticos Homiléticos

Domingo 6 de julio de 2014 (4º de Pentecostés). Verde

Éxodo 19:2-8a; Salmo 100; Romanos 5:1-8; Mateo 9:35–10:8.(9-23)

Domingo 13 de julio de 2014 (5º de Pentecostés). Verde

Jeremías 20:7-13; Salmo 69:7-10, 16-18; Romanos 6:1b-11; Mateo 10:24-33

Domingo 20 de julio de 2014 (6º de Pentecostés). Verde

Jeremías 28:5-9; Salmo 89:1-4, 15-18; Romanos 6:12-23; Mateo 10:34-42

Domingo 27 de julio de 2014 (7º Domingo de Pentecostés). Verde

Zacarías 9:9-12; Salmo 145:8-14; Romanos 7:15-25a; Mateo 11:16-19.25-30