Practical Theology Commons^™

Pastor Is As Pastor Does – 2kf Ministry Model, Martin Brauer

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The primary purpose of this project was to introduce to pastors The Pastor Is As Pastor Does 2KF Ministry Model. This model has been implemented in the principle researcher’s congregation over the past six years. This model delineates between 2 Kinds of Functions in the church: pastoral and operational. The operation functions are then delegated to nonclergy paid and volunteer staff. This ministry model has improved the performance of both functions while also diminishing role confusion in and about the pastoral office. The secondary purpose of this project was to assist pastors in adapting this ministry model to their circumstance. …

Christian Navy Chaplains And The Challenge Of Expanding Religious Pluralism, Timothy Oswald

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Oswald, Timothy J. “Christian Navy Chaplains and the Challenge of Expanding Religious Pluralism.” D.Min. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary – St. Louis. 2013. 245 pp.

Navy chaplains are expected to facilitate for the religious needs of those from other faiths. For chaplains who believe in the exclusivity of the Christian religion, this can create theological and even personal tensions about support for religious practices which the chaplain believes to be false.

This project explores those tensions and proposes ways to help exclusivist Navy chaplains navigate them. The final ministry product is a Power Point® brief. It draws from bibliographic research, …

A Discipleship Workshop For Trinity Lutheran Church, Walnut Creek, California, David Moore

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Moore, David R. “A Discipleship Workshop for Trinity Lutheran Church, Walnut Creek, California.” D.Min diss., Concordia Seminary—St. Louis, 2013, 150 pp.

Trinity Lutheran Church was established as a congregation of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) on November 19, 1946 in Walnut Creek, California, and is located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay. Over the last thirty years the culture in this area has been changing from a culture that was relatively sympathetic to the church’s values and message to a culture that is indifferent or hostile to the church. The activities that once attracted people …

The Effect Of Study Bibles On Bible Study, Matthew Hoehner

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Hoehner, Matthew J. "The Effect of Study Bibles on Bible Study." D. Min. MAP, Concordia Seminary—St. Louis, 2012. 170 pp.

The purpose of this project is to gain a clearer understanding of the impact study Bibles have on the application of Scripture. Along with identifying what study Bible resources are being used, this study provides greater insight into how students are using study Bibles. The process of this project begins with a theological study of the nature and function of Scripture in the context of 2 Tim. 3:10-17. The project continues to examine these theological principles of the Scriptures in …

Short-Term Overseas Mission Trips An Opportunity For Training In Local Outreach, Paul Biber

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Acts 1:8 says that mission of the church is to be “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Conventional wisdom would say to start in your Jerusalem – your immediate community – and go out from there. However, many congregations have forgotten how to connect with their own community. In order to learn how to reconnect with their immediate community, a congregation can participate in a short-term overseas mission trip as a catalyst and training for their local outreach efforts.

Engaging Ecclesia: A Model For Training And Leading Circuits To Engage In Mission As Ecclesia, Jeffrey Shearier

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Shearier, Jeffrey E. “Engaging Ecclesia: A Model for Training Circuits to Engage in Mission as Ecclesia.” DMIN MAP., Concordia Seminary—St. Louis, 2012, 110 pp.

This Major Applied Project sought to measure if attitudes and understandings about what the church (ecclesia) is theologically and to apply that definition to the ecclesiology of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The author recounts his personal quest to match ecclesiology with the mission of the church. He also tells the story of recent attempts to encourage church planting in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at large and specifically within the Rocky Mountain District (a part of the …

Aligning Mission Expectations And Practice In A Denominational Context, John Mehl

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

John L. Mehl. "Aligning Mission Expectations and Practice in a Denominational Context.” D.Min. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2012.

