Discipleship

Chung Yuen Chan D.Min.

In response to the migration of Hong Kong people to Canada in recent years, this project attempted to build up a biblical theology of hospitality from the perspective of discipleship. The theology of exile was also engaged to shed insight on hospitality. The driving question for this project was: How could the Hong Kong background Cantonese-speaking churches in Canada embrace a new wave of Hong Kong diaspora through practicing hospitality as a journey of discipleship?

This project interviewed 21 Hong Kong background Cantonese-speaking churches in Canada to draw lessons from their experience in embracing the Hong Kong wave during the period between September 2021 and May 2022.

Based on the biblical exposition, a framework of “B.O.N.J.O.U.R.” (i.e., boundary, orienting our hearts and minds, nurturing a lifelong habit, juncture, open, understanding, and reframing) in conjunction with the elements of the discipleship base of the writer’s church (i.e., Word, prayer, worship and stewardship of time, finance and talents) was proposed as a criteria for evaluating our mindset and practices in embracing the migration wave. Recommendations in another framework of “P.L.O.W.” (i.e., preparation, leadership, optics and willingness) were humbly offered at the end to different churches of different sizes and different paces in welcoming the migrants from Hong Kong.

Anita Kwan-Wai Wong D.Min.

In this research portfolio, the author articulates spiritual formation using a model that involves three dimensions, Grow Deep, Grow High, Grow Wide. This will be explored through three avenues. The first is a spiritual formation model integrating the three dimensions. The model is by no means an ultimate or a perfect model. Spiritual formation is an evolving process, which involves the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. God has a different pathway for everyone of his beloved children. The second avenue is a spiritual autobiography describing the author’s own spiritual formation. It is the synopses of the author’s major life events with reference to the three dimensions. The third avenue is a field research project with a focus on social justice. It intends to answer the question “Can Lectio Divina transform us by shaping our view on social justice?” (Rom. 12:2). The research shows that Lectio Divina was able to shape the views of the participants on social justice, who are senior Asians, and did draw them closer to God. It shows that Lectio Divina was able to help the participants Grow Deep, Grow High, Grow Wide.

Diane Lynn Galmore D.Min.

As the Christian population continues to grow in North America, the desire to read and the ability to comprehend the Scriptures have not. For many, the commitment to study the ancient text persists in being an elusive pursuit. The hinderance can be described as biblical nescience. Although numerous Christians adhere to religious doctrine, church ordinances, and corporate engagements such as regular Sunday worship, Christian instruction, communion, Bible study, prayer, ministry service, and giving, largely excluded from the framework of faith is Bible reading. Some Christians acknowledge the major obstacle to be a lack of understanding of the storyline. Another challenge for readers is finding relevancy in the text, while others hold to the notion that comprehensive Bible reading and study are the sole responsibility of the pastor and church leaders to guide Christians beyond these complexities and aid future believers to embrace the Living Word. This writing seeks to reenergize and rekindle the importance of reading and having a deeper understanding of the Good News through the use of a biblical plot-line that places emphasis on God’s mission.

David T. Um

The goal of this project was to develop a unified strategy for Antioch Baptist Church to make disciples from among college students in Boston, Massachusetts. The project director used the strategy planning model. The project director investigated existing disciple-making strategies popularized by Southern Baptist and non-Southern Baptist evangelical organizations as well as lesser-known programs in discipleship. The project director completed a systems audit by examining case studies of church members whose lives have changed significantly through discipleship. The project director studied the disciple-making strategies already used and currently in use at Antioch Baptist Church to reach college students in Boston, resulting in an organizational profile. The program director enlisted a team and held sessions to analyze the various discipleship programs and synthesize the most effective elements into a single unified strategy for disciplemaking. The project director presented the resulting strategy to the leadership of Antioch Baptist Church for official approval.

