"Reimagining Pastoral Education and Training" is a professional doctoral project born out of a burden of pastor-parish challenges that lead to pastoral dropout. A basic prelude question assesses the perceived problem: "Is there really a declining corps of young pastors leaving the ministry, disrupting their families, and…

Although higher education scholars have examined chaplaincy in college and university settings, we are not aware of any studies that have sought to examine chaplains who live and serve in residence halls. As such, we conducted a collective case study of three Protestant institutions with residential chaplain roles--Taylor University, Pepperdine…

Although evangelicals have long been skeptical about non-sectarian higher education, the current climate in the United States necessitates a fresh look at possible sources of their beliefs. This is relevant since many of the current culture wars center on education. For instance, book bans in Texas public schools, funded by evangelicals, take aim…

This project sought to equip churches to disciple college students who participate at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tallahassee, Florida. Chapter 1 provides the context and background of college ministry in Tallahassee, Florida, as well the rationale, purpose, goals, and research methodology. Chapter 2 provides exegesis of four passages of…

This project sought to revise the Pastoral Theology program at Shepherds Theological Seminary in Cary, North Carolina. Chapter 1 presents the history and ministry context of Shepherds Theological Seminary and the goals of this project. Chapter 2 provides exegesis of three passages of Scripture (1 Tim 3:1-7; 1 Tim 4:6-16; 2 Tim 2:1-6) to show that…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how experiences with mentoring lived, professional turning points, and crises of faith influenced post-seminary professional development for Christian church leaders in Southern Michigan. The theoretical foundation that guided the development of the study was based on Mezirow's…

Pastors in the Assembly of God fellowship have several options regarding types of pastoral training. Conducting a multiple case study qualitative study, the researcher interviewed 12 pastors with 2-6 years of ministry experience who had primary training in a specific category: higher education, on-the-job training, hands-on internships, or…

This purpose of this project was based on the need to develop a strategic plan for college campus ministry leaders to encourage and equip Christian students between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two at Hannibal-LaGrange University to be active church members. The project involved eight seminars with Resident Advisors who were taught what church…

Most approaches to vocational exploration present challenges to people who have more than one central cultural identity. In this article, we begin with a framework for understanding hybrid cultural identity focused on the real-life experiences of hybrid people. We then identify three predominant approaches to vocation as well as the challenges…

Four writings by the medieval theologian Bonaventure (c. 1221-1274) provide inspiration for the future of Christian education. His writings cast a vision for Christian education and provide insight into four key areas for hope in the future: a reclaiming of the purpose of Christian education; a recovery of the Great Tradition; a rediscovery of the…

The written artifacts of nineteenth-century Virginian Robert Reid Howison (1820--1906) lend themselves to an analysis of Howison as a self-directed, lifelong learner, and non-traditional educator as evidenced through his scholarship stemming from his vocational roles as lawyer and minister as well as his work as a historian. Howison's…

The move from secondary education into higher education is an important life event for many young people, and such a dramatic change in environment and responsibility can bring with it significant new challenges. Reports and surveys outlining low levels of wellbeing amongst students are becoming more and more prevalent. Many universities provide a…

This forum revisits Paulo Freire's "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" on the 50th anniversary of its publication in 1968. William R. Myers's opening essay reflects on his discovery of the book and the impact it has had on his life as a Christian minister and theological educator. He provides a Freirean critique of his own schooling and of…

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental study was to assess the effects of adult learning principles (ALP) in sermons on parishioners' spiritual growth. Sermons have been central to the spread of Christianity. Given the significant role sermons play in parishioners' spiritual formation and growth, examining sermons' effectiveness is…

In "To Young Men," Basil of Caesarea asserted that pagan literature could be read discerningly for the pursuit of virtue. As a professor of English, I recognize Basil as an exemplar pedagogue in my own insistence that Christian students read secular texts. Not a scholar of Greek, I rely on patristic scholarship to understand Basil's…