Baptist Churches/Congregational Churches

Jeffery N. Gray

The purpose of this project was to develop a disciple-making strategy for First Baptist Church of Warrensburg, Warrensburg, Missouri, to equip transient families in military contexts. During the first phase of this project the project director researched the demographics of the Warrensburg community and Whiteman Air Force Base. He also looked at the discipleship demographics of First Baptist Church of Warrensburg. The project director looked at disciple-making resources to determine best practices that would inform this project. The second phase of this project was the strategic planning stage. During this stage, the project director assembled, equipped, and led a team to determine the best strategy to equip transient families in military contexts for First Baptist Church of Warrensburg. The final state was the presentation phase. The project director presented the strategy for equipping disciple making to the elders of First Baptist Church of Warrensburg for approval.

Laramie LeQuieu

The purpose of this project was to develop a church revitalization leadership engagement strategy for the pastors of Smaller Membership Churches (SMCs) within the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC). A team a church health practitioners from the ABSC, leaders of local Baptist associations in Arkansas, an pastors of churches within the ABSC, were assembled to aid in the strategy's development. Specifically, the aim of the team was not only to engage SMC pastors in the work of church revitalization but to help retain pastors and churches in the ongoing process of church revitalization. The need for revitalization leadership engagement and retention has been addressed by developing a strategic plan with both relational and resource components to help these pastors navigate the process and stay the course.

Josh Jordan

The purpose of this project was to design a leadership multiplication strategy for volunteer leaders at First Baptist Church, Covington, Louisiana--hereafter, FBC Covington. The project accomplished three foundational elements of strategy. The first element was to identify the current competencies of leadership multiplication at FBC Covington. The current leadership culture and systems were understood by using interviews and surveys thereby revealing where the church currently stands in producing leaders. The second element was to research the field of leadership multiplication for best practices. The best practices established and understanding in leadership multiplication strategies, structure, and leadership processes found in books, other successful churches, and organizations. The last element was to train a selected team to build a strategy for leadership multiplication at FBC Covington. The team learned strategy planning and the current state of leadership at FBC Covington. They also gained a vision for leadership multiplication potential. The team built a unique leadership multiplication strategy to fit the needs of FBC Covington. Finally, the leadership multiplication strategy was presented to the staff of FBC Covington for approval.

Matthew P. Hill

The purpose of this project was to equip selected adults of First Baptist Church, Forney, Texas, with personal evangelism skills. To accomplish this purpose, the project director first researched the field of evangelism to identify personal evangelism skills. From his research, he then produced an annotated bibliography and report on personal evangelism skills. Next, the project director researched curriculum writing. He then developed a curriculum that incorporated the personal evangelism skills discovered in research. Finally, the project director equipped eighteen selected adults in a one-day, personal evangelism training workshop. The personal evangelism skills the participants acquired taught them how to adopt a new mindset, live and attractive life, and share the message conversationally. These skills will help the participants reach the increasingly post-Christian and fast-growing population of unchurched people of Forney. Expert evaluators in evangelism and curriculum design validated multiple aspects of the project to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Christopher Scott Rourk

The project's purpose was to design a replant strategy for Chattahoochee Baptist Church (CBC) in Marietta, Georgia. The replant pastor of the church was the project director. The project model implemented for the project was the strategy planning model which included four project goals and two professional goals.

The project director explored internal and external demographics of CBC and the surrounding East Cobb, Georgia, community to develop an accurate church profile. Exploration of successful replant models and other Doctor of Ministry replant projects determined best replant practices which the project director compiled. The project director selected and trained a strategy planning team who assisted designing the replant strategy. Finally, the project director presented the replant strategy to the CBC church body for approval.

The project director pursued two professional goals for the duration of the project. The first professional goal sought to improve the project director's strategic leadership skills while advancing him as a leader in the area of church replanting. The second professional goal increased the project director's knowledge in church replanting, developing him into an expert in the replanting churches.

J. Eric Taylor

The purpose of this project was to develop a revitalization strategy for Bethel Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, Alabama. The project director gathered demographic data for the city of Pleasant Grove, Alabama, as well as a three-mile ring surrounding the church. Additionally, the project director analyzed internal church data and surveyed the congregation to augment his research. The community and church data helped the project director produce a profile of the trends in the community and congregation. The project director researched church revitalization models and methods, interviewed pastors involved in revitalization, and read extensively on the subject of revitalization. This investigation produced a report of best practices and potential steps toward revitalization. A team of strategic leaders in the church served as the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) and the project director led this team through a process to develop the strategy for revitalization. Various groups in the church received the presentation of the revitalization strategy and their input produced a final version of the presentation to be presented to the church body. The project director along with the SRT presented the proposed strategy to the congregation for approval. The church unanimously approved the strategy in a business meeting called for December 1, 2021.

