Practical Theology Commons^™

Djelotvorna Strategija Evangelizacije, Robert E. Coleman

GO InterNational Books

Reprint. Previously published: Prague : N vrat dom , ©2004

Defeats Of The Devil: As Seen In The Life Of James M. Taylor, James M. Taylor

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

Digital Orthodoxy And Political Populism In Eastern Europe: How Orthodox Media Facilitate Political Mobilization, Dmytro Garaschuk, Oleh Sokolovskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the intersection of Orthodox digital media and political populism in Eastern Europe, focusing on how religious institutions utilize digital platforms to facilitate political mobilization, reinforce nationalistic narratives, and undermine democratic institutions. Drawing on a comparative analysis of six countries–Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, and Montenegro–the study identifies a shared ideological matrix that fuses populist rhetoric with theological motifs. The research highlights the strategic use of digital media by Orthodox actors to construct moral binaries, sacralize political resistance, and disseminate disinformation framed in religious language. Particular attention is given to the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and …

Theopoetics Prothesis: An Exploration In Faith And Form, Elise Aleman, Elise Aleman

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

My work is rooted in the biblical definition of faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Like the Bible’s layered complexity—its patterns, metaphors, and cultural references—faith is not merely intellectual but an active trust in what is unseen. It transcends knowledge, anchoring itself in conviction and hope. This intersection of theology and lived experience is at the core of my practice.

Theopoetics—a framework that fuses theology and artistic expression—shapes my approach, allowing faith to be embodied through form rather than merely explained. Two seemingly distinct bodies of work—one centered …

Repurposing The Land Of An East Los Angeles Church: The Discovery Of How Small And Medium Sized Churches Through Affordable Housing Can Combat Homelessness While Revitalizing Its Nonprofit Status, Donald Cook, Donald Ray Cook Ii

Doctor of Ministry Projects and Theses

In order to live, humans need to sleep; therefore, sleep is mandatory, but unfortunately, everyone does not have the option of sleeping inside. Subsequently, many homeless encampments have developed in many countries. The perspective that people have often determines their response to homelessness. One person might view a homeless encampment as a problem that needs to be removed while someone else can view it as an opportunity to serve the least of these. Not only did Adam and Eve experience homelessness when removed from the Garden of Eden, but Mary, Joseph, and Jesus experienced first-hand the rollercoaster of inadequate housing. …

"In But Not Of": John's Theology Of Separation From The World, David E. Forbes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

John’s theology of separation from the world is an underdeveloped aspect of the perennial question of the believer’s relationship to the world. John’s view of separation leads believers to prioritize living a holy life that is influenced by an inherent distrust in the world. This perspective argues against a common assumed neutrality of the culture of the world. While the root idea of the κόσμος is “order,” John expresses that idea of order by describing the world as the kingdom of Satan. This kingdom is composed of people and their values as a unified entity that is in opposition to …

Planning In Advance (Pia): Teaching London Seventh-Day-Adventist Church Leaders In Providing Spiritual Care For Dying And Mourning Parishioners, Walace Saint Louis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The London Seventh-Day Adventist Church (LSDAC), Maybee, Michigan, grapples with the lack of trained leaders in EoL to provide pastoral care for dying and mourning African American parishioners. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to educate LSDAC leaders in providing spiritual care for their congregants as lay chaplains. The city of Maybee contains 612 people, with 95 % Caucasians and 5% other racial groups. The LSDAC membership is 99% African Americans and 1% Caucasians. It has around 30 members.

The philosophical concept of this research lies in the presuppositions that African Americans prefer spiritual EoL care from …

Preparing Spiritually Resilient Warriors In The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, Vic Morris

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Morris, Victor E. “Preparing Spiritually Resilient Warriors in the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2024. 285 pp.

