Practical Theology Commons^™

The Contributions Of Faith-Based Organizations To Development And The Humanitarian Field: An Adra Case Study, Alexandra Raney, Joel Raveloharimisy

Interdisciplinary Journal of Best Practices in Global Development

The purpose of this paper is to explain the contributions of faith-based organizations (FBOs) to development and the humanitarian field. To do this we used mixed methods research to conduct a case study of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), evaluating its mission, mandate, organizational resources, and activities conducted in 136 countries around the world. We argue that the contributions of FBOs to development and the humanitarian field are explained by the interplay of their identity, resources, and opportunities to do good. The paper concludes with recommendations for FBOs as we move toward the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, while …

Missio-Logoi And Faith: Factors That Influence Attitude Certainty, David R. Dunaetz

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

One of the goals of missio-logoi (missionary speech) used by missionaries is the development of faith in the lives of those whom the missionaries serve. From a biblical perspective, faith has both a relational (e.g., John 3:16) and a cognitive dimension (e.g., Hebrews 11:1). This cognitive dimension is similar to what social psychologists call attitude certainty, the degree to which an individual is certain that a particular attitude or belief is true. This study reviews the empirical research conducted to discover the factors that influence attitude certainty. These factors include support for the beliefs by peers, repeated verbal expression of …

Eco-Pietism Vs. Eco-Piety, Ethan Brue

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Good intentions undergird each practice and authentic faith formation has emerged from even our most legalistic practices."

Posting about true Christian piety from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/eco-pietism-vs-eco-piety/

Discipleship And Metaphor, Donald Roth

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"As an operative metaphor, 'kingdom' encourages an optimistic Christian engagement with the world, often grounded in a goal of transformation."

Posting about Biblical imagery that encourages vibrant faith from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/discipleship-and-metaphor/

Easter 6 • Acts 17:16–31 • May 25, 2014, Michael Redeker

Concordia Journal

The true God is not detached and uninterested in humanity, as the philosophers understood the gods to be, but rather God is truly interested and cares for and about creation and all creatures, including humanity.

The Practicality Of Statistics: Why Money As Expected Value Does Not Make Statistics Practical, Sean Reimer

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis covers the uncertainty of empirical prediction. As opposed to objectivity, I will discuss the practicality of statistics. Practicality defined as "useful" in an unbiased sense, in relation to something in the external world that we care about. We want our model of prediction to give us unbiased inference whilst also being able to speak about something we care about. For the reasons explained, the inherent uncertainty of statistics undermines the unbiased inference for many methods. Bayesian Statistics, by valuing hypotheses is more plausible but ultimately cannot arrive at an unbiased inference. I posit the value theory of money …

Every Good Endeavor Author Katherine Alsdorf On Why Faith@Work Is Important, Katherine Leary Alsdorf

Theology of Work Project

More than ever before, humanity is in a crisis over work. People change jobs and careers 6 times or more in their lives. Robotics will threaten even professional level vocations over the next decade. Darwinian competition trumps teamwork and human dignity. Our work – our commitment to bring God’s truth, love, and human dignity to the work lives of all people – has never been so important! How can we better equip ourselves for our work, for our calling? How do we help others work in a world that is increasingly unaware of and even hostile to the hope of …

Faith, Doubt, And Chiasmus In Krzysztof Kieslowski's Decalogue I, William Bartley

Journal of Religion & Film

This article proposes a reinterpretation of Krzysztof Kieslowski’s exploration of the first commandment in Decalogue I. It argues that the narrative structure of the story is chiastic—i.e., inversely parallel—which follows from recognizing for the first time the crucial role that Irena, the devoutly Catholic sister of Krzysztof, a professor and religious skeptic, plays in the story. The pattern of inverse parallelism (chiasmus) emerges as Krzysztof and Irena respond separately to the tragic death of Krzysztof’s son, Pawel: as Krzysztof’s skepticism gives way to a new faith in God, inversely and unexpectedly Irena’s faith retreats into doubt. This outcome, in …

Apples To Apples Or Apples To Dates? The Muslim Critique Of Christian Scriptures, David D. Grafton

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Conquest And Violence: The Christian Critique Of Muhammad, David D. Grafton

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Interview: Katherine Leary Alsdorf, Katherine Leary Alsdorf, David W. Gill

Theology of Work Project

Katherine Leary Alsdorf is co-author with Timothy Keller of Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work (Dutton, 2012). She came to Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City in 2002 to establish the Center for Faith and Work to help people nurture a meaningful integration between their faith and their professional work. Prior to this ministry role at Redeemer, she spent 20 years in the high tech industry. In California, she served as CEO of Pensare, an online management education company, and CEO of One Touch Systems, a hardware/software products company. Before that, she was President of Private …

Faith: How Open Can You Be? (Case Study), John Beckett

Theology of Work Project

Findlay debated with himself for some time, and then made a conscious decision to leave a Bible on his desk at work. Since becoming a believer he wanted to let others know about his newfound faith, and had concluded this small step could open some doors. It didn’t take long for Findlay to get a response. Into his office walked the Manager of Human Relations: “My friend, what is that? Have you become one of those?” A chill went down Findlay’s spine. He knew his next words were important, so he lifted a quick prayer for what to say. “Ahh, …

Covington Aircraft Engines, Center For Faith & Work At Letourneau University, Paul Abbott

Theology of Work Project

Paul Abbott takes Matthew 6:33 to heart as he fulfills his calling to be a Christian businessman: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” (Click here to explore what this verse says about work.) Since 1972, he and his wife, Betty, have been working at Covington Aircraft Engines, a company of 65 employees that runs on four core principles: integrity, dependability, affordability, and quality service. Since people’s lives are at stake, integrity is essential to their business.