Luke M. Gardner

The purpose of this project was to develop a church revitalization strategy for Morgan Chapel Baptist Church, Sturgis, Mississippi. The project director will conduct an internal audit of the church's demographics and key functions to determine the revitalization priorities of the church. The project director will research the field of church revitalization to determine the best practices in church revitalization. Next, the project director will select and train a diverse group of church members to serve on the strategy development team (Dream Team). The Dream Team, along with the project director, will design a church revitalization strategy for Morgan Chapel utilizing the best practices in church revitalization. Finally, the project director will present the completed strategy to the deacon body for evaluation and then the church for ultimate approval at a scheduled business meeting. Experts in the field of church revitalization will be enlisted to evaluate the process and the completed strategy.

Wade Lee Ricks D.Min.

This project evaluated whether an introductory curriculum on the providence of God could equip a select group of First Baptist Church of Collinsville, Mississippi to respond biblically to God’s providence in natural disasters.

Chapter 1 introduces the need to reexamine the theology of the providence of God as a result of scientific discovery. Additionally, the project's thesis, rationale, purpose, methodology, and goals are also presented.

Chapter 2 presents the theological background with an exegetical analysis of three major texts detailing the foundation for the theology of the providence of God.

Chapter 3 outlines the project description, scope, design, and weekly progress report.

Chapter 4 presents the project analysis gathered from both a pre- and post-study survey.

Chapter 5 concludes with an administrative summary and suggestions for further implementation of the project.

Wade Lee Ricks, D.Min.
The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2022
Supervisor: Dr. Thomas Kiker, Ph.D.

Derek Clinton Crawford D.Ed.Min.

This Ministry Research Project focused on equipping pastors and church leaders of the Enon Baptist Association (EBA) to be more effective in recruiting volunteers to serve in the local church. The need was based on concerns voiced by local church leaders. To fulfill this project, the Project Leader invited local pastors and church leaders from the EBA to participate in a six-session training.

The Project Leader designed this training to give participants a biblical basis for service in the church by studying three different passages in Scripture. The writer provided participants with current resources utilized in churches to integrate service through spiritual gifts and ministry descriptions into local congregations. Throughout the training, he gave attendees opportunities to apply concepts discussed to their current ministry settings, allowing for practical application.

The Project Leader administered a pre-and post-survey to each participant. He used the scores to determine the knowledge of each person before and after the training to determine if any increase in knowledge had occurred. In comparing the responses between the pre-and post-survey, he determined the training increased participants' knowledge of recruiting volunteers for service in the local church.

Ronald D Rucker D.Min.

This dissertation examines the life and works of Lee Rutland Scarborough to determine his influence on the Southern Baptist Convention from 1918-1925.

Chapter 1 introduces the study and includes a thesis statement and an examination of the biographical factors, which influenced Scarborough’s life. This chapter includes Scarborough’s family background, call to ministry, education, pastoral experience, summary, and timeline.

Chapter 2 examines Scarborough’s influence as general director of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Seventy-Five Million Campaign, which was a program intended to raise 75 million dollars over a five-year period from 1919-1924, to help finance Baptist efforts in missions, education, and other benevolent work. This chapter presents his influence in development and implementation of a strategy to execute the campaign.

Chapter 3 examines Scarborough’s influence as a committee member of the Future Program Commission, which recommended adopting the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program [CP] in 1925. This chapter presents his influence related to the theological convictions he maintained in the area of cooperation.

Chapter 4 examines Scarborough’s influence as a member of the Baptist Faith & Message committee, which framed the first Southern Baptist convention-wide confession, entitled the Baptist Faith & Message in 1925. Prior to the 1925 confession, they used the New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1833) and the Abstract of Principles (1858).

Chapter 5 provides a conclusion for the entire dissertation and centers on one of the most important concepts espoused by Scarborough during his lifetime. The concept of cooperation was redefined by Scarborough in a way for Southern Baptists that still marks a distinguishing feature of the denomination today. This chapter solidifies the thesis of the dissertation by an examination of how Scarborough utilized his influence to engineer a new direction for Southern Baptist through his efforts on the Seventy-Five Million Campaign, formation of the Cooperative Program and the Baptist Faith & Message.