Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Christian clergy Training'

The author presents the problem of a lack of emotional and spiritual well-being in pastors and Christian leaders who minister in the Metropolitan District and The Christian and Missionary Alliance. In this study, he evaluated the intervention: Leader Life (SDI) Training, first recruiting 100 participants who completed the training, then using the Leader Life Evaluation Survey to measure whether Leader Life increased the self-understanding, strengthened the soul identity, and improved the relational management of participants. He interviewed nine participants and searched for indicators of emotional and spiritual development. The author discovered Leader Life (SDI) Training is an effective tool to develop Christian leaders, and offered ministry recommendations.

Through a qualitative study utilizing in-depth interviews, practitioner opinion was gathered regarding how Christian institutions of higher education, primarily Baptist seminaries, may better utilize formal and continuing education to prepare clergy for pastoral leadership. The sample of ten subjects for this study, drawn from the 550 active senior pastors in the Dallas Baptist Association and the Kauf-Van Baptist Association, was selected based on a maximum variation sampling method. The intention was to provide a better understanding of the leadership skills required by senior pastors, to help develop pastoral ministries curriculum and to assess the potential effectiveness of continuing education for pastoral leadership. The subjects indicated that the formal degree program of their seminary did equip them with the basic knowledge needed for pastoral leadership but it did not provide them in sufficiency with the necessary, practical skills for pastoral leadership. The pattern that emerged from the data indicates that, overall, seminaries are providing a quality education in preparing pastors for the ministry in their formal degree plans. However, seminaries may have opportunities to be of further service and to gain a competitive advantage vis a vis other seminaries by enhancing and expanding their continuing education programs.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2002
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is an appraisal of the training program of Veritas College as an answer to the training need of the untrained church leaders in Sub Saharan Africa, focusing on the country of Malawi. Partly as a result of the impact of the Church Growth Movement the number of churches in Africa has increased significantly during the last decade. These achievements have created a major training problem. Theological training institutions have been unable to cope with the massive influx of church leaders. Despite remarkable efforts by them, new methods of theological training have had to be developed in order to fulfil the training needs of Africa. The situation in Africa has changed due to many political and historical developments, creating a need for Christians to be trained in how to impact their context. There is a new environment and challenge for theological education in Africa today. Ideally, theological education should develop all levels of Christian leadership, so that leaders become devoted, effective and knowledgeable workers of God. The Church has always tried to provide theological training for these workers, and has created various educational models. Formal and non-formal education are important modes of training, and form, together with the church, an important triangle in the provision of learning services for the body of Christ. Formal as well as non-formal theological training models, however, have various weaknesses, including a tendency to dominate from the top; a fixed curriculum out of context; an over-emphasis on a content approach; the inaccessibility of training for the untrained church leader; the inaffordability of training for the really poor untrained church leaders in Sub Saharan Africa. This creates a need for change in theological training today. Principles for an appropriate theological education for Sub SaharancAfrica should include i) the development of local church leadership within the context, for the context; ii) a holistic approach to theological education; iii) a focus on character formation in leadership training; iv) training in the context of the local congregation; v) the equipping all levels of church leadership; vi) training to practise theology; and vii) the provision of 'basic theological training'. The training model proposed by Veritas College has an education philosophy called "Integrated Leadership Development" (ILD). This training model is integrated into the functioning of the local congregation and the life of the trainee. ILD also promotes an integrated