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Articles 271 - 300 of 387
Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology
Surviving The Other War: Group Intervention For Military Sexual Trauma In The Local Church, Ed Ellis Barker
Surviving The Other War: Group Intervention For Military Sexual Trauma In The Local Church, Ed Ellis Barker
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is, together with the current military suicide epidemic, arguably the greatest danger to soldiers serving at home or abroad, and sadly the former is a contributing factor for the latter. MST involves the sexual assault or sexual harassment of an individual by one or several fellow service members. An important avenue of assistance is through the local church; however, "the quality of mental health providers does not include a sufficient number of faith-based counselors (especially Christian) to serve the predominantly Christian demographic in the U.S. Armed Forces." To assist in this, a psycho-educational support group has …
A Biblical Guide To Maximizing Great Commission Emphasis By Transforming Your Church Government, Marcus W. Bridges
A Biblical Guide To Maximizing Great Commission Emphasis By Transforming Your Church Government, Marcus W. Bridges
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
After learning 3500-4000 churches close their doors each year, Ed Stetzer believes, "the church will not change until the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change." This project will compare Congregation-led churches to Elder or Board-led churches to explore the need for changing the practical operation of the church in attempts to fulfill the Great Commission. The thoughts presented will provide a guide for church leaders, pastors, and church planters to adopt the style of governing policies that best results in for Jesus Christ. There will be fifty pastors polled from Congregation and Elder-led churches …
Overcoming Church Euthanasia: A Plan To Revitalize Dead And Dying Churches In The Southern Baptist Convention, Wayne E. Rogers
Overcoming Church Euthanasia: A Plan To Revitalize Dead And Dying Churches In The Southern Baptist Convention, Wayne E. Rogers
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis will examine the problem of dead and dying churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. Membership in more than seventy-percent of churches in North America has plateaued or is declining according to the North American Mission Board. Rather than just starting new churches, this thesis will present an option to revitalize dead and dying churches in order to reverse this trend. The aim of this thesis is to promote the historical Southern Baptists plan which will help Southern Baptists regain historical parameters and goals when revitalizing dead or dying churches. The thesis will cite existing quantitative and qualitative data, …
The Pastor Search Process: A Proposed Manual For The Objective Investigation And Evaluation Of A Church By The Pastoral Candidate, John David Lones
The Pastor Search Process: A Proposed Manual For The Objective Investigation And Evaluation Of A Church By The Pastoral Candidate, John David Lones
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
It is commonly acknowledged by both clergy and laity that a problem exists in the Southern Baptist Convention concerning both the length of pastoral tenure and the number of forced terminations of ministerial staff. Solutions have been proposed but little measurable change has been forthcoming. Much has been written about conflict resolution, communication between staff and lay leadership and realistic expectations. However well-intended these efforts may be, the statistics seem to indicate little or nothing has changed. This project intends to evaluate the pastor-search process from the perspective of the pastoral candidate. Churches make efforts to evaluate and investigate candidates …
Exploring Successful Women's Ministry Employment: A Comparative Case Study Of Two Churches In Virginia, Melissa Small
Exploring Successful Women's Ministry Employment: A Comparative Case Study Of Two Churches In Virginia, Melissa Small
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The following qualitative case study explored the phenomenon of successful implementation of a fulltime women's ministry staff position in Southern Baptist churches to provide foundational research for a best practices guide for successful implementation of women's ministers in churches. For the research, successful implementation of women's ministry staff was generally defined as fulltime staff position devoted specifically to women's ministry in a church. The use of interviews and focus groups provided information from the church leaders and women who were directly involved in the phenomenon. The setting took place in two Southern Baptist churches, located in the state of Virginia, …
Inner-City Evangelism: A Model For Reaching Gangs For Christ, Eric Ladell Boone
