Practical Theology Commons^™

Easter 3 Series B 2018, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

This PDF comments on the Propers for the Third Sunday in Easter, Series B and offers ideas for proclamation and preaching.

Easter 2 Series B 2018, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

This PDF comments on the Propers for the Second Sunday in Easter, Series B and offers ideas for proclamation and preaching.

Faith Formation For Families In A Post-Programmatic Era, Susan Megrund

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This thesis project sought to answer the question: What are effective ways for congregations to engage in ways of faith formation that encourage spiritual growth and Christian identity in over-programmed families, so they may see God as an active subject in their daily lives? The research in this thesis included case studies from the current congregation I am serving in, and other selected congregations. While implementing my research, I discovered that we struggle to find the right language around how to address the issue of busy families. When asking colleagues for input, the responses went back to the implementation of …

Perichoretic Worship: Cultivating Relationships With The Triune God, With One Another, And With The World, Greg G. Busboom

Doctor of Ministry Theses

A Participatory Action Research (PAR) study focusing on perichoretic worship as a way of cultivating holy relationship with the Triune God, with others, and with the world. Theoretical lenses include ritual studies, Faith Development Theory, and personhood in social relationships. Theological lenses include perichoresis, Lutheran worship, and faith practices. Using both quantitative and qualitative research, the study explores the practice of Christian worship in a large Lutheran congregation and seeks to grow active participation in the missional work of the Triune God through worship grounded in Word and Sacrament. Presents the Triune God as the active subject of Christian worship.

God’S Beautiful Mission: Missional Church And Leadership In The Light Of Theological Aesthetics, M. Scott Boren

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This project seeks to ascertain how pastoral leaders who have been trained in missional theology have led in a way that has been influenced by theological aesthetics. The view of missional leadership here is built upon a re-imagination of missio Dei and missional church that is informed by theological aesthetics. This theology of beauty is based upon the work of Gregory A. Boyd, Jonathan Edwards, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This proposal seeks to advance the views of the missional church rooted in the work of Lesslie Newbigin and advanced by Craig Van Gelder, Alan Roxburgh, and Pat …

Lutheran Higher Education In A Secular Age: Religious Identity And Mission At Elca Colleges And Universities, Brian A.F. Beckstrom

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This exploratory mixed methods case study examined the relationship between espoused and perceived religious identity and mission at five colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through the lenses of secularization theory, missional leadership, ecclesiology, Trinitarian theology, adaptive leadership, and challenges in the higher education market. Results indicated that humanism is the primary means of describing religious identity and mission at ELCA schools and there are widely varying assumptions about what it means to be a college or university of the church. Advocates and skeptics of the institution’s religious identity and mission interpret reality through the lens …

What Can We Learn From Atheists? (Leader's Guide And Participant's Guide), Lydia Marcus

Study Guides for Faith & Science Integration

A study of Larry Tauton's The Faith of Christopher Hitchens: The Restless Soul of the World's Most Notorious Atheist

Festival Of The Resurrection Series B 2018, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

This PDF comments on the Propers for the First Sunday in Easter, Series B and offers ideas for proclamation and preaching.

Stimulating Growth In Missional Understanding And Participation, David Benson

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Benson, David M. “Stimulating Growth in Missional Understanding and Participation.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2018. 195 pp.

The purpose of this project was to initially assess the understanding of and attitude toward the mission of the Church among the active membership of Faith Lutheran Church in Springfield, Missouri. Then, through the implementation of a six week, biblically based course of study about the missio Dei and the mission of the Church, a sampling of the membership were given in-depth instruction to increase their missional awareness. This same group was then reassessed to see if there had …

In Search Of Best Devotional Practices In Relation To The Practice Of Preaching, Jason Wagner

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

In Search of Best Devotional Practices in Relation to the Practice of Preaching. Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2018. pp.

