Practical Theology Commons^™

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.

Alive In The Spirit: A Practical, Biblical Insight Into The Person And The Work Of The Holy Spirit, Gene L. Jeffries

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

The world is a stage. Yet the principal players are not men and women... The three principal players are the members of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Alive in the Spirit answers questions that many Christians struggle with, including "who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He do?" Gene Jeffries illuminates the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life and encourages readers to understand His influence in their lives. Jeffries also explores the role of the Holy Spirit in biblical topics such as speaking in tongues, gifts of the …

A Missional Theology Of Spiritual Formation, Dwight J. Zscheile

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Reexamining The Place Of Public Confession Of Sins In A Reformed Context., Matthew John Webber

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

A dangerous tendency plagues the scripturally mandated practice of confession within many mainline Christian churches. The danger is that the theological thrust of the practice has been ignored or compromised in such a way that the manner in which confession is practiced ignores fundamental elements which underlie the need for confession, specifically public confession performed before one's fellow believers. It is especially evident that the confession of one's sins, which once took place in pubic before the ecclesial body, has seen a significant amount of change within the Reformed context. The focus of this essay is to identify the theological …

The Relationship Of Theology And Culture, Steve Case

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Teaching Disciples To Pray: Improving The Understanding And Practice Of Prayer At Calvary Baptist Church Of Floyd, Virginia, Randy Thomas Mcdaniel

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This project was undergirded by a theory that intentionality and discipline in prayer will yield valuable benefits. Growing more knowledgeable in prayer practice as well as learning to faithfully set aside time for prayer were two components of specific importance in this project. Such components can be engaged by the individual in private study. However, the position of this ministry experiment is that the greatest gains regarding knowledge and practice with prayer are to be found from intentional study with the additional element of a dialogical small group experience.

Joining God's Work, Andrew Root

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

In Search Of A Contextual Pastoral Theology For Dalits In India, Johnson Petta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current approaches to the ministry of pastoral care and counseling in the South Indian context lack a serious grasp of the critical needs of survival, liberation and cultural identity of the Dalit Christian communities. Prevailing models of care that are individualistic and based on clerical hierarchy have failed to give adequate attention to the systemic, cultural and psychological dimensions of the contextual needs of the Dalit Christians and foster a shared understanding of their problems. The theological and cultural sources that inform the pastoral care practices are not indigenous to their context and therefore fail to provide a critical and …

Vincentian Pragmatism: Toward A Method For Systemic Change, Scott Kelley

Mission and Ministry Publications

When Pope John Paul II addressed the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission in 1986, he encouraged the Assembly to “search out more than ever, with boldness, humility and skill, the causes of poverty and encourage short and long term solutions; adaptable and effective concrete solutions.” Building from Vincentian heritage and the wisdom of the Vincentian family, this paper uses Pragmatic Inquiry to construct a method - Vincentian Pragmatism - that will foster the kinds of systemic change that Pope John Paul II envisioned.

Contemplativus Simul In Actione, Lmu Center For Ignatian Spirituality

Books

No abstract provided.

Introduction, Steve Case

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Theology And Culture, Steve Case

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

The Book And The Student: Theological Education As Mission, Wagner Kuhn

Books

No abstract provided.

A Time To Gain And A Time To Lose, Jacques R. Doukhan

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Cross-Cultural Servant-Leadership For The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Papua New Guinea, Loren Kekes Poli

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Providing leadership for a diverse Papua New Guinea (PNG) remains a challenge for the Seventh-day Adventist church. There are more than 750 languages in current use and yet very little is being done to provide representation or give consideration to the cultural differences.

