Practical Theology Commons^™

Doctrine As Pastoral Care At Bethel Lutheran, Gurnee, Illinois, To Support Members Who Are In Multi-Denominational Settings, Benjamin Squires

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

The “doctrine as pastoral care” formation experience process developed for Bethel, and possibly for use by other Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregations, will encourage a faithful, confessional, Lutheran perspective for those members who are engaged in conversation and mission with people taught according to different Christian systematics. While the steps of this process might be duplicated with other members for a similar goal of “doctrine as pastoral care” to support multi-denominational engagement, the actual content—and perhaps even specific formation activities—will differ according to the themes from the initial interviews of future participants.

Getting To Acquainted: How A Pastor Can Get To Know His Congregation, Alan J. Ehler

Selected Faculty Publications

This article was published in Ministry Today and lays out principles for new pastors to build relationships and credibility in their new churches.

The Importance Of Ritual In Helping Heal Veterans Who Suffer With Ptsd/Moral Injury: A Chaplain’S Role In The Body Of The Church, Matthew Prince

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

As an active duty Navy chaplain, endorsed by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, I wondered where did these purification rites from these societies have their roots. Had some of their ideas come from the purification rituals in the Pentateuch? Did the early or medieval church have any purification rites? Had the early church fathers written concerning this issue?

A How-To Guide To Single-Parent Ministry: An Inside Look To The Single Parent World In The Christian Community, John E. Walker Ii

Senior Honors Theses

The status of the family dynamic in the church has changed significantly, but the cultural understanding of ministers regarding the dynamic has changed little to none. As a result, the church’s ministry has become ineffective to the single-parent community because of ignorance. The goal of this thesis is to help educate Christian ministers and lay staff on the single-parent family condition and ministry opportunities to serve this demographic. This proposition includes information gained from interviews of single-parents, and ministers with experience regarding single-parents by someone with a single-parent upbringing. Overall, the single-parents interviewed stated that the Christian church is missing …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 50 No 2 - November 2015), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

ARTICLES: Doing History as Theologians by David C. Steinmetz - 174 / Hagiography and Theology for a Comprehensive Reformed Church: John Gauden and the Portrayal of Ralph Brownrigg by Stephen Hampton - 181 / Whose Common Grace? Exploring the Implications of Common Grace on an Analysis of the Effects of Globalization by Jessica Driesenga - 211 / Celebrating Relief from the Enemy: Discerning and Preaching Esther's Post-canonical Adversary by Arie C. Leder - 230 / Reading the Bible with Rembrandt: A Fresh Look at Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 by Amanda W. Benckhuysen - 247 / CALVIN BIBLIOGRAPHY 2015 …

Integrating The Psychological Audit Of Interpersonal Relationships Into Short-Term Pastoral Marital Counseling – Help Or Hindrance?, Floyd Marsh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research project was undertaken to determine if integrating the Psychological Audit of Interpersonal Relationships (PAIR) test into a short-term pastoral marital counseling model would help or hinder the busy multi-tasking pastor in economizing his time and improving his effectiveness while counseling couples presenting with mild to moderate dissatisfaction. The PAIR test is a relationship compatibility inventory, used by psychologists, physicians, professional counselors, and licensed clinical social workers, which assesses 20 separate dimensions of interest, personality, behavior, attitudes, and values. The research findings of this study strongly suggest that the PAIR test, when integrated into the counseling plan, will help …

The Initiation Of Growth-Focused Relationships Involving Healthy Accountability, Stephen L. Shaffer

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This paper summarizes a Doctor of Ministry project thesis conducted in 2011 that introduced healthy accountability within growth-focused relationships to shape an emergent spiritual growth culture at the Carbondale Church of Christ. The theological basis for the intervention (1) uses Romans 12 to establish the Christian community, not the individual, as the ultimate vision of fully realized human life and (2) asserts that spiritual growth, following Alasdair MacIntyre’s definition of a practice, must involve virtues such that the means of growth are reflective of the desired ends of growth. The positive results demonstrate the effectiveness of healthy accountability, illuminate participants' …

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/

An Understanding Of The Biblical View On Homosexual Practice And Pastoral Care: Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary Position Paper, Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary

Books

The intent of this document is not to judge but to clearly set forth what Scripture teaches concerning homosexual practices and offer guidelines on how to interact with persons of same-sex orientation.

Preaching That Leads To Transformation, Curtis Barbarick

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This article presents the results of a project to develop a process whereby the sermon would be enhanced for listeners at the North Street Church of Christ in Nacogdoches, Texas, so that preaching would be more effective in leading to transformation. The theology and methodology of John Wesley were utilized as a lens by which to think about and implement this practice.

The intervention involved a six-week session with a focus group that represented a cross-section of the congregation. Participants in this group were asked to engage in a lectio divina exercise on a particular text daily, journal about the …

My Service Conversion, Aaron Baart

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"We are called to serve because service is God's gift to us before it is ever his commandment."

Posting about the purpose of Christian service 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/my-service-conversion/

Christian Youth Ministries And Youth Sports: A View From The Trenches, Mark A. Granquist

Faculty Publications

Although youth sports have long been a challenge to Christian youth ministries, these activities are now consuming more and more time of the youth involved, often drawing them away from activities and ministries sponsored by churches. What are the issues (and opportunities) in this challenge, and what can be learned from those currently doing Christian work with youth?