Inner-City Evangelism: A Model For Reaching Gangs For Christ, Eric Ladell Boone
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis will focus on the crimes and violence that have corrupted and invaded the world, in a life-threatening, devastating, and unprecedented way. Criminal gangs have made their presence in communities all around the world, which has resulted in mental corruption and spiritual and physical destruction. Regardless of how gang members are looked upon and viewed by society due to their daily ungodly activities, the author will address the importance of the church becoming dedicated to reach gangs with the gospel, which holds the power to transform the life of whoever hears it regardless of their past or present. The …
Exploring Successful Women's Ministry Employment: A Comparative Case Study Of Two Churches In Virginia, Melissa Small
Exploring Successful Women's Ministry Employment: A Comparative Case Study Of Two Churches In Virginia, Melissa Small
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The following qualitative case study explored the phenomenon of successful implementation of a fulltime women's ministry staff position in Southern Baptist churches to provide foundational research for a best practices guide for successful implementation of women's ministers in churches. For the research, successful implementation of women's ministry staff was generally defined as fulltime staff position devoted specifically to women's ministry in a church. The use of interviews and focus groups provided information from the church leaders and women who were directly involved in the phenomenon. The setting took place in two Southern Baptist churches, located in the state of Virginia, …
Shepherding The Flock: C.A.R.E. - A Model For Pastoral Ministry, Ronald Hughes
Shepherding The Flock: C.A.R.E. - A Model For Pastoral Ministry, Ronald Hughes
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
A seminary graduate is often well equipped in a variety of areas including preaching, languages, church growth, and the like. One area that graduates often feel ill equipped is the practical area of pastoral care; however, every minister, whether in a church of ten or ten thousand, must have a way to effectively deal with this part of their ministry. From a review of the literature and a survey of pastors, this project will confirm the current need for further training in the area of pastoral care. In addition, this project will offer a plan to meet those needs within …
A Four-Fold Strategy For Training Parents To Teach Spiritual Formation At Home, James Otis Ledbetter
A Four-Fold Strategy For Training Parents To Teach Spiritual Formation At Home, James Otis Ledbetter
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this project is to aid church leaders toward understanding the dynamics of family ministry: what it is and what it is not. Having written five books for Focus on the Family and David C. Cook addressing the role of the church and family, this author has successfully transitioned his church from the traditional family ministry (families in the support role of the church) to placing the church in the support role of the family: strengthening God's family by strengthening theirs. Based on surveys, evaluations of each individual family's health, historical and cultural documents, resources, and actual case …
An Investigation Of Adversity In Christian Living And Proposal For Discipleship Response, Christopher Payne
An Investigation Of Adversity In Christian Living And Proposal For Discipleship Response, Christopher Payne
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
With numerous ministries teaching a cultural gospel comprised of prosperity and pleasure, people have the impression that a saving faith limits personal hardships. Jesus taught his disciples the truth about hardship and how to struggle well and the Church is called to do likewise. This thesis will present five key biblical truths to equip Christians for growing their faith through personal struggle. Moreover, the project will give leaders a guide for discipling hurting church members. The author will research current and historical discipleship materials and models, examine current teachings on faith and struggle, explore relevant biblical teachings, and survey fifty …
The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership Behavior, Adult Attachment And God Attachment, Deboarah Foulkes
The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership Behavior, Adult Attachment And God Attachment, Deboarah Foulkes
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Transformational leaders are charged with the undertaking of not only accomplishing tasks, but also engaging followers in a manner that will achieve these tasks. An interaction with the follower is needed to achieve this, and the quality of that interaction may be impacted by environmental stressors. Past studies suggest that adult attachment orientation will determine the quality of interpersonal interactions. Additionally, past studies also suggest that an attachment to God influences the quality of interpersonal interactions and how one copes with stress. A correspondence model of God attachment posits that a person’s attachment to God will be similar to their …