In an era when inexpensive travel and communication have flattened the world and made it possible for everyone to be involved in mission in foreign lands, denominations struggle to maintain a unified mission effort. This study included survey work of major stakeholders in the foreign mission effort of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, including partner church leadership from around the world, in an effort to identify points where mission efforts lacked alignment. The results showed that besides agreeing on mission tasks, stakeholders …

A Virtue Ethic For The Twenty-First Century Warrior: Teaching Natural Law Through The Declaration Of Independence And The Gettsyburg Address, Ryan Rupe

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

It is to those who do not believe in natural law that this project was targeted. The goal of my training was to get into the hearts of amoral men and women and, through the use of two valuable historical documents, help them to begin to synthesize these truths and, as a result, be better citizens. All five services have at least three core values that they want each of their members to know. While the emphasis may be a bit different with each branch they all share one: ethical integrity. They may label it as simply “integrity” or “honor,” …

When Vocations Collide_ A Study Of The Process Of Developing A Military Mobilization Agreement, Mark Moreno

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The ministry of reserve military chaplains has an impact on their civilian ministry setting, the church in particular. Questionnaires were administered and interviews conducted with reserve chaplains and congregations that have already experienced a mobilization and had a mobilization agreement. Findings reveal that the process of developing a mobilization agreement is indicative of the healthy relationship between the reserve chaplain and their congregation.

Autonomy Or Multi-Site? A Policy Capturing Study Of Two Models Of Church Planting For The Guidance Of Future Site Planting At Ascension Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas, Michael Bingenheimer

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The purpose of this study was to produce a set of reasoned recommendations for future site planting for Ascension Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS. Ascension unintentionally became a multi-site congregation in 2002. This study looks at thirteen Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod congregations. Six congregations planted independent congregations (daughter sites). Six congregations planted multi-site venues (sister sites). One congregation has used both models of church planting. The primary component for information gathering was a survey seeking information from each of these churches on how they decided which model to follow. Understanding the reasoning and assumptions made by these churches, I developed …

Teaching Conflict Reconciliaton To Those Who Use Technological Communication - A Ministry For Postmodern People, Jeffrey E. Skopak

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

With a large group of postmoderns at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church I have access to the community I wish to study and assist with biblical communication, conflict, and reconciliation tools. With that in mind, the purpose of this project is to equip postmodern people with biblical communication, conflict, and reconciliation tools so that they may maintain and nurture healthier relationships with other people by better understanding and using biblical communication, conflict, and reconciliation tools. In order to accomplish this task I have developed four critical events that focus on the topics of communication, relationships, conflict, and reconciliation. These critical …

Humor In Preaching: Its Effects And Guidelines For Its Beneficial Use, Antonin Troup

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This project examined the effects that humor in sermons has on hearers, particularly how humor affects their understanding and retention of Biblical truths. After exploring humor's effects on listeners and which types of humor are more beneficial in the task of preaching through theoretical research, the data was investigated through the use of questionnaires, personal interviews with church members, and a focus group. After analyzing the participants' responses, the researcher developed a list of guidelines for the beneficial use of humor in his preaching. These guidelines offer suggestions that other preachers may find helpful in using humor in their sermons.

How A Hearer Listens To A Sermon: Setting The Presuppositions Of The "Second Text", Jeffery D. Nehrt

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The purpose of the project was to answer the question: Can preachers influence how a hearer listens to a sermon? To answer that question, 70 pastors of the Southern Illinois District, Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod were asked if they every used a pre-sermon Bible study to help the hearer listen to the sermon. A seven week pre-sermon Bible study was developed and taught based on four filters of hearing. Those filters were Logos, Ethos, Pathos, and community. A post sermon survey was given and separated into two categories, those who attended the pre-sermon Bible study and those who did …

The Use Of Eternal Life Metaphors In The Funeral Sermon As A Means Of Grace, Daniel A. Wonderly

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The purpose of this Major Applied Project was to learn which eternal life metaphors were more comforting to the members of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, in Burton, Michigan. The researcher approached this research project believing that certain metaphors would be more comforting to his members than others. Therefore, the researcher sought to discover which eternal life metaphors were more comforting through the use of a research survey. He then held research group interviews to learn why these metaphors were more comforting than others. As a result, the researcher is able to apply the insights gained concerning certain Scriptural metaphors to be …

Fishing For Men While Fishing With Men- Relationships Built Through Recreational Experiences As A Tool For Effective Evangelism In Contemporary American Culture, Jonathan Rockey

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Rockey, Jonathan R. "Fishing for Men while Fishing with Men: Relationships Built through Recreational Experiences as a Tool for Effective Evangelism in Contemporary American Culture." D.Min Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary-St. Louis, 2008.316 pp. with Appendices.

