Ashland Theological Seminary

Steven Leon Cole

A Discovery of Confessional Accountability Practices of Leaders in the Brethren Church Denomination Based in Ashland, Ohio:
The purpose of this project was to discover the personal spiritual practices regarding confessional accountability among leaders in The Brethren Church denomination based in Ashland, Ohio. The participants were evaluated by distributing an assessment both by mail and email. The surveys were returned by mail or completed on a survey website where they were stored for data to be
compiled for evaluation.

The most prominent finding revealed that respondents held a high value
for pastors to have vulnerable relationships but found it difficult to develop and
sustain relationships where they can engage in confession and spiritual healing.

Carissa Kay Henry

A Discovery Project of Equine Assisted Therapy in Relationship to God by Carissa Kay Henry:
The purpose of this project was to discover the degree to which a select group of Christian therapists understands the ways in Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) can mirror young adults' relationships with God. The discover project consisted of an assessment tool created and implemented for qualitative and quantitative responses.
The most prominent finding was the Christian therapists have the ability to view the relationships of young adults with God and see those relationships improve through Equine Assisted Therapy. Application and recommendations for further research are offered for consideration.

Victor J Pergola

Vox Spiriti Sancti: An Impact Study of the Spiritual Life of Christian Professionals in Cleveland, Ohio:
The purpose of this project was to impact the spiritual life of a select group of Christian professionals in the Cleveland, Ohio area. The project included the facilitation of a pre-test and post-test Likert Scale instrument. The course content brought focus to the principle Christian mysteries of Trinity, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The results indicated an increase in awareness for growth in spirituality. There were three themes of emphasis in a small group setting: worship and liturgy, prayerful sharing of Scripture, and the importance of Scripture for Christian growth.

Pamela D Nelson

An Impact Study About the Effects of Unprocessed Trauma:
The purpose of this project was to impact the understanding of unprocessed trauma by using an eight week formational prayer model at City Covenant Church in Detroit, Michigan. The project included a quantitative and qualitative pre-test, post-test design that measured the participants' understanding of the effects of unprocessed trauma.
As a results of this study, participants increased in their knowledge about common triggers to past experiences. Participants demonstrated an increased understanding in their ability to process a previous trauma experience, and participants developed an awareness about how trauma interferes with a relationship to God.

Vernell Lumbus-Young

A Project to Discover the Need for a Prison Ministry at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland, OH :
The purpose of this project was to discover the need for a prison ministry at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. In order to determine the need for a prison ministry, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire survey was designed along with one to two open ended questions. The results of the survey revealed that there was a great interest among the congregants for a prison ministry. In the final results of my questionnaire survey and open ended questions, almost all respondents revealed that there is a need for a prison ministry. I concluded that there was a 95% interest in the need for a prison ministry at New Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Everett Lee Caldwell

Discovering How African-American Male Soldiers' Self-Esteem is Diminished and Restored n the Army:
The purpose of this project was to discover how African American male chaplains have recognized the dynamics that have lowered self-esteem of African American male soldiers and to identify ways that have been used to restore their self-esteem in the U.S. Army. A 5-point Likert scale survey was taken by eight African American male chaplains within the 807th brigade. It was discovered: 1) African American male soldiers' self-esteem is diminished when denied promotions; 2) African American male soldiers were encouraged by seeing black officers; 3) African American male chaplains gave words of empowerment to help soldiers overcome racial injustices.

William E Joseph Jr.

Self-Awareness: The Vital Key to Successful Spiritual Leadership Development Through a 5 Day Boot Camp Experience

The purpose of this project was to impact Seventh-day Adventist ministerial interns preparing for ordination to begin the process of becoming self-differentiated leaders. The design of the project included the administration of pre-assessment and post-assessment questionnaires, along with five modules focusing on self-awareness for completion by the participants.
The results of the five-day self-awareness course revealed that the participants became more self-aware. Self-awareness among the participants improved as they integrated biblical principles from 2 Peter 1:5-8, the formation of a personal mission, vision and philosophy statements, taking diagnostic tests, practicing the discipline of solitude, and tracking a life sketch.

Sheree L Winn

Attitudes Toward African American Female Clergy in the C.M.E. Church by Sheree L. Winn (Ashland Theological Seminary)
This project was to discover how the attitudes of the members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church toward African American female clergy affect their positions in leading first churches (major charges or large congregations) and serving as Presiding Elders and Bishops. There were thirty-three (330 participants who completed a 5-point Likert scale survey in January 2018 at a pastor's conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The results of revealed: some attitudes prevent it, disbelief that sexism exists and congregants resist African American female clergy in leadership positions.

Terry D Koehn

The purpose of this project was to impact the missional practices of a small group of Elk City United Methodist congregants through their participation in an eight-week experience focused on the integration of faith with work. The process involved responding to pre-test and post-test surveys, learning and discussing relevant concepts, and reflecting on related articles and videos.
The results of the small-group process revealed that the participants become more adept in thinking theologically about work. The participants also grew in their ability to value God's purpose in the work of others and to develop God-honoring goals for their own work.

Lillian Robinson

Why African-American Generation X'ers Do Not Attend African-American Churches
This dissertation responds to the question, what are the reasons that African-American Gen X'ers do not attend the African-American Church? Surveys were completed by twenty community volunteers. They survey consisted of twenty Likert-Scale questions, one open - ended statement, and three survey evaluation questions.
The results revealed 60% of the participants felt the church service time did not meet their schedules. The reasons included busy lifestyles, finances, and a desire to preserve personal time. Hypocrisy in the church was selected by 45% of the participants. Ninety-four percent of the participants felt the survey allowed them to express their honest options.