Evangelism And Social Concern In The Theology Of Carl F. H. Henry, Jerry Ireland
Evangelism And Social Concern In The Theology Of Carl F. H. Henry, Jerry Ireland
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study examines evangelism and social concern in the theology of Carl F. H. Henry. Henry stands not only as the most important figure in the re-awakening of evangelical social concern, but also a leading thinker among Evangelicals on the theological foundations that should guide this movement in its life and practice. Henry, building on the work of Abraham Kuyper (although with some significant differences), sought to recapture the Reformed emphasis on a worldview approach to the Christian faith. Thus, Henry emerges as a key and oddly understudied figure in the re-awakening of evangelical social action. Yet, his balanced approach …
The Pastor's Faithless Child: Strengthening Methods For Hurting Parent-Pastors, Ryan Ayers
The Pastor's Faithless Child: Strengthening Methods For Hurting Parent-Pastors, Ryan Ayers
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Parent-pastors face challenges when balancing vocational and familial responsibilities every day, and when faithless adolescent children are part of their family dynamic the hardship is magnified. These pastors often experience debilitating critique from their faith communities and colleagues while carrying the burden of raising a rebellious child. Utilizing a phenomenological study process, one hundred transparent interviews with parent-pastors are used to identify assumptions and realities surrounding the hurting parent-pastor's dilemma. Leading principles that have helped other parent-pastors cope with the overwhelming affects of their child's behavior will be introduced, empowering those who are hurting identify their stress points and overcome …
A Lonely Faith: Lessons In Spiritual Resiliency Learned From The Isolated, Captive, And Rescued, Jeff Schlenz
A Lonely Faith: Lessons In Spiritual Resiliency Learned From The Isolated, Captive, And Rescued, Jeff Schlenz
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Americans have always traveled abroad whether as merchants, military service members, missionaries, reporters, or simply, "tourists." Most return safely, but some have been taken captive by foreign governments, terrorists and criminal organizations. Though many have studied their struggles, no wide-scale attempt has been made to understand the role religious faith played in enduring their captivities. If understood, such information could be used in training those who may be exposed to similar circumstances in the future, and may have devotional value for others enduring crises. In this study, one hundred seventy-eight international travelers are surveyed, assessing their expectations of and preparation …
Discipleship Principles And Applications To Help Local Church Pastors To Become Disciple-Makers In South Korea, Dongjin Park
Discipleship Principles And Applications To Help Local Church Pastors To Become Disciple-Makers In South Korea, Dongjin Park
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Every pastor is called to develop disciple-makers to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission. Korean pastors have been trying to make disciples with many programs, but they have difficulties in making disciples that multiply. This is caused by misunderstanding the meaning of disciple and what disciple-making principles are in the Bible. The purpose of this project is to define the essential nature of a disciple and to research principles and applications for helping local church pastors to develop disciple-makers in South Korea by focusing on Jesus' ministry. The New Testament will be studied to discover principles for discipleship making. …
The One Balm For All Earth’S Wounds: The Priority Of Gospel Proclamation In Charles Haddon Spurgeon’S Missiology, John Sypert
The One Balm For All Earth’S Wounds: The Priority Of Gospel Proclamation In Charles Haddon Spurgeon’S Missiology, John Sypert
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This dissertation explores the relationship between gospel proclamation and mercy ministry in Charles Spurgeon’s ministry. The dissertation argues that Spurgeon’s Pastors College, Stockwell Orphanage, and his multitude of other ministries had one clear goal: the spreading of the gospel and the conversion of the lost. This dissertation uses Spurgeon’s approach to missions as an apologetic for a more biblically precise missiology, namely, one that prioritizes gospel proclamation without neglecting the physical needs of those who suffer. This approach could be called “benevolent prioritism” because it prioritizes the proclamation of the gospel while not neglecting works of love for those suffering.
