Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 1983. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-70).

In the complexity of contemporary society, the welfare of individuals is dependent upon the co-operation of the helping professions and co-ordination of services provided by the many social institutions. This study considered the degree of cooperation between the two helping professions, social work and the ministry, in the suburban community of Richmond, British Columbia. The research method in this qualitative study included interviews with fifteen clergymen and ten social workers in order to apply the concepts of reciprocal awareness and utilization. This method facilitated evaluation of the knowledge one profession had of the other's role and function, and the extent to which this knowledge was used for the benefit of the population they served. Supplementing this main method was a brief historical consideration of the impact of industrialization on the development and contemporary role of the church and social welfare. The findings of the study showed the awareness one profession had of the other was based more on general knowledge than direct interprofessional contact. The utilization of each other's resources, as indicated by referral patterns, was minimal and typically the result of coincidence rather than planning. Reciprocity, the main concept evaluated, was virtually non-existent. This can primarily be accounted for by absence of communication, despite an acknowledgement by both professions, particularly social work, that there were several gains to be realized from more co-operation. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

There is a wide gap between what donors and agencies for development aid believe that they are accomplishing, and what the recipients of such aid perceive to be the purposes and achievements of those agencies and donors. The literature and evidence suggests that this gap ls the result of a failure on the part of the agencies to recognize people of other cultures ( including the culture of poverty) as individuals having the ability to create their own futures. This failure is best seen interactions at the grassroots level. The characteristics which enable Churches to work across the boundaries of culture at the grassroots level are applicable worldwide. However, the country of South Africa was chosen as the field for this research project because of the apartheid system which has legalized cultural barriers, thereby highlighting those aspects of the Church in cross-cultural relationships which contribute to development. The Church is shown to have the necessary infrastructure and the ability to motivate people to effectively work with the poor in these conditions. Utilizing the methodology of participant observation and open-ended, informal, interviews, this project uses case histories of a Christian agency for development; of five Christian denominations; of one local church; and of four individuals; to illustrate the effectiveness of development philosophies. This ls not a thesis on development Per se, but is, rather, about perceptions concerning development.

Thesis (MCRP)--Morgan State University, 2004. / "UMI Number: 1420566"--Prelim. p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Brown University, May 2003. / "UMI Number: 3087270"--Prelim. p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MCRP)--Morgan State University, 2004. / "UMI Number: 1420566"--P. before T.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brown University, May 2003. / "UMI Number: 3087270"--P. before T.p. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis presents a theological account of homelessness and applies it to the state’s and the church’s responses to the problem. This is accomplished in three parts. Part I traces sociological and governmental understandings of homelessness in the United States and shows that government and activists have difficulties coming together on a definition due to the differing political, fiscal and moral commitments that may be required from a particular definition. An analysis of the sociologist Kim Hopper’s approach to homelessness, which claims that homelessness is best understood in the context of extreme poverty that results in residential instability, is then undertaken. Part II elucidates a thematic reading of Bonhoeffer’s theology of sociality. This includes highlighting such concepts as person, community, vicarious representative action, and ultimate and penultimate to describe the world as ordered by the Word for the coming of Christ. This leads to a discussion of the concept of the mandates of preservation – church, government, family, work – that form the world through concrete response to the Word. Then a theological understanding of poverty is defined as persons who are marginalized in society due to their lack of basic sustenance and freedom to flourish. After establishing this theological account of poverty, Hopper’s understanding of homelessness is revisited to expound a theological description. This allows for an application of particular content to what it means to be extremely poor and in what ways access to basic sustenance and freedom are compromised. Extending Bonhoeffer’s account of the power of sin, the forces that thwart freedom in such a way that homelessness may result are then detailed. Part III applies this theological understanding to the NAEH’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness and to Church on the Street’s outreach ministry to the homeless.

The research examined the relationship between knowledge of faith-based church leaders regarding the facts of child sexual abuse and the practice of child sexual abuse prevention steps utilized within the church. It examined the historical, theological, biblical, and ethical concerns about child sexual abuse and the church. The biblical accounts of David and Bathsheba along with the story of Tamar and Amnon were reflected upon within the historical and biblical context of sexual abuse. The theological understanding of sin and its results was analyzed in the context of child sexual abuse. A chronological exploration of the history of child abuse in the United States along with statistics for the represented years was included in the study. Exploration of the abuse of power, the multileveled aspects of denial, the victim, the perpetrator, prevention steps available to the church and parental partnership were included. The common prevention steps discussed were: a written policy and procedure manual, screening form, interview, reference checks by phone or written, criminal background checks (fingerprinting), keeping doors open, windows in the classrooms, hall monitor system, a 2-adult rule, computer on-line check for sexual offenders, waiting six months from membership, prevention training at the local church, prevention training at denominational level, adequate church insurance, and a team of members ready to deal with any accusations that may occur. There was a description of the research process. The study was descriptive quantitative research by use of a research instrument (developed from the precedent literature and validated by an expert panel) that examined the relationship between knowledge and practice of faith-based church leaders regarding child sexual abuse and prevention. The research instrument consisted of five sections: Demographics, Likert Response Scale, Prevention Steps Checklist, Hindrances, and Comments. The Likert Response Scale included questions on knowledge of child sexual abuse facts, knowledge of prevention steps, higher education, and the issue of denial among church leaders. There were 213 seminary students who were church leaders that participated in the research study. Displays of the data, analysis of the data, and interpretation of the data were included along with a description of the research implications and applications, along with possible further research. Pearson r correlation was conducted to determine if there was a relationship found between knowledge and practice of church leaders. Recommendations were made to the church on the subject of child sexual abuse prevention. / 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 <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

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