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Embodied Worship for the American Protestant and Evangelical Church
No full textThe American Protestant and Evangelical church has primarily ascribed to a dualistic view of humanity (soul and body as two separate entities) leading to understanding spiritual formation as a cultivation of a non-physical soul through practices that are primarily internal, individualistic, and non-physical. This has led to less formative practices and may contribute to the movement from people classifying themselves as “spiritual and religious” to “just spiritual.” The slip from religion to just spirituality may, in part, be based on an outdated anthropology that lends itself to a less embodied spiritual formation. A more disembodied formation lacks the robustness to keep people in the church and to recognize the centrality of the church. An alternative anthropology, one that is intentionally embodied and embedded in relationship, will lead to deeper formation and solidify the importance of the church. In this paper I argue that one place to start is in the congregational worshipping moment. I integrate literature on monism, neuroscience, religiousness, embodied cognition, and relationality with literature on American protestant and evangelical worship practices. The goal is to integrate these two groups to create a framework for intentional formative embodied and relational worship, which will include suggestions for interventions, practices, and ideas in applying these new understandings and concepts to worship
Anger Regulation, Parenting Characteristics and Adolescent Patience
No full textA growing body of research suggested that emotion regulation plays an important role in the link between parenting behaviors and child outcomes. Specifically, Morris, Silk, Steinberg, Myers, and Robinson (2007) argued in their tripartite model of family influence that parenting practices affect child emotion regulation, which in turn impact child outcomes. In this study, I extend the model by examining the direct and indirect effect of two types of parenting behaviors (parental monitoring and parental support) on adolescent patience via emotion regulation. A total of 449 adolescents aged 15-19 years (M = 16.09, SD = 0.99) completed surveys on the study variables. Results revealed that both parental monitoring and parental support were related to higher levels of adolescent patience and anger regulation
Mission In and Through the Workplace: A Mentoring Track To Develop Kingdom-Focused Leaders
Full text linkThe cohort that this mentoring track is designed for are workplace believers, such as business owners, entrepreneurs and successful professionals residing and living in major cities across Asia. They are already successful in their own right in their workplace roles. The preferred age group would be 35 to 45 years old, which covers the younger Generation X and the older Generation Y, who already have the maturity in their life journey. Most of them can be called the emerging generation who have grown up in relatively peaceful environment when compared to their parents. They are resourceful, technology savvy, and they love their own city. They live in multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural urban Asian context, yet most share the desire to quest for better quality of living. Among them, some would start to ask questions pertaining to the quality of life. Indeed, they are the awakened, empowered, and aspiring generation. I came to know these Christian workplace leaders not only through Asian Access, where I serve as Board Director as well as leadership development faculty, but also from my other ministry contacts. Some through training opportunities, while some other I work with one-on-one. The countries involved would be quite diverse in geography, yet with sufficient similarities in terms of their socio-economic profiles.
The focus is to help these Christian workplace leaders to intentionally develop a missional lifestyle, both as an important part of their personal spiritual formation, as well as a practical commitment in their discipleship. It is about a missional engagement through personal spiritual formation as well as corporate discipleship
Bearing Prophetic Witness: A Strategy to Integrate Patients\u27 Spirituality into Medical Care for Holistic Healing
Full text linkThe goal of this project is to equip hospital chaplains to carry out a cogent spiritual assessment, pastoral intervention and documentation model. The purpose of equipping chaplains for this essential ministry function is to integrate spiritual narratives into medical charts which focus narrowly on physical cure in order to promote holistic healing for patients. The project was carried out in MultiCare Health System’s six Puget Sound Region acute care hospitals located in the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn and Covington, Washington.
The theological reflection section provides biblical insight into how medical practice diverged from the compassionate healing ministry of Jesus. With this divergence theological anthropology changed and people were understood in reductionistic terms. Because of this skewed view of imago dei, patients’ spirituality was pushed to the margins of medical discourse. This section develops a biblical foundation for the role of prophetic witness for the missiology of healthcare chaplains. In this role, chaplains can work to restore holistic healing so that the practice of medicine once again functions in the service of God.