Preachers are tasked with faithfully carrying the Word of God to their people on a weekly basis, yet preachers often struggle to be spiritually fed for their own sake as well as for the sake of their congregations. This project seeks to investigate the connection between personal prayer and devotional reading and proclamation. In seeking best devotional practices among pastors, this study reveals a number of benefits to the man who is tasked with regularly proclaiming the …

Manifesting The New Being In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Rachel Nelson

Master of Divinity (MDiv)

The grappling art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is often seen as a spiritual practice for those that regularly train. Practitioners claim to undergo a personal transformation that enables growth towards greater harmony within themselves and among humanity. The experience of growth within oneself and towards humanity corresponds to Paul Tillich's theological concepts of the Kingdom of God and the New Being. The Kingdom of God is characterized by individuals whom possess a harmony within themselves, and in tum, successfully live in harmony among a diversity of others. Jesus the Christ, known as the New Being, is conceived as the ultimate symbol …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 53 No 1 - April 2018), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

From the Editor: Karin Maag - 7 / Articles: Joseph Hall (1574–1656): Toward Peace in the Church and a Reformed Via Media by Richard A. Muller - 9 / The Question of Central Dogma in Herman Bavinck by Bruce R. Pass - 33 / An Alternative Pentateuchal View of Matthew by Peter van Veen - 65 / Understanding Chiasm and Assessing Macro-Chiasm as a Tool of Biblical Interpretation by Wayne Brouwer - 99 / Philippians 1:21–22: Revisiting John Calvin’s Innovative Interpretation by Kirk Summers (with Abby Holland) - 129 / Sermon: “We Shall All Rise!”—A Sermon on Philippians 1:21–23 by …

Funeral 1-Bilingüe-Liturgia, Ricardo Schlak

Liturgias

Funeral 1-bilingüe-liturgia

Entre El Templo Y Las Ciudad : Constructing A Pentecostal Lived Ecclesiology, Wilmer Estrada-Carrasquillo

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

‘Those People Needed Help’, Konner Dent

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Children’S Ministry Volunteer Development From Pastors And Laity In The Local Church, Kenneth Warren

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Developing children’s ministry volunteers in the local church is crucial to the sustenance of the body of Christ. Children’s ministry volunteers should be viewed as capable partners with both parents and church leaders in fulfilling the Great Commission. All volunteer ministries of the church matter, but those serving in children’s ministry have the unique opportunity to shape the lives of individuals who could serve the kingdom for a lifetime. Children’s ministry volunteer development is valuable because kingdom advancement hinges on lay ministry development as described in Ephesians 4:11–16. For this project, the researcher surveyed children’s ministry volunteers and pastors in …

Connecting The Church Beyond Prison Ministry: Transitioning The Discipled Prisoner Into A Discipleship Community, Joyce Weathers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The prison population in the United States surpasses all other countries on a per capita basis. The number of released inmates, who return to prison (recidivism) is staggering. In-prison Christian discipleship programs have successfully transitioned parolees into the free world, but little research has been done to confirm a standard practice for the transition process. Theories abound from clergy and laity alike; yet apathy and fear remain persistent deterrents. The church is confronted with a biblical mandate to assist the incarcerated (Matt. 25:36) and to make disciples (Matt. 28:19). By addressing the current concerns of church and prison ministry leaders, …

Mobilizing Habesha Immigrant Churches In Greater Boston : Training Servant Leaders For Transformation And Growth, Mulualem Kaba

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Leadership Matters Course On Christian Leaders, Crispus Christian

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Forgiveness: What It Is Not, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Strategic Spiritual Formation Study Based On The Book Of Malachi, Rand Muender

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature on spiritual disciplines demonstrates the need for a pastor to successfully implement an exegetical preaching methodology toward spiritual formation. The goal of this project is to answer: “What impact would a strategic spiritual formation study based upon the Book of Malachi implemented by a pastor have on a local church that is below 200 in attendance?” Incorporating the results of surveys sent to pastors within The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia having below 200 in attendance, this project will review theological, historical, and exegetical, perspectives and principles for a biblical methodology for spiritual formation.

