The purpose of this study was to determine if seminary students, identified as conservative, moderate, or liberal in theological beliefs, were significantly different on the following personality variables: dogmatism, thinking introversion, theoretical orientation, aestheticism, complexity, autonomy, religious orientation, impulse expression, anxiety level, practical outlook, and personal integration. The instrument used to measure theological beliefs was the "Inventory of Theological Beliefs." Dogmatism was measured by the "Rokeach Dogmatism Scale." All other variables were measured by the Omnibus Personality Inventory.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Ashland Theological Seminary, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 202-207).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Ashland Theological Seminary, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 202-207).

This study examined the use of group counseling and group discussion as a method of demonstrating changes on selected personality variables of first-year theology students. It was hypothesized that the subjects would become less dogmatic (more open-minded), motivated from a more internal locus of control, feel less anxious, and demonstrate greater creativity and self-concept following their participation in either group counseling or group discussion. Group counseling was hypothesized to be the best method for effecting changes. The subjects were first-year theology students at a southwestern theological seminary. These participants planned to work in some phase of ministry; several planning to be ordained as priests or to enter the deaconate. This study was based upon the premise that ministers often assume a counseling role and they therefore, need training in counseling skills and an opportunity to enhance their personal development. Group counseling and group discussion were explored as possible means to achieve these ends. Each of the five personality variables was measured on a pretest-posttest design. The subjects were tested prior to meeting in one of the two formats and tested again after fifteen hours of participation in one of the groups. A control group was also tested at these same times to allow for a comparison to be made as to which method was most effective. Chapter I presents a review of related literature on the five variables and the need for training of ministers in counseling skills and for providing an opportunity for self-growth. Chapter II states the procedures and includes definitions, the method of the study and a discussion of the instrumentation. Chapter III presents the results of the study and a discussion of the implications. Although the findings indicated some changes in the variables as predicted by the hypotheses, none of the changes was statistically significant. Therefore, it was concluded that these changes may have been occurred by chance. The positive trends, however, were seen to be indicative of the possible beneficial nature of group counseling and it was recommended that the seminary provide an opportunity for such an experience.

The problem for this study was the relationship between faculty-led small groups and the development in seminary students of the character traits biblically mandated of those who occupy spiritual leadership positions in the church (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9). This experimental study developed and assessed a program which combined involvement in a small group of peers with a faculty mentor. The discipleship groups met weekly for two semesters for either thirty or seventy-five minutes. The research instrument used was the Biblical Leadership Qualities Inventory, a revision of the Spiritual Leadership Qualities Inventory. The longer treatment length groups were not found to differ significantly from the shorter treatment length groups for change in trait score (p = .281), although means were generally lower for the longer groups. A MANOVA showed that both treatment groups differed significantly from the control group for the traits observed (p < .001) with the general direction of change being to a lower trait score. Five post-hoc hypotheses were investigated. An education effect, as measured by number of traits studied in the group, was not found to be related to outcome. A fatigue or stress effect, as measured by academic load, work load, and marital status, was not found to be related to outcome. Instrument weakness, peer effect, and mentor effect were suggested as possible explanations for the outcome. Peer and mentor relationships may have resulted in the subjects developing higher standards and thus a decrease on the posttest. Demographic factors of marital status, Christian age, academic load, work load, and absences did not prove to be effective predictors of outcome. Neither faculty trait scores nor faculty fidelity to the topics for discussion in the treatment groups proved to be an effective predictor of student outcome. Previous research by Parker showing factors for the SLQI was not replicable and thus the factors were not found to be reliable.

This research attempted to ascertain whether the ratings of applicants in the admissions-evaluation process of Dallas Theological Seminary (Admission Committee Rating, or ACR) were related to persistence in seminary study sufficiently to allow reasonable prediction of completion based on the strength of the ratings. Five ACRs were examined - the total ACR and its four components, strength of previous academics, personal references, potential and promise for ministry, and previous ministry experience. Other non-admissions factors were also examined to see what relationship they had to persistence. Those factors were years of matriculation, age at matriculation, gender, marital status, ethnicity, nationality, types of previous higher education, whether or not financial aid was received (if known), and the total amount of financial aid received (if known). Persistence in the study was defined as graduation from the seminary's major four-year master's degree program (Th.M.) within the time limits published for the degree. Analysis results indicated that only two of the five ACRs were statistically significant, ministry potential and ministry experience, but the relationship with completion was weak. The conclusion reached was that the relationship between the strength of the admission evaluation and persistence was practically insignificant and contributed little to the ability to predict completion on that basis alone.

