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This dissertation is about the future of church in the United States. In it I argue that practical ecclesiological reflection on new churches in Seattle yields promising proposals for viable, faithful, ecclesial forms of missional engagement fitting for the U.S. church’s emerging context. In response to the significant decline in religious affiliation and participation in the U.S., major efforts in church planting are underway, but there is little scholarly research on these efforts. Moreover, the literature supporting church planting reflects insufficiently robust ecclesiological and missiological reflection. This dissertation utilizes mixed methods fieldwork and multi-disciplinary analysis to identify and assess the dominant models among new Seattle churches and offers practical wisdom for the U.S. church in its task of ecclesial witness. Within the dissertation I identify national trends exemplified by Seattle that make it a suitable proxy for the emerging U.S. context: urbanization, progressive values, technological culture, and post-Christian culture. On the basis of my fieldwork and the New Seattle Churches Survey that I fielded, I develop the four practical ecclesiological models that I discern among these churches: Great Commission Team, Household of the Spirit, New Community, and Neighborhood Incarnation. I then employ four core ideas of missional theology (missionary Trinity, missio dei, Jesus as paradigm for mission, and the missionary nature of the church) and four priorities for missional church planting (discerning God’s initiatives, neighbor as subject, boundary crossing, and plural leadership that shapes an environment) as a basis for assessment. I find that the Neighborhood Incarnation model best embodies these missional ideas and priorities. In conclusion, I propose practices for renewing each model and highlight five threads of practical wisdom for ecclesial witness: 1) embracing local identity and mission, 2) cultivating embodied, experiential, everyday spirituality, 3) engaging community life as means of witness and formation, 4) prioritizing hospitality as a cornerstone practice, and 5) discovering ecclesial vitality in a diverse ecclesial ecology. / 2023-01-25T00:00:00Z

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The problem this study addresses is that the Christian church in the postmodern west is in a condition of zero growth and even decline. Conventional strategies intended to reverse this condition have tended to focus on improved implementation of traditional methodologies of church growth. Despite the application of such strategies the church continues to decline, indicating the urgent need for additional approaches. Practical theology suggests such an additional approach: greater engagement with the local community. Certain churches have been identified whose congregations, acting, it is believed, under the leadership of the Spirit, are engaging their immediate communities in a wide variety of ways often with the result that people touched by the church respond with a new or renewed interest in the Christian faith and in some instances join or rejoin the Christian family. The implication, and the hypothesis of the study, is that widespread application of the practices of such community-engaging congregations, called “holistic” congregations, might have a positive impact in terms of growth in the wider church community. To determine the validity of this implication a small-scale inductive, empirical, effect-to-cause study was undertaken. Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods intended to identify the ethos of those churches that meet the developed criteria of “holistic” churches, as compared to a second group of “non-holistic” churches, the study addresses the question: Is it possible to discover the ethos of holistic churches with a view to reproducing that ethos in other churches? Analysis of the data gathered during the study identifies a number of specific characteristics shared by the holistic churches. In addition to suggesting strategies that may profitably be investigated and implemented by churches that wish to become, or become more, holistic in terms of their outreach ministry, the results also advocate the further study of holism as a possible key feature to the future of the Church. / Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The purpose of this study is to make the Protestant church workers more efficient in their use of music in religious work by giving them a clear conception of the kind of music to be used and by suggesting detailed plans and methods by which desirable results may be secured in the use of church music. Ideal standards have their place, but here it is proposed to be matter-of-fact, practical and concrete, and to secure immediate results with the average church member and choir singer as the final criterion in every phase of the work. The purpose is not to emphasize high ideals but to instruct and inspire all those who have leadership in the service of church music, that they may be able here to provide the greatest religious helpfulness that the use of music can bring the souls to whom they minister.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-229). / xv, 229 leaves, bound col. ill., music, facsimilies 29 cm