theological practice, where the trainee is taught how to practise theology. Veritas' training program is built around the basic skills of how to do understand, apply and communicate the Bible. An appraisal is done of the training program of Veritas College as presented in the Synod of Nkhoma of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) in Malawi. From the perspective of the unique training context of Malawi and the CCAP, the development of this program is described and evaluated in the light of the training needs of Sub Saharan Africa. The potential of the Veritas training model to contribute to the training need of Sub Saharan Africa is evaluated. The model has the ability to i) present technical theological training for a semi-literate church leadership; ii) implement basic theological training for church leaders in the local congregation; iii) offer a theological training program not bound to many theoretical books; iv) help semi-literate church leaders to make use of the only piece of literature they possess, namely the Bible; and v) to teach the illiterate through an oral medium. It would indeed appear that Veritas is able to make a positive contribution to the training needs of Sub Saharan Africa.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie beoordeel die opleidingsmodel van Veritas College as 'n antwoord op die opleidingsnood van die onopgeleide kerkleiers in Sub Sahara Afrika, met die fokus op Malawi. Gedeeltelik as gevolg van die Kerkgroei Beweging was daar gedurende die laaste dekade 'n aansienlike groei in die aantal kerke in Afrika. Dit het gelei tot 'n geweldige opleidingskrisis. Teologiese opleidingsinstansies kon net nie voldoen in die aanvraag vir opleiding in die steeds toenemende kerkleierskap nie. Ten spyte van noemenswaardige pogings om in hierdie behoefte te voldoen, was daar 'n besef dat nuwe metodes ontwikkel sou moes word om in die nuwe opleidingsbehoeftes van Sub Sahara Afrika te voldoen. Verder vra die benarde sosio-ekonomiese konteks in Sub Sahara Afrika dat gelowiges toegerus word om iets aan hulle konteks te doen. Teologiese opleiding moet daarna streef om aile vlakke van Christelike leierskap te ontwikkel tot toegewyde, effektiewe en ingeligde werkers van God. Die kerk het nog altyd probeer om in die behoefte vir opleiding van hierdie werkers te voorsien deur in 'n verskeidenheid van opleidingsmodelle te voorsien. Formele en informele onderrig vorm saam met die kerk 'n belangrike driehoek in die voorsiening van opleidingsdienste vir die liggaam van Christus. Formele en informele teologiese opleidingsmodelle toon verskeie tekortkominge, insluitend 'n geneigdheid om voor te skryf van bo af; 'n vasgestelde kurrikulum wat nie konteksgetrou is nie; die ontoeganklikheid van opleiding aan die onopgeleide kerkleier; en duur opleiding vir die arm kerkleiers in Sub Sahara Afrika. Dit alles skep die behoefte aan 'n nuwe benadering in teologiese opleiding vandag. Sekere beginsels word voorgestel vir 'n toepaslike teologiese opleiding in Sub Sahara Afrika vandag, insluitend i) die ontwikkeling van plaaslike kerkleierskap binne die konteks, vir die konteks; ii) 'n omvattende benadering tot teologiese opleiding; iii) 'n fokus op karakterontwikkeling in leierskapsopleiding; iv) opleiding binne die konteks van die plaaslike gemeente; v) die toerusting van aile vlakke van kerkleierskap; vi) opleiding om teologie te kan beoefen; en vii) die voorsiening van 'n 'basiese teologiese opleiding.' Die opleidingsmodel wat Veritas College aanbied se opleidingsfilosofie word saamgevat as "Geinteqreerde Leierskaps Ontwikkeling"'(GLO). Hierdie opleidingsmodel is qemteqreer in die funksionering van die plaaslike gemeente en die lewe van die opgeleide persoon. GLO bied ook 'n qeinteqreerde teoloqiese praktyk aan, waar die student geleer word hoe om teologie te beoefen. Veritas se opleidingsprogram is ontwikkel rondom die basiese vaardighede hoe om die Bybel te interpreteer toe te pas en aan te wend vir effektiewe kommunikasie. Binne die konteks van die Nkhoma Sinode van die Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) in Malawi vertoon die opleidingsprogram van die Veritas College potensiaal. Dit het die verrnoe om i) 'n tegniese teologiese opleiding aan te bied op die bevatlikheidsvlak van die laaggeskoolde kerkleierskap; ii) 'n basiese teologiese opleidingsprogram vir die kerkleiers binne 'n plaaslike gemeente te implementeer; iii) 'n opleidingsprogram wat nie gebind is aan baie handboeke vir die aanbieding van opleiding vir laaggeletterde kerkleiers; iv) laaggeskoolde kerkleiers te help om die enigste boek in hul besit, die Bybel, beter aan te wend; en v) om die ongeletterders mondelings te onderrig. Dit Iyk dus inderdaad of Veritas wei 'n bydrae kan lewer tot die opleiding van die baie onopgeleide kerkleiers in Sub Sahara Afrika.

