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The Both/And Church: A Qualitative Study on the Motives, Processes, and Impacts of Instrumental Music in Churches of Christ in the Bible Belt
Get PDFDespite the information available on worship styles of churches in America, perspectives of Churches of Christ who have started using instruments have yet to be explored. Since 1906, Churches of Christ have been one of many distinct religious sects in America. Expressions of this denomination are most often found in the Deep South of the United States — what many religious persons refer to as the “Bible Belt.” Known for their emphasis on weekly communion, baptism as a sacramental part of discipleship, and their embrace of extra-biblical additions to ministry like missionary societies, one spiritual practice sets them apart most commonly from the majority of other faith traditions: a cappella (“voices only”) music in worship. Meanwhile, despite the denouncement of instrumental music by early Church Fathers, an increasingly growing number of Christian organizations have begun sharing their instrumentally accompanied music through the distribution of tapes, CDs, and ultimately, websites and applications, such as YouTube and other online streaming platforms, for decades. This development has led many Churches of Christ to ponder and even change their position on instrumental music. Using case studies and interviews with different Churches of Christ currently using instruments in corporate worship, this qualitative research study identifies the impacts that transitioning to instruments has on those congregations as determined by the motives for the transition, the process used for the transition, and the impact and results of the transition. Further, this project serves as a resource for other Churches of Christ discerning the potential addition of instruments to their worship liturgies in the future
Analysis of the Relationship of Spirituality and Spiritual Bypass on the Resilience of Survivors of Homicide in the U.S.
Get PDFThe quantitative study examined the influence of spirituality and spiritual bypass on the resilience of homicide survivors, an area with limited research. This correlational design used multiple regression analysis to investigate how spirituality and case solution status moderated the effects of spiritual bypass on the resilience of homicide survivors. While substantial studies address grief from natural and sudden loss, there have been few that explore the experiences of homicide survivors grieving loss due to murder. It was the researcher’s anticipation that there would be a positive effect between spirituality and resilience in addition to the negative effect on resilience from spiritual bypass; however, anxiety was the sole predictor of a decrease in resilience in survivors of homicide. Data was obtained from 93 participants who met the study inclusion criteria. Criteria included all of whom were age 18 and up, lived in the U.S., experienced some spiritual belief, and had experienced loss due to murder. A website was launched to administer surveys, which included qualifying questions, demographic questions (featuring one case solution question), and three scales: the AGI (with subscales for anxiety and avoidance), the CD-RISC, and the SBS-13. Results: Data was obtained from 93 individuals who participated. A statistically significant relationship was found between anxiety and lower resilience. However, avoidance, spiritual bypass, and case solution did not significantly moderate resilience in homicide survivors
Military Retirement: The Spouse Experience at the MCT
Get PDFThis descriptive qualitative study aimed to understand the experiences of spouses as they transition out of the military alongside an active duty service member due to retirement. Current research highlights the stress that is involved for the retiring service member and even that of the family unit, however, there is little research available which explores the experiences of spouses as they transition from the military to civilian life alongside an active duty service member at retirement. The literature review brought to light this gap in research as it explored the military experience from both the active duty service member and spouse perspective. The methodology used for this descriptive qualitative design is thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews took place to capture the unique needs and stressors that are experienced by spouses during the military to civilian transition at the time of active duty service member retirement. Three themes were identified for each research question: RQ1- Lack of Awareness of Information, Procedures and Supports, Transitions Across Multiple Domains and Changes to Healthcare; RQ2- Transition Support, Planning and Preparation and A Need for Information. The identification of these themes will provide value to stakeholders and military spouses who are nearing the military to civilian transition with their retiring service member spouse. The results of this study emphasize the importance of targeted program development for the spouses of retiring service members to address the unique needs and stressors that are often experienced
A Qualitative Study of Nonprofit Leadership Roles in Using Funding Diversification as a Sustainable Strategy for Organizations\u27 Survivability in California