Purpose of the study. Since the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is the psychological test that is most widely used in seminaries in the United States, it was the purpose of this study (1) to establish norms for Christian Theological Seminary that could be compared with general norms and with the norms of two other studies, those of United Presbyterian and Southern California School of Theology seminarians, to help answer the question of how clergymen differ from non-clergymen and whether special norms need to be taken into consideration in the interpretation of MMPI protocols with seminary students; and (2) to see whether there are variables measured by the MMPI which can differentiate between effective an ineffective ministers and/or predict ministerial effectiveness as measured by (a) academic success as shown by grade point average for two semesters of seminary work, (b) ratings by the faculty and (c) ratings by fellow students, both using the Ministerial Effectiveness Rating Scale.

This study analyzes the satisfaction of doctoral students in the joint doctoral program in Christian higher education between Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and the University of North Texas (UNT). The study focuses on the 18 students who have been identified as advanced participants in or graduates from the joint program from its inception in 1997 through its 10-year mark in 2007. Fourteen of the 18 eligible students agreed to participate in this study for a 77.8 % response rate. The doctoral students completed a survey that was created using a study of Garrett in 2006 of doctoral students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and of McLaughlin in 2002 of graduate students in Christian education at DTS. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent the joint doctoral program in higher education between both institutions meets the expectations of the students and prepares them for the range of careers that they then pursue. The study offers a number of findings surrounding the five research questions and offers several conclusions and recommendations for further research. The study concluded that the surveyed participants were immensely satisfied with their education experience thus assuming that the joint program does meet expectations and prepare students for future careers.

The purpose of this study was to determine how graduates of master's degree programs perceived the ethnic and cultural climate at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) during their enrollment there. The population (N=2,223) consisted of graduates of master's degree programs who attended Dallas Seminary from 1996-2005. The study utilized a non-experimental design methodology using a mailed survey questionnaire. A 37.2 % response rate was achieved. Most results were statistically significant at the .05 alpha level utilizing chi-square goodness-of-fit tests.

The aim of this study was to establish to what extent the post graduate theological students of the RCSA experience emotional burnout and what their perceptions of burnout are. A combination of quantitative and qualitative empirical research was conducted to establish the levels of burnout and co–responding perceptions of the phenomenon. The study found that 75% of the post graduate students had experienced burnout to some extent. Out of these 75% participants, 35% experienced acute burnout, and a further 15% could be classified as being in the breakdown phase of burnout. The study indicated that the post graduate students of the RCSA generally had a positive perception towards burnout in the sense that they had a fair understanding of the causes of the phenomenon. The research has also shown that the post graduate theological students identified a balanced lifestyle as the most important preventative measure to combat burnout. To attain such a lifestyle, post graduate theological students need to attend to their spiritual, emotional, social and physical needs in a balanced way. Despite the fact that the majority of the participating students have a positive perception regarding the treatment and prevention of burnout, it is however clear that they do not address the problem effectively. It became clear from the research that additional guidance in the prevention, management and treatment of burnout is required. Various factors were identified that may contribute to the post graduate theological students' experiencing of burnout. These factors include the following: the effective management of the academic work load, their experiencing of overload and a lack of control over the amount of academic work, perceptions that they are not rewarded sufficiently for their contributions, that they feel excluded from experiencing a sense of belonging to a common group and having communion as a group, a lack of work satisfaction, a lack of effective interpersonal relationships, personal problems in their private lives, the degree of Type A–behaviour amongst some participants, a lack of emotional development and growth and a need for interpersonal skills training in their curriculum for them as future ministers, a lack of maintaining healthy emotional boundaries, structuring and ordering of the post graduate theological students-' own spiritual life, a lack of fulfilment of goals and their inability to keep up with the accelerating tempo of socio–domextic change in society. Other contributing factors to burnout amongst post graduate theological students are that they have certain misperceptions about burnout with regard to their calling as a minister. These misperceptions include the following: false feelings of guilt, complying with unrealistic high moral standards as person, that burnout is seen as a sign of 'weakness' and 'sin' and that treatment is only intended for 'sick people'. It has been established that burnout has definite negative consequences in the lives of the post graduate theological students. These consequences affect students' entire lives on physical, spiritual and emotional levels. The following consequences of burnout were identified: depressive disorders, loss of vision, bitterness, psychosomatic symptoms such as headaches, stomach ulcers, muscle spasms, etc. and their experience of burnout as generally being traumatic. Exegesis on 1 Kings 19:1–18 was normatively applied as a guide to address burnout to the post graduate theological students' experience of the phenomenon. Elijah's experience of burnout and how God led him to healing and also looked after his physical, spiritual and emotional needs was evaluated and guidelines were identified and formulated that could serve as an effective means of addressing burnout. Because burnout influences the post graduate theological students on a physical, spiritual and emotional level, the management and treatment thereof should also consist of the addressing of all three these elements in a balanced way. Pastoral guidelines were thus formulated to address these three elements of burnout - physical, spiritual and emotional in an effective manner. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.