Practical Theology Commons^™

Enhancing Corporate Prayer Of The Clearwater Church Of Christ, Lyle Hinsdale

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation was designed to enhance corporate prayer in the Clearwater Church of Christ. The dissertation explores the formative role of corporate prayer in congregational life and how intentional engagement with the Psalms can deepen the theological and spiritual practice of prayer within a local church. Corporate prayer can slip into habitual practice with limited theological range or emotional depth. This project investigates whether structured use of the Psalms as a model for prayer can expand the language, theological imagination, and engagement in the prayers of a worshiping community. The study used participatory action research methodology and was conducted within …

The Journey Of Accompaniment: Pastoral Care Education For The Laity At The University Church Of Christ In Abilene, Tx, Alejandro Ezquerra

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This Doctor of Ministry project addresses the need for intentional pastoral care formation among lay members at the University Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, with particular attention to its bilingual ministry context. Grounded in the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers as articulated in 1 Pet 2:9, the project argues that pastoral care is not the exclusive responsibility of ordained clergy but a shared calling within the body of Christ. In response to congregational interest in chaplaincy and caregiving, a five-session curriculum titled The Journey of Accompaniment: Forming Hearts for the Ministry of Care was developed to equip …

Chaplains In Khaki: Methodist Soldiers In Camp, On The Field, And On The March, H. K.

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

Partners In Pilgrimage: Transforming The Journey Of Adolescence By Guiding Teenagers Toward Faithful Lives, Redefining Success, And Cultivating Connection To God, Abigail R. Weaver

Doctor of Ministry Projects and Theses

Adolescence is a formative period in which young people seek meaning, identity, and belonging while navigating a complex array of cultural, social, and developmental pressures. In suburban American contexts, these pressures are intensified by competitive academic environments, demanding extracurricular commitments, and pervasive societal expectations that equate worth with achievement. Drawing from my experience as a youth minister in suburban United Methodist churches, this dissertation examines how such forces shape the spiritual and personal development of 15- to 18-year-olds and explores the Church’s role in guiding adolescents through this landscape with wisdom and care.

Grounded in the Christian tradition and informed …

A Curriculum To Empower And Equip Women For Leadership In The Monash City Church Of Christ In Melbourne, Australia, Devni Yasindra Attygalle

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses women in Christian leadership in the Monash City Church of Christ Melbourne, Australia. The problem identified within this ministry context was a lack of appropriate theological teaching around women in leadership, especially in the areas of preaching, teaching, and leading, which has led to misconceptions and prejudices in the minds of church members, negatively impacting the congregation’s mission. The purpose of the project was to develop a curriculum specific to MCCOC that provides a theological foundation for advocating for future senior leadership roles for women. The curriculum provides biblical teaching on women in leadership that will equip …

Understanding How Emotional Intelligence Training And Awareness Can Enhance The Effectiveness Of Campus Discipleship Activities, Scott R. Ward, Natasha Richards, Sarah Ward

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Discipleship with an understanding of emotional intelligence (EI) can enrich Christian college students’ spiritual and educational experiences. Traditionally, discipleship is rooted in spiritual mentorship, gaining an integrated dimension with EI. This allows a person to understand and recognize how to manage their emotions in all aspects of life. This paper focuses on how emotional intelligence can enhance discipleship by encouraging holistic spirituality and developing healthy people who make healthy disciples. This collaboration of emotional intelligence and discipleship will support personal spiritual growth and help build community within college student groups.

Introduction To The Journal Of Adventist Youth And Young Adult Ministries, Tracy Wood

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Overview, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Following Jesus: Discipleship For Young People

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Discipleship For Young People, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

A Different Starting Point: Youth Discipleship For A New Generation, Rogelio Paquini

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

The process of discipling youth in contemporary society significantly diverges from the approaches utilized in previous generations. The current landscape is characterized by unique challenges, diverse worldviews, and complex relationship dynamics, which collectively create an environment that may be unfamiliar to traditional church discipleship efforts. This paper aims to elucidate the most pertinent elements of discipleship concerning youth and young adults. The analysis presented herein is grounded in a review of contemporary literature and empirical data derived from a survey of young adults regarding their experiences and perspectives on discipleship.

