Journal of Contemporary Ministry

Polley, Nathan

English

Tertiary servant leader development in Aotearoa-New Zealand

Stevens, Kerrie

Theses/Dissertations
Theses/Dissertation Listing
Compiled by Kerrie Stevens
Director of Library Services, Alphacrucis College
A selective list of doctoral theses in the areas of ministry and practical theology 
awarded during 2020.
Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific
Bohr, Mark
The Self-Identification of Generation Y as ‘No Religion’ in Contemporary Australian 
Society.
D.Min. – Alphacrucis College, 2020.
Cook, Michelle
On Being a Covenanting and Multicultural Church: Ordinary Theologians in the Uniting 
Church Explore what it Means to be Church.
Ph.D. – University of Queensland, 2020.
Dick, Helen
The Religious and Spiritual Beliefs of Direct-Care Workers in a Residential Aged Care 
Facility, with Particular Reference to their Experience of Suffering, Death and Dying in 
the Workplace: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Project.
Ph.D. – University of Queensland, 2020.
Dujunco, Normandy
Inculturated Faith Formation of New Teachers through Narrative Theology.
D.Th. – University of Divinity, 2020.
Harris, Tania
Hearing God’s Voice: Towards a Theology of Pentecostal Revelatory Experience.
Ph.D. – Alphacrucis College, 2020.
Krause, Gary
Seeking the Shalom: A Wholistic Approach to Adventist Urban Mission in the United 
States Drawing on Ellen White’s “Centres of Influence” Concept.
Ph.D. – University of Queensland, 2020.
Lewis, Rowan
Changing Faith: The Experience and Resolution of Disruptive Episodes in the Faith of 
Christian Emerging Adults.
Ph.D. – University of Divinity, 2020.
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Theses/Dissertations
Polley, Nathan
Spiritual Development in Aspiring Servant Leaders in an Aotearoa-New Zealand 
Tertiary Education Context.
D.Min. – Alphacrucis College, 2020.
United Kingdom & Europe    
Ummu Kulsoom, Aminath
Employee’s Engagement and Job Commitment in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, 
Maldives.
D.B.A – The University of Liverpool, 2020.
Warnock, Helen Jane
The Nature of Youth Ministry in Northern Ireland Through the Eyes of Local 
Practitioners.
D.Prof. – University of Chester (UK), 2020.
North & South America    
Benac, Dustin D.
Adaptive Church: A Practical Theology of Adaptive Work in the Pacific Northwest.
Th.D. – Duke University, 2020.
Fleck, Jessica E.
Team Leadership: Core Competencies in Children’s Ministries.
D.Min. – Asbury Theological Seminary, 2020.
Keefe-Perry, L. Callid.
Schooling the Imagination: A Practical Theology of Public Education.
Ph.D. – Boston University, 2020.
Kramer, Rachelle M.
Towards a Holistic Education: Forging Integrative Approaches between Campus 
Ministers and Theology Faculty at Catholic Universities
D.Min. – Catholic Theological Union, 2020.
Mentzer, Timothy Andrew
Finding Meaning in Organized Religion: A practical Theology for the Church’s Mission 
with Millennials.
D.Min. – Duke University, 2020.
Thomas, Barbara J. P.
Practical Theology for Mentoring Students in the Work of Ministry: Using Alumni to 
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Theses/Dissertations
Equip Future Leaders at Rochester Bible Institute
D.Min. - Northeastern Seminary, 2020.
Tun, Si Thu
Can Christian Make a Difference? A Critical Practical Theology of Peacebuilding in 
Burma.
Ph.D. – St. Thomas University, 2020.
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Theses/Dissertation Listing

Edwards, Tom

Lau, Amy

Bringing about forgiveness: Up-dating theory, reconceptualising practice

Boaheng, Isaac

Contemporary Prophetism in Ghana in the light of Old Testament Precedents

Schroeder, F.

Pryse, L.

Henson, L.