The stated goal of this project is "to evaluate a program for the equipping of volunteers for sharing the good news of God's love in Jesus in a recreational setting, and to evaluate the results of that equipping in the lives of these participants by looking at their willingness to witness and the effects they describe that arose from the experience and the process …

Workshop In Narrative Preaching- An Added Approach For The Pulpits Of The Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Brazil, Ely Prieto

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The purpose of this project was to offer a new approach from the field of homiletics to the ministry of pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brazil – IELB. The goal was to help a small group of seven pastors of Distrito Vale do Rio do Sinos, in South Brazil, to integrate a more narrative style of preaching into their ministry. The chief component of this project was to offer a workshop on narrative preaching to this group of pastors and to see how effective the workshop could be in helping them integrate the theory and practice of narrative …

Health In The Parish - Resolving Conflict In Today's Church, Paul E. Meyer

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

One of the major issues hindering a congregation from being what God calls it to be is poor conflict management. By nature, conflict arises in numerous areas of congregational life. Parishioners and staff are all integral parts of the body of Christ. As sin is part of all relationships it is also true that there is help and hope in the form of a relationship with Jesus. Family Systems Theory is an avenue whereby the power of Jesus can be experienced.

Unfortunately, in the opinion of the author, conflict in the parish is increasing, emanating from sin and not having …

A Witness Workshop Based On The Christian Doctrine Of Vocation And Informed By The Two Kinds Of Righteousness, Dean Rothchild

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The specific purpose of this Major Applied Project is to develop a Witness Workshop which would embolden people to bring up Christianity to others, to invite them to church, and even to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. This workshop is based upon the Christian doctrine of vocation, informed by the distinction between the two kinds of righteousness, and directly shaped by the information gathered from the initial questionnaire.

The Use Of Cinema As Contemporary Metaphor Sources In Assisting Lutheran High North, Houston, Texas, Students In Understanding And Using Gospel Metaphors, Donn Paul Williams

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

In order to clarify (and confuse), Jesus would quite often use common sources in His metaphors with which people of His day could identify. However, the clear meaning for many Gospel metaphor sources are lost in today's culture, especially among youth. The purpose of this Major Applied Project was to help high school students gain a greater understanding of the Gospel message by updating the metaphor sources, by using a common element in their culture, cinema. Scenes from popular movies were used to help students better understand and articulate the following Gospel metaphors: redemption, ransom, rescue, reconciliation, regeneration, replace and …

The Strategic Ministry Planning Decision, Mitchell E. Otto

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

After twenty-five years, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is operating under the same structure that it has relied upon since its birth. On the surface, the structure appears to be working well. Behind the scene, though, it is focused on simply maintaining the congregation as it is, and struggling at that. Instead of preparing for the future of the congregation, the structure simply serves a status quo set down years ago. As a result, the weakest and most vulnerable links in the congregation's framework are under increasing stress.

This Major Applied Project seeks to support the congregation's desire to maintain …

Fifth Commandment You Shall Not Murder! Catechesis- A Pastoral Care Strategy For The Lutheran Marine Recruit, Mark J. Logid

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This major applied project was conceived and came to fruition in the practice of ministry to United States Marine Corps recruits in training. Recruits attending the Lutheran Communion Service and catechetical instruction at MCRD, San Diego, CA, expressed grave concern over the morality of killing in combat. This project explored the pastoral care of Marine recruits using Luther's explanation of the Fifth Commandment, the Fourth Commandment, and the historic just war tradition. The project confirmed the utility of the Catechetical Module of the Fifth Commandment to inform the Christian's moral reasoning and ethical decision making in his God pleasing vocation …

Preparing Thinking Christians To Survive And Thrive In A Culture Of Choice, Scott Sommerfeld

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Sommerfeld, Scott G. "Preparing Thinking Christians To Survive And Thrive In A Culture Of Choice." D.Min. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary—St. Louis, 2007. 211 pp.