Divine Attachment As Discipleship: Theology And Practice, Kristina Freed

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Discipleship is more than obedience and behavior management; it is first and foremost a relationship with God. What kind of relationship? Kaufman hinted that it is an attachment relationship, asserting that God is the ultimate attachment figure. Unfortunately, he did not articulate a theology of attachment. While research in the psychology of religion research has shown that God is perceived as an attachment figure and that He engages in attachment behaviors with humans, a theology of attachment has yet to be developed. This paper offers a theology of divine attachment built upon textual and linguistic evidence. I also suggest a …

Youth Identity Formation And Intergenerational Mentorship, Larry L. Green

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Youth today face significant challenges in developing a clear and rooted identity, particularly within the context of faith. As cultural, social, and technological influences complicate the process of identity formation, church leaders, mentors, and parents are essential in helping guide youth to form an identity anchored in Christ. This study explores the role of intergenerational mentorship, drawing upon the model of discipleship exemplified by Jesus. It highlights the principles of relational proximity, empowerment through participation, and personalized mentorship. Additionally, the study examines how church-family partnerships strengthen the transmission of faith and offer practical strategies for church leaders to mentor youth …

Discipling Students On Non-Adventist College And University Campuses, Ronald R. Pickell

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Social science has long demonstrated the importance of faith development in the period of college life. An Adventist faith development process is needed for the spiritual life and faith development of students who attend non-Adventist universities. This paper expands on my previous research on this topic and features the Journey—a series of student Bible study small group experiences. Journey introduces students to the mission and message of Jesus, inviting them to believe in Jesus and follow Him in lifelong discipleship. This small group Bible study series contributes to the discipleship process for students in the unique setting of today’s university …

Discipling The Youth Through Preaching, Rodney Palmer

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Youth discipleship is crucial for the long-term vitality of the church and the development of the next generation of Christian leaders. However, discipling youth through preaching presents distinct challenges due to the rapid changes and diverse influences that characterize adolescence. This paper will explore how faithful Biblical and Christ-centered preaching can serve as an effective tool for discipling the youth by examining the Biblical basis for youth-focused preaching and strategies to engage and transform young listeners. It will also offer practical recommendations for academicians, administrators, and youth practitioners to tailor their messages for youth discipleship, which will result in fostering …

Let The Little Children Come To Me: A Developmental Discipleship Model, Ben Martin

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

T his paper demonstrates the need for intentional, age-appropriate discipleship. It lays out a model based on developmental research from educators, psychologists, and theologians. This Developmental Discipleship Model provides a holistic approach for children and youth that equips and empowers parents, teachers, ministry leaders, and pastors to work together for the discipleship of the next generation by giving them a framework that reaches across ministry lines.

Mentoring Youth In A Digital World: Integrating Technology For Effective Discipleship, Aundrea Thompson

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

In the digital age, technology significantly impacts the worldview and spiritual lives of youth, creating new challenges and opportunities for discipleship. This paper explores how faith leaders can integrate digital tools like social media, online platforms, and apps into youth mentorship to foster spiritual growth. While technology offers opportunities to engage with youth where they are, it also presents challenges like information overload, distractions, and online misinformation. By adapting Biblical mentoring models to digital spaces, mentors can build authentic relationships, break geographical barriers, and create meaningful, flexible, and creative discipleship experiences. The paper provides strategies for leveraging digital platforms to …

Discipling Pathfinders, John Nebare

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Mentorship And Peer-Led Initiatives In Fostering Spiritual Growth Among Youth, Nelson A. Orkoh

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

T his study explores the role of mentorship and peer-led initiatives in fostering spiritual growth among Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) youth, drawing insights from the epistle of 1 John. Adolescence presents spiritual challenges due to societal pressures, media influences, and peer expectations. The research highlights mentorship as providing spiritual guidance and intergenerational learning, while peer-led initiatives promote mutual encouragement and accountability. The study evaluates program effectiveness, challenges, and solutions using a case study survey approach among 61 Ghanaian SDA youth, ages 15–25. Findings reveal high engagement in mentoring and peer-led church activities. The study recommends structured mentorship programs, leadership training, and …

Discipleship Includes Both Acceptance And Change, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Discipleship—following Jesus—includes both acceptance and change. Acceptance from Christ transforms the orientation of humans to follow the God who initiates and completes our acceptance. But discipleship also involves change—sometimes radical and sometimes gradual. The transformation that began with acceptance continues with change. An emphasis of one over the other, or worse, ignoring or denying one of these two dynamics, results in a skewed discipleship. Both acceptance and change remain supernatural actions in the God-human relationship of discipleship.

