Practical Theology Commons^™

Ministry Without Borders: Insights From The New Testament, Katelyn Campbell, Boubakar Sanou, Hyveth Williams

Faculty Publications

On the basis of the evidences surveyed above, although there is functional distinction among the laos of God, if we consider the body imagery given to the church and the variety of spiritual gifts (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12–14 and Ephesians 4), there should be no status, gender, class or hierarchical distinction, because all believers and ministries are equal before God (Acts 10:34; Galatians 3:26–28). While the clergy/ laity hierarchical distinction is embedded and assumed in religious circles, it cannot be found in the New Testament. Rather than being the activity of a spiritual aristocracy or the work of a …

A Letter To Student Pastors, Willie Edward Hucks Ii

Faculty Publications

"Ministry is much more than preaching. The temptation exists to elevate preaching to the exclusion of all other disciplines. While preaching is vital, it is not paramount. Other events that bring the saints together for worship (such as Sabbath School and the midweek prayer service) should receive the same amount of attention and care as most preachers dedicate to the divine worship experience and sermons. Each event provides an opportunity for God’s people to experience a fresh encounter with the Divine."

Six Secrets Nature Thrives By, Petr A. Činčala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Building The Trusted Team: Governance In The Church, Annetta M. Gibson

Faculty Publications

Presentation for t he WAD Quinquennial Divsion-Wide Council Jul y 2, 2017

Chrtistian Community: God's Design For Growth, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

Community is one of God’s greatest gifts; it is the gift of a rich and challenging life together. Christian community means sharing a common life in Christ. It moves us beyond the self-interested isolation of the private lives and superficial social contacts that pass for “Christian fellowship.” Instead, the biblical ideal of community challenges us to commit ourselves to a life together as people of God.

Belief And Practice: Spiritual Imperatives For The Adventist Teacher, Joel Luc Raveloharimisy

Faculty Publications

"The apostle Paul’s advice to Timothy also provides a clear message for teachers in relation to living a spiritual life: “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16, NASB).⁶ For that purpose, I want to present two ways teachers can strengthen their walk with God so they can have confidence about their salvation and represent God effectively and efficiently to their students. This model is based on a principle found in spiritual-leadership literature. …

Following Faith Commitments: Adventist Higher Educationtransitiontheory, Larry D. Burton, Josephine Katenga, Christine A. Moniyung

Faculty Publications

Christian universities are generally tuition-driven and thus enrollment dependent. This is true of the Seventh-day Adventist higher education system as well.Previous research on Seventh-day Adventist university enrollment revealed and underrepresentation of graduates from public high schools in comparison to graduates of Christian high schools. The purpose of this study was to develop a working theory to explain how graduates of public high schools successfully transition into Adventist universities. Using a pragmatic grounded theory design, we interviewed 18 participants who had experienced such a transition. Progressing in a constant-comparative manner, research team members analyzed the interviews through multiple rounds and types …

The Blessing Of Spiritual Mentoring, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

Paul’s core argument for spiritual mentoring includes that to be effective mentors, our teaching must be backed by the witness of our own lives. We are to demonstrate all that we teach. What is laid upon us is the tremendous task of not only talking to men about Christ but showing Him to them through our lives. The experienced and exemplary Christian creates a responsible atmosphere for spiritual growth, sharing life experiences and skills and sacrificing time and energy.

As part of the mentoring process, Christians are to take every opportunity to teach younger people about God. This can be …

The Neighbor, Mark A. Granquist

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Participatory God For A Participatory Culture: Christian Theological Perspectives On Networks, Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Luther Seminary: It Takes A Village, Adam J. Copeland, Jason Misselt

Faculty Publications

The authors describe how, framed within an initiative to equip faith leaders and congregations around matters of stewardship, Luther Seminary’s Economic Conditions Facing Future Ministers (ECFFM) program has emerged as part of the work of the seminary’s Center for Stewardship Leaders. The ECFFM initiative focused on conducting new research and strengthening current campus programs in order to decrease student debt through building financial literacy, stewardship training, and financial support.

The Power Of Praying Parents, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Indexing Evidence Of Faith Integration, Glynis M. Bradfield

Faculty Publications

Workshop Tasks

•Reflect on types of faith integration

•Consider what happens at an Adventist school or university

•Experience and critique a program faith integration index

Using Essential Questions To Develop A Biblical Perspective, Glynis M. Bradfield

Faculty Publications

Workshop Tasks •Establish context for faith integration in educator’s life and work. •Learn how to use the Visual Valet as a faith integration tool, focusing on questions that increase critical thinking and biblical perspective development. •Learn how to create units that build on essential questions.

