Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Jonathan M Romig D.Min.

The author hypothesized that the direct teaching and discussion of the biblical concepts and commands of human flourishing and the common good would give Cornerstone Congregational Church in Westford, MA a theological framework for engaging civilly in faith and politics. To test this hypothesis, the author taught a non-partisan ten-week sermon series on religion and politics and led an accompanying class discussion. Research study participants completed a pre-and-post survey to gauge effectiveness. The author concluded that all participants developed more of a theological framework for engaging in politics, some more than others. The author recommends pastors and churches engage in political discipleship.

Nathan Willems D.Min.

Identity development is fraught with difficulties, especially for children of immigrants (the second-generation). This thesis-project explored the possibility that embracing a Christian identity can help second-generation Chinese American college students and young adults navigate the potential difficulties between their ethnic and national identities. To help participants embrace a Christian identity and apply it to their cultural identities, a 13-week lesson series, Between Two Worlds, structured around the categories of believing, being, belonging, and behaving, was implemented. Participants took initial and final surveys to evaluate the efficacy of the lesson series in establishing the necessity of a Christ-centered identity and in providing a mental framework for identity development.

Elizabeth Wright Anderson D.Min.

Preachers who have not received theological training can learn to prepare expository biblical sermons using an inductive dual authorial intent hermeneutic. A method to do so was devised based on inductive Bible study techniques and a dual authorial intent hermeneutic. This method took into account the intents and purposes of the Bibles original authors and the ultimate divine author. The method used was published as Thoughtful Proclaimer: a Bottom-up Guide to Preparing Bible Messages that Transform You From the Inside Out. This method was taught in week-long seminars in the United States and finally tested by training preachers in Nigeria.

Brian Jacob Barry

My local ministry context is a theologically conservative Anglican congregation, in which a substantial proportion of youth and children are or have been enrolled in home-based education. I designed and ran a pilot workshop for high-school students in home-based education, with a goal of offering training in boundaries, skills, and habits that allow for positive interaction with popular electronic media. A study of the biblical motif of sojourners and exiles provides a theological framework against which different models of Church and Culture are compared. It is found that Christians, as sojourners and exiles, embrace an alternative identity as the People of God, yet function as bona fide participants in their broader cultures, through which the missio dei is advanced. A robust eschatology prepares the Christian to navigate the inherent tensions and difficulties. A study of many efforts at formation around media identify three strategic categories into which these efforts fit, namely cultural abstinence, cultural conversation, and faith-formative practices performed within the Christian community. An eight-week media workshop was designed as a synthesis of these different practices, with focus on a Media Rule of Life, five skills of cultural conversation, and five corresponding spiritual practices. From the results of this pilot course, recommendations are made for development of future media formation approaches.

James Marion Darlack

James uses the prophet Elijah as an example of righteous prayer. This thesis explores the possibility that James may have intended his readers to recognize both historical and eschatological imagery associated with the biblical prophet. First, it shows that in early Jewish literature the eschatological and historical Elijah traditions were not held in isolation of each other. Imagery from descriptions of Elijah’s eschatological return is used to describe the pre-ascension ministry of the prophet, while the eschatological mission of the prophet is described using elements of the historical narrative. Second, the thesis demonstrates that James’ prescript “to the twelve tribes of the Dispersion,” sets a tone of inaugurated and yet-to-be-consumated eschatology, and that the mention of Elijah helps form an eschatological inclusio that frames the letter. Third, the New Testament use use of Elijah’s drought outside of James is explored showing again that elements from the Elijah’s drought in 1 Kings were used in eschatological contexts, and that Elijah’s three and a half year drought, as mentioned by James, is used to illustrate a period of judgment for the sake of effecting repentance in these contexts. Fourth and finally, the images of rain and drought are viewed through an eschatological lens, revealing their role as covenant blessing and curse, and eschatological judgment and restoration. It is concluded that James’ readers could have recognized the eschatological implications of using Elijah as an example of faithful, righteous prayer, and that James assigns his readers a role similar to that of the eschatological prophet. They are called to endure in the midst of eschatological trials and to effect repentance before the arrival of the soon-coming King.

Patrick S Grabendike

This project is intended to aid students and ministry leaders in creating disciplining cultures through the development of shared metaphor. It includes the theological foundations for discipleship as well as the creative process of conveying said discipleship through creative language and visual tools. The project addresses the linguistic challenge Christian Churches can experience as a result of generational and theological differences. This project is a culmination of Westbrook Church's experience as it sought to create congregational minstry allignment by means of new metaphor that would expression the mission of the church found in Matthew 28:18-20. The conclusion is that a church community can elevate the expectation for spiritual growth and alignment through collaboration and the creation of a shared metaphor for discipleship.

Donna R Ryan

Holiness is vital to the twenty first century Church. Using theology, the history of holiness, and the life of Jonathan Edwards, this work examines how Modernity, Post Modernity, and Technology have brought about change. It compares Northampton with the current age and explores Edwards' documentation of holiness in the Revival of 173435 and the Great Awakening as a move of God. It compares technological, sociological, and psychological developments of the secular culture to discern areas where the church has sacrificed crucial Christian doctrine and practice. It concludes with suggestions for recovering the wholeness and beauty of God's holiness to revive the church.

Warren R Seibert

This thesis project is focused on providing assistance to smaller churches in the reformed Church in America in the process of calling a part time pastor. The goal is to produce a guidebook for leaders of these small churches addressing the unique challenges of ministry in a small church with a part time pastor. To this end, the role of part time ministers is explored, both historical and contemporary. This work include personal interviews along with a review of related literature. Theological issues regarding the call to ministry of part time pastors, the mission of the church, and small church leadership are explored.

Susan J Skillen

The presenting problem was to provide skilled and mature spiritual directors, grounded in Anglican sacramental theology and the Catholic contemplative tradition, for the Anglican Diocese in New England. To address the problem a two year training program, drawing upon the spirituality of the Christian contemplative tradition, was developed. The course included training in listening skills, prayer, meditation and other spiritual disciplines, group spiritual direction, and reading and writing assignments. The outcome of the course was to produce thirteen spiritual directors for the diocese, who meet with a combined total of 40 directees.

Kimberly B Shifler

John Winebrenner believed that each of us needs a new birth in Christ Jesus; thus he left the denomination wherein he was raised and ordained and began a new church and denomination, "The Church of God." Winebrenner took a stand on such things as education, temperance, and slavery. After Winebrenner's death, the Church of God withdrew from speaking to social concerns. In recent times the Church has returned to its reforming roods, and Winebrenner gives us an example to follow, not only in being the Church, but in how to deal with the controversy this may generate.