The Canadian Armed Forces has outcomes and expectations for warriors to be spiritually resilient but does not have a training program that has been researched, tested, and validated to achieve this. This study investigates how chaplains can prepare spiritually resilient warriors in CANSOFCOM. A chaplain-led spiritual resilience course was created and delivered to CANSOFCOM members. The course was aligned with the holistic wellness strategy of OPF2, and designed as an inductive, experiential learning experience. An …

The Abusive Effects Of Trauma On Leadership Styles And Performance, Robert Kraft

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Major Applied Project (MAP) investigates the relationship between toxic leadership in the military and trauma, particular how trauma can have negative, abusive effects on leadership style and performance. Most research in this area addresses trauma in postvention. This MAP addresses trauma’s potential effect on leadership style and explores the use of a pre-emptive, preventative training. Leadership theory is explored as well as trauma in the form of mental disorders, such as PTSD and narcissism. The author’s experience as an ordained pastor of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, serving as an Army Chaplain, revealed the value of …

An Action Research Study Of The Spiritual Growth Among Veterans Within The Civilian Context, Long Tuan Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military-civilian transition (MCT) for Veterans has been commonly associated with negative mental health experiences as they had to go through the intercultural changes between the military and civilian life. The purpose for this DMIN action research project was to design, coordinate, and assess a chaplain model of care called Spiritual Growth Lectio (SGL) for recently discharged Veterans. Thirteen Veterans participated in this research project through purposive sampling. The SGL model comprised a pre-test survey, six-week intervention, posttest survey, and focus group interview guided by four research questions. Quantitative data was collected from participants’ pre-test and post-test surveys. Subsequently, qualitative data …

The Development Of A Men’S Ministry At Remnant Church To Foster The Spiritual Leadership Development Of Men To Provide Leadership For Family, Church, And Community, Anthony L. Herron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this student seeks to address is that the Remnant Church in Midwest City, Oklahoma, does not have a men's ministry to develop men as spiritual leaders. The Remnant Church is a non-denominational church focused on growing and developing people to become more like Jesus Christ. The men of the Remnant Church do not meet regularly for discipleship or fellowship.

The men of Remnant Church are not organized to provide a network of support for men. Men need a support network within the church to develop spiritually. Men need a forum for discussing men's issues, such as leading in …

Faith Formation: Spiritual Gifts For Evangelism Outreach, Jacquelin Copeland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project addresses the gap in the literature concerning spiritual gifts for evangelism. This Doctor of Ministry action research project at Prevailing Word Ministries hypothesizes that if Prevailing Word Ministries fulfills the spiritual gifts for evangelism Bible study and training course, the Bible study participants will grow in faith and attendance. This was achieved through eight Bible study teaching and training sessions with questionnaires, journalling, a survey, and a focus group interview; assessments were made from answers given by the fourteen participants upon completing the eight online Zoom Bible study sessions. These assessments measured how successfully the intervention project …

Confident Witness: Evangelism & Apologetics For The 21st Century, Jeffrey Stevenson

Witness

No abstract provided.

Bringing The Margins To The Center A New Model For Synodal Discernment In Parishes, Robert Choiniere

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This article proposes a transformative approach to synodal discernment within parish communities by emphasizing the inclusion of marginalized voices. Traditional models often overlook these perspectives, resulting in a partial and sometimes skewed understanding of parish needs and aspirations. By bringing the margins to the center, this new model ensures a more comprehensive and authentic process of communal discernment. It outlines practical steps for implementing this inclusive approach, highlights the theological foundations supporting the participation of all community members, and shares case studies demonstrating the positive impact of this model. The article argues that true synodality can only be achieved when …

Key Elements Of A Holistic Approach To Communal Discernment That Promotes Synodality In Church And Society, Christina Kheng

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Communal discernment is a relatively new topic in the academic and pastoral discourses of the Catholic Church. A variety of conceptions, approaches, and experiences exist to-date. Although this is to be expected and even welcomed, it has resulted in some doubt and even criticism about communal discernment. This article takes stock of the diversity of viewpoints and proposes an approach to communal discernment that would not only be consonant with a synodal church but also promote holistic flourishing in society. It elaborates four key elements which are crucial in this approach, highlighting their theological bases and offering suggestions on how …

Discernir Juntos En Grupos Pequeños, Franck Janin Sj

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

El autor partiendo de su experiencia personal ofrece una reflexión y una metodología clara sobre el discernimiento en común, obviamente inspirado todo ello en los Ejercicios Espirituales de San Ignacio de Loyola. Se constatan las dificultades, la problemática. pero también las posibilidades y potencialidades de dicha propuesta. Ciertamente el proceso es complejo. Requiere mucha generosidad y disposición por parte de todos aquellos que participan, pero tal y como concluye el autor “funciona”. Nos encontramos ante una propuesta de la espiritualidad ignaciana que puede enriquecer e iluminar los nuevos caminos de sinodalidad por los que camina la Iglesia.

