Practice (Theology)

Raja Selvam D.Min.

In this new era of communication, digital media has permeated our everyday lives, especially the lives of the young people — the Net-Generation — who grew up immersed in it. Within our current social climate, it is interesting to consider the effects that digital technology has had on a traditional religion like Catholicism. Indeed, scholars and religious followers collectively acknowledge that digital technology provides great opportunities for the institution and its followers while simultaneously realizing the challenges of being present online. It is argued that today digital communication technologies are not just tools for communication, but a comprehensive, thought-shaping, and culture-making reality of our time. Therefore, this study explores the development of a praxis of digital faith formation for young adults. In this perspective, it examines first, the specific forms of digital religious expressions take in general and in Roman Catholic ministerial praxes in particular, especially in an Indian context. Second, how can Indian Roman Catholic ministers, and the faithful whom they serve, be evangelically and technologically informed, engaged, and responsible users of rapidly evolving digital media? Third, how can ecclesial leaders be effectively persuaded of the importance of being open to new ideas about the use of digital media for the formation of youth as well as a myriad of other possible ministerial applications? While exploring these questions in an Indian context, this thesis analyzes a set of specific phenomena related to both the existent and potential interplay of ministry and digital technology. This thesis takes a modest but important step toward developing digital faith formation for young adults. Hence, this study aims to offer a practical theological analysis focused on formulating Digi-tech youth ministry and the theological underpinnings of this development.

Thomas Philip D.Min.

This study identifies a pathway for the spiritual journey, particularly for those engaged in the ministerial priesthood as well as anyone who wishes to become closer to God and find joy in life. There is a discussion of the meaning of the priesthood, basing Bible and Catholic Church documents, and its challenges and demands. Importance of positive psychology in the spiritual journey is also studied. The interview responses have guided the development of this thesis in this direction. Real-life situations are brought out to show the importance of the cross in life and how one can find joy through the cross is emphasized.

Gabrielle Junghee Hong D.Min.

This Research Portfolio was written to complete my Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at Tyndale University in Toronto, Ontario. It describes how I changed from an agnostic to a Christian and from a worldly leader to a servant leader. To do so, it combines three documents written during my DMin: my Leadership Narrative, my Philosophy of Christian Leadership, and my Project Report. Each of these tells part of the story of my growth. During my studies, my skills as a marketplace missionary, coaching mentor, business consultant, and leadership instructor developed a great deal, which gave me the confidence and courage I needed to introduce a new paradigm of Christian development to my Korean Canadian community. To achieve this purpose, I studied resilience and began my research project, which sought to answer the question, “Can I design a process that will help Korean leaders develop their resilience?” The Project Report describes how I tried to do so. Six executive leaders at three Korean non-profit organizations in Toronto participated in the project. Case Study Research was my primary methodology, which allowed me to discover each individual participant’s experiences as they went through the resilience training. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis were used to determine the findings, outcomes, and interpretations of this project. It had positive outcomes, with participants’ experience suggesting that resilience can be improved by being educated in the right environment and being nurtured by a trusted person through one-on-one coaching conversations.

Lisa K. Martin

Visual Art has a rich heritage in the Christian Church and provides an alternative epistemology to one that depends upon the written and spoken word. There exists a connection between attention to beauty and a commitment to justice, which both focus on God’s doxa. Yet for a variety of historical and practical reasons, visual art is sidelined in most Protestant congregations. Perhaps the solution to this lack of attention to visuality comes not from placing art in churches, but in creating art within congregations. Advocating for creating visual art in congregations requires asking whether or not visual, creative activity could meet the criteria that define and describe essential Christian practices. Using examples from seven congregations, including her own, the author explains that not only does creating visual art meet the criteria for a Christian practice, but that in the act of creating art together other Christian practices are revitalized.

Timothy R. Reichard

Warfare not only taxes a soldier physically and psychologically but spiritually. For Christian soldiers having to take the life of others or witnessing the tragic death of friends brings challenges that may alter faith, beliefs and practices. This study explores the relationship between combat experiences and changes in Christian religious practices among World War II veterans. Six Americans and one German veteran were interviewed and asked a series of questions assessing the impact of war on their religious beliefs and practices during and following the war. The goal of the questions was to determine if there were changes in religious practices that resulted from: a previous practice taking on a new meaning in light of their experiences, a sense of thankfulness for having survived the war, or a sense of guilt for having killed another human being. Three areas of Christian practices were explored: practices related to church community, practices related to personal spirituality, and practices related to forgiveness of self and others.

The results demonstrated a number of things: warfare deepens Christian practices, there are spiritual costs and questions associated with war, there are spiritual experiences present that serve to deepen or reinforce faith, practices change as expressions of faith, and there is little time for reflection on spiritual matters during times of war.