Focus Group: Academicians, Rogelio Paquini, Kristina Freed

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Facilitated by Rogelio Paquini and Kristina Freed.

Focus Group: Administrators, Nelson Silva, Pedro Perez, Tracy Wood

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Facilitated by Nelson Silva, Pedro Perez, and Tracy Wood.

Participants included: Cris Cazarine, Exton Clarke, Raul Gonzalez, Roberto Gonzalez, Lamarre Guerrier, Andrew Nugent, Zack Payne, Christian Ponciano, Hector Quinones, Daniel Romanov, Christian Ronalds, Brian Seewaldt, Ron Whitehead, and Tracy Wood.

Focus Group: Practitioners, Ron Pickell, Sonja Cartwright

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Facilitated by Ron Pickell and Sonja Cartwright.

Participants included: Keith Acker , Pedro Albeiteris, Luis Aviles, Cris Cazarine, Lamarre Guerrier, Zira Lalanzira, Vidal Mendoza, John Nebare, Roldanardy Norelus, Manny Ojeda, Tamara Pierre, Freddy Rodriguez, Eli Rojas Jr., Don Tamayo.

Summary, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Practicing The Way: Be With Jesus, Become Like Him, Do As He Did, By John Mark Comer, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Partnering Church And Home: Discipleship For The Next Generation, By Denise Muir Kjesbo, Shelley Henning, And Luz Gálvez De Figueroa, Nelson Silva

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Imaginative Prayer: A Yearlong Guide For Your Child’S Spiritual Formation, By Jared Patrick Boyd, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Field Notes: Introducing Godly Play In Cross-Cultural Contexts: Notes From A Short-Term Mission Trip In Kenya, Shannon Clarkson Rains

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This field note explores the use of Godly Play in a short-term mission context in Kitale, Kenya. It focuses on the author’s experience using this method to limit the temptation to impose one’s own theological and cultural interpretation when teaching Bible stories. While Godly Play emphasizes open-ended wondering, participants often hesitated to respond, reflecting familiarity with didactic learning environments. The study highlights how prior knowledge, language, and adult mediation influence theological engagement. It argues that pedagogy itself is culturally embedded and offers practical implications for cross-cultural ministry, including the need for cultural awareness, translator preparation, and realistic expectations for short-term …

Developing Leadership In Ghanaian Churches Of Christ: Problems, Principles, And Proposals, Francis Brown, Nathan Bills

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This article explores the need for leadership development in the Churches of Christ in Ghana, focusing on Church of Christ congregations in Teshie. It highlights persistent challenges, including the lack of spiritual maturity, structure, and contextualization. To meet these challenges, this article emphasizes principles and practices of discipleship, intentional training, and cultural relevance. This study contributes to a broader understanding of ecclesial leadership of the Churches of Christ within African Christian contexts and suggests practical pathways for strengthening leadership in similar congregations.

Witness Beyond Technique: Gospel, Conversion, And The Moral Formation Of The Church, Christopher Flanders

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

Technique, efficiency, and measurable outcomes typically govern contemporary Western approaches to evangelism. Such approaches presume a thin account of the gospel, a punctiliar understanding of conversion, and an instrumental view of the church’s witness. This article argues that these assumptions represent not merely pragmatic missteps but theological distortions. Drawing on Scripture, historical theology, missiology, and practices of Christian initiation, I contend that evangelism is best understood as ecclesial witness oriented toward the moral formation of persons and communities under the reign of God. Conversion, on this account, is not a discrete decision secured through persuasive technique but a transformative journey …