Practical Theology Commons^™

Christ As Anachronism Or Archetype?: The Presence Of Jesus ‘Before’ And ‘After’ The Incarnation, Samuel E. Marks

Masters of Theological Studies

Pentecostals as ‘paramodernists’, and mystics which have lost their theological bearings, have often imagined God as a being, somewhere in the universe or beyond it, distant from our lives, imploring God to come near and cause change. Through a brief study of Christian metaphysics, this work reveals God not as a divine being but as the very essence of existence itself, the ground of Being. In this paradigm, God's relationship with Creation is neither rivalrous nor causative, but is instead Creative. Freed from the constraints of time, linearity, and causality, God is truly free to make us free. At the …

The Making Of Saints: Discipleship Formation In The Early Church As A Way Forward For The Modern Age, Ian Wray

Masters of Theological Studies

As the modern Western Church continues to move forward through its history, an effective theology of discipleship will be vital to maintain the Church’s witness to the surrounding world and culture. Looking to the Patristic Period as a way forward can give current practitioners practical solutions and insights to replicate the effectiveness of Christianity’s first beginnings. The Early Church’s Catechumenate involved robust discipleship formation where the pagans who went through the process would leave behind their Roman habitus and embody a Christian lifestyle. By returning to the early church writers, practices, and disciplines that early Christians would have lived out …

Sampling Methods And Sample Size In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

An underlying assumption of most church-based research is that the sample from which the data is collected is representative of a wider collection of church members, church leaders, small groups, churches, denominations, or whatever is the focus of the study. To increase the likelihood that this assumption is met without making the research an impossible undertaking, various sampling strategies are used ranging from random sampling to convenience sampling, each with advantages and disadvantages. After a sampling strategy is chosen, an appropriate sample size should be pursued, depending on the nature of the study. The sample size of quantitative studies seeking …

Evangelism In The Usa: A Look Back And A Look Ahead, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

Innovations in approaches, methods, and techniques for fruitful evangelism are a hallmark of the church in the United States. This article explores eleven evangelistic innovations observed in the last half of the twentieth century and offers seven insights for the future.

Review Of Leadership By The Book: Cultivating Spirit-Led Kingdom Leaders By Galen Wendell Jones, Jeremy Langly

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Review Of Organic Disciples: Seven Ways To Grow Spiritually And Naturally Share Jesus By Kevin And Sherry Harney, Jesse Ruby

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Top Ten Challenges Facing Pastors In 2024, Edward E. Moody Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

This article summarizes the results of a study conducted by the Great Commission Research Network seeking to identify the top challenges facing pastors in 2024. The results are similar to a study conducted last year examining concerns of churches (Moody, 2023). While both studies highlighted challenges related to evangelism and young adults, this study revealed additional, pastoral concerns.

Innovations In Church Financial Models: Research On Alternative Practices, W. Jay Moon

Great Commission Research Journal

Asbury Theological Seminary conducted a research project exploring financial models beyond traditional church tithes and offerings. This qualitative study focused on financial viability and missional vibrancy. It involved surveys, interviews, a focus group, and site visits to churches using alternate financial models. Major findings revealed that six alternate financial models are presently used that increase missional impact, allowing churches to serve communities and engage in meaningful interactions. These models also provide churches financial viability and surprising missional benefits that include goodwill, partnerships, real estate development, job creation, and enhanced community engagement. Some precautions are also noted based on the experiences …

Church-Supported Esl Ministry In Canada: A Look At The Church’S Mission In Action, Gordon Moulden

Great Commission Research Journal

English is a dominant business, academic, and communicative language throughout the world. Immigrants and refugees coming to the West have a great need to learn the language but often do not have the funds or time to pursue studies full-time. Churches often offer English classes to minister to not only their language needs but also to their relational and spiritual needs. This mixed-methods survey and interview research investigates the state of church-supported English as a Second Language (ESL) programs across Canada following the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 50 teachers and program coordinators completed the survey, which revealed needs relating to training …

Review Of Vital Christian Community: 12 Characteristics Of Healthy Congregations By Phil Brochard And Alissa Newton, Renee Jones

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Gods Have Names: Addressing The Translation Of “God” In The Thai Language And Culture, Kelly M. Hilderbrand

Great Commission Research Journal

This article is a practical missiological examination of the word used to reference God in the Thai language. The problem is that the term used in Thai, Phrajao (พระเจ้า), is a generic term that can be used for any number of different gods or royalty and is easily misunderstood. After an examination of the words used for “God” in Chinese and Hindu contexts, the biblical terms for “God” are examined. Although the Bible uses generic terms for God (Elohim and Theos), God has a name. The name of God, Yahweh, was revealed to Moses and used throughout the Old Testament. …

Review Of Diaspora Missions To International Students By Enoch Wan, I. Francis Kyle Iii

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Review Of Interpreting Your World: Five Lenses For Engaging Theology And Culture By Justin Ariel Bailey, John E. Rife Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Review Of Missionary Motivations: Challenges From The Early Church By Matthew Burden, Ryan Jensen

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

About The Great Commission Research Network Spring 2024, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Review Of Supracultural Gospel: Bridging East And West By Mary Lou Codman-Wilson And Alex Zhou, Mark D. Wood

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Great Commission Research Journal Spring 2024, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Review Of Fanning The Revitalization Flame: Leading Your Church From Smoldering Embers To Revival Fire By Robert Beckett, Robert Shepherd