Research Notes
Mission field workers and resilience:
 a pilot study
F. Schroeder, L. Pryse, Dr L. Henson and Dr T. Edwards
(research note)
F. Schroeder, L. Pryse, L. Henson PhD & T. Edwards PhD
Eastern College Australia
5 Burwood Highway
Wantirna, 3152
Victoria, Australia
Ph: +61 - (03) 9790 9200 
Fax: +61 - (03) 9790 9299
T. Edwards PhD
Natural Intelligence Pty. Ltd.
14 Jembecca Dr
Berwick, 3806
Victoria, Australia
Ph: +61 - (0)427 022 212
Corresponding author: 
Dr T. Edwards: DrEdwards@NaturalIntelligence.com.au 
Abstract
Mission field workers are vital in the life of the Church. However, they represent a 
group of individuals who must contend with a variety of stressors, some of which may 
be of high intensity and/or long duration. It is therefore important for sending 
organisations to select psychologically resilient people while also promoting resilience 
amongst current field workers. In this pilot study a cohort of 20 resilient former field 
workers (8 males & 12 females) were interviewed about their experiences. Each 
participant had been impacted by at least one significant negative occurrence whilst in 
the field. In light of the participants’ professional context five attributes which may 
have promoted their resilience were investigated. Interestingly, resilience was 
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Research Notes
demonstrated in light of impaired social supports. Surprisingly, the personality trait of 
Agreeableness appeared to be an important factor in maintaining resilience. 
Attitudinally, participants were described as having high levels of hope. Religiosity, not 
spirituality, promoted resilience. Finally, the participants were goal-driven. These 
findings not only extend upon the current literature but provide interesting 
opportunities for further research and important insights for organisational leaders.
Key words
Mission; resilience; social support; personality; hope; religiosity; goals.
Introduction
Evangelism emerges as a direct consequence of the Great Commission (Mat. 28:19) of 
which the most iconic form is mission work. Ostensibly, mission work occurs under the 
auspices of a Not-For-Profit entity often referred to as a sending organisation. Such 
organisations have a considerable duty-of-care to select, equip and support mission 
workers. More so for the fact that field work is inherently stressful (Carter 1999; 
Johnson & Penner 1981; O’Donnell, 1992). Yet some field workers are more 
psychologically resilient than others (Gonçalves, 2014; Selby, et al., 2009; Selby, et 
al., 2011). To identify context relevant factors which promote high levels of resilience 
therefore has significant benefits for sending organisations and field workers alike.
While coping “is what people try to do to overcome negative effects” (International 
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2003, p. 36) resilience is often 
discussed in terms of adapting well to stressors, or “bouncing back” from adversity 
(Ayed et al., 2019). Not surprisingly, biological, developmental and experiential factors 
promote resilience alongside behavioural (e.g. exercise), emotional (e.g. positivity) 
and cognitive (e.g. flexibility & acceptance) factors (Crane et al., 2019; Luthar & Brown 
2007; Southwick et al., 2005).
However, other factors are also likely to contribute to resilience. Within the present 
context social supports (Selby et al., 2009; Southwick et al., 2005; Sippel et al., 2015) 
and religiosity or spiritual beliefs (Coperland-Linder, 2006; Francis & Kaldor, 2002; 
Hackney & Sanders, 2003; Le et al., 2019; Park, 2005; Southwick et al., 2005; Maltby 
et al., 1999) must be considered. Similarly, personality traits, attitude and goal 
attainment also have relevance. For example, a number of personality researchers 
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Research Notes
have linked low levels of Neuroticism to resilience alongside high levels of Extraversion 
and Conscientiousness and, to a lesser extent, high levels of Agreeableness and 
Openness to experience (Aben et al, 2002; Campbell-Sills et al., 2004; Fayombo, 2010; 
Ormel et al., 2004). Prima facie a hopeful attitude would also be expected to promote 
resilience. However mixed results have been found meriting further research 
(Cheavens et al., 2016; Lloyd & Hastings, 2009). Finally, goal attainment contributes to 
personal wellbeing and therefore likely promotes resilience (Brunstein 1993; Oishi et 
al., 2009; Sheldon & Elliot 1999; Sheldon et al., 2004).
The importance of the above five resilience-related attributes were investigated 
in the current pilot study following engagement with a cohort of resilient returned 
field-workers.
Method
Twenty adult returned field workers (8 males & 12 females; mean age 55 years) 
participated in this pilot study. All participants had spent >5 years on the mission field. 
Participants were from a variety of Protestant Christian denominations and had served 
with a variety of sending organisations. Each participant took part in one semi-
structured interview and completed the NEO-PI-R as a measure of personality and the 
Snyder Trait Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991).
Results
Initially it was important to determine if this cohort of 20 participants was resilient. 
Between them, the 20 participants recalled 32 significant negative experiences whilst 
in the field. As such, a number of participants had been impacted by more than one 
significant negative experience. Of the 32 significant negative experiences reported 
nine were reported as high intensity, three as medium intensity and 20 as low 
intensity. Notably, the median duration of all significant negative experiences was 3 
years. Yet in spite of ongoing hardship all participants persisted in their work. 
Moreover, 17 participants rated their mission experience either positively or very 
positively. Considering these facts holistically the researchers rated this cohort to be 
resilient.
In spite of resilience social support was impaired for this cohort. Five participants did 
not have the support of family and/or friends to undertake mission work. When in the 
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Research Notes
