Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Projects
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Items in this collection from 2017 and before are only accessible to current Milligan students, faculty, and staff for licensing reasons.
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Item Logotherapy: Meaning-Based Interventions for the Hospital Chaplain(2012) Ekstrom, Randall D.Item Voices at the Table: Communion Meditations Based on the Writings of Christians Through the Ages(2012) Brokaw, TimothyA project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of MinistryItem Christian Churches initiating a partnership with the Shona Chiefs' Traditional Courts in Zimbabwe as an evangelistic tool(2013) Mushayamunda, DonaldIn this project, I highlight that the Shona African community of Matsai communal lands in Zimbabwe has its own centers of power located at the chiefs and Headmen's courts. I reflect on how the church, in its hundred years of presence lost the opportunity to touch the lives of the people more deeply by avoiding the chiefs court; partly because of the western idea of separation of church and state, and also the simplistic demonization of African customs and traditional structures. I accordingly make a proposal for the church to be contextual by initiating a partnership with the chiefs court at his "Table of Justice." Through this partnership, the church can dialogue with Shona customs, learn from the Shana elders, enjoy the confidence and influence of this "table," and in the process, contribute Christian ethical value to the Traditional African justice system, and attain community building outcomes that proclaim the gospel.Item Item The Ever-Faithful Congregation(2015) Page, Steven LarryItem Fostering Christian Community Through Collaborative E-Learning Small Groups(2015) Potter, Paul DelbertThis Doctor of Ministry Project addressed the need of the Cornerstone Christian Church of Pikeville, KY to develop new and creative ways to educate and build community among its members, while overcoming a shortage of qualified teachers and classroom space. The project inaugurated an eight-week e-learning small group that followed the principles of constructivist learning theory and the Community of Inquiry model. Ultimately, this project offers conclusions about the process of fostering Christian community through e-learning small groups and provides suggestions to church leaders who would like to use e-learning small groups to meet people where they are--the Intenet--for the purpose of fellowship and education.Item Discipling Christians through a Guided New Testament Reading Program and Short-Term Small Group Experience(2016) Robbins, Greg AllenThis Doctor of Ministry Project addressed the need of Heath Church of Christ of Heath, Ohio to create a discipleship program for new and mature Christians. The discipleship program consisted of participants reading through the New Testament over a six-month period, answering daily application questions concerning the day's assigned reading, and meeting once a month as a group to discuss the biblical meaning of discipleship in light of the previous month's study. The conclusions of this project suggest that reading the New Testament intentionally and in a communal setting can contribute to a Christian's understanding of discipleship and personal conviction to become a more faithful disciple of Jesus.Item Honor, Courage, and Commitment: The Values We Hold Dear(2016) Bigelow, Michael A.Item Enhancing Communication with Married Couples through Improving the Discipline of Prayer(2016) Knisley, Steven DudleyThis Doctor of Ministry Project addressed the need of the Cornerstone Christian Church of Pikeville, KY to assist married couples with communication skills in order to strengthen their marriages. The spiritual discipline of prayer was used as a method of improving communication and spiritual disciplines. The project included a couple's workshop that taught five prayer techniques that were designed to enhance communication between couples. After the workshop the couples participated in a thirty day exercise using the prayer techniques that the couples learned during the workshop. The results indicated that prayer could be used to assist married couples with communication.Item The Effectiveness of Epository, Topical, Narratives/Storytelling, and Inductive Sermons at Justice Christian Church(2017) McDonald, William JacksonThis Doctor of Ministry project sought to find which sermon type; expository, topical, narrative/storytelling or inductive was the most effective in facilitating understanding at Justice Christian Church in Logan, West Virginia. Four sermons were preached, one of each type, and a representative sample from the congregation filled out questionnaires about the sermons. These questionnaires, along with an initial questionnaire and a final questionnaire, were analyzed to determine effectiveness. No particular sermon type stood out as being most effective. The data