The ministry strategy section describes the goals of the training manual and how it was implemented. Prior to the implementation of the training manual the chaplains completed a self-assessment of their knowledge and confidence levels regarding their spiritual assessment abilities. The results of the survey showed that chaplains were uncomfortable with a broad range of pastoral interventions and lacked confidence in their spiritual assessment abilities. It also showed a high degree of receptiveness to learning new ministry strategies to improve holistic care in their hospitals. The project discusses outcomes, insights and future implications for on-going quality improvement. This is a ministry strategy that can be used by other chaplain departments to integrate holistic healing into their ministry contexts
Training Board of Pensions Consultants in the Theological Basis of the Pre-Retirement Seminar
Full text linkThe goal of this doctoral project is to provide a short monograph on a theological understanding of vocation in retirement. This will further the theological grounding for the work of the consultants and staff of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who prepare and present pre-retirement seminars to church workers. The document previously used was written for pastors by a seminary president. However, the demographics of the participants are changing, creating a need for a document written in a more conversational style for an audience with less formal theological education.
The project reviewed relevant literature, drawing from the Patristic period and the Protestant theological tradition, as well as considering current understandings of vocation and calling in retirement. Gregory of Nazianzus’ emphasis on transformation is considered. Martin Luther’s broadening of vocation from merely ecclesiastical usage to include the work of all Christians. Three contemporary authors on vocation serve to move the theological conversation from the past into the present.
The products of this project include a fresh monograph on calling in retirement, a set of reflection questions for those preparing for the seminar, and a set of questions for group discussion within the seminar. The resources of this project may be incorporated into the new THRIVE seminar. To that end, interview questions for the staff who will be tasked with presenting the new seminar are included as a means of feedback on the offered resources. A survey is also provided for these resources to be evaluated by participants
The God-Shaped Journey of a Church Planter: Spiritual Formation as an Integral Part of Leadership Development
Full text linkThis doctoral project argues for spiritual formation as essential to the church planter’s development as a leader. The level of spiritual maturity is brought into question as one faces the difficult challenges of church planting. To navigate wisely through the difficulties associated with church planting, confidence, endurance, and stamina are necessary character traits. This paper argues for pain, hardship, and failure as major parts of the spiritual formation process in shaping the development of leader/church planters.
The study is based on the observation of leader/church planters in the LeaderImpac Network. They are leaders by reason of their calling into the difficult enterprise of church planting. The research author’s personal journey as a leader/church planter of three church plants in the course of sixty years will also be a contributing factor. The leader/church planters in this network are predominantly of ethnic minorities and are generally oral learners.
The lessons one is able to extract from the crucible encounters are shaping moments in the spiritual formation process. The consequences of not extracting the lessons potentially factor into one’s failure to finish well. Unless an intentional rhythm of spiritual formation disciplines is in place, accomplishing one’s goal and finishing well will be exposed to possible failure. The Scriptures consistently highlight trials and hardships as contributing factors in the spiritual formation of a leader.
Church planters, as leaders in the effort, are potentially at a higher risk for disappointment than the general population in the leadership community. It is critical that spiritual formation is understood as a lifelong God-shaping journey of the inner being in leader development. The project will propose guidelines to a sustainable rhythm in ministry. The project concludes with the practice provided in the writings of Terry Walling, coaching, and leader development, Will Mancini, leading the church and Dallas Willard’s writing on spiritual formation. The Doctoral Project concludes with a timeline for the process and its assessment plan
A Spiritual Direction and Prayer Retreat Experience for Young Adults at Newberg First Presbyterian Church
Full text linkSpiritual formation support for young adults is a crucial ministry for the church today. Young adults often are neglected by churches who cater to older members that are less interested in adapting to a new generation. It is important to prioritize the spiritual formation of young adults both for the purpose of helping young people know Jesus and be transformed by his love, but also for the church to thrive in the future.
Models need to be given on how churches may particularly journey with young adults as they grow in faith. This doctoral project provides an experience of both spiritual direction sessions and a prayer retreat that support the spiritual formation of college students from George Fox University. The results of this project showed significant growth in the college students who participated in the experience.
