Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Projects
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Item "This Is Our Story:" A Contextual and Appreciative Inquiry-Informed History of the Valley Forge Christian Church(2024-04) Siebenaler, DavidThis project applies Appreciative Inquiry and a contextual approach to writing a history of the Valley Forge Christian Church in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) enables organizations and communities to explore and appropriate those elements of their stories that inspire hope and confidence. Instead of focusing on discrete problems to be isolated and solved, AI takes a more wholistic approach by asking groups to identify and learn from their times of greatest vitality. In conjunction with the pioneering work of Carol Kammen, who has published extensively on the topics of researching and writing local and congregational history, AI provides a useful framework for exploring and learning from the history of the Valley Forge congregation. This study traces the church’s story from its founding as part of the Stone- Campbell restoration movement amid the challenging circumstances of post-Civil War northeast Tennessee. It continues with the church’s early growth and “near death” experiences in the early twentieth century. It narrates the period of renewal and reorganization that followed, and it concludes with the era of significant growth and vitality that occurred during the latter half of the twentieth century. With the church’s recent observance of the 150th anniversary of its founding in view, this project offers an historically informed resource for the congregation as it reflects on and plans for the continuation of its unique story within the larger story of God’s redemptive and reconciling work.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 Increasing Engagement: at Worthington Christian Church During Social, Political, and Health Challenges(2023-04-17) Seevers, Austin; Holland, JackThis project outlines the challenges the Church has faced over the last few years and how leaders can help congregations re-engage in spiritual rhythms. The project compares the spiritual challenges of the pandemic with the spiritual challenges faced during the Exile and reflects on Nehemiah’s re-engagement tactics. The research considers practices that best facilitate spiritual engagement.Item Developing a Community Mental Health Chaplaincy Model in Carter County, Tennessee in Response to the Opioid Addiction Crisis(2023-05-01) Fisher, William Kevin; Holland, JackExplores pastoral theology in the context of the current opioid crisis (1996-2023), concentrating specifically on an Appalachian social location. Examines the mechanism of opioid addiction according to the NIDA model, long-term consequences of addiction, and treatment options. Delves into criticisms of the NIDA model and other factors influencing addiction, to include racism in drug policy. Explores the pastoral theology of Dr. John Swinton and the community mental health chaplaincy modelItem Talking to Victims of Trauma Through the Lens of Atonement Theology(2022-04-22) Wymer, Ron; Elolia, KipMetaphors concerning atonement theology that are misunderstood, poorly defined and clumsily communicated often lead to a mischaracterization of God to those who have experienced trauma or abuse. Theological scholars, local church leaders and pulpit preachers have discussed and debated the correct ways to describe Christ's work of atonement. However, little concern has be shown when communicating atonement theology toward those who have injured by trauma and abuse. This study aims to provide a platform for the abused to share their stories concerning their spiritual formation through the lens of their experience both with trauma and theological teaching by church leaders.Item Equipping the Members of Appleton Christian Church through Training and Support to Increase their Participation in Pastoral Care Visitations in Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Hospice Facilities(2021-04-28) Baker, Daniel; Holland, JackRecognizing the biblical mandate for member involvement (Ephesians 4:11-13) and the call for every Christian to care for one another (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) this paper presents the process used to increase the involvement of our church members in caring for one another in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice facilities. Included in the project is an extensive literature review of Pastoral Care, Lay Involvement, Care Techniques and a study on members sharing their faith. All of this was accomplished during the COVID 19 pandemicItem 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.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 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 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 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 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 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 The Ever-Faithful Congregation(2015) Page, Steven LarryItem 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 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 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.