If churches are to thrive and grow, they need skilled, experienced, and spiritually mature pastors. It is also essential that churches develop strategies to equip more of these competent pastors. Many church leaders may not be aware of existing pastoral training options, may need ideas on how to get started, or may desire help with strengthening their existing approach. The literature review reveals that although many authors demonstrate the need for pastoral training in the local church, a research void exists in categorizing and describing current pastoral training approaches so that churches have tangible examples to follow. This qualitative, multi-case study categorizes the pastoral training approaches used by evangelical churches today and investigates an exemplary church from each category. A panel of experts assisted in determining four pastoral training approach categories: apprenticeship model, cohort program, institute approach, and finishing residency. Case studies were conducted of five churches employing exemplary pastoral training programs. Each case study included site observations, interviews with program directors and participants, informal discussions, and content analysis. This thesis describes how each church program implements strategies to train pastors in the fundamental convictions, character qualities, and essential competencies necessary for effective pastoral ministry. Cross-case analysis revealed common traits among the case study church programs, which are organized into a list of shared practices. To assist churches that desire to start a pastoral training program or strengthen an existing approach, this study includes a list of recommendations for practice based on the research data.

Leaders in Christian ministry, in many instances, are in a crisis of competence. This research was a comparative analysis of select ministry professionals for the purpose of determining their perceptions as to the necessary leadership competencies needed for leadership in Christian ministry. The research problem that was addressed is not a new problem but one that must continue to be addressed as long as theological institutions of higher learning have the purpose of training and preparing vocational ministry leaders for Christian service. The purpose of the research that was to develop a comparative analysis of ministry professionals perceptions of the necessary character qualities and competencies for vocational ministry leaders in order to enhance ministry training. The literature review section identified the needs for this study. A theological foundation was set by looking at leaders in both Old and New Testaments and identifying the models and skills of a leader. The character and qualifications for leadership according to the Scriptures were also identified. The model of leadership that was developed in the study was a model that sees the ministry leader as a shepherd, which encompasses a variety of leadership skills, attitudes and behaviors. These were analyzed through the literature from a biblical and non-biblical leadership perspective. Other research was also analyzed in order to discover what other researchers had discovered to enhance the process of training as well. The methodology used was for the purpose of discovering the perceptions of the ministry professionals being surveyed. The study used an expert panel to assist in the development of a survey instrument that asked respondents to rank a list of leadership competencies as to their importance for ministry leaders. The respondents were asked to analyze the personal characteristics necessary for effective ministry leadership. The survey used two sample populations, local church leaders and denominational/institutional leaders which included state convention leadership and directors of associational missions. The analysis of data and correlations of the perceptions between the groups in the study was completed. The chapter that deals with data analysis shows how the data was analyzed and the responses within groups according to age, education and other demographic data. Final conclusions and implications from the research were drawn. Chapter 5 draws out conclusions from the findings in the data and it was discovered that a set of character qualities and leadership competencies existed among the ministry professionals surveyed that can be used in a variety of settings for training and preparing those who are in training for vocational Christian ministry.
This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

