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SELF-EFFICACY, EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION, DEPERSONALIZATION, PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING AMONG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Get PDFChristian school administrators are faced with daily decision-making responsibilities regarding several aspects of a school. Before this research study, there was little research in the field of education with Christian school administrators as the sample population. The aim of this correlational study was to examine Florida Christian school administrators’ levels of personal accomplishment, depersonalization, emotional exhaustion and their relationship to self-efficacy and spiritual well-being. The study measured burnout among participants with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey , self-efficacy with the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and selected items from the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Christian school administrators (N = 53) provided response to an online survey. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and a linear regression model. The results of linear regression analysis displayed a significant negative correlation between self-efficacy and personal accomplishment. This finding is unique to this sample compared to previous findings. The two research questions regarding spiritual well-being among Christian school administrators could not be answered because the items used to measure spiritual well-being had a Cronbach’s alpha value of .00 in this sample
CHRIST AS ANACHRONISM OR ARCHETYPE?: THE PRESENCE OF JESUS ‘BEFORE’ AND ‘AFTER’ THE INCARNATION
No full textPentecostals as ‘paramodernists’, and mystics which have lost their theological bearings, have often imagined God as a being, somewhere in the universe or beyond it, distant from our lives, imploring God to come near and cause change. Through a brief study of Christian metaphysics, this work reveals God not as a divine being but as the very essence of existence itself, the ground of Being. In this paradigm, God\u27s relationship with Creation is neither rivalrous nor causative, but is instead Creative. Freed from the constraints of time, linearity, and causality, God is truly free to make us free. At the heart of this understanding lies Jesus Christ, not solely as a historical figure but as Creation’s origin and telos. The only answer we can give as to ‘how’ this is possible is that He is the crucified and risen One. Because Jesus is not another person in our life, Jesus is our life. And as such, it is not anachronistic to speak of Jesus as present in Israel’s stories anymore than it is problematic for him to break bread and say, “This is my body” and be present for us here and now. The Scriptures then do not so much teach us the nature and order of all things, but instead participate in the Father’s mission to conform us to the Son, to give us His life and freedom, in and by the Spirit
THESUPPRESSION OFCOFFEEHOUSES: ACOMPARISONOFTHE17THCENTURY LONDONANDMODERNCOFFEESHOPMOVEMENTS
No full textThe coffeehouses of the 17th century in London were places of vibrant political discourse. Patrons of the shops could sit for hours debating relevant societal matters for hours with strangers of all different backgrounds. This environment was well-aligned with the theories introduced by Jürgen Habermas regarding the public sphere. Are contemporary coffee shops still places of vibrant discourse? In order to answer this question, an ethnographic study was conducted in a mid-sized city in central Florida analyzing nine local coffee shops. The analysis consisted of three primary categories: layout and design, discursive resources, and public events. The findings of this study conclude that multiple principles from the original English coffeehouses were present, however, there has been a distinct shift to an increasingly private sphere and lack of discourse
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN PROFESSION AND PRACTICE: CLEAR GOSPEL COMMUNICATION IN A CONTEXT SATURATED BY MORALISTIC THERAPEUTIC DEISM
Get PDFResearch indicates a pronounced discrepancy within American Christianity between self-professed Christians and individuals who embody a biblical worldview. Overwhelmingly, those who identify as Christians are not adhering to the teachings of the Scripture in their daily lives. The American church faces an imminent threat of Christians claiming to believe in Jesus even though their lives express the opposite. This chasm between profession and practice can be traced to an alternative gospel that has saturated the context of American Christianity: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD). MTD, under the guise of Christianity, promotes a false gospel that has led many believers astray regarding the authenticity of their faith. To bridge this gap, there is a pressing need for unequivocal gospel communication. The following research question has guided this project: How can principles and practices of clear gospel communication be used to counteract the impact of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism on American Christianity? This research question is answered by defining the word “gospel” extensively and outlining its implications. Additionally, an explanation of the nature of MTD reveals the current threat it presents to contemporary gospel proclamation. Finally, an analysis of the sermon contents of four prominent American preachers informs the presence, or lack thereof, of the gospel in current preaching. Regardless of the degree to which MTD has contributed to the unwillingness of professing Christians to live out the gospel, Scripture never conceives of belief in the gospel as being anything but a consistent, fully surrendered living out of the gospel. The hope of this project is that the gospel will be more clearly proclaimed in an MTD-saturated world, resulting in more Christians living out the gospel they claim to believe
“Do Not Conform”: Screen Usage, Behavioral Addiction Patterns, And Christian Adolescents
