Denver Seminary

Mark A Hamby

Through the art of storytelling, twelve instructional lessons of Wisdom lay the foundation for the development of discernment in relation to Wisdom and Folly. The categorically prescriptive truths of Proverbs 1:1-10:1, Ecclesiastes 12:9-14, 2 Peter 1:3-10, and Hebrews 5:8-14 will serve as the building blocks for the development of Christ-like character. Four goals of this research are: (1) an understanding of the fear of the Lord; (2) an increase in discernment when faced with Folly's promises of prosperity, prestige, protection, and pleasure; (3) an increased motivation to yield to correction; and (4) a yearning to seek Wisdom as hidden treasure.

Michael C Merriner

Does soliciting input from others when preparing a sermon increase the transformational quality of that sermon? Six sermons preached at Clear Wather Church in Anchorage, Alaska were prepared with the help of a feed-forward group and compared to six sermons prepared without input. Listeners assessed the transformational quality of each sermon by completing a listener survey. There was no statistically significant difference in how the listeners assessed either set of sermons. The results of this quantitative study call into question the theory that soliciting input when preparing sermons increases their transformational quality.

Harold Hyung Park

Constructivist grounded theory was used to generate a substantive theoretical model for the development of resilience and coping strategies of Christian adoptive parents. "Resilience: Extending Beyond Self" provides a unique theory which illustrates processes in response to adoption-related parenting challenges. The core category that emerged from the research was "seeking connection." Two other categories were also raised including, "turning it over to God," and "seeking new perspectives." These three areas represent protective factors which increasethe likelihood of desirable outcomes in high-stress parenting situations. The model theorizes that the underlying motivation for these three categories is to find support and belonging.

Richard E Tice

Thesis: To identify human factors involved in the stimulation and preservation of missionary commitment and to develop a program which would allow them their maximum effectiveness among collegians. Method of research: Using two questionnaires to schools and to students, definite measurable factors were identified: missionary commitment generally is made in the middle teens; personal contact with missionaries is the most influential factor in such commitment; schools are woefully weak in training the future pastors in their vital importance to missions. The major factors of prayer and the Lord's leading in lives were recognized but considered to by unmeasurables.

David Spruance

The author's purpose was to find ways to improve Baptist church growth in northwest Argentina. The author began with a biblical apologetic for numerical growth. Then he analyzed five theological-spiritual and ten sociological factors that could enhance growth. The author investigated four urban, neighborhood churches in accordance with the above factors, through questionnaires, statistical and historical records, and personal observation. The author's conclusion is that church growth is a possibility in northwest Argentina if more attention is paid to those factors which promote it.

Donald Ruble Davis

The project designs, implements, and evaluates a teaching program which would assist in meeting felt needs in family life of a selected group within the Fairview Heights Baptist Church of Inglewood, California. The program was evaluated by means of a pre- and post-test family life survey. The survey was designed to measure knowledge, attitudes, and skills for family living. Percentages of correct answers on the pre- and post-tests were determined and compared. In general, the results showed that the program was effective, particularly in the area of communication.

David P Beal

This project demonstrates that the application of the activity theory of aging in relationship to senior adults provides the most biblical and the best social basis for the development of ministry for them. Research involved an integration of the social theories of aging within a comprehensive theological framework. Procedures for initiating and consolidating this ministry are spelled out in detail. The results are verified through actual participation of senior adults, statistical measurement and personal observation. Older people are able to accept changing roles of leadership in active ministry.

Gerald J Neufeld

When Jesus told parables, they were effective and powerful. People are still enthrolled by stories.Stories effect listeners neurologically and emotionally, drawing them into the story, causing them to identify with the characters, waiting to see what happens to them.Parables need to be alllowed to tell their story, allowing their power to work, leading to change.Preaching Jesus' parables in a narraive fashion helped the people of Grace Church understand the Kingdom, more fully embrace kingdom values, encouraging them to live those values, focusing on others, reaching out to others, and loving others as Jesus does.

Gregory A Schmalfeldt

Emergency department nurses perform in a highly stressful setting. As a result, researchers have identitifed compassion fatigue as a problematic side-effect of caring for patients with significant emotional and physical distress. Without purposeful intervention, compassion fatigue can lead to more serious conditions such as secondary stress syndrome or burnout. This study explored root causes of exposure to suffering, futility, detachment from patients, and leadership influence. To mitigate the effects of compassion fatigue, the researcher provided a holistic self-care program among emergency department nurses (N=10) at a community-centered hospital. Participants benefited from improved emotional intelligence, physical resilience, spiritual sensitivity, and interpersonal support.

Richard Lee Johns

The author studied the subject of receiving communication from God (hearing God's voice) from a biblical, physiological, and historical perspective. The author conducted a project on the effect of a 12-week cognitive behavioral intervention on Seventh-day Adventist Church members that helps them properly and biblically discern God's communication with them in a way that increases their intimacy with God and avoids the extremes of hearing God's voice in other voices or not hearing from God at all. A mixed methods approach was used and the results showed a greater level of attachment to God was achieved. Qualitative feedback suggested participants believed they were better able to discern communication from God after completing the intervention.