A Biblical Foundation Counseling Strategy To Direct Couples To Become One Flesh In Marriage, Colin Seager
A Biblical Foundation Counseling Strategy To Direct Couples To Become One Flesh In Marriage, Colin Seager
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This project will outline steps in counseling newly married couples to develop biblical, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual unity within marriage. A review of currently available marital and pre-marital counseling suggests the focus centers on intimacy, communication issues, and being happy together versus truly becoming one flesh. This ministry tool will enable pastors to counsel and prepare couples effectively for marriage with the richness God designed for marriage and to fortify them against marital temptation and marital fatigue. Based on a review of available resources and data collected from a control group comprised of sixty individuals, an implementable discipleship program …
Reclaiming The Spiritual Leadership Role Of Christian Parents In Family Life: Coaching And Markers, Cindy Hayes
Reclaiming The Spiritual Leadership Role Of Christian Parents In Family Life: Coaching And Markers, Cindy Hayes
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Christians in the Western culture often struggle to pass on their faith to the next generation and as a result, the way God designed the family to function is being unwittingly abandoned. Countless parents today are leaving genuine faith and reliance on God behind. Though God's Word gives specific instructions on how to maintain and pass on faith, many have abdicated this injunction. In an effort to encourage authentic faith within the family, the local church can come alongside parents to help them understand and share their faith by offering training and coaching to embrace their own faith and pass …
A Pre-Methodological Theology For Biblically Proper Ecclesiological Health, James Woods
A Pre-Methodological Theology For Biblically Proper Ecclesiological Health, James Woods
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The American church is in a dramatically noticeable decline, with many resources offering superficial remedies and solutions but rarely digging below the surface to evaluate the structural integrity of the foundation. This paper will evaluate the foundation as to how it has been altered over the last two thousand years, as well as identifying three main foundational attributes of the first century church that must be in place for the twenty-first century church to be on target biblically. The thesis will be corroborated by utilizing two different, yet related surveys administered to both pastors and congregants, as well as by …
Church Hospitality: A Biblical Model For Growth Based On The Seven Churches In Revelation, Gesner Noel
Church Hospitality: A Biblical Model For Growth Based On The Seven Churches In Revelation, Gesner Noel
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Church growth seeks both to actualize the precepts of the "Great Commission", to attract new members and sustain current congregation. One of the fundamental problems is the inability to preserve hospitality. The pertinence of hospitality to the Church originates from Scriptures that clearly exemplify Christ's deeds and teachings of hospitality. This thesis project will investigate the seven churches in Revelation and reveal factors of outstanding and inhospitable practices in relation to Church growth and hospitality. Surveys will be based on unregulated interactions among pastors. Twenty pastors across five denominations, Evangelical Lutheran, Charismatic, Pentecostal, Seven-Day Adventist, and Roman Catholic will demonstrate …
Addressing Apathy In The Church: Moving People Towards A Biblical Healthy Discipleship Model, Kevin Brooks
Addressing Apathy In The Church: Moving People Towards A Biblical Healthy Discipleship Model, Kevin Brooks
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul speaks to the giving of spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit to individuals at the time of conversion. However, current statistics reveal that a large majority of church members are not actively serving their current ministry. The purpose of this project is to investigate the problem of apathy in the church, the failure of God's people to use their spiritual gifts and also present an effective model for solving the issue. A ministry filled with servants instead of spectators will help unify the body and more effectively reach the community for Christ. Research …
The Efficacy Of Christian Devotional Meditation On Stress, Anxiety, Depression, And Spiritual Health With Korean Adults In The United States: A Randomized Comparative Study, Jinse Kim
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study investigated the comparative effectiveness of Christian devotional meditation (CDM) versus progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on stress, anxiety, depression, and overall spiritual health among a sample of nonclinical Korean Christian adults in the United States. Seventy nine individuals at two churches in the northern Virginia area completed the study. At each church, the subjects were randomly assigned to a two-hour session of CDM training or PMR training. Each participant then was asked to practice the technique at home at least once a day for two weeks with audio recorded instructions. The participants' perceived level of stress, anxiety, depression, and …
Idealism & Reality: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Pastoral Expectations & Ministry Realities Experienced By Protestant Church Planting Pastors, Dwayne Bond
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
With the majority of literature focused on reducing clergy stressors, there is a need to explore how pastors respond when ministry idealism dissipates, while familial and congregational expectations increase. When idealized expectations fade, how do clergy experience resiliency? The purpose of this study was to explore how idealism affects clergy resiliency and their responses, coping, and longevity in ministry. Ten new church-planting Protestant pastors were selected using snowball sampling. Each pastor was interviewed. Data from the two-hour in-depth interviews was collected, organized and analyzed. The findings for each interview were compared and contrasted, and themes were identified - a) utilizing …