field 24 of the 32 significant negative experiences reported related to inter-personal 
conflict which often persisted for months or years without resolution. In addition, only 
11 participants noted the adequacy of their sending organisation’s support in helping 
them to resolve interpersonal conflict.
According to past findings this resilient cohort should have demonstrated low levels of 
Neuroticism and high levels of Conscientiousness and Extraversion (Aben et al, 2002; 
Campbell-Sills et al., 2004; Fayombo, 2010; Ormel et al., 2004). Yet, only four 
participants demonstrated low or very low scores for Neuroticism while eight 
participants scored high or very high. As for Extraversion, 10 participants scored very 
low or low and only one scored in the high to very high range. In addition, nine 
individuals scored very low or low for Conscientiousness while only two scored either 
high or very high. With respect to the trait of Openness to experience seven 
participants demonstrated very low or low scores while six demonstrated high or very 
high scores. Finally, Agreeableness had no participant score either very low or low, but 
15 participants scored high or very high.
Using the Snyder Trait Hope Scale the mean agency score from the 20 participants 
was 81% and the mean pathway score was 75%. This indicated that the cohort was 
comprised of “high hope” individuals.
In the context of the present study it was important to establish if participants’ faith 
promoted their resilience. Of the 20 participants only 10 explicitly noted their mission 
work as a direct calling from God. Nevertheless, all participants undertook regular 
personal religious practices as well as worked either within a Christian context or held 
a Christian worldview within their community.
Finally, of the 19 participants who discussed professional and personal goal attainment 
12 achieved all goals set. Of the remaining seven participants three suggested that all 
professional goals had been achieved but that some personal goals had not.
Discussion
Mission field workers represent a unique group when studying resilience given 
their medium- to long-term immersion in a foreign culture which may not be politically 
stable, economically affluent, nor welcoming of religious plurality.
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Research Notes
Having established that this cohort was psychologically resilient the researchers 
investigated five context-relevant attributes thought to promote resilience. They were: 
(1) social support; (2) personality; (3) hope; (4) religiosity/spirituality; and (5) goal 
attainment.
For this cohort social supports were not optimal. A quarter of all participants did not 
have the support of family and/or friends to undertake mission work. Three quarters of 
all significant negative experiences in the field pertained to persistent inter-personal 
conflict, while more than half of the participants also felt unsupported by their sending 
organisation when it came to conflict resolution. That resilience was maintained in 
spite of limited social supports does not negate their importance but does suggest the 
presence of other compensatory factors.
Although personality traits are considered stable over time we must allow for the 
possibility that significant negative experiences, endured for months or years, may 
alter personality. In particular, persistent stress may reasonably increase Neuroticism 
which likely explains the greater than expected number of participants demonstrating 
high or very high levels of this trait. What is interesting amongst the findings related to 
personality is that: (1) only one participant demonstrated high levels of Extraversion 
which contradicts past findings; (2) only six participants demonstrated high, or very 
high, levels of Openness to experience in spite of the supposition that this trait would 
facilitate cross-cultural work; (3) 15 participants scored high or very high in 
Agreeableness; and (4) nine individuals scored low or very low for Conscientiousness 
in spite of high levels of goal achievement. To explain the findings for 
Conscientiousness we must remember that this trait has six facets within the NEO-PI-R 
of which only one is named Achievement Striving. Yet amongst the findings for 
personality it is the high level of Agreeableness which stands-out. We speculate that 
this personality trait is especially important for resilience when social supports are 
limited, “escape” is not a viable strategy and group cohesion is necessary for goal 
attainment.
In brief, the current study brings attitude to the fore as opposed to emotion. This is a 
unique contribution. The authors note that in spite of hardship the cohort was both 
resilient and had high levels of hope, albeit measured after their return to Australia. 
This represents a fertile area for future research.
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Research Notes
Surprisingly, only 10 participants had an explicit calling to mission work. That 50% did 
not, and yet the entire cohort was resilient, is a fascinating finding. In explaining this it 
is useful to note that Coperland-Linder (2006) linked religiosity and resilience which is 
in accordance with the fact that all participants undertook regular religious practices.
Finally, while 79% of participants achieved all professional goals set it is also worth 
noting that 63% achieved all professional and all personal goals. Not only can we 
conclude that this cohort was goal-driven but we may reasonably speculate as to 
whether goal attainment mitigated the worst effects of on-going hardship and 
therefore contributed to resilience. Again, this is a matter requiring further 
investigation.
In conclusion, the current pilot study extended upon past findings pertaining to 
psychological resilience but did so in a context-appropriate way. Although much 
remains for other researchers it is hoped that the current findings will be of direct 
benefit to field workers and the organisations who send them abroad to fulfil Christ’s 
Great Commission.
Acknowledgements
Mr Michael Walker for editorial assistance.
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Mission field workers and resilience: a pilot study