Ministry And Nonprofit Finance: A Guide To Promote Awareness, Stewardship, And Compliance, Larry Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Scripture addresses few topics more frequently than that of finances (e.g., Prov 3:9, Matt 6:21, Ecc 5:10). Given this, and the legal aspects of ministry and nonprofit finances, it is imperative that such organizations ensure awareness of, and compliance with, financial requirements and best practices; this encompasses not only leaders, but also board members and staff/congregation of the organization. All these aspects are fused together under the term “stewardship”–properly and conscientiously managing the assets of another (or of others). This thesis reviews current literature, scriptural guidance, and established best practices to outline optimal practices for ministries/nonprofits. Additionally, this thesis uses …

Sa Lenten Devotions 2018 "The Beloved Of God" Week 7, Bekah Karolus, Andrew Coop, Joshua Joshua Otterman, Anthony Diliberto

Other Student Publications

During the seventh week, let us focus our eyes on that cross, and as we see the Beloved hanging there in our place satisfying justice, let us take comfort in knowing that in this action He makes us His beloved children, gives us a new identity, and provides us with rest. And certain of the Resurrection to come, may we go forward in confidence and trust to carry this message of “foolishness” to the world in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, just as our Lord came to use.

Palm Sunday Series B 2018, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

This PDF comments on the Propers for the Palm Sunday, Series B and offers ideas for proclamation and preaching.

L’Integration De La Foi Et L’Apprentisssage / The Integration Of Faith And Teaching, Glynis M. Bradfield

Faculty Publications

Objectifs du plan spirituel 1.Etudiants et personnel s’engagentà servir 2.Graduates s’engagentà la mission Adventiste 3.Le personnel sert de model entant que chrétiens a travers le monde 4. Les etudiants non-Adventistes apprécient l’approche Chrétienne de la vie 5. Les expériences de chaque groupe culturel incluant l’adoration. Les etudiants apprécient l’adorationde chaque groupe

The Sonic Sacrament: An Emerging Sacramental Theology Of Music In Contemporary Evangelical Churches, Joshua Altrock

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

This essay contends that in contemporary liturgies, a sonic sacrament of Eucharist is emerging through the medium of contemporary worship music. After laying out a theology of worship, sacrament, and participation, the article examines three major churches in Los Angeles: Hillsong LA, Mosaic LA, and Reality LA, and analyzes their liturgical practice. Based on this analysis, the author contends that American churches are exchanging the traditional sacrament of Eucharist with Contemporary Worship Music. The remainder of the article considers the implications of this shift.

Discipline Rédemptrice / Redemptive Discipline, Glynis M. Bradfield

Faculty Publications

La discipline rédemptrice développe le caractère chrétien. Ce n'est que le reflet de la façon dont Dieu traite avec nous: juste, mais toujours individualiste et unique.

Sa Lenten Devotions 2018 “The Love Of God” Week 6, Daniel Warner, John Karolus, Jonathan Torreson, Elizabeth Pederson

Other Student Publications

During the sixth week our writers explore the theme, “The Love of God” from various angles. It is at once more abundant, more steadfast, more truthful, more tender, and more powerful than ours.

Exploring What It Means To Be A Faithful Christian In Twenty-First Century America, Scott Busacker

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Busacker, Scott, M. “Exploring What It Means To Be a Faithful Christian in Twenty-First Century America.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2018. 187 pp.

This Major Applied Project seeks to explore what it means to be a faithful Christian in Twenty-First Century America. It explores the Biblical and Confessional Lutheran understanding of faithfulness. It then surveys the unique history of religion in America, highlighting the importance of both religious zeal and individual liberty. Christianity in America is going through a period of change. It is no longer culturally established. Thus, Christians need to deliberately consider how to …

Andrews Assists Victims Of Recent Local Flooding, Hannah Gallant

Andrews Agenda: Campus News

No abstract provided.