Method

A mixed-method research, both qualitative and quantitative, that included a review of literature, interviews, case studies, and a survey designed for use in PNG was used to conduct this research designed to explore and identify the knowledge of leadership from the context of PNG and how that understanding influences the support, perceptions, and practices of …

Fruit Of The Spirit: Next Steps, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Overall, the chapters provide support for the notion that religious and spiritu al practices, behavior, and engagement are associated with improved psychological, physical, and community functioning and wellbeing. Religion and spirituality can make us better. The fruit of the spirit can result in a better quality of life. However, we must be mindful of the need for future quality research as well as the downside of religious engagement, too. Intolerance, rigidity, and in-group/out-group conflict can be problematic and create a situation in which tills type of religious engagement can lead to fruit that is not healthy but unhealthy. This fruit …

A University Course's Influence On Students' Perpectives Regarding Sabbathkeeping As Spiritual Discipline, Ifeoma I. Kwesi

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although most students who attend Oakwood University are self-identified Seventh-day Adventist Christians, from general observation of their activities, conversations, and attitudes displayed on any given Friday night and/or Saturday (i.e., Sabbath), it would be easy to conclude that many neither enter nor exit their collegiate experience with a holistic understanding or experience of Sabbath and Sabbathkeeping.

Methodology

1. As part of the research for this project I used a pre- and post-test methodology to determine the cognitive, behavioral and affective realms of Sabbath and Sabbathkeeping among students enrolled in RP131: Spiritual Formation for Ministry. The intervention was the aforementioned …

Seeking God’S Will: The Experience Of Information Seeking By Leaders Of A Church In Transition, David H. Michels

Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press

What is the experience of information seeking (IS) by leaders of a church in transition, as they seek the will of God for their church? In this ethnographic pilot study, I begin to create a picture of leaders’ information seeking, first for personal faith building and then for corporate decision making, and I consider the impact of new technologies on these processes. Religious IS did not differ significantly from other everyday-life information seeking (ELIS) experiences, except when subjects were acting in leadership roles. Prominent themes were theological diversity and prayer.

Plateaued Church: Creating A Culture Of Growth, Phil Stevenson

Great Commission Research Journal

The plateaued and declining churches are a great challenge for denominational leaders. This paper deals with this challenge. It is the premise of this work that denominations, especially at the judicatory level of their organization, need to be culture creators. Leaders must create a culture where plateaued and declining churches can move from ill health to healthy, fit congregations. Such a culture will only be created when judicatory leaders readjust their role from administration to consulting, coaching, strategizing, and vision casting.

Interdependent Church Planting Among The Urban Poor: A Case Study With Living Bread Ministries In Southern Brazil, G. Patrick Hubbard Ii

Great Commission Research Journal

This case study will highlight the work of Living Bread Ministries. I will detail our seven-year journey of beginning LBM, building interdependent partnerships with indigenous leaders, and planting eight churches in the favelas within the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Brazil. In addition, I will discuss how these partnerships have led to planting churches and to establishing a Brazilian-led church planting ministry which shares the vision and focus of LBM. Through this organization, Brazilian individuals and churches are joining us to plant churches among the urban poor in Brazil and beyond. Finally, I will share some theological principles that are …

Intergenerational Church Splits, Eunice Hong, Richard L. Starcher

Great Commission Research Journal

Generational and cultural differences between the first- and second-generation Korean American church leaders have caused division, anxiety, and tension. Though nearly all immigrant churches recognize the difficulties of embracing different generations and cultures, the lack of attention has resulted in frustration, bitterness, and ultimately, separation of the church. This article explores key factors contributing to church splits in multigenerational Korean-American churches in the greater Los Angeles area. Research participants included seventeen second-generation Korean-Americans. While they were from different churches and various denominations, all participants were involved in a church split. Data was collected through open-ended, semi-structured interviews. A careful analysis …

Book Review: A Light To The Nations: The Missional Church And The Biblical Story By Michael W. Goheen, Tereso C. Casino

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel And Community By Tim Chester And Steve Timmis, Rod Earls

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Muslims, Christians, And Jesus: Gaining Understanding And Building Relationships By Carl Medearis, Warren F. Larson

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging And Traditional By Jim Belcher, William P. Brooks

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Soul Of Hip Hop: Rims, Timbs And A Cultural Theology By Daniel White Hodge, Steven Ybarrola

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Records Of The United Christian Ashrams, International Arc1996-010 - Finding Aid, United Christian Ashrams, International N.A.

Finding Aids

No abstract provided.

Did Paul See The Saving Significance Of Jesus’ Death As Resulting From Divine Violence? Dialogical Reflections On Romans 3:25, Christian Eberhart, Don Schweitzer

Consensus

No abstract provided.