did reveal that a practical, biblically based, encouraging sermon that makes use of stories is effective at facilitating understanding.Item Lectio Divina: Examining the Impact of Experiencing Scripture in Christian's Relationship with Christ(2017) Walker, DellaThe purpose of this Doctor of Ministry Project was to examine reflective reading's (lectio divina) impact on a Christian's relationship with Christ. The ministry design included teaching and practice for a small group of Christians who identified as either feeling close to Christ and depending on him daily or their relationship with Christ was the center of their life. The results reflected a definite impact on one's relationship with Christ particularly a felt sense of his relational attributes (intimacy, love, knowing him more) and a strong sense of Christ' presence. In terms of application for the church, taking into consideration the maturity of the participants (self-described relationship with Christ, length of time as a Christian, and personal spiritual practices), the conclusion was that reflective reading (lectio divina) is an effective ministry for equipping believers to grow in spiritual maturity.Item Sacred Storytelling at SouthBrook Christian Church(2019-04-03) Buffington, Laura; Perkins, MiriamThis project explores how a storytelling workshop might equip people to participate in spiritual conversations. It explores the basics of how narrative operates in the church and how it might serve the church in the moment we find ourselves in right now as people redefine authority and community.Item Prayer as Mission: Rethinking Faithful Ministry for Older Adults(2019-04-25) Tully, David; Holland, JackOlder adults are increasingly becoming a larger percentage of the population in American society. With no change in this reality on the horizon, the western church must be more intentional in how it engages this aging population in ministry. Far too often, the church evaluates the ministry involvement of its older adults on the basis of “production” of younger generations, leading to a devaluing of their contributions. Through the formation of a specific type of small group for older adults, this project considers the metrics of older adult ministry on the basis of a life of prayer as both faithful and effective mission.Item Incorporating Art and Creativity in the Life of New Hope Christian Church(2019-05-08) Sichting, John; Blowers, PaulArtistic endeavor and creative expression in the life of the New Hope congregation in Columbus, Indiana was encouraged by conducting a ten-week “season of church life” titled “Maker: Celebrating Creation.” The series included sermons exploring biblical themes related to the topic, presentations of personal creative work shared by church members, and eighteen special activities including attending a ballet, architectural tours, culinary opportunities, a blues concert based on the story of the Prodigal Son and visits to an Orthodox church. Evaluation of the project included surveys and Appreciative Inquiry Interviews. Findings of the project led to the conclusion that “New Hope must continue to find ways to honor the gifts and talents of our artists and crafts persons with built in times that allow people to share what they like to make. Likewise, we have to continue finding ways to enjoy art together, whether that be by going to performances, visiting churches or museums, or talking together about a book. We need to remember that the Creator built us to create.Item Let's Pray: The Study and Practice of Prayer at Fern Creek Christian Church(2020-04-27) Teske, Richard; Perkins, MiriamPrayer is weird. We know we should pray. Not only is it following Jesus' example but our own experiences confirm that God does hear and respond. However, too often our growth as people of prayer is stunted. This thesis describes the curriculum, implementation, and explored outcomes for a project aiming to help Christians deepen their understanding and practice of prayer.Item Bound By Blood: Re-Discovering the Church as a Family at the Church at Redstone(2021-04) Moon, Chris; Holland, JackJesus and the New Testament writers described the church as a family. This doctor of ministry project explores the historical and biblical foundations of the church as a strong-group family and considers practices that may help a church better live out its life as a family. This project was carried out at the Church at Redstone in Colorado.Item Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder: Compassion Fatigue as a Condition among Ministers of the Stone-Campbell Movement(2021-04-08) Lawson, Dan; Holland, JackA research on secondary traumatic stress, also known as "compassion fatigue," or "vicarious trauma," a condition that impacts ministers in their roles as care-givers. Care-givers are the ones who run toward trauma while others are running away. This is a study of the symptoms, causes, and potential remedies of compassion fatigue among ministers in the Stone-Campbell movement.