Practical Theology Commons^™

Defying Expectations: One Female Preacher's Exploration Of Preaching Performance, Listener Expectations, And Emotion, Amy Lea Wiles

Doctor of Ministry Theses

In this thesis, one female preacher explores preaching performance, listener expectation, and emotion. Using exploratory research methodology, the thesis seeks to answer the following questions in a particular context: What are listener expectations of sermon delivery? Do listeners hold differing sermon delivery expectations for female preachers? How does meeting or straying from these expectations affect receptivity of the message? Data was collected through interviews with pastors, focus group questionnaires, and feedback forms of respondents who responded to sermons preached with different performance choices by both a female preacher and a male preacher. The results revealed a bias around performances related …

Hospitality In The House Of God: Deconstructing Habit And Building Missio Dei, Julia A. Carlson

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This research project addresses neighborliness, change, and hospitality in the life of a mainline church of 1,200 members. It is a congregation that has traditional worship and programming with progressive values. The congregants are not comfortable with change and are coming to terms with the missing Millennial generation. Mixed method Action Research using missional practices of hospitality and neighbor interviews offered new faith formation and relationship growth with neighbors. There were also educational opportunities on change, the missional church movement, and neighborliness. The work relies on the theology of Serene Jones, Kosuke Koyama, and Miroslav Volf.

The Episcopal Church Of Liberia Gravitating Towards Financial Independence: Strategies And The Way Forward, Slewion P. Lewis

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This thesis project sought to solicit and find strategies and the way forward as to how the Episcopal Church of Liberia can be financially independent and sustain itself as a diocese. The Episcopal Church of Liberia, a faith tradition of which I am a member and an ordained clergy, continues to a large extent rely on support from the Episcopal Church in America for the running and operation of the church. This has and continues to be the practice and trend of successive leadership dating as far back as the days of the church under missionary bishops. With the church …

Power Perfected In Weakness: The Effectiveness Of Spiritual Practices On Personal Power In The Lives Of Men, Steven B. Cauley

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This mixed methods Action Research project studied the effects of spiritual

practices in the life of men in a Lutheran congregation. The project was framed by Janet Hagberg and her work on personal power in “Real Power: Stages of Personal Power in Organizations,” Narrative Theory, and masculinity. These frames were integrated with biblical and theological lenses of the theology of the cross, spiritual practices, and Trinitarian theology, including a significant lens from Richard Rohr and his book, “Adam’s Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation.”

The study offered insight into the impact of specific spiritual practices with the intent of …

People Require Proximity: What The Church Can Do To Create Wholeness For Adolescents, Carrington Phauve Wilson

Seattle Pacific Seminary Projects

Historically, many have attempted to advocate for equality by centering an earthly dominant power to bring about likeness to the majority. Unfortunately, even the most noble of causes excludes those furthest from the center source. Therefore, reconciliation must not focus on human structures of power and equality, but God’s, centering the One who created all things, to be again returned to their truthful spaces. Thus, for reconciliation to be a realized truth, we must not center the dominant source of human power, but the furthest out, realizing the likeness to God that humanity continuously excludes. For this, womanism gives a …

Sou Estudante De Teologia, E Agora? Conselhos De Um Pastor Para Um Teologando, Hebert Davi Liessi

All Books

Se você decidiu estudar teologia ou já é um aluno, este livro é para você. Hebert escreve de maneira agradável, prática e consistente, com o frescor de um estudante, com a experiência de um pastor, com a motivação de ser usado por Deus, para fazer mais fácil, mais eficaz a vida de um estudante de teologia. Muitos pastores dizem: ‘se eu soubesse, minha passagem pela faculdade haveria sido diferente’. Não necessita lamentar depois. Agora pode sabê-lo. Estas páginas podem ser teu mapa da rota em busca de um ministério feliz, fiel e frutífero. Recomendo-o como uma obra indispensável para ter …

One In The Spirit: An Exploration Of And Movement Toward The Theology Behind Acceptance Of, Affirmation Of, And Advocacy For Transgender People In The Church, Jo Newton

Beets Paper Contest

No abstract provided.

Imagining The Postdigital Church, Michael Paulus

SPU Works

This essay focuses on the ongoing need and opportunity for church leaders to continue the process of digital transformation and imagine new forms of the post-pandemic church.

The Calvin Forum: Summer 2021, Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

CONTENTS - Vol. 28. No. 2, SUMMER 2021

Main Features: 3 - 25 years & Counting!

4 - Women-In-Office: What is the CRCNA position, how did we get here, and what does it mean?

8 - Partners in the Gospel

12 - Twenty-Five Years on: Just look at what God has done!!