Part One explores the ministry context of Newberg First Presbyterian Church in the city of Newberg, Oregon and nearby to George Fox University. Part Two offers a theological reflection on the spiritual formation of young adults using Scripture, literature review, and the setting of Newberg First Presbyterian Church’s college and young adult ministry. Part Three demonstrates the value of the ministry practices of spiritual direction and prayer retreats for the spiritual formation of young adults.
Now is an exciting time to invest in the next generation of Christian leaders. Churches that wish to follow Jesus’ call to make disciples are invited to prioritize ministry to young adults. College students and other young adults are open to grow deeper in faith, but they need opportunities like spiritual direction and prayer retreats to help them experience intimacy with God and spiritual transformation
Intentional Engagement: Toward an Evangelistic Initiative of Gospel Proclamation
No full textThis dissertation is aimed at increasing the practice of verbal gospel proclamation among Christ followers. Part I lays the foundation for a theological understanding of mission and evangelism. It is here where I examine the practice of evangelism as it pertains to missional engagement. Here I define evangelism as intentionally engaging others in spiritual conversations that can lead to sharing the gospel. In Part II, I share the sample groups I chose to research and the three different methods of anonymous surveys, confidential interviews, and participant observations. I disclose my findings of the three key barriers that keep Christians from intentionally participating in verbal gospel proclamation: 1) Does not want to be pushy, 2) Does not feel qualified, and 3) Does not know what to say. Part III describes the Training and Resource Platform (TRP) that is aimed at inspiring Christ followers to love the lost and to equip them to engage the lost. I was able to create instructional materials aimed at providing practical application activities for the churches that the Every Home for Christ ministry serves. In addition to training, this is a platform for informational resources that organizations and individuals can choose according to what is best for their contexts. I demonstrate how this TRP can be implemented at the local church level
Qualitative Study of Self-Narrative Identity Profiles of Elite Athletes
No full textElite athletes in emerging adulthood are faced with societal and developmental complexities in addition to the pressure to perform at the highest level. In this time of identity development, researchers are interested in studying the way athletes conceptualize their identities through storytelling or self-narrative identity. Previous research has suggested that athletes whose self-narrative identity is based on one\u27s purpose rather than performance experience more positive mental health wellbeing. Based on these findings, the current study aims to further explore self-narrative identity of elite athletes as it relates to one’s purpose or performance based self-narrative identity. The following study is an exploratory qualitative analysis of individual interviews. Interviews were conducted with elite athletes following participation in a short-term service trip to explore athlete’s view of one’s self after an activity that encourages individuals to think beyond the self. Utilizing a story-telling self-narrative lens, the researcher focuses analysis on athletes’ view of one’s self in the past, present and future as a way of bringing a deeper understanding to previously identified purpose and performance self-narrative profiles, and in hopes of offering new directions for future research
How North American Parents Can Support the Holistic Development of Their Teenage Children
Full text linkThe purpose of this project is to analyze the current context of North American parents and their teenagers so as to recommend ways they can support the holistic development (body, mind, and soul) of their children. Although many factors contribute to the outcome, balanced nurturing can give them a better chance of enjoying a healthier adulthood later in life. Children need support and guidance from multiple sectors, especially parents, in their holistic development.
This paper is divided into three parts. Part One focuses on analyzing the environment and challenges faced by today’s young people and their parents in North America. Under the impact of postmodernism in a performance-driven, high-tech culture, many adolescents feel confused, abandoned, and time-pressured. They are desperately searching for self-identity, autonomy, and a sense of belonging as their root of life. Parents, on the other hand, often feel inadequate and stressed in raising their children, especially in today’s competitive and multicultural world. Many do not receive support from their family of origin. Contextually, this information forms the basis for the next sections of the project.
Part Two analyzes the identified challenges both parents and their teenage children are facing. This section goes deeper to study the Bible’s teaching on the body, mind, and soul to facilitate holistic development. It then reflects on the issues identified in Part One through the lens of biblical theology. From the insights gained, suggestions are made for how parents can support the balanced development of their children.
Part Three presents a series of systematic parenting courses, designed to equip parents in their task. This section includes an outline of the course curriculum and suggests an implementation plan. The hope is that Christian parents and family ministry workers may consider it as a reference in parenting practice or ministry