Incorporating Families Experiencing Disabilities Into The Rhythm Of Small Groups At Saturn Road Church Of Christ, Robby John

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This project addresses the critical gap in the inclusion of families experiencing disabilities within small groups at Saturn Road Church of Christ. The primary aim is to develop a curriculum that raises awareness among small group leaders about this significant issue. To provide a theological reflection on the necessity of such a venture, I explored the topic through the lens of four theological pillars: the image of God, the incarnation, ecclesiology, and eschatological hope. This exploration revealed several key themes that serve as foundational building blocks for the awareness curriculum. Ultimately, the final artifact is an awareness curriculum designed to …

A Teacher-Development Curriculum: Encouraging Community Discipleship Through Faith And Learning Integration At Bracken Christian High School, Denice F. Knight-Slater

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The title of this project is “A Teacher-Development Curriculum: Encouraging Community Discipleship through Faith and Learning Integration at Bracken Christian High School.” The purpose of the project was to create a seven-part curriculum that would empower educators to form an interconnected teaching community centered upon the practice of faith and learning integration. The development team hoped our work would articulate good practices and equip teachers to engage in faith conversations with their students. We utilized Parker Palmer’s classic, The Courage to Teach, as the scaffolding for our curriculum. The development team modeled faith and learning integration by creating a …

Leadership Emergence And Factors Preventing Emergence Of Elders In The Churches Of Christ In The Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, Francis Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the persistent absence of formally appointed elders in five Churches of Christ within Teshie in the Ledzokuku municipal assembly, Ghana, despite these congregations’ existence for over two decades. The research seeks to critically examine the factors contributing to the inability of long-serving leaders to align with biblical qualifications. Utilizing a case study methodology, the research examines leadership emergence within the congregations, exploring the discrepancy between tenure and adherence to scriptural standards, and emphasizing the causes and implications for leadership effectiveness and spiritual integrity that facilitate or obstruct the ordination of elders. The study employs a qualitative research …

Before Ministry, Education Is Important (Bmei): A Comprehensive Enquiry About The Impact Of Education On Ministry, Mcclintock Acsmhour

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ministry has a variety of fields ranging from churches, social nonprofit organizations, and government ministries in agriculture, health, education, lands, and many more. While this study did not focus on other ministries apart from Christian non profit ministries like church, to some extent, all leaders in these ministries avow that one requires some level of education to be in leading positions in these ministries. In other words, the qualified individual must have been trained in a particular field within the ministry of interest. This indicates the importance of education in ministry. Therefore, this study was conducted to uncover the impact …

God Loves Me Dearly: An Advent Meditation On Hymnody, Joshua Teggatz, Nathan Tritch, Jonathan Landrey, Cindy Koch, Wesley Deiss, Abigail Reynolds, Adam Hiles, Joshua Horst, Ryan Skove, Rory Fry, Brenna Mcguire, Nathan Bublitz, Gunstein Innvaer, Joshua Fields, Chase Greenhagen, Julia Witt, Jacob Bergstedt, Travis Ferguson, Peter Williams, Pamela Vue, Solomona Rakotonirina, Lydia Grabau, Nathaniel Demlow, Chris Atlee, Nathan Raugutt, Grant Burnham, Peter Pohlod, Eric Bear, Philip Norton, Joseph Eggerman, Rowan Turner, Sarah Crowder

Other Student Publications

Hymnody has a knack for proclaiming the gospel to us anew in such a way that is both simple and profound. When we join our voices in song to our Triune God, we join the voices of countless generations praising Him and singing once more the story of His salvation in Jesus Christ. These beloved hymns of the Church are a powerful vehicle by which the gospel is once more placed upon our lips, heard with our ears, and inwardly digested in our hearts, so that we might know once more the saving work of Jesus Christ for us.

The …

The Ministries Of New Communities In The Ivory Coast Scrutinised Under The Lens Of The Theological And Magisterial Vision Of The Church, Joseph Loïc Mben Sj

Journal of Global Catholicism

The goal of this article is to show that the ministries of new communities are in conformity with the theological and magisterial vision of the Church and that, in many cases, they contribute to its enrichment. Following some lexical clarifications, it makes particular use of the schema of the threefold offices of Christ in which the members of new communities partake as the baptized, to show how the ministries realize each of the dimensions of Christ’s office.