Newton, Jon

About
About this Journal
Updated Editorial Board 
as at May 2021
Professor Emeritus, The Rev. Gary D. Bouma, AM - Monash University; Former 
Chair of Harvest Bible College Academic Board; UNESCO Chair in Intercultural and 
Interreligious Relations–Asia Pacific, Past-President of the Australian Association for the 
Study of Religions, and former Chairman of the Christian Research Association.
Rev Dr Peter Carblis - Adjunct lecturer for University of Newcastle; former principal 
Tabor NSW, Australia.
Rev Prof Mark J. Cartledge- Principal and Professor of Practical Theology, London 
School of Theology, UK; leading practical theologian and author in this field; Anglican 
priest.
Rev Dr Angelo Cettolin- Dean of Faculty, Eastern College Australia, Senior Lecturer 
Melbourne School of Theology and Eastern College, Ordained Minister Australian 
Christian Churches, co-lead pastor Reach 21 Church, Port Melbourne.
Rev Prof Darren Cronshaw - Head of Research and Professor of Missional 
Leadership, Australian College of Ministries (Sydney College of Divinity); Pastor, 
AuburnLife Baptist Church; and Chaplain, Australian Army. 
Dr Trudy Dantis- Director, National Centre for Pastoral Research, Australian Catholic 
Bishops Conference; CRA Board member and Honorary Research Fellow, University of 
Divinity.
Dr Bob Dixon - Foundation Director of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 
Pastoral Research Office, Honorary Professor of Australian Catholic University 2010-
2020, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Divinity, Member CRA Board 1992-2018. 
Dr Albert Haddad- Associate Dean Higher Education Development, Victorian Institute 
of Technology
Assoc Professor Dr Graham Joseph Hill – Principal, Director of Research, and 
Assoc. Professor of Global Christianity at Stirling Theological College (University of 
Divinity)
About
Professor Philip Hughes- CRA board representative; Chair of Ethics Committee, 
Alphacrucis College.
Dr David Jakobsen - Assistant Professor at Aalborg University working on a 
postdoctoral project on The Primacy of Tense: A.N. Prior then and now, as part of 
research in the history and metaphysics of time and tense logic.
Rev Prof Julie Ma – Associate Professor, Missions and Intercultural Studies, Oral 
Roberts University, USA.
Rev Dr Cheryl McCallum – Former Principal, Eastern College Australia, Australia.
Rev Dr Daryl Potts- Program Director and Lecturer in Practical Theology, Alphacrucis 
College
Rev. Assoc. Professor Frank Rees- Chair of the Academic Board, University of 
Divinity, Honorary Research Scholar, University of Divinity.
Professor Andrew Singleton- Professor of Sociology and Social Research, School of 
Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong. 
Dr Juhani Tuovinen – Adjunct Professor of Education, Sheridan Institute of Higher 
Education, Perth.
Dr Amos Yong- Professor of Missiology & dean of the School of Mission & Theology, 
Fuller Theological Seminary
Editorial Team
Associate Professor Jon Newton, Editor.
Ashley Manly, Manager
Dr Stephen Parker, Book Review Editor
Professor Philip Hughes, Research Notes Editor and CRA representative to the 
Editorial Board
Stephen Reid, CRA
About
EDITORIAL
Journal of Contemporary Ministry Issue 5 June, 2021
Dear Readers
It’s been a few years since the last issue of the Journal of Contemporary Ministry. 
There are good reasons for this hiatus but we are back “with a vengeance.”
The journal was initially begun under the auspices of Harvest Bible College. However, 
at the end of 2017, Harvest entered into a merger with Alphacrucis College and 
everything from Harvest had to be reconsidered. In the end, Alphacrucis had no space 
for this journal in addition to Australasian Pentecostal Studies and the visions of the 
two journals were too different for a merger to work. For a time, it looked like this 
journal would cease. But several of us (especially Professor Philip Hughes) resisted 
such a conclusion. Negotiations began with the Christian Research Association (CRA) 
and this journal now has a bright new future under the oversight of CRA but still with 
its own distinctive vision and identity. 
This new space for the Journal of Contemporary Ministry has several advantages. It 
broadens the potential audience and reach of the journal since CRA is an ecumenical 
ministry. This also means a greater breadth of scholarship being exposed to view. It 
frees up contributors from any false fears about denominational loyalties or bias. It 
also allows us to “dream again” about what such a journal as this can achieve.
Our goal is to stimulate discussion about contemporary Christian ministry in the 
broadest sense of that term, that is, any current activity of Christians with the goal of 