Este trabalho estuda a Educação Musical de crianças e jovens enquanto elemento de integração e engajamento dos mesmos na vida comunitária e, também, enquanto promotora da edificação da comunidade. Caracteriza-se como um estudo de caso a partir de uma pesquisa descritiva de caráter qualitativo. A partir da realidade de um projeto de Educação Musical comunitário, foram realizadas entrevistas com pessoas envolvidas no processo, ou seja, alguns estudantes, a professora, os obreiros, presbíteros e familiares dos estudantes. Os dados coletados foram analisados no intuito de identificar as contribuições da Educação Musical na edificação da comunidade. Para subsidiar e fundamentar a análise, buscou-se o embasamento teórico, mediante pesquisa bibliográfica, consultando obras de alguns teóricos na área da Educação e da Teologia. O primeiro capítulo fala sobre a presença da Música na Bíblia e faz um breve resgate da historicidade da Educação Musical no mundo, no Brasil, na Igreja Evangélica de Confissão Luterana no Brasil, no noroeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul e na comunidade onde o projeto foi realizado. O segundo capítulo apresenta alguns aspectos conceituais da expressão: edificar comunidades e, em seguida, passa a analisar os resultados da pesquisa de campo, confrontando as declarações dos entrevistados com a bibliografia consultada. O terceiro capítulo revela algumas conclusões práticas para o trabalho de Educação Musical, haja vista sua dimensão musical, pessoal e comunitária. Por fim, sugerem- se algumas ações para a organização e a realização de projetos de Educação Musical em comunidades da IECLB e de outras denominações religiosas. / This work studies the Musical Education of children and young people as part of integration and engagement of them in community life and also as promoter of community edification. It is characterized as a study case from a qualitative descriptive study. From the reality of a communitarian Music Education, interviews were conducted with people involved in the project, in other words, some students, the teacher, the workers, presbyters and students relatives. The data collected were analyzed in order to identify the contributions to Musical Education in the community edification. To support and document the analysis the theoretical background was inquired, through bibliographic research, referring to the works of some theorists in the Education and Theology areas. The first chapter talks about the presence of Music in the Bible and makes a brief recovery of the historicity of Musical Education in the world, in Brazil, in the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil, in the northwest region of Rio Grande do Sul state and in the community where the project was carried out. The second chapter presents some concepts of the expression: edify communities and then proceeds to analyze the results of the field research, comparing the statements of the interviewers with the consulted bibliography. The third chapter reveals some practical conclusions for the work of Music Education, because of its musical, personal and communitarian dimension. Finally, some actions for the organization and implementation of Music Education projects in IECLB communities and other religious denominations are suggested.

“The relationship between ministerial tenure and Identity development in local churches, in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa – Northern Free State and Lesotho District.” This thesis was born from my experience of two local churches I was serving simultaneously in Riebeeckstad and Odendaalsrus. After a year of being their minister I began to reflect on my experience in their midst especially because I had begun to recognize that they treated me, as their minister, very differently. Amongst other things I discovered that they had experienced vastly different clergy tenure over an extended period of time. The journey these reflections began, along with my passion for the local church, has led to this dissertation which investigates the relationship between clergy tenure and the development of Congregational identity in local churches. Strong and healthy local churches have a clearly defined and understood congregational identity that overcomes uncertainty, builds unity, provides guidelines and direction, and increases member participation, excitement and energy. This sense of knowing “who we are” and “why we are” generates great momentum and focus in the local church which translates into participation with the Triune God in making the Kingdom of God a reality. For this to