18- My Calling

22- Following step by step

26- Moments in ministry formation 30- Songs of Redemption

Calvin Seminary News:32 - New Books

34- Distinguished Alumni

Relevant Methods And Strategies For Successful Church Planting In Hyderabad, India, Patrick Dommati

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Playing At The Crossroads Of Religion And Law: Historical Milieu, Context And Curriculum Hooks In Lost & Found, Owen Gottlieb

Articles

This chapter presents the use of Lost & Found – a purpose-built tabletop to mobile game series – to teach medieval religious legal systems. The series aims to broaden the discourse around religious legal systems and to counter popular depiction of these systems which often promote prejudice and misnomers. A central element is the importance of contextualizing religion in period and locale. The Lost & Found series uses period accurate depictions of material culture to set the stage for play around relevant topics – specifically how the law promoted collaboration and sustainable governance practices in Fustat (Old Cairo) in twelfth-century …

Dieu Pourvoira: La Dîme, L’Offrande Et Notre Vie Spirituelle, Felix Cortez

All Books

No abstract provided.

God Will Provide: Tithes, Offerings, And Our Spiritual Life, Felix Cortez

All Books

No abstract provided.

Exegetical Assistance To Enhance Sermon Preparation By Fulltime Church Of God Pastors In Buenos Aires, VeróNica Elizabeth Aguilar

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Developing Healthy Mbb Community : An Analysis Of Relationships Between Muslim Background Believers, M. T. C.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Perceived Effectiveness Of A Mentoring Program For Training Adventist Chinese Evangelists, Terry Man-Yuen Tsui

Dissertations

Problem

The fact that evangelism in the Unorganized Territories of the Chinese Union Mission was done mainly as personal evangelism and that public evangelism was limited to a one-day seed sowing meeting had led to a serious need for equipping pastors in effective public evangelism methods. It required a model of public evangelism, which is adaptable to the local Chinese culture, and a mentoring program that accompanies evangelists, who were still developing their skills in public evangelism.

Method

This study used a parallel mixed methods design to measure the perceived effectiveness of selected methods in the mentoring program. This design …

Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 63, No. 1

Restoration Quarterly

PDF of the cover of Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 63, No. 1.

This repository hosts selected Restoration Quarterly articles in downloadable PDF format. For the benefit of users who would like to browse the contents of RQ, we have included all issue covers even when full-text articles from that issue are unavailable. All Restoration Quarterly articles are available in full text in the ATLA Religion Database, available through most university and theological libraries or through your local library’s inter-library loan service.

Dios Proveerá: El Diezmo, La Ofrenda Y Nuestra Vida Espiritual, Felix Cortez

All Books

Dios proveerá recopila, organiza y presenta en forma sencilla, clara y honesta, os principios bíblicos sobre los cuales se fundamentan la naturaleza, práctica y uso del diezmo y las ofrendas en la iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día. También contiene estudios sobre asuntos relacionados con la posición de Elena de White, el reglamento adventista sobre el uso del diezmo y una reflexión sobre la promesa de Dios en Malaquías 3:8–12. Esta obra es una guía práctica y breve de lo que la Biblia dice respecto a los diezmos y las ofrendas, y cómo estos impactan la calidad de nuestra vida espiritual.

Gregory The Great On The Balance Of The Christian Life Of The Clergy, Isaias D'Oleo Ochoa

CTS Student Publications and Creative Works

In Gregory the Great’s Pastoral Care the balance of the Christian life of the clergy not only permeates Gregory’s discussions in each major section of the book but also this theological motif served him to challenge the tendency of the clergy of his times to have a negative attitude towards the active life.

52 Life Changing Devotional Thoughts: Spiritual Food For The Journey, Trevor O'Reggio

Faculty Publications

Over the last twenty years that I have worked as a professor of Church History at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, I have given a short devotion to my students at the beginning of each class period to inspire and encourage them in their faith journey and to affirm them in their call to ministry. I have gathered up these precious devotional thoughts and put them in this small book, so there will be a permanent record of these spiritual reflections. Enclosed you will find short scriptural reflections, homilies, inspirational poems, bible readings, and common-sense instructions. I hope …

Talking About Religion And Politics, Steve Case

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Gen Z And Social Issues, Tracy Leon Wood, Vandeon Griffin, Armando Miranda

180 Symposium Publications

The 180° Symposium for 2019 focused on Gen Z and Social Issues. In North America, this age cohort consists of those born between 1995-2010. They share a number of the same social concerns as previous generations, but they also have certain issues that stand out more to them. Those who minister to Gen Z, whether they are in full-time ministry or serve as volunteers or who parent these young people, need to be aware of these issues and integrate this into their ministry to increase effectiveness in these unique times to this unique generation.