Get PDFThe purpose of this qualitative study was to understand nonprofit leaders\u27 roles in utilizing funding diversification as a sustainable strategy for organizations\u27 survival. To survive, nonprofit organizations rely on leaders’ roles and experiences to address issues such organizations might face. The targeted population was executive leaders in nonprofit organizations. The participants were board members and senior leadership team members of nonprofit organizations in San Diego. The understudied research questions include the central research question: How do nonprofit organizations\u27 current policies influence funding diversification as a sustainability strategy? This study utilized phenomenological design. The resource dependency theory (RDT) guided this study to provide nonprofit leaders with a strategy for diversifying their funding to achieve and sustain the organizational mission. Leaders in nonprofit organizations might gain credible and contextualized information to enhance the quality of funding diversification decisions. The data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, surveys, and document analysis, and the transcripts of these data sources were coded using NVivo\u27s 14 version. Ten themes were identified regarding nonprofit leadership using funding diversification as a sustainability strategy: (1) cooperation, (2) leaders\u27 experiences, (3) leaders\u27 engagement, (4) stakeholders\u27 participation, (5) nonprofits challenges, and (6) stakeholders\u27 significance, (7) leaders\u27 attitudes, (8) ethical considerations, (9) policy influence, and (10) perceived benefits. The findings help nonprofit leaders and scholars gain insights into diversifying funding sources and fill the gaps created by previous studies in the field of public administration
Perfect Love: Intertextual and Conceptual Commonalities Concerning Agape in 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 and 1 John 4:12–18
Get PDFThis dissertation will examine Paul and John’s mutual focus on agape and teleios. The premise is that in 1 Corinthians 13:10, “perfect” is not used by Paul in an eschatological sense, but to communicate the message of “perfect love” John also references (1 John 2:3–6; 4:12–18). Jesus’s teaching recorded in Matthew 5:43–48 will be considered regarding how it might provide a basis for understanding Paul and John’s thoughts concerning agape. Also, the use of teleios by Aristotle and תָּמִים by the Qumran community will be contemplated, in addition to how the Hebrew word תָּמִים might have influenced Jesus’s teaching and Paul and John’s later use of teleios and agape. These observations do not suggest a connection between Aristotelian philosophical thought and Qumran ideologies but rather highlight how these words were understood in Greco and Hebraic ways. Furthermore, Paul’s appeal to teleios and pnuematikos early in 1 Corinthians establishes his epistolary thematic emphasis regarding spiritual maturity. Proto-Gnostic considerations and whether Paul personified love in 1 Corinthians will also come into view. First Corinthians 13:8–13 will then be reexamined, and an analysis of “perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 will be considered along with background thoughts concerning 1 John, and John’s occasion for writing his first letter and its reference to “perfect love” (1 John 2:3–5; 4:12–18). The themes of love, light, and knowledge, which are shared between 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 and 1 John 4:12–18, will be seen expanding to other portions of Scripture (1 Cor 13:12; Eph 1:16–19a; 3:17–19; Phil 1:9–10; Col 1:8–10, 1 John 2:5, 9–11). It is hoped that this dissertation will cause a reconsideration of the most popular views relating to 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 by linking Paul and John’s similar use of teleios with agape
Survival of the Venture Companies Depending on the Access to Capitals
Get PDFSocial and entrepreneurial capitals encompass a combination of human, social, and intellectual resources that enable entrepreneurs to identify, create, and exploit business opportunities. This study investigates how the interplay between these forms of capital influences entrepreneurs\u27 access to financial resources and their overall success. Social capital, comprising networks, relationships, and trust, is critical for accessing resources and building credibility with investors. Human capital, including skills, experience, and perseverance, enhances the capacity to navigate entrepreneurial challenges and present viable business proposals. However, traditional funding processes often impose barriers, such as stringent requirements and limited access to capital, that disproportionately affect startups. The research highlights strategies for overcoming these challenges, including leveraging social networks, enhancing transparency, and pursuing alternative financing methods like crowdfunding and self-financing. The findings emphasize the significance of fostering social and entrepreneurial capital to address funding gaps and create a supportive innovation and sustainable growth ecosystem. This study also underscores the importance of training, mentorship, and policy interventions to strengthen entrepreneurs\u27 ability to access financial capital. By integrating these strategies, entrepreneurs can improve their resilience and success rates while contributing to broader economic development
Pathway Out of Homelessness