happen, strong and capable leadership is required. But, more than that, building up a Local Church to participate in the work of God's Kingdom requires continuity in the leadership of the local church. Long-term clergy tenure over an extended period is a vital part of leading a local church into a fuller participation with the Triune God in making the Kingdom of God a reality. Sadly, the importance of long-term clergy tenure is not always recognized and the result is that not only the local church suffers, but ultimately, the work of the Kingdom of God struggles. As we consider this absolutely vital aspect of Building up the Local Church I hope that local church leaders are encouraged to think long-term and strive for continuity in clergy and lay leadership. It is my hope and prayer that greater numbers of my colleagues will recognize that their call to serve God and His Kingdom in pastoral leadership requires long-term tenure. Soli Deo Gloria. AFRIKAANS : “Die verhouding tussen die predikant se dienstermyn en die Identiteits ontwikkeling in plaaslike gemeentes in die Metodiste Kerk van Suidelike Afrika – Noordelike Vrystaat en Lesotho Distrik”. Hierdie verhandeling is gebore uit my ervaring van twee plaaslike gemeentes waar ek gedien het ter seldetyd in Riebeeckstad en Odendaalsrus. Na 'n jaar van bediening het ek begin nadink oor my ervaring by hierdie gemeentes deurdat hulle my as predikant, 'anders' behandel het. Onder andere het ek uitgevind dat hulle uiteenlopende ervarings gehad het van die dienstermyne van hul predikante oor 'n lang tydperk. Tesame met my voorliefde vir die plaaslike gemeente, het hierdie reistog begin waardeur ek die verhouding tussen die dienstermyn van die predikant en die ontwikkeling van Gemeentelike Identiteit in plaaslike gemeentes ondersoek het. Sterk en gesonde plaaslike gemeentes het 'n duidelik gedefineerde identiteit wat onder andere onsekerheid oorkom, eenheid bou, riglyne verskaf en rigting hou, ledetal verhoog; energie ontwikkel en entoesiasme bevorder. Hierdie kennis van “wie ons is” en “waarom ons bestaan” ontwikkel groot dryfkrag en fokus in the plaaslike gemeente wat vertolk word deur die meelewing saam met die Drie-Enige God in die werklikmaking van die Koninkryk van God. Sterk leierskap is nodig om hierdie ideaal 'n werklikheid te maak, maar selfs belangriker as dit, is die ononderbrokenheid van die dienstermyn van die leierskap van die plaaslike gemeente. 'n Verlengde dienstermyn is 'n kardinale aspek in die opbou van plaaslike gemeentes se volgehoue betrokkenheid om die Koninkryk van die Drie-Enige God 'n werklikheid te maak. Ongelukkig word die voordele van verlengde dienstermyn van 'n predikant misken en die plaaslike gemeente ly verlies, buiten dat die Koninkryk van God ook verlies ly. Terwyl ons nou die voordele van verlengede dienstermyn van die predikant bedink, hoop ek dat plaaslike gemeente-leiers aangemoedig sal word om dit te oorweeg om aaneenlopende dienstermyn van predikante en ander lidmaat leierskap te implementeer. Dit is my gebed en hoop dat 'n groot meerderheid van my kollegas sal besef dat verlengde termyn dienslewering vir God en Sy Konikryk 'n noodsaaklikheid is. Soli Deo Gloria Copyright / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Christianity has two kinds of public prayer: one involves only words, and the other uses music. These public prayers have been evolving since the earliest writings of the Bible and continue to the present day. Often times, music can be seen in the Bible as a powerful way to bring people together or teach lessons. However, in the history of Christianity, music has also served as a dividing force, separating churches and indirectly encouraging the development of new denominations. During the sixteenth-century Reformation, reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin were dissatisfied with the way that the Roman Catholic Church was operating. Musical disagreements and debated theological matters eventually led to Protestant Christianity as separate from the Roman Catholic Church. This thesis will evaluate these sixteenth-century reform debates, especially the viewpoints of Martin Luther and John Calvin. With the transition of these branches over to the Unites States, continual divisions have led to further development of denominations including the modern Baptists and Reformed Baptists. Through evaluating primary sources from these reformers, comparative analysis of their theological beliefs, and analysis of the musical structures of their compositions, this thesis seeks to understand the continued divisions within the Protestant church. An ongoing reform continues among Protestant and Reformed churches, and this project will show that these debates are likely to continue as modern Protestant believers evolve and seek relevant ways to worship through music.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity International University, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-168).