helping other Christians or the broader community. Obviously, we are particularly 
interested in “contemporary” forms of ministry adapted to the current situation in 
Australia and other places but, as this issue exemplifies, such discussion topics can be 
highly diverse. However, such a conversation is imperative when new forms of 
ministry are emerging everywhere, sometimes making great contributions to Christian 
progress.
Resurrecting a journal after a few years of silence is not an easy task so I want to 
thank all those who helped make this possible, including the board of CRA and the new 
editorial team of Professor Philip Hughes, Ashley Manly (journal manager), Stephen 
Parker (book review editor), and Stephen Reid (CRA). I also want to acknowledge the 
About
help of the previous journal manager, Kerrie Stevens, who contributed the list of recent 
theses and helped transition to this new arrangement, and the ongoing support of our 
Editorial Board, which includes a wide range of scholars from all over the world, some 
of whom have supported this journal from the start (you can read the list of current 
members on the website). I am continuing, at least for a season, as the editor. 
The new look journal still includes “double blind” peer-reviewed articles, research 
notes, book reviews and a list of recent theses in the field of contemporary ministry. 
We intended to include a pastoral reflection and an outstanding student essay, but this 
was unable to be achieved in this issue. If you are a pastor with a good reflection to 
share about one or more aspects of your ministry experience, please consider 
submitting it to us. If you are studying at post-graduate level in a field related to 
contemporary ministry and gained a very high mark in a recent essay, you might like 
to submit that for potential publication here. 
I am excited to commend the contents of this Issue 5 to you.
The five peer-reviewed articles are highly relevant given the state of contemporary 
ministry around the world, especially (but not only) in Pentecostal and charismatic 
streams. It’s well known that these are the fastest growing forms of Christianity 
around the globe and even here in Australia (and much of the western world) 
Pentecostal churches like the Australian Christian Churches and Hillsong are still 
growing, though much less dramatically than in the 1980s and 1990s.  But 
sympathetic (and unsympathetic) observers know also that all is not well in these 
streams. Our first two articles expose two major issues with Pentecostal and 
charismatic churches which are found well beyond the territory that the articles focus 
on.
“Why Gen Y are leaving Pentecostal churches” is written by Dr Mark Bohr, the 
Director of The Emerging Church (Australia) and Emerging Ministries (Uganda) and 
Professor Philip Hughes, a Research Fellow with Alphacrucis College and ordained 
minister of the Uniting church in Australia, who for more than thirty years was the 
senior research officer with the Christian Research Association. It exposes the problem 
that, while many people are joining Pentecostal churches, a large number are also 
leaving them for other churches or even for a post-Christian life. The article explores 
several kinds of research into the issues especially related to so-called “Gen Y” and 
draws specifically on Bohr’s Australian research project to analyse why this is 
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happening. My own experience aligns with what the article concludes and it is 
sobering reading. 
Perhaps the fastest growth in Christianity generally, and Pentecostal and charismatic 
Christianity in particular, is happening in sub-Saharan Africa. Building on the sacrificial 
service of western missionaries of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, African-led 
Pentecostal/charismatic churches have exploded in size in nearly every African 
country, partly because of their unique ability to speak into the African worldview and 
spirituality. One of the major features of this stream has been leadership by 
charismatic prophets. Often such leadership is very beneficial in terms of helping 
Africans respond to, and manage, their struggles with poverty, illness and other daily 
issues. Such prophets have been very skillful at speaking into their people’s mindset 
and encouraging faith, leading to breakthroughs for their benefit.  But as Isaac 
Boaheng points out in his article on prophetism in Ghana, there is a dark side to this 
kind of ministry and discernment is called for by African Christians concerned about 
true Christian doctrine and Christian growth to maturity. While this issue is perhaps 
starkest in Africa, it affects contemporary Christian churches all over the world and 