There is an enormous, urgent, crucial need for leadership training to support the rapid growth of the Chinese house church. This dissertation examines ten factors that should be considered when outsiders, such as Western missionaries, develop effective strategies: (1) economic and geographic factors, (2) relationship with the TSPM church, (3) cultural and historical factors, (4) Chinese intellectuals, (5) political factors, (6) influence of four leaders, (7) Korean people's role, (8) groups in the house church, (9) women in church leadership, and (10 )effect of the "One-Child Policy." Chapter 1 mainly introduces the dissertation's thesis, the proposal's background, and the research methodology. Each of the ten factors is briefly explained as the thesis, and the purpose is clarified. Chapter 2 presents an early history of the Chinese church, which is divided into three sections: (1) the early history of Christian missions to China, 635-1784; (2) imperialism and Protestant missions to China, 1807-1900; and (3) nationalism and the independent church movement, 1901-1949. Chapter 3 deals with a history of the Chinese house church movement under the Communist regime from 1949 to the present. First, the formation and survival of the Chinese house church movement under Mao Zedong's rule are explained. Next, the growth and current situation of the Chinese house church movement are described. Chapter 4 identifies the urgent need for, and the current situation of, Chinese house church leadership training, compared with those of the TSPM church. Chapter 5, as the dissertation's conclusion, explores the ten factors that should be considered in developing Chinese house church leadership-training strategies. Besides authoritative sources, the survey results are used extensively to support my assumptions. Some effective models are suggested.
This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

This research study was concerned with higher education, leadership development, and understanding and examining the training models that are employed to prepare men and women for Christian ministry. The study combines qualitative and quantitative research elements to examine the growing number of leadership development training models in Christian higher education and consider their relationship to the employment, leadership effectiveness, satisfaction, and tenure of the graduates who were developed as a result of them. The study attempts to broaden the research base related to leadership development and to initiate a conversation in the research community regarding possible relationships between leadership development training models used in seminaries and select outcome criteria. The research population for this study was five-year seminary graduates of ministerial leadership degree programs of institutions accredited by ABHE, ATS, and TRACS. The researcher established a taxonomic classification of leadership development training models from precedent literature, document analysis of 57 institutions in the research population, and interviews with select academic administrators. Study participants completed an online survey that combined the Leadership Practices Inventory (Kouzes and Posner) and the Hoppock Job Satisfaction Blank, and other questions related to employment and tenure. From the self-reported data, possible relationships between the training model categories and variables were examined ANOVA, Post-Hoc Tukey Tests, and MANOVA. This research study sought to identify and examine leadership development models in post-baccalaureate theological education. The primary aim on the study was to determine if there were any relationships between the leadership development model by which one was equipped for ministerial leadership and select outcome assessment criteria: ministry employment, leadership effectiveness in ministry, ministry job satisfaction, and ministry tenure. The study identified seven leadership development models among the research sample: Applied, Apprentice, Classic, Distance, Extension, Hybrid, and Partnership. Statistical analysis revealed some relationship between leadership development models and hiring for ministry, and some relationship between leadership development models and ministry tenure. The statistical analysis showed no significant relationships between leadership development models and the variables of leadership effectiveness and ministry job satisfaction.
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The work of Western missionaries has helped the Christian faith take deep root in Africa over the past two centuries, and today the African continent is home to the most rapidly growing segment of the global church. This rapid growth has generated a need for greater numbers of biblically-equipped pastors to lead the African church. This qualitative, multi-case study explores the influence of select pastor-equipping methodologies employed by Western mission agencies engaged in the effort to develop pastors in Kenya. The programs of three mission agencies are observed as individual cases in this study, and a profile of the typical pastor equipped in each case is developed. The literature review in chapter 2 includes a model profile for shepherd leadership consisting of three categories – content, character, and competence – identified through exegetical study of the shepherd-leader motif in Scripture. This model profile provided the categories used for researching and developing the profiles associated with each case study. Each case study included interviews with program directors and students, site observations, document analysis, and informal discussions. Analysis of each case individually, as well as cross-case analysis, identifies emerging themes, constructs, and patterns which describe the effect of the selected pastor-equipping methodologies in developing Kenyan pastors. This research found that Kenyan pastors consistently identified courses in biblical interpretation or hermeneutics as the most influential aspect of their pastoral development. This finding was consistent across all three case studies. Additional implications and applications of the research findings are discussed in chapter 5.

