Lancaster Theological Seminary

Jonette Gay

This project is an exploration of the tension between the extremes of order and novelty to determine how one should decide to act in church polity or personal ethics. In a world caught in an either/or mindset, maybe the answer is not simply both/and, but holding the two together intact and in tension. Using order and novelty as a lens, this project will review the church polity in the Book of Discipline in the United Methodist Church and compare two other denominations heavily weighted in order or novelty: The Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ. [This is the complete original abstract from the author.]

Ruth E. Shaver

“I Wonder…Gaining Wisdom and Growing Faith Through Scientific Exploration” is an intergenerational science curriculum designed to be used in congregations. The goal of this curriculum and the theoretical work underpinning it is to counter the perception that people of faith cannot also be people who possess a scientific understanding of creation from quarks to the farthest galaxies and everything in between. Deepening faith in God and growing scientific understanding of the world around us both begin with the statement, “I wonder…” With this phrase as the common ground between faith and science, Lady Wisdom (Sophia) serves as the guide for hands-on experiments as learners develop an understanding of scientific methods including observation, creating and testing hypotheses, and analyzing results. One original photograph of a fossilized dinosaur footprint is included in the curriculum with the express permission of the photographer, William D. Richards, who took it specifically to be used for this purpose. An analysis of the author’s contextual experience with the curriculum and similar programs, as well as the author’s personal understanding of what mature faith requires as a result of this work, follows the curriculum. There are two appendices: “Faith, Science and Technology Sunday Liturgy” for Sunday, February 7, 2016, produced by the author for “Worship Ways,” a supplemental service of Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ; and the author’s sermon for The United Church of Schellsburg United Church of Christ for the same Sunday, “Improbable But Not Impossible.”

Susan A Minasian

“Claiming Lives of Peace When Justice is Denied” is a theological essay on forgiveness and how the humanity of Jesus on the cross can serve as a model to clarify forgiveness as a spiritual practice. In this essay, the reader will be introduced to the denial on the part of the Turkish government and the role of the Ottoman Turkish government in the genocide of Armenians in 1915. It is my position that denial creates a burden for the survivors of genocide and other traumas. I contend that the victims need to receive a sense of agency in considering forgiveness as an on-going spiritual practice instead of an immediate destination. We will consider voices in the current conversation about forgiveness and discover that they all come to somewhat of the same conclusion that we must all forgive. Forgiveness is seen as a mandate of Christian piety and we must also be agents of forgiveness for our own wellbeing. I agree and yet find these positions to be limited. I propose that we take this saying of Jesus on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing,” and consider how this is his moment of emptying himself and claiming the fullness of his humanity in all of its limitations. In this moment he is praying and releasing his desire for forgiveness to God. We do not know if he refused to say “I” forgive you. While forgiveness is inherent in the act of even praying for his “Father” to do so, it is a profound moment and a model for victims and survivors to move further on the spiritual journey toward thriving.

Amy E. Dows

This project compares the expectations of churches providing intentional disability ministries with the expectations of members affected by disability. Questionnaires were developed for churches with disability ministries and for members or families affected by disability. The comparison of these questionnaires provides a glimpse into the expectations held by families and churches that provide disability ministry. According to the results of this survey, families tend to seek a faith community where their entire family is included and supported. They also believe that the church benefits by welcoming individuals with disabilities. Churches, in general, strive to provide a place that is welcoming to all but with little attention given to issues of assimilation, and churches tend to see little or no benefit to the congregation through including families affected by disability other than in ways that trivialize disability as charitable acts to those in need. Although these churches seek to meet the needs of families affected by disability, issues of assimilation to cultural norms and trivialization of disability continue to impact the practice of disability ministry.

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.

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.

Jeffrey O. Copp D.Min.

It is the thesis of this study that the peace position of the Church of the Brethren is in danger of becoming more a matter of proclamation than practice in the Church. It is the assumption of this study that this development is a problem for the Church of the Brethren, now and in the future, and that it does require attention.

Among those caught in the middle of this development are pastors who must declare the position and interpret it. In their office as pastor they must deal directly with the implications of a position that one Brethren writer has characterized as “rhetorical” in nature (Bach 180). The author of the present study, a pastor, has struggled with those implications and his struggles prompted this project.

The aim of this study was to gather information from Church of the Brethren pastors about their experiences as they represent the peace position in their congregations. It was felt that this would be a fruitful window through which to examine the state of the peace position in the Church of the Brethren today.

A questionnaire was designed and administered to a random sampling of Brethren pastors active today to solicit that information. Analysis of the findings revealed that most Church of the Brethren congregations are not presently experiencing significant conflict over the issue, but a majority of pastors are uncomfortable with the current status quo in the Church in regard to it. Six concrete recommendations for changing peace demographics in the Church of the Brethren emerged from the data.

Ronald J Oelrich

The UCC was formed as a church where Christians would unite even though they were theologically diverse. Yet UCC congregations are polarized. The UCC is congregational; the local congregation is the "basic unit." Unity must be nurtured within local congregations. Rooted in the scriptural call for unity amid diversity, and built upon the work of others calling for unity in the church, the author proposes a model addressing worship, proclamation, community and service. Diversity is brought out into the open and affirmed rather than being discouraged or ignored. The model includes 12 faith practices and four tools for local churches.

Lavette R Paige

This project illuminates varied concepts of mission in urban ministry in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Using a narrative method, it explores the biblical and theological aspects of mission work and how it can be approached more effectively. The main thesis of the project is that churches seeking to do mission work need not only consider foreign countries, but can invest their energies and resources in communities within the United States. Case studies and interviews to describe how some urban congregations and organizations achieve their unique styles of mission.

Marty K Kuchma

The way churches organize to do their work is as much a theological act as anything else they do, and it has impact on everything else they do. Intended to help congregations become more organizationally nimble, this interactive program briefly examines factors that have informed "the way we've always done it" and imagines creative ways forward based on living systems theory (e.g., Margaret Wheatley) and design thinking concepts (e.g., Tim Brown) in the context of an ever-changing world. Four multi-media Exploration Sessions are offered for use by congregational leaders, and reading material encourages experimentation and discovery. Program trials are reviewed.