Les Ministères Des Communautés Nouvelles Au Crible De La Vision Théologique Et Magistérielle De L’Eglise, Joseph Loïc Mben Sj

Journal of Global Catholicism

L’objectif de cet article est de montrer que les ministères des communautés nouvelles sont en conformité avec la vision théologique et magistérielle de l’Eglise et que, dans bien des cas, ils contribuent à l’enrichir. Passé les clarifications lexicales, il s’agira, en utilisant notamment le schéma du triple office du Christ auquel les membres des communautés nouvelles participent en tant que baptisé-e-s, de montrer comment les ministères réalisent chacune des dimensions de l’office du Christ.

Editor's Introduction, Mathew Schmalz

Journal of Global Catholicism

No abstract provided.

Developing An Evangelistic Training Class For Revitalization Of Outward Evangelism At Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church In Ringgold, Virginia, Anthony R. Pass

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis research project asserts that evangelizing the unchurched is essential to being an effective disciple of the Lord’s kingdom. Mt. Zion’s participants must have a heart for sharing the gospel with people outside of their church environment, and evangelizing those in their local community is a great start. Mt. Zion’s evangelism focus has slipped into the background of everything else, and the researcher created an evangelistic training class (ETC) to teach willing participants at Mt. Zion electric shock evangelism to shock their hearts into the rhythm of sharing the gospel. This spiritually healthy regiment will benefit those who witness …

Wholistic Discipleship At National Community Church: The Most Effective Tool For Transforming The City, Kiersten Telzerow

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The formation of wholistic discipleship beckons a life fully surrendered. This thesis outlines wholistic discipleship encompassing small groups (discipleship), mission, and prayer revealing a formation deeper than conceptual knowledge in the life of a Christ-follower. Living in proximity to the presence of God and amongst others is a crucial expression of core DNA to grow in the Great Commandment expressed through the Great Commission. Wholistic discipleship is the tool that transforms incarnational witnessing and prayer evangelism in partnership with the Trinity. This thesis studies a personal faith matched with kingdom-oriented impact within urban contexts. It unpacks transformational mission-based prayer, seeking …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Spiritual Practices Of Simplicity Among Emerging Adults, Falon Opsahl Barton

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This article explores how emerging adults (18 to 29‐year‐olds) integrate pro‐environmental behaviors and spiritual practices of simplicity. First, this article synthesizes the research on emerging adulthood, including what it is, how they experience and express their spirituality, and their emotional and practical behaviors in response to the climate crisis. Then, this article explores how a small sample of Western Protestant emerging adults practice pro‐environmental simplicity in their daily lives. As a result of integrating spiritual practices that focus on simplicity and pro‐environmental behaviors into their spiritual expressions, emerging adults experience profound spiritual formation and a meaningful way of participating in …

Spirituality Of Emerging Adulthood, Falon Opsahl Barton

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This article synthesizes the research on emerging adulthood. After defining the term, this work explores the causes of this phenomenon, the demographic that constitutes it, and how those in this phase of life experience and express their spirituality. Among the significant issues for this demographic are their emotional and practical behaviors in response to the climate crisis.

Reading In Frames: A Guide For Homiletics, Mason Lee

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

The past thirty years have witnessed an explosion in volume of work produced within Homiletics. The sheer variety of topics, questions, themes, orientations, and points of emphasis can make it intimidating for a working preacher to engage in these resources or know where to begin. The options seem too broad; the approaches, issues, and resources so diverse as to become unwieldy. Said differently, those of us within the field of Homiletics are prone to look upon this expansion as a form of “Pentecost” in which the diversity is a gift that can lead one to better preaching. Yet the question …

Conforming To The Image Of Christ: Addressing Spiritual Immaturity Utilizing Strategic Bible-Based Pastoral Counseling In A Rural Church Context, Leonard Carpenter Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Strong and healthy churches are made up of strong and healthy disciples. The ministry context for this qualitative action research project was the Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church, a predominately Black congregation located in the Pea Ridge community of Brewton, Alabama. The problem was some members at Saint Mark engaged in spiritually immature actions that evoked immature reactions which yielded unhealthy relationships. To address the problem, the researcher developed and implemented the “Strategic Bible-Based Pastoral Counseling Program” (SBPCP), a strategic Christian ministry that provided participants one-on-one pastoral counseling opportunities for the purpose of building up spiritually healthier Christians. SBPCP consisted …