Little research has been conducted to show the relationship between short-term study abroad/mission experiences and the faith development of those who engage in them. Christian colleges and universities utilize these experiences to help develop their students' faith. This research analyzed the relationship between a Christian college student's experience in a one-month study abroad/mission experience and his or her faith development and maturity.The research was conducted with 171 students from a Christian university, including 72 students (study group) who spent one month in the university's study abroad/mission program and 99 students (control group) who took classes on campus during the same time period. The development of the student's faith was measured by three instruments: 1) a six question qualitative survey given to the study group; 2) the Faith Maturity Scale (FMS) published by the Search Institute; and 3) Growth in Mature Faith Index (GMFI) published by the Search Institute.The quantitative data analysis indicated no significant differences between pre- and post-scores for the FMS and GMFI; but the research did find changes that were significant on some of the question items between the two groups, such as the SAM participants becoming more accepting of people with different religious beliefs. Inflated research alpha levels (for multiple testing) were of concern for the researcher, as was the ceiling effect (pre-trip levels above the highest national levels for any age group) with the Christian college student population. Qualitative data indicated that the Study Abroad Mission Students developed in their relationship with God and their service to others. / School of Continuing Education and Public Service

Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [49]-[60]).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-103). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-103). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [49]-[60]).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [49]-[60]).

Most institutions of higher education within North America originated as Christian Institutions, with the purpose of preparing students to work in vocational Christian ministry. During the nineteenth and twentieth century, due to secularization and the enlightenment movement, most of these same colleges and universities have transitioned away from their original Christian mission and biblical values. Liberal arts colleges that remain true to biblical values and a commitment to a Christian mission are considered confessional institutions. Liberal arts colleges that no longer remain true to biblical values and do not hold to a Christian mission and value system are considered non-confessional. Today, there exists only a small subset of North American colleges that would be considered confessional. This qualitative research study explores the variance of epistemological development in pre-ministry students attending confessional Christian liberal arts colleges or universities versus pre-ministry students attending non-confessional Christian liberal arts college and universities, using the Perry Scheme as the theoretical lens. This research supplements a previous study conducted in 2012 by John David Trentham. Trentham’s original research sought to examine epistemological development for pre-ministry students attending Bible colleges, confessional Christian liberal arts colleges and universities, or secular universities. This new study seeks to add to the original body of research by also examining pre-ministry students attending nonconfessional institutions.

The purpose of this study was to assess the strength of religious faith in student-athletes and non student-athletes attending a religiously-practicing and a non religiously-practicing NCAA Division III institution. Participants were recruited from two NCAA Division III institutions in the Midwest (N = 375). Specifically, participants attended either Institution A (n = 201), a religiously-practicing, or Institution B (n = 174), a non religiously-practicing, NCAA Division III institution. Each participant completed a demographic assessment and the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire.A 2 X 2 X 2 (Gender X Current Athletic Participation X Institution Attended) ANOVA was employed to determine if significant differences existed in strength of religious faith between students at the two aforementioned institutions. Students attending Institution A displayed higher strength of religious faith than students attending Institution B. Also, a significant interaction indicated non student-athletes attending Institution A reported higher strength of religious faith than students-athletes attending Institution A. In addition, student-athletes attending Institution B were not significantly different in respect to strength of religious faith when compared to non student-athletes attending Institution B. Finally, females indicated higher strength of religious faith than males. This study has provided additional evidence for the impact of religion in the lives of intercollegiate student-athletes and non student-athletes. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 217-224).