therefore this article has broad application. The author, Isaac Boaheng, is an 
ordained minister of the Methodist Church Ghana, a part-time Biblical Hebrew and Old 
Testament lecturer at Christian Service University College, Sunyani Campus, Ghana, 
and a research fellow at the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies, University of 
the Free State, South Africa. 
The other articles are less specific to one form of contemporary Christianity and more 
oriented to the individual help ministers and other Christians can offer to believers and 
the world at large.
In a world marked by increasing exposure of child abuse and violence against women 
(current investigations in Australia’s parliament are getting a lot attention as I write), 
an underlying question relates to forgiveness. When and how (and why) can victims 
of abuse forgive those who have violated them? Too often in the past, pastors sent 
women back into abusive situations, under the guise of submission to their husbands, 
without attempting to bring those husbands to account and challenge them to change. 
Forgiveness does not equate to reconciliation or condoning cruel and sinful behaviour. 
But unforgiveness equally eats away at the victim’s own internal life. Edwards and 
Lau’s article seeks to find theoretical and practical answers for those trying to help 
victims find a path to peace. Dr Tom Edwards has been a Lecturer at Monash 
University in the School of Psychological Sciences, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at 
About
Eastern College Australia, Director of Research at Eastern College Australia and Senior 
Counsellor at LifeCare (Crossway Baptist Church).  He is also the Chair of the Christian 
Research Association and operates a small consultancy with a colleague which seeks 
to use virtue principles to enhance personal, organisational and community success. 
Amy Lau: Is a highly qualified and experienced counsellor practicing at LifeCare 
(Crossway Baptist Church).  Her particular interests are working with children in the 
context of play therapy, sand-tray work and other projective therapies.  
The final two peer-reviewed articles address aspects of Christian leadership and 
training leaders. One of the common ways of developing leaders is through a process 
of mentoring, either one-to-one or in small groups. The article by Parker and Brailey 
investigates some specific ways of mentoring young adults and evaluates them with a 
view to assessing the needed elements of effective mentoring. Geoff Brailey is a 
Social Researcher with McCrindle Research and Youth and Discipleship Pastor at C3 
Church Rouse Hill, NSW. Dr Stephen Parker is the Academic Coursework Manager at 
the Australian College of Ministries and the author of The Heart of an Elder. He has 
previously served as State Youth Director for the Churches of Christ in Queensland and 
as an Associate Minister for Youth and Children at Springwood Church of Christ in 
Brisbane. 
Dr Nathan Polley is a professional educator and consultant in education leadership 
and management, corporate training and project management with experience across 
Australia, Aotearoa-New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Egypt and Cambodia. His article 
investigates a specific leadership development program in Aotearoa New Zealand 
which incorporates the theology of servant leadership with specific Maori 
cultural elements. This is a distinctive approach which has potential application in 
other parts of the world, based on the reality that every culture has different ideas 
about leadership that can intersect with biblical Christian theology fruitfully.
All of these articles reveal the importance of good leadership in Christian churches and 
other organisations. Perhaps others may like to add to this conversation in future 
issues of the Journal. The next issue (Issue 7, for reasons given below) is already filling 
up with new articles but there is room for some more, especially from women, who are 
unrepresented in this issue (my only regret in commending it to you). A woman’s 
approach to Christian leadership, for example, would be stimulating. 
About
Please read the book reviews and the list of theses in this issue. Such a list is almost 
unique and helps readers see where the field of studies in contemporary ministry is 
going.
We are also excited to announce that a special extra issue of the Journal will be 
released at the end of 2021 on Mega Churches and Worship, flowing from a 
conference on that theme in 2020. The articles for this are all in process but there is 
space for a student essay or book reviews.
So happy reading. Be blessed
(Associate Professor) Jon K. Newton