Youth are ill-prepared to think and live as Christians in our post-modern world. A retreat for high school seniors and graduates is one way of preparing youth to survive and thrive in a culture of choice, where perhaps the greatest challenge regards rationality for choosing ones religion. Here youth are introduced to the real truth regarding the Bible, choosing God, and living as disciples. While youth were assisted in thinking theologically through the retreat, this …

Development Of A Servant Leadership Training Process For Elected Board Chairpersons, Larry Tieman

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This project is an exercise in training board chairpersons to become servant leaders who will bring people and programs together for the completion of identified tasks within the life of the congregation. The project will seek to: 1) clarify the roles of eight chairpersons; 2) form the chairpersons into servant leaders; and 3) mentor each chairperson through the counsel and guidance of others.

As a result of the project the percentage of active members has increased by 58% and the average member gives 33% more time in service to the church.

The Effectiveness Of Illustrations In Preaching: Understanding And Retaining Biblical Truths, Ronald Rall

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This project explored how illustrations function in sermons to facilitate the understanding and retention of Biblical truths. Personal interviews with members of the congregation and focus groups that evaluated sermons provided feedback and insights related to the effectiveness of illustrations in preaching. The researcher compiled responses from the interviews and the focus groups to draw some conclusions about how illustrations function most effectively in aiding comprehension and facilitating an effective hearing of the message. On the basis of this study the researcher offers recommendations that preachers may find helpful in using illustrations in their preaching.

Toward A More Helpful Preaching Technique In The Nursing Home, Keith Schweitzer

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This Major Applied Project presents reminiscent preaching as a homiletical method to be used in a nursing home setting. As reminiscing is a common characteristic among the aged, applying it in the preaching ministry and worship activity among nursing home residents can serve the purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in many helpful ways.

This MAP explains and presents examples of how reminiscing from the past in the lives of the residents draws forth vivid memories in their minds. Used as a method in preaching, these memories can also strengthen and deepen the faith of the aged individual who …

Developing And Implementing A Lifestyle Evangelism Culture, Ronald A. Bogs

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The purpose of this project is to educate as many members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Westfield, Houston, Texas, near Spring, Texas (a Houston suburb), as possible in the ways of witnessing; to teach that everyone is a witness; to change the attitudes of the members to being more aware of the unchurched and more open to bringing them to church; to teach the members to be aware of opportunities for witnessing; and to insure ongoing improvement in the lives of the members so that they are confident and aware of the challenge to bear witness of one's faith …

Examine, Understand, And Address The Attitudes The Fathers Of St. John's Lutheran Church Of Durand, Wisconsin Have Toward Worship, Daniel M. Pfaffe

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Therefore, the purpose of this MAP is to examine, understand, and address the attitudes the fathers of St. John's Lutheran Church of Durand, Wisconsin have toward worship.

The Use Of Children's Liturgy In Teaching Worship To The Preliterate, Scott Lemmerman

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The goal of this project is to teach the preliterate child to worship. To reach this goal it is necessary to assist and to reinvigorate spiritually delinquent baptized member parents so they can be nourished with Word and Sacrament. I believe adjusting an existing order of worship into a preliterate child's liturgy can do this. This would lead parents to engage regularly with the Word in the congregation's worship, as well as become the primary education provider for their children by assisting them with learning the actions, gestures and spoken words at church. I need to research the viability of …

Biblical Storytelling And Preaching, Dennis J. Goff

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This Major Applied Project seeks to clarify the relationship between a Biblical text of Scripture being "read" or "told" and how that connects to the sermon preached on that text. It is believed that in many worship settings there is often a "disconnect" between the lectionary read (Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel readings) and the sermon text selected from one of those readings. By the time the preacher begins his sermon the hearer has often forgotten the Scripture read earlier. The use of Biblical storytelling can assist the listener in hearing, understanding, remembering and connecting the text of Scripture with …

Introducing “Gospel Care” Small Groups Into A Lutheran Congregation, W. Mart Thompson

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Spiritual care in Lutheranism has been viewed primarily as the responsibility of the pastor. The small group movement has challenged this assumption, encouraging laity to participate.

This project investigates small groups in light of Lutheran theology. It studies pertinent Biblical passages, the history of Pietism, contemporary small group sources, and several congregations with small group programs. Research is also done on Zion Lutheran Church of Pevely, Missouri.

Results indicate that with the proper theological distinctions and applications lay-led small groups can provide spiritual care in a Lutheran context in a way that complements the work of the pastor.