James Allen Ross

The purpose of this project was to develop a strategy of intergenerational discipleship for Church on Bayshore, Niceville, Florida. The primary goals for this project were to explore existing models of intergenerational discipleship, assess Church on Bayshore’s potential receptivity to intergenerational discipleship methods, lead a team to develop a strategy of intergenerational discipleship for Church on Bayshore, and present the strategy for approval. To accomplish the goals of this project, the project director utilized various methods to measure achievement. This included evaluations, tests, expert evaluators, and designated groups within the church. The strategy was developed and approved for implementation. The implementation of the strategy is beyond the scope of this project.

Adam Cochran

The purpose of this project was to develop a holistic strategy to enhance religious support for the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command of the Alabama National Guard. There is a difficulty for National Guard Chaplains to cover units based on monthly schedules, unit locations, and staff requirements. This can serve as a hindrance to religious support to subordinate units. The project director will investigate the needs of religious support down to the company level. This will provide the information needed to assess the religious support needs. The project director will identify resources necessary to enhance the religious support strategy. The project director will identify personnel that will help in the holistic religious support strategy, in accordance with the command master religious plan. The holistic religious support strategy will guide religious support in the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and its subordinate unit ministry teams.

David Delane Baysinger

The purpose of this project was to develop a disciple-making strategy for the student ministry of First Baptist Church (FBCC), Corinth, Texas. The project director conducted assessments to determine the disciple-making potential within the student ministry. Then he researched existing disciple0making methods and strategies to determine best practices. The project director synthesized all assessments and research and presented it to the strategy planning team. The team worked together to develop a final disciple-making strategy, which included a discipleship pathway and small-ratio discipleship groups. The project director presented the final disciple-making strategy to the ministerial staff for feedback affirmation. He also presented the strategy to the deacon body for encouragement and prayer.

David Eastman Lovelace

An ever-increasing level of busy-ness pervades the culture of this region of America, aggressively encroaching on the domains of the church, the family, and the individual. There not only seems to be less time for the service of God, but also insufficient time for the periods of personal restoration and the nurture of interpersonal relationships which permit us to be truly human.

This project seeks to explore "rest" as an essential aspect of God's gracious intention for humankind and - hence - as an integral part of an appropriate personal response to God's grace; i.e., a more enjoyable and effective life of discipleship. It will also consider the theological, practical and personal implications of this divine intention and, then, attempt to develop creative materials that may be used by the Holy Spirit to enlighten, entice and enable others to live into a more restful lifestyle as an aspect of their personal discipleship.

While the project will provide curricular materials for a five-session adult education experience, the final document may also be used for individual study and reflection.

Vernell Ross

The purpose of this ministry research project is to increase the knowledge of transurban discipleship at Jordan Missionary Baptist Church of Lancaster, Texas (JMBC). Chapter 1 illuminates the history and the ministry context of JMBC’s African American membership and the goals of this project. Chapter 2 provides an exegesis of three passages of Scripture (Luke 14:25–35, 1 Kings 19:19–21, and Philippians 3:17–21) that examine biblical principles regarding personal Christian discipleship along with a brief overview of the usage of μαθητής (disciple) concerning Jesus’ command to “go make disciples” in the Great Commission. Chapter 3 examines relevant scholarship that presents a rationale for transurban discipleship by exposing racial discipleship while espousing and embracing Black evangelical theology. Chapter 4 describes the project itself, recounting the content and training method of the specific curriculum used as well as the measure utilized to determine if project goals were achieved. Chapter 5 evaluates the efficacy of the project based on the completion of specified goals. Ultimately, this project seeks to equip Christians with an understanding and praxis of vital spiritual disciplines that aid them in becoming more and more like Christ.

Vernell Ross, D.Min.
Supervisor: Carl Bradford, Ph.D.
The Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2022

Robert A. Dockery

This project aimed to equip selected men at Valley View Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with essential spiritual disciplines. This project employed information from research in the field of spiritual disciplines. This project was implemented with a select group of men from Valley View Baptist Church through eight sessions in essential spiritual disciplines. The curriculum in the eight sessions highlighted the following essential personal spiritual disciplines; intake of God's word, submission to the Holy Spirit, and the practice of prayer. Through the eight equipping sessions, the selected men learned the importance of essential personal spiritual disciplines and were equipped to practice them in their lives.