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, …

Epic Families: Equipping Parents To Reclaim Their Biblical Mandate While Inspiring Children To Know And Love The God Who Made Them, Marybeth Meltzer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature demonstrates that there is a fundamental problem in the church today: the church has taken on the primary role of discipling children, while many parents have abrogated their biblical mandate as outlined in Deuteronomy 6:6-9. Surveys of parents as well as practical ministry experience confirm that great confusion exists among parents as to the scope of their biblical responsibilities. This project reviews historical perspectives and the present situation in the church and offers guidance to both parents and ministry professionals to help parents reclaim their God-given responsibilities.

A Future I Trust In: Identity And Vocation As The Parent-Leader, Karen M. Gieseke

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Papers

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 …

Book Review: No Stones: Women Redeemed From Sexual Addiction By Marnie C. Ferree (Intervarsity, 2010), Margaret English De Alminana

Selected Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Santa Clara Strength Of Religious Faith Questionnaire: Assessing Faith Engagement In A Brief And Nondenominational Manner, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire is a brief (10-item, or five-item short form version), reliable and valid self report measure assessing strength of religious faith and engagement suitable for use with multiple religious traditions, denominations, and perspectives. It has been used in medical, student, psychiatric, substance abuse, and among general populations nationally and internationally and among multiple cultures and languages. Brief non denominational self report measures of religious and faith engagement that have demonstrated reliability and validity are not common but can have potential for general utility in both clinical and research settings. This article provides an …

Intercultural Faith-Based Mentoring Of Helderberg College Students, South Africa, Edward A. Appollis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Many of the students of Helderberg College do not utilize the mentoring program fully and staff members lack the time and training for doing faith-based mentoring. Additionally, both staff and students have expressed the challenges that arise from a mentor-mentee relationship which is often intercultural.

Method

A mixed methodology study using the following instruments with two populations of Helderberg College: a survey-questionnaire by 93 fulltime registered student mentees present at a weekly assembly (3rd Nov. 2008); and a survey-questionnaire by 28 mentoring staff (4th Nov. 2008). Further, 6 interviews with mentors on 29th July- 3rd Aug. 2009 and 10 …

Short-Term Family Missions : A Study Of Family Faith Development, Anthony Wayne Mccollum

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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 …

Invitation To The Table Conversation: A Few Diverse Perspectives On Integration, Natalia Yangarber-Hicks, Charles Behensky, Sally Schwer, Kelly Schimmel Flanagan, Nicholas J.S. Gibson, Mitchell W. Hicks, Cynthia Neal Kimball, Jenny H. Pak, Thomas G. Plante, Steven L. Porter

Psychology

This article represents an invitation to the "integration table" to several previously underrepresented perspectives within Christian psychology. The Judeo-Christian tradition and current views on scholarship and Christian faith compel us to extend hospitality to minority voices within integration, thereby enriching and challenging existing paradigms in the field. Contributors to this article, spanning areas of cultural, disciplinary, and theological diversity, provide suggestions for how their distinct voices can enhance future integrative efforts.

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.

Developing Adult Faith Formation At Our Lady Of Guadalupe Parish, Helotes, Jane M. Abernathy

Pastoral Institute

My project will be to offer assistance to the staff of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Helotes, Texas, in the area of adult faith formation. This will be a two-part project over the course of a nine-month period. The first part will be to examine various Scripture Study programs, select one as a "test," offer it in the Fall of 2002, and evaluate it for possible continuation or rejection.

The second element of this project will be to assess the needs, desires and availability of adults regarding other aspects of adult faith formation. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a …

Managing As If Faith Matters, Center For Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University

Center for Catholic Studies Faculty Seminars and Core Curriculum Seminars

As part of the Lilly Endowment "Theological Exploration In Vocation" grant awarded to Seton Hall University, the Center for Catholic Studies sponsored a four-day seminar open to administration, faculty and staff to discern and situate their managerial role as a unique and transformative vocation.

Managing in a university setting poses critical personal questions: As a manager, what kind of person should I strive to become? What kind of organization should I, as a manager or employee, strive to build and maintain? Has my managerial education and formation contributed to a moral outlook that privatizes my faith and insulates my managerial …

Research On Faith And Health: New Appoaches To Old Questions, Thomas G. Plante, Allen C. Sherman

Psychology

Does religious faith influence health? Are religious practices associated with altered risks for morbidity or mortality? Do religious or spiritual individuals tend to enjoy better well-being or mental health across the lifespan? Does spiritual or religious involvement change the way individuals adapt to the demands of chronic illness? This volume brings together some of the leading investigators who have explored these intriguing questions. Though research is in its early phases, the chapters that follow review some of what we have learned and begin to trace the outlines of the many mysteries that remain.

Using Parents In Preparing Their Children For Confirmation And First Communion, Wayne Wentzel

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The theme of this paper is the involvement of parents in the spiritual life of their children as they prepare for confirmation and first Communion. A problem exists in most churches where these very vital steps are left to the pastor and the church. Through a study of the Scriptures, the writings of Dr. Martin Luther, and the history of the Christian Church, the extent to which parents are to be involved in this process is determined, as well as the age at which the child is ready to begin. Several surveys were conducted at Faith Lutheran Church to determine …

Welcome To Life! Knowing God And The Truths Of His Word, James Witt

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Welcome To Life is a Bible Information class intended to be used as a Christian instruction course for those seeking to join or reenter the church and as a refresher course in Christian doctrine for members who wish to be renewed and strengthened in faith. The course was developed over a 15-year period to address a need for a clear, comprehensive, orthodox and practical study of the biblicalChristian faith. Welcome To Life aims to present the major truths of God's Word in an informative and engaging manner so that learners will readily understand the Bible’s life-giving teachings and apply these …