Get PDFThis paper explores the neurological effects and consequences of excessive interactive, passive/entertainment, and social screen use (i.e., recreational screen usage) on adolescents—specifically Christian adolescents. Adolescence is a unique and important phase of development in one’s life. Thus, this paper challenges Christian adolescents to consider how their screen usage might be harming their ability to fulfill their responsibility to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, 1 Timothy 4:12). By first examining the neurological effects of excessive recreational screen use, I argue that this screen usage can create behavioral addiction patterns in adolescents. Addiction is serious, and for Christian adolescents, the neurological alteration of the dopamine reward system caused by stimulating screen activities compels them to focus on the temporary scroll, game, video, or post instead of the eternal. Consequently, these behavioral addiction patterns can limit Christian adolescents’ abundant life and relational witness of Christ. It should be noted that not all recreational screen usage is harmful as the effects of screen usage depend upon how and how long one engages. This paper encourages Christian adolescents to learn how to benefit from recreational screen usage without being conquered by its addictive harms. Combining neurological, psychological, and relational studies with Biblical analysis, this paper argues that excessive recreational screen use can create behavioral addiction patterns in adolescents that can limit Christian adolescents’ kingdom-focused calling
SABBATH AS A HEALING PLACE: ALLEVIATING ANXIETY, WORRY, AND DEPRESSION IN GEN. Z
Get PDFSabbath as a Healing Place: Alleviating Anxiety, Worry, and Depression in Generation Z delves into the restorative capacity of Sabbath observance as a mechanism to reduce anxiety, worry, and depression, within Generation Z. Generation Z\u27s unique socio-cultural landscape is characterized by pervasive digital interconnectedness and significant exposure to multiple global crises. Within this context, observance of the Sabbath provides an opportunity to experience a physical and psychological respite. The research aims to explore the potential of Sabbath observance as a mechanism for alleviating anxiety, worry, and depression among individuals in Generation Z. Nine participants within the Generation Z demographic underwent a structured six-week intervention, following the researcher\u27s R.E.P.S.S. framework (Rest, Enjoyment, Prayer, Shutting Down, and Seeking God), and adhering to Sabbath practices. Participants responded to questionnaires administered before and after the intervention to evaluate both their previous practices and their perceptions of the changes in anxiety, worry, and depression. Open-ended responses additionally allowed for further exploration of their experiences through the intervention. The study identified that adherence to the intervention resulted in a reduction in levels of anxiety, worry, and depression, and created a clearer pathway in connectivity to God, and provided a deeper awareness of God. While the sample size and variation limit the generalizability of these findings, the proposed integration of the Sabbath observance, in conjunction with the R.E.P.S.S. methodology, emerges as a viable pathway toward reducing anxiety, worry, and depression within this demographic
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FROM STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES AT A UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Get PDFThe purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative survey study was to determine the stakeholders\u27 perspectives on experiential learning at Canvas College. Experiential learning has potential benefits for students as stakeholders, and internship can be a vehicle for experiential learning. Experiential learning can involve benefits such as employability, real-world experience, calling confirmation and spiritual growth, soft skills, and immediate application of learning. Stakeholders in an internship are not limited to students. Faculty and internship leaders are also stakeholders; however, a partnership program encompasses more stakeholders, including church staff, alumni, and host university staff. The survey was researcher developed and the Cronbach’s alpha of the final instrument was α = .89. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and one-way ANOVA. Study stakeholders\u27 mean perception of experimental learning was statistically significant (p \u3c .001). The results indicate that a partnership program is an effective means of experiential learning in higher education. In addition, the data indicates spirituality, real-world experience, and calling confirmation are essential aspects to partnership program stakeholders. The present study contributes to the body of research regarding higher education internships as a means of experiential learning
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON THE FOLLOWERSHIP AND FOLLOWER DISSENT EXPERIENCE OF BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE HEALTHCARE LEADERS
Get PDFAlthough followership has traditionally been viewed as self-explanatory and innate, it is critical to leadership success and deserves equal scrutiny. Despite its recognized importance to leadership, followership theory remains underdeveloped and understudied, particularly in relation to intersectional factors, such as race and gender and the followership experience of individuals. This gap is particularly salient in today\u27s diverse healthcare settings, where diverse representation and effective leadership and followership are critical for addressing pressing healthcare challenges, including health disparities. Black/African American women are disproportionately represented in entry-level roles compared to leadership positions within healthcare and often face unique challenges related to their social identities. Research on how these women navigate leadership roles is sparse, and even less is known about their experiences as followers. This interpretive phenomenological study involved an exploration of the lived experiences of followership and follower dissent among Black/African American female healthcare leaders. Through interviews with nine healthcare leaders, the study addressed four key research questions that resulted in 140 codes that formed 13 themes. The themes included Cultivating Trust Through Relationship Building and Role Modeling; Navigating Identity and Cultural Dynamics; Proving Professional Legitimacy and Competence; Strategic Engagement; Feeling Misinterpreted; Respect and Ethical Followership; Strategic Communication; Navigating Intersectional Identity; Perceived Intersectional Challenges in Behavior Acceptance; Strategic Workplace Navigation, Self-Management, and Response; Expressed Similarities; Expressed Differences as a Leader; and Expressed Differences as a Follower. The findings offer valuable insights into the followership experiences of Black/African American women in healthcare and provide practical implications for future research and organizational practices