Inaug.-dis.--Jena. / Lebenslauf. "Literatur": p. 65-67.

Thesis (M.A.)--Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1982. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-83).

<p> The author presented the lack of identified, measurable outcomes, as a problem in ministry for discipleship leaders at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, New Windsor, NY. The problem manifested itself as leader frustration over inability to discern a student&rsquo;s spiritual growth after receiving years of discipleship training. The author created an intervention, which consisted of identifying measurable outcomes and putting them in place over the course of a single ministry year. He recruited 15 teacher/leaders as participants. The author used an Experience Survey and one-on-one interviews to measure possible change in the teaching experience. He surveyed all 15 participants and searched for indicators of the experience of teaching, attitude towards the use of outcomes, and observation of transformative growth of students. The author discovered statistically significant change in measured effect of teachers and offered ministry recommendations.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of writing <i>The Greenhouse Effect: A Model for Equipping Global Disciples in the International Church</i> is to propose a model for values-based thinking that can serve as both frame and filter for present and future ministry in the IC. It is intended as a frame for giving leaders a way to think and a filter by which to say &ldquo;yes&rdquo; and equally a way to say &ldquo;no&rdquo; to the never-ending parade of people and ideas which can only be sustained as long as the one proposing the idea is onsite. </p><p> The simple fourfold value-based greenhouse model offers simplicity in vision and practice that does not burn out pastors and lay leaders; accessibility for all to eternal values that build the church everywhere; sustainability that helps that church to run itself and finally duplicability in the contexts where God is constantly redirecting expats and, joining God in this work, to which the IC joyfully sends them. </p><p> Chapter 1 introduces the international church institution and challenges. </p><p> Chapter 2 provides literature support for the greenhouse contents. </p><p> Chapter 3 unpacks theological considerations for the greenhouse model. </p><p> Chapter 4 explains the meaning and use of the greenhouse model. </p><p> Chapter 5 elucidates the content of the greenhouse for intended results and provides sample ideas for implementation. </p><p> Chapter 6 presents the development and analysis method of a survey model. </p><p> Chapter 7 interprets and integrates the data from the survey. Chapter 8 offers concluding thoughts for further study and ministry.</p><p>

Abstract not available

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are any conditions necessary and/or sufficient to facilitate a transition between Stages Five and Six, as described by Fowler's Faith Developmental theory (1981). This transition is currently of significance because of the widespread interest in mystical experiences, many of which occur after Stage Five. Twelve conditions were selected to be studied. The conditions were investigated through in-depth interviews with 4 men and 8 women in or past midlife who were known to be spiritual leaders in some sense. Fowler's Faith Development Interview was used to ascertain the stages of the interviewees, 5 of whom proved to be at Stage Five, 2 at the 5/6 transition. Other questions focused on the particular conditions under consideration. The results showed that all of the subjects had chosen a path before they came to Stage Five. All but one had worked with a teacher. All had a deep motivation to experience self-transcendence. All had some practice of spiritual discipline and of detached living. In addition, books and solitude were found to be important in most spiritual journeys, while Hardy's "triggers" (1979) were present in several. Openness to spiritual experiencing was found to be universally present. Using Underhill's (1961) criteria, the Dark Night of the Soul, "self-naughting" humility, and the Unitive social activism were all absent. Since no subject was found at Stage 6, the conditions were analyzed for their necessity and/or sufficiency in facilitating movement along the Mystic Way. The conclusions pointed to a "trigger" experience and openness to spiritual experiencing as prerequisites to Awakening, motivation to transcend, choice of a path and teacher as prerequisites to Purgation, spiritual disciplines, detachment and solitude as practices emerging in Purgation. Illumination was usually preceded by a shift to an inner teacher. No condition was deemed to be sufficient to facilitate movement. Most interviewees mentioned a sense of "mystery" or "grace" in their discussion of mystical experiences, pointing to "the initiative of the Transcendent," which Fowler (1974) suggests is central in a stage shift from Five to Six.

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