This research investigates the complex nature of caring in relation to women in ministry, in particular when women's roles as carers are subsumed into a patriarchal agenda in the church, with negative effects for women. The thesis explores this as an ethical problem that confronts women, but also those who are training women for the ministry. It proposes that feminist pedagogy provides important insights, tools and analyses which, when incorporated into women's formation, can help to counter these negative tendencies and the way women have internalised them. The findings of the research suggest that a critical ethic of care, which incorporates biblical principles of compassion and justice, is central to the liberating praxis of women in ministry. This has two important consequences: Firstly, it has implications for the women and how they assert themselves as moral agents of critical caring in their ministry. It suggests that in addition to the traditional caring work that women do, women also care when they seek justice by challenging the status quo understandings and practices of caring. In addition, women care when they look after themselves: when they seek healing, when they scrutinise their roles and responsibilities, and in some cases, make decisions not to care. Secondly, a critical ethic of care has implications for theological education at the epistemological, the pedagogical and the practical levels. The findings from the empirical research, based on two case studies of a Women's Studies course, have helped to identify the kinds of changes that are necessary. These include revisioning the theological content that is taught, as well as the teaching methodologies. Changes to the institutional culture and the relationships within it are necessary so that the institutions become more welcoming and hospitable to women. This thesis suggests that educators have an ethical responsibility to prepare women with the necessary knowledge and skills for the difficult, and often uncaring, terrain of their local churches. It concludes by challenging women to take responsibility for inserting themselves into local communities of practice, as a vehicle for their ongoing formation and support once they leave the theological institution.
Systematic Theology & Theological Ethics
DTH (THEOLOGICAL ETHICS)

Despite the fact that the Bible as the inspired Word of God deals primarily with the relationship between God and humankind and the way to salvation and eternal life, the Bible also presents tenets that entreat the protection of the natural and biophysical world. Consequently, since the environment is a foremost aspect of God’s creation it is appropriate to establish the Biblical perspective on creation as a whole and Christians’ subsequent position and duty to creation. Humankind has been ecologically irresponsible. Greed, inadequate knowledge and negligence have led to exploitation, degradation, and disregard for the natural environment. Unfortunately, there appears to be a “deep silence” within the Christian Church worldwide as well as in South Africa on believers’ role and duty towards the natural created environment. The premise underpinning this thesis is that God’s redemptive care applies not only to people, but also to the whole of creation and that believers have a Biblical mandate to care for the natural environment and afford it its concomitant value. The Bible provides believers with directives regarding environmental care summarised in God’s requirement for man to “work [the earth] and take care of it” (Gen. 2: 15). The anticipated outcomes of this research were to establish the status of Environmental Stewardship as a dimension Christian Stewardship and the level of Environmental Literacy provided for in the curricula of theological seminaries of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. The study further attempted to determine the level of understanding and stance of ministers, lecturers, elders and students towards these issues. Believers have a duty of care in relation to God’s creation in totality – both humanity and the natural environment. There is a great need for Christian discussion on and improvement in the appropriate use and protection of the environment.
Curriculum and Instructional Studies
D. Ed. (Didactics)

An applied study was undertaken to describe the current position of youth work as profession in the Dutch Reformed Church and to identify factors influencing the sustainability. A review of relevant literature, as well as an empirical survey were conducted to investigate pertinent factors such as the working conditions, the person and the training of the youth worker. In the empirical research respondents completing questionnaires consisted of former students of the Huguenot College currently employed as church youth workers, and those who left the ministry. Interviews were conducted with congregations currently employing or having employed youth workers. It is evident from this study that the youth work profession is not yet satisfactorily established and thus contributes to youth workers leaving the ministry. In the interest of youth ministry, it is essential for the Dutch Reformed Church to acknowledge these factors influencing the sustainability of youth work as profession, in order to get this occupation properly established.
Practical Theology
M.Diac. (Jeugwerk-rigting)