The study has implications for understanding the struggles of faith that soldier's have during times of war and when they return home. It also illuminates that there are special considerations that need to be taken into account when providing pastoral care to veterans. Finally it offers suggestions for including veterans in the on-going conversation of warfare in general.

Matthew Bassett Ford D.Min.

Thesis:
A certain kind of habitual interaction the author calls “hermeneutical mediation” is both biblically warranted and effective for cultivating growth in life transformation for the Christian. The author asserts that properly interpreting the Scriptures as well as properly interpreting oneself in light of the Scriptures is paramount for life change. The study especially focused on cultivating this habit among Millennials.

Method:
After submitting a questionnaire to the congregation at large and facilitating pre-seminar interviews with a volunteer group of Millennials from the congregation, the author implemented a six-session seminar designed to cultivate “hermeneutical meditation” among the Millennials who volunteered. Post-seminar interviews were then facilitated in order to discern the results of the effort.

Conclusion:
The seminar could be improved, but after the implementation and interviews, it is clear that fostering hermeneutical meditation through a seminar format was effective for helping Christians (especially in this case, Millennials) grow in life transformation through their habitual interaction with Scripture.

Jonathan Mark Halverson D.Min.

This project addressed the need for a renewed belief among faith-driven investors that investments in redemptive businesses is central to God’s plan of redemption and biblical human flourishing. The explosive growth of values-aligned investing, such as Socially Responsible Investing and impact investing, has opened the door to introducing values into investment decision-making. There are significant opportunities for Christ followers to align their biblical values with their investment strategies, and to “put to work” (Matt. 25:16) resources apportioned to them by God; however, they have been slow to embrace the opportunities. Research was conducted to understand the underlying biblical-theological beliefs of high-net-worth individuals and wealth management advisors that support or discourage faith-driven impact investing. The parable of the talents was dissected to understand Jesus’ intent when he chose the Greek word talanton to communicate his leadership expectation to his closest follower. The Quakers are highlighted as an example of a group that embraced commerce as a primary strategy for expressing their faith, providing for their families, developing young leaders, and engaging with the world. The research findings were synthesized into a new biblical-theological framework for Kingdom Impact Investing that is offered as a model for the growing faith-driven impact investing movement. A major goal of this project was to contribute to the broader biblical-theological conversation regarding the integration of faith and investing. Values-driven Christ followers should be on the leading edge of impact investing instead of lagging far behind.

Tinku Thompson D.Min.

Technological advancements are happening at an accelerated phase. Five decades ago, no one even owned a personal computer. A decade ago, smartphones did not exist. Today there are 2.71 billion smartphone users in the world, which is more than thirty-five percent of the world’s population. Many developments have happened in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Mixed Reality. AI is the term used to describe a machine’s ability to simulate human intelligence. Characteristics once considered unique to humans like learning, logic, reasoning, perception, and creativity are now being replicated by technology and used in every industry. The problem this project addressed is the lack of a theological framework, and especially the absence of a framework highlighting the character of the biblical God, by which to analyze, interpret, and evaluate AI and its implications for human life in a theologically informed manner. In response to this problem, the researcher explored and identified biblical themes of eight attributes of God from the Bible and the relationality between the creator and creation. A study of current literature on the recent development of AI/robotic technology and the responses and concerns raised by Christian organizations or groups in the form of official statements related to AI, theology, and God were analyzed. The researcher collected data through a survey conducted among young Christian students and interviews conducted among pastors and Christian leaders, Christians, and non-Christians working in the technology industry. The researcher then developed a framework that addresses unique characteristics of God as the creator of all creation in comparison to humans as creators in light of technological advancements in AI/robotics.

Scott Eugene Carnes D.Min.

The special requirements of preaching during appointive change has long been overlooked with few resources available to provide much-needed assistance. The work required for effective preaching during appointive change has critical elements that are difficult to navigate without an existing pastoral relationship with the congregation and community. This thesis describes a process that incorporates specific and direct attention to elements of change and vulnerability. It offers methods and models for enabling effective preaching during appointive change through deep connection between the congregation and the preacher. This process offers a plan for healthy pastoral transition and contextualized preaching from a place of vulnerability.

John Matthew Weiler D.Min.

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of confession, repentance, and baptismal identity within the antiracist identity of four white Christians to further the work of antiracist transformation and organizing in the local church. The primary methodology for this work was exploratory, utilizing phenomenological, semi-structured, in-depth interviewing with a sample of four, white Christians at Eastern United Methodist Church in Michigan. The thesis was that baptismal identity, and the Christian practices of confession and repentance in the work of antiracism liberates white Christians to joyfully make space for all people to experience the liberating love of God.