Sports Fandom: Worthless Idol And Wonderful Thing, Rolf A. Jacobson

Faculty Publications

When thinking about the spectacle of sports fandom in light of the Bible, two assertions immediately come to mind. First, sports have become—for much of North American or Western society—an idol. Second, sports have also co-opted many aspects of the life of faith. These two immediate perspectives are so obvious that one is left to wonder whether there is anything more to say about sports in light of the Bible. Maybe there is.

Preaching The Psalter's Words Of Praise, Prayer, And Trust, Rolf A. Jacobson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: October 2015, Julius T. Medenblik, John W. Cooper, Jeffrey A.D. Weima, Arie C. Leder

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Biblical and Hermeneutical Reflections on Same-Sex Relationships

Articles
3 - Entering the Conversation by Jul Medenblik
5 - Not Like Women in Office: Scripture, Hermeneutics, and Same-Sex Relations by John W. Cooper
9 - Same-Sex Activity: What Does the New Testament Say? by Jeffrey A.D. Weima
13 - Until my Body Finds its Rest in You, O Lord by Arie C. Leder
17 - From Dream to Forum Editorial from the Inaugural Issue by David E. Holwerda

Called to Serve
18 - Calvin Seminary’s Certificate for Hispanic Ministry Program
19 - 2015 Convocation Address excerpts from Professor Mary Vanden Berg …

On The Cutting Edge Of Ministry, Becky St. Clair

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

The Peace That Passes, Melodie Roschman

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Concordia Seminary Magazine | Fall 2015, Jeffrey Kloha

Concordia Seminary Magazine

God's Word is living and active.

A Church Filled With God's Grace And Love, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

How Church Commitment To At-Risk Black Male Youth Helps Prevent Them From Being Incarcerated At Percentage Rates Higher Than Other Races, Barbara Pierson

Masters Theses

Between the years 2006 and 2014, the percentage of young Black men between the ages of 13 and 21 in Ohio prisons increased more than any other race according to statistics given by the Department of Youth Services (DYS) located in the city of Columbus, Ohio. While the entire Black race only consisted of 12.5% of the population in Ohio, 56.7% of Black males were imprisoned as opposed to 43% of White males, and 3% of all other races that were incarcerated during the same time period. Young people are more involved with the justice system which allows a greater …

Rescuing The Millennials: Four Essential Lessons Learned And Eight Key Principles To Reclaiming This Generation, Alethia Janise Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Recent trends reveal the decline in church attendance among younger generations, with the Millennials. The purpose of this project is to develop a Christian model that will offer churches practical steps and instructions on how to rescue this generation. Research will be conducted through surveys and interviews with sixty senior pastors, young adult pastors, and Millennials between the age of 18 and 29 years old to ascertain relevant data. This research will provide four essential lessons learned and eight key principles to reclaiming the Millennial generation.

Joonhyun, Joonhyun Bae

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

During the last decade, most new church plants in South Korea remained as small churches of less than one hundred members that are not self-sustaining or growing, because their leaders are heavily dependent upon limited discipleship models of few megachurches that rarely reflect the characteristics of small churches. Since newly planted churches rarely grow in the absence of effective discipleship models that suit their given cultures and geographical locations, their leaders need to be equipped with a biblical framework and applications for establishing discipleship models that aptly respond to the needs of their churches. The purpose of this thesis project …

The Worship Experience: Five Essential Ways A Pastor Leads A Congregation To Respond To God, Changhwan Choi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today many churches do not take time in worship service for their congregations to respond to God’s Word proclaimed through sermons. They also may be unaware of biblical reasons for the response. This project will suggest five essential ways that a pastor can lead a congregation to respond to God’s Word at the end of each sermon. This project will lay a foundation for the understanding and development of the congregational response through examination of biblical and theological backgrounds. Furthermore, an approach utilizing these five strategies will be developed specifically for worship services in Korean churches by surveying 30 or …

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/

Blessed Are The Balanced: A Seminarian’S Guide To Following Jesus In The Academy, Bruce Hartung

Concordia Journal

Pettit and Mangum’s book focuses specifically on a seminarian’s spiritual life while at the “academy.” There are echoes of Tripp.

All Saints’ Day • 1 John 3:1–3 • November 1, 2015, Francis Rossow

Concordia Journal

Well, the Christian life, in some respects at least, resembles a multiple-phase rocket: the first phase is from conception to birth; the second phase is from birth to death; and the third phase is from death into eternity.

Proper 21 • James 5:(1–12) 13–20, Tony Cook

Concordia Journal

Regardless of which section of the pericope one selects, all three share the following themes: we are to live out our identity in Christ even in the face of suffering, we are to assist our brothers and sisters in staying true to the faith.

Proper 17 • Ephesians 6:10–20, Jason Broge

Concordia Journal

The armor these soldiers are wearing is not gained by their own merit, but spiritual gifts they are blessed with.

Proper 16 • Ephesians 5:22–33, William Wrede

Concordia Journal

The bulk of this passage has as its focus the role of husbands and how they are to love.

Word Alive! Connections And Conversations, Dale Meyer

Concordia Journal

Making the Word alive and making connections through conversations.