White Religious Educators Resisting White Fragility: Lessons From Mystics, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

Decades of work in dismantling racism have not yielded the kind of results for which religious educators have hoped. One primary reason has been what scholars term “white fragility,” a symptom of the structural racism which confers systemic privilege upon White people. Lessons learned from Christian mystics point to powerful ways to confront and resist the siren call of such formation and instead to make resisting racism an integral part of Christian identity for White people.

Creating A Christ-Centered Climate For Educational Excellence: Philosophical, Instructional, Relational, Assessment And Counseling Dimensions, Elvin Gabriel, Carole Woolford-Hunt, Esther M. Hooley

Faculty Publications

Interest is peaking among educators in North America, and around the world, on issues relating to school climate. A primary reason for this strong interest is research confirmation that school climate may have a positive or negative effect on educational processes. A Christ-Centered school climate provides the best opportunities for stakeholders to work collaboratively to achieve four primary educational outcomes. These are: (1) creating and sustaining bias free learning environments where relationships are nurtured by love, respect, tolerance, and kindness; (2) establishing faith-based instructional and service learning programs which cater to the needs of students; and (3) utilizing quality assessment …

The Triune God As A Driving Force Behind A Healthy Growing Church, Petr A. Činčala

Faculty Publications

This study explores the recent missiological and ecclesiological discussion as it relates to the wellbeing of the Church; this is considered in light of an analysis of Trinitarian text in Matthew 28:19 and major themes of 1 John.

Building A Vibrant, Healthy, Growing Church, Petr A. Činčala

Faculty Publications

Research has shown healthy and vital churches are doing better than plateauing dysfunctional churches. Empirical research has also demonstrated churches can turn around. This paper also provided a list of currently used/developed tools that can help churches to grow healthier. The tools were described and evaluated for practical application.

Neo-Subordinationism: The Alien Argumentation In The Gender Debate, Matthew L. Tinkham Jr.

Faculty Publications

Over the last forty years, the debate over gender roles in the home, church, and society has unprecedentedly escalated among Evangelical Christians—including Seventh-day Adventists—due to the introduction of an alien argumentation that grounds the permanent functional subordination of women to men ontologically in the being of God. This argument, which I have termed “neo-subordinationism,” states that women are ontologically equal but functionally subordinate to men because of a prescriptive hierarchical order that exists in the immanent Trinity and is recognizable through the economic Trinity. In this Trinitarian hierarchy the Son and the Holy Spirit are said to be ontologically equal …

Faith In A World Of Unfaith: How To Share Christ With Unbelievers., Kleber D. Goncalves

Faculty Publications

"Atheism comes out of a belief system that involves a decision. Christians have to make a similar kind of choice: to live by faith. To some extent, atheism requires “faith” that God does not exist. But how can we share our belief in the living God with nonbelievers in order to crack open a door instead of building a taller wall? How can we Seventh-day Adventists have a normal conversation about Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century without accidentally (or unconsciously) sounding aggressive, narrow-minded, or intolerant?"

The Impact Of Traumatic Life Events: Reactions And Resilience – Part Ii, Harvey J. Burnett Jr

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Tribute To Frederick J. Gaiser: Upon His Retirement As Editor Of Word & World, Mark A. Throntveit

Faculty Publications

This tribute to Frederick Gaiser at the end of his term as editor of Word & World comes from a longtime colleague and collaborator in the publication of this journal. Mark Throntveit is the Book Review Editor of this journal, and the Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary.

Toward A Theology Of Community., Jiří Moskala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Sanctuary Of The Soul, H. Peter Swanson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Gaining By Denying: An Invitation To The Discipline Of Fasting—Part 2 Of 2, S. Joseph Kidder, Kristy L. Hodson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Traumatic Life Events: Reactions And Resilience – Part I, Harvey J. Burnett Jr

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Truth, Love, And The Justice Of God: An Interview With Jiří Moskala, Jiří Moskala, Derek J. Morris

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Sabbath And Creation, Kathryn M. Schifferdecker

Faculty Publications

Work and rest, planting and letting lie fallow—these are the rhythms by which both we and the earth are sustained, as on creation’s first Sabbath. “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.…Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.” It is, of course, a word of law. For those who have ears to hear, however, it is also a word of promise.

Gaining By Denying: An Invitation To The Discipline Of Fasting—Part 1 Of 2, S. Joseph Kidder, Kristy L. Hodson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Deep Breathing Of The Soul: Honesty In Prayer, Joann Davidson

Faculty Publications

Honesty in prayer is crucial for our life with God. Prayers in Scripture teach us this. Many biblical prayers are filled with grief and protest, but God does not turn away. He is not offended by our honest complaints. One of the primary characteristics of prayer in the Bible points to honesty, often expressing hurt and frustration.