Get PDFThis phenomenological case study aims to understand the homeless individuals\u27 relational Transformational Experience (TE) and their choice to complete the transitional pathway journey from homelessness at a faith-based shelter. Developed in 1938 by John Dewy, TE has become a comprehensive and complex framework that describes how learners interpret, confirm, and give meaning to their experiences. As a result, this study\u27s framework uses a hermeneutic and relational approach to explore and highlight relational barriers the homeless faced following their transition out of a Midwest homeless shelter. However, research has not adequately recognized how a restored relationship contributes to cognitive and behavioral change in the homeless individual, providing a pathway out of homelessness. Likewise, the literature revealed a gap in the connection between homelessness and the many issues associated with a relational pathway out of homelessness. Data collection will consist of one-on-one interviews, a focus group, and journaling to capture the details of shared experiences of the phenomena. The interviews will consist of open-ended, semi-structured, or unstructured questions that allow the participants flexibility to express their transformational experience. The journals include an operational and informational log that supports this study methodology design. Lastly, the potential impact of this research is significant, offering hope and optimism for the future of an individual\u27s relational pathway out of homelessness
Teachers\u27 Experiences Implementing Reading Interventions in Middle Schools: Phenomenology Study
Get PDFThe purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of middle school teachers implementing reading interventions in southeastern Virginia. The theory that guided this study was Knowles’ theory on adult learning as it identifies and pertains to the approaches for adult learning as teachers learn best practices to implement reading interventions in their classrooms. 10 teachers described their experiences implementing reading interventions by creating a timeline, participating in a one-on-one interview, and responding to journal prompts. Data were collected and organized using a coding system. Codes were assigned based on similarities and emerging themes. Then, data were analyzed by identifying patterns and relationships of the themes, which were categorized, and defined based on the research question. The four major themes that emerged from the analyzed data were collaboration and support, professional development, teacher attitudes, and student-teacher engagement
Windmills as Symbols of Economic Development and Progress in West Texas from 1860 to 2011
Get PDFThe outline of a windmill against the sky is a popular image of Texas found on many forms of media including illustrations, photographs, and other print media. How did the image of a windmill become symbolic to Texas? The purpose of this paper is to determine how and why windmills became an important symbol representing the Texas Plains. Methodology used included analysis of scientific information to explore the geography of Texas, which demonstrated why windmills were needed in West Texas. Critical analysis of journals and books were performed to determine the history of the introduction and evolving use of windmills in Texas, and were compared to determine reliability by comparing uses and experiences of individual and corporate windmill owners. Primary sources from archives complimented the research by providing personal experiences to demonstrate that windmills were not just a tool, but were a symbol of survival, prosperity, and progress to Texans. Included in this research are points of quantitative data to demonstrate economic progress realized by use of windmills in agriculture, transportation, and energy industries. The results of the research show that windmills transformed the Texan Plains from an inhospitable environment to one that could support cattle ranching, crop growing, and settlement. The research also demonstrates that windmills contributed to the ability for railroad expansion, which affected settlement and trade. Finally, although power sources evolved, windmills maintained relevancy during the launch of the oil industry and later in the burgeoning clean energy industry
The Legal Cybersecurity Crisis: Potential Resolutions and Artificial Intelligence Implications
Get PDFAs cybersecurity becomes more relevant in the digital age, law firms have overlooked protections from cyberattacks, and this neglect has led to irreversible client data breaches. This thesis sought to investigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities in law firms and to theorize potential solutions using a literature review methodology. The research questions for this project are: What are the most effective cybersecurity protections for United States law firms, and should those cybersecurity protections utilize AI-based systems? In response, this thesis posits three claims. First, the central factors that contribute to inadequate law firm cybersecurity are as follows: lack of governmental oversight over legal cybersecurity methods, over-reliance on cybersecurity insurance, lack of cybersecurity culture, and the lack of preventive cybersecurity. Second, research indicated that the American Bar Association’s cybersecurity guidelines are the premier source of cybersecurity recommendations for law firms. Third, while artificial intelligence is a useful cybersecurity tool, law firms should implement artificial intelligence-based cybersecurity as part of a larger cybersecurity framework, not on its own