Imago Dei: A Theological Grounding For Discussions On Social Issues And Generational Cohorts, Gerardo Oudri

180 Symposium Publications

Discussing “social issues” and “Gen. Z” can be done from many angles and perspectives. While this is good and necessary, it seems imperative to provide a solid and cohesive theological foundation on which those discussions can stand. This paper proposes the biblical concept of the “image of God” as that platform, and argues that despite the differing views and understandings of “Imago Dei,” there is sufficient general consensus on fundamental points which provides both the foundation and the direction for a Christian perspective on “social issues.”

Gen Z And Their Rights To Participation, Michelet William

180 Symposium Publications

One defining characteristic of Generation Z—those who are currently collectively under the age of 25, is their concern for social justice. They fight for themselves, their friends, their classmates, and others they see treated unfairly, whether due to issues of gender, sexuality, race, pay, or environmental. Yet a major social justice concern for Gen Z and youth, in general, is limited participation or lack of access to processes that affect their lives. This paper argues that meaningful participation of young people is vital because 1) Young people have always been key players in God’s mission; 2) Youth participation is a …

On Fire Or Burned Out? Involving Young People In Social Issues, Steve Case

180 Symposium Publications

As young people become aware of injustices, their response tends to be one of either getting fired up or overwhelmed to the point of burnout. There is a third way. They may need guidance to pursue a better response, recognizing it requires much more than a quick fix. This third way identifies social injustice and goes beyond the symptoms to root causes and systemic processes. Giving a dollar to a homeless person might do some good, but young people should expand their understanding and practice by asking systemic “Why?” questions. Because of the prevalence of injustice in our world, exposure …

Creating Dialogical Safe Spaces For Gen Z Discussions On Social Issues And Creating Meaningful Change, Heather Cook, Milton Daniel Marquez

180 Symposium Publications

Gen Z is interested in participating in impactful societal change. The process of change begins with intentional dialogue. After dialogue, a process of seeking and implementing change is necessary for true societal impact. Using research on current methods used in various settings and real-life stories we propose elements that foster safe spaces for Gen Z to have constructive dialogue that leads to change, both in them and in the church.

The Three Angels’ Messages: A Call To Religious And Social Justice, Michael Nixon

180 Symposium Publications

Birthed in the 19th century Great Advent Awakening in America, the Seventh-day Adventist Church saw the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14 as its calling and purpose. And while the early Adventist pioneers championed a number of social justice issues, the ensuing generations of leaders moved toward the status quo rather than challenging it. As a result, the Three Angels’ Messages became words more than actions, as exemplified in how the Adventist Church related to racism between Whites and Blacks. Yet the messages from each of the Three Angels contain social justice callings.

Take Me Home: Practical Ways Young People Can Respond To Human Trafficking, Kate Case, Steve Case

180 Symposium Publications

Injustice, such as human trafficking, leaves an unnerving sense that something is wrong. Due to an inadequate Christian response, we need to re-think, re-imagine, and restore a theology of a good God and a good Gospel in a bad world. We need a response that is personal yet broad; one that explains but also responds. The Bible reveals a good God intervening in a world gone bad. Our response today needs to include awareness of human trafficking and those opposing it, purposeful prayer practices to connect with God, lamentation to express true empathy, advocacy on behalf of those who suffer, …

Religion’S Impact On The Mental Health Of Seventh-Day Adventist College Students, Alina M. Baltazar, Amanuel Dessie, Duane C. Mcbride

180 Symposium Publications

Depression and anxiety rates among college students are increasing around the world. This paper will examine results of a 2018 survey that found high rates of depression and anxiety among Adventist College students as well as results from a focus group follow-up study that helped to explain those results. Our objective is to examine the positive and negative influence of religion on the mental health of Seventh-day Adventist college students.

The Lgbt+ Divide: Identity, Shame, And Equality Before God And The Church, Curtis J. Vanderwaal, David Sedlacek, Nancy J. Carbonell, Shannon M. Trecartin, Stephen Yeagley

180 Symposium Publications

Navigating one’s sexual and/or gender identity can be a difficult and complex process for Christian LGBT+ youth, leaving many of them at high risk for poor mental health outcomes and self-harming thoughts and behaviors. Seventh-day Adventist families and congregations are just beginning to grapple with how they should respond to their LGBT+ children. This survey of 310 Seventh-day Adventist adult Millennials explored perceived levels of their families’ acceptance or rejection of their sexual orientation or gender identity during their teen years. Other variables included recent levels of self-esteem, social support, depression, substance abuse, high-risk sexual activity, and suicidal thinking or …