Nehemiah's Bricks And Mortar Story: Strategy For A Successful Building Project, Carla Antoine
Nehemiah's Bricks And Mortar Story: Strategy For A Successful Building Project, Carla Antoine
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Nehemiah was given a task to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. His leadership was effective, essential, strategic, and successful. Nehemiah's methodology provides a perfect model for completing church construction projects. This thesis project will examine aspects of Nehemiah's leadership and its effects on the various facets of construction. This project will review the theological, sociological, and philosophical views of Nehemiah, as well as the vision elements of a project, mobilization of workers, provision, and a structured guide for successfully completing the project. Research will be conducted on 100 church leaders, and congregations who have started a building project, completed a …
21st Century Evangelistic Worship Strategy For The Emergent Generation In South Korea, Kihun Choi
21st Century Evangelistic Worship Strategy For The Emergent Generation In South Korea, Kihun Choi
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Young adults are leaving the church. According to a research of Barna Group, three of every five young Christians are forsaking the fold. Therefore, reaching and sustaining the next generation in the local church is one of the most important issues for the church today. Young adults who were born in 1977 through 1994 are disappearing from or not attending the local church in South Korea. The purpose of this project is to present the development of an evangelistic worship strategy, which transfers the Christian faith to the next generation and presents a recovery model based on evangelism. The research …
The Role Of Prayer And Mission For Church Revival Through A Case Study Of Myung Dong Presbyterian Church, Chunkyung Cho
The Role Of Prayer And Mission For Church Revival Through A Case Study Of Myung Dong Presbyterian Church, Chunkyung Cho
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this project is to suggest the role of prayer and mission for church revival through a case study of Myung Dong Presbyterian Church (MDPC located in YangSan city South Korea). MDPC has been in a revival for 10 years that has resulted from prayer and mission, as used in this thesis project. The case study focused on the principles, critical components, and elements that have been important for the revival. This project included questionnaires and interviews with MDPC members. Based on the questionnaires, this project explained the current conditions of MDPC and identified the strengths and weaknesses …
Transitioning A Traditional African American Baptist Church In A Postmodern World, Dante Wright
Transitioning A Traditional African American Baptist Church In A Postmodern World, Dante Wright
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This project will examine how one church, Sweet Home - The Pinnacle of Praise, rose to the challenge of transitioning from being a traditional black Baptist church to a church equipped to meet the needs of a diverse yet crumbling American culture. The rationale for selecting this topic was the observance that in the 21st century, many black Baptist churches are, to some degree, failing to meet the needs of a fast growing post-modern culture. The potential value of this topic can be seen as a testimony that transformation is possible, practical and it positions the church for success in …
Combating Church Tradition: Freeing The Church To Reach Their Community For Christ, J. David Reid
Combating Church Tradition: Freeing The Church To Reach Their Community For Christ, J. David Reid
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
It appears that many American Protestant churches have plateaued and are declining. Although there may be numerous reasons for this phenomenon, one reason is that churches appear to be losing their effectiveness in reaching their communities. An examination of this failure is essential to identify steps necessary in moving churches back to their roots of fulfilling the Great Commission. This project is designed to assist churches in moving from ineffectiveness to vibrancy and transformative power. Such churches are transformational. They set the stage for God to transform lives. The research for this project will be accomplished through documentary analysis and …
Biblical Hermeneutics For The Twenty-First Century African American Church: Introducing Seven Key Solutions Promoting Higher Education, Jacqueline Montague
Biblical Hermeneutics For The Twenty-First Century African American Church: Introducing Seven Key Solutions Promoting Higher Education, Jacqueline Montague
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite the fact that education builds knowledge, higher learning through Seminary is preached from many African American pulpits as having little merit. The author's hope is to channel broader understanding on how the seminary experience can make a difference in accomplishing the assignment commissioned by Jesus to a postmodern society. To achieve this goal, the author divulges the importance and necessity of seminary studies from a semiotic approach. Research includes a study of the hermeneutic circle and its three parts: text, messenger, and listeners; collected data from culture analyses and statistical reports to comprise three pastoral interviews. The objective is …
Making Disciples Of Jesus Christ: Investigating, Identifying And Implementing An Effective Discipleship System, Jeffrey Lynn
Making Disciples Of Jesus Christ: Investigating, Identifying And Implementing An Effective Discipleship System, Jeffrey Lynn
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
According to George Barna's research, the current state of making disciples of Jesus Christ who are "observing all that I have commanded you" is dismal. His research reveals that "only three out of ten born-again adults admitted that they did not have any plan or process by which they intended to fulfill their spiritual goals." This author believes what we have in place for making disciples is inadequate, unimplemented, or both. The purpose of this thesis project is to explain the current state of spiritual formation in the American Church and the reasons why it falls short of God's desire …