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap Between Profession And Practice: Clear Gospel Communication In A Context Saturated By Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, Jordan Dunn

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Research indicates a pronounced discrepancy within American Christianity between self-professed Christians and individuals who embody a biblical worldview. Overwhelmingly, those who identify as Christians are not adhering to the teachings of the Scripture in their daily lives. The American church faces an imminent threat of Christians claiming to believe in Jesus even though their lives express the opposite. This chasm between profession and practice can be traced to an alternative gospel that has saturated the context of American Christianity: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD). MTD, under the guise of Christianity, promotes a false gospel that has led many believers astray regarding …

Pathways To Foster, Develop, And Measure Unity In A Diverse Church Setting, Timothy I. Parsons

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Although there is still a long way to go, the Christian church in America is growing more and more diverse. In the same timeframe of the shift to more diversity, America has grown more divided politically, socially, and religiously. Throughout scripture, and especially in the New Testament, God speaks of the power and purpose of a unified church. The early church was required to grow in its diversity while also pursuing unity among all the differences that existed. The church of the twenty-first century and beyond is under the same mandate. This project’s purpose is to uncover, by surveying current …

Spiritual Fathering: Does It Really Make A Difference?, Jeffrey A. Jacob

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

The importance and impact of having a father in the home is undisputable. Statistics dictate that the effect of fatherlessness on children is devastating. Could it be that having a spiritual father or mother involved in a believer’s life makes a verifiable difference as well? This dissertation will investigate the effects of spiritual fathering as evidenced by the spiritual disciplines of those who identify as having a strong spiritual father or mother. The Apostle Paul said, “Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through …

The Great Cultural Commission: Fulfilling The Command Of Jesus To Lead And Create A Culture Different Than The World’S, Kevin D. Geer

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Jesus gathered his disciples together and shared with them how the leaders of this world love to use their influence, power, and titles to rule over those they lead. Jesus told his disciples “among you it will be different” (Matt 20:26) compared to the leadership of the world. Jesus called his disciples to the Great Culture Commission, a call to servant leadership in which one uses their opportunities, gifts, and advantages to lift everyone else around them. This call creates a culture that propels the Great Commission while cultivating servant-hearted leadership. The intent of this dissertation is to discover the …

Renouncing The Dominant Script: Weaving Together Mysticism, Monasticism, And Sacramental Theology To Create A Pentecostal Model Of Spiritual Formation, Hilton Burkholder

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

From political division and culture wars to moral failures, it has become increasingly evident over the last few decades that the Church in North America has a formation problem. This project aims to tackle the issue of discipleship and formation by exploring the development and application of a practical, spirit-led model of spiritual formation for the 21st-century North American Church. By drawing on the rich traditions of monastic, mystical, and sacramental spirituality, this project seeks to create a Pentecostal model of spiritual formation that is communal, charismatic, and embodied, revealing that discipleship is not an end in itself but a …

Evangelship: Mobilizing A Culture Of Discipleship That Leads To Evangelism In A Multiethnic Latino Context, Lawrence D. Perez

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Discipleship and evangelism in America today are eroding. Where traditionally the church sees discipleship and evangelism as separate entities, this research project argues for the unification of the two. This project explores “Evangelship,” the uniting of evangelism and discipleship, to see if the combined approach and perspective could offer a better way to engage the North American population. The driving question for this project is “Can the integration of evangelism and discipleship create a culture that accelerates and advances the Great Commission at U-Turn Covenant Church (U-Turn)?” To answer this question, the study aims to establish a discipleship framework that …

The Content And Practices Of Spiritual Formation : Determining Best Practices, Patterns, Content, And Delivery Methods For Spiritual Formation In Local Churches In Nagaland, Kedo Peseyie

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Naturalist Thomas Hardy's Inadvertent Support Of The Gospel Narrative When Portraying Sexual Abuse And Shame In Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Hannah Carmichael

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

In his novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles, the naturalist author Thomas Hardy attempts to critique the 19th-century Christian perspective on sexual abuse. Instead, he inadvertently critiques legalism, exposing it as the antithesis of true Christianity. Secular scholars believe that Hardy’s novel is blaming the Victorian era’s sexual ignorance for the stigma and shame surrounding sexual abuse. Christian scholars believe that Hardy’s naturalistic worldview simply lacks a moral standard. However, I believe that Hardy’s novel exposes an issue far deeper than sexual ignorance and lacks something far more substantive than a moral standard; his novel addresses the devastating consequences of …

4c Strategy For Discipleship : Effective Discipleship Model For The Assembly Of God Church Bengali Section, Sudip Das

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

How To Deal With Theological Conflicts, Part 2, Timothy Blaze, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Editor's Introduction, Marc R. Loustau Ph.D.

Journal of Global Catholicism

Introduction by Managing Editor Marc Roscoe Loustau to Towards an Economic Anthropology of Catholicism in the Age of Pope Francis

Beyond Borders: Towards A Theology Of ‘Synodality’, Rica Delos Reyes Ancheta

Theology Department Faculty Publications

Pope Francis’ call to pave the way for a synodal Church is revolutionary. While ‘synodality’ has long been a promising Church trajectory, it disrupts and challenges the current status quo in local churches. Moreover, the process of ‘synodality’ is transformative and enriching as it fosters greater engagement of the people at the peripheries of the Church’s life and mission.

People in the margins are often perceived as passive participants in the life of the Church and, as it were, on the receiving end. However, the Church’s plans, thrusts, and decisions, whether on a personal level or socio-political and economic affairs, …