Editorial

Hughes, Philip

Research Notes
Research Notes Introduction
Research notes are generally shorter pieces than full articles, usually between 2,000 
and 3,000 words in length. They are not peer-reviewed as are other articles but are 
reviewed by the editor. It is expected that these articles will be written in an academic 
form and at a level of quality similar to other articles. 
Research notes provide an opportunity for students, scholars and researchers to share 
information about projects that are underway or about information that has been 
released that will be of interest to others, before the projects or analysis has been 
completed. Hence, these Research Notes encourage feedback which can contribute to 
the on-going project. 
Abstracts are not required for Research Notes. 
The criteria by which materials will be accepted for Research Notes will be: 
1. The article contributes new information or theories that will be useful to other 
scholars and professionals working in ministry. 
2. The article is written in an appropriate academic form for publication in the Journal.
Please submit materials through the usual channel of the Journal of Contemporary 
Ministry website. 
Prof Philip Hughes,
Research Notes Editor
ISSN 2205-0442 JCMin Number 5 (2021)
page 107


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Tertiary servant leader development in Aotearoa-New Zealand

Theses/Dissertation Listing

Bringing about forgiveness: Up-dating theory, reconceptualising practice

Contemporary Prophetism in Ghana in the light of Old Testament Precedents

Mission field workers and resilience: a pilot study

Editorial

Research Notes Introduction

Learning from experience: an evaluation of Christian young adult mentoring

Book Reviews

Emotion and Ministry, a study in research methodology

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