Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-59).

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of History. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-143).

Thesis (D.Ed.Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2005. / Includes abstract. Includes prospectus. This is an electronic reproduction of TREN, #049-0453. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-110).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., 1998. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-165).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Abilene Christian University, 1992. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 189-196).

Thesis (D.Ed.Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2005. / Includes abstract. Includes prospectus. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-110).

Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-114).

Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-132).

AFRIKAANS: Die pastorale betekenis van prediking vir die kerklidmaat is al indirek in studies behandel. Hierdie studie fokus direk op die betekenis van prediking in die pastoraat . Die prakties-teologiese model, waarvolgens die navorsing gedoen is, is die kultureel-linguistiese teologiese model, wat die rol van die groep se tradisie as interpreterende, semiotiese sisteem in die lewe van die lidmaat beklemtoon. Die navorsing is op ’n narratiewe manier gedoen, saam met medenavorsers. As praktiese teoloog het ek die navorsing met die aannames van die sosiaal-konstruksionisme gedoen. Narratiewe speel veral 'n groot rol in die identiteitsvorming van die lidmaat en van die geloofsgemeenskap. Pastoraat, soos beskou binne die raamwerk van die kultureel-linguistiese model, vind op ’n narratief-hermeneutiese wyse in die prediking plaas. Prediking begelei die lidmaat tot die interpretasie van gebeure in sy of haar lewe, in die lig van die narratiewe identiteit van die geloofsgemeenskap. Die identiteit van die geloofsgemeenskap ondergaan sy vorming deur die Bybel as die basisnarratief, deur die geloofstradisie en deur die konteks waarin die gemeenskap verkeer. Dit is ’n dinamiese proses wat voortdurend herinterpreteer word, daarom word die lidmaat voortdurend uitgenooi, veral deur prediking, tot herinterpretasie van sy of haar eie narratiewe identiteit. Die Bybel as basisnarratief funksioneer op intratekstuele manier in die narratiewe identiteit van die gemeente en die lidmaat deurdat dit as realistiese narratief interpreteer word, en dit daag tot narratief-hermeneutiese interpretasie. Die navorsing se keuse vir pastorale prediking is: ’n intratekstuele, narratiewe, pastorale prediking model. ENGLISH: The role of the sermon in the pastoral care of the member of a congregation has previously been researched indirectly. The present research focuses directly on the role of the sermon in pastoral care. The practical theological model for this research is the cultural-linguistic theological model, which emphasizes the group's tradition as an interpretive semiotic system in the life of the congregation member. The research was carried out in a narrative way, together with co-researchers. As a practical theologian, I did the research using the assumptions of social constructionism. The role of narrative is particularly important in the shaping of identities, both of the individual and the congregation. Pastoral care, as viewed within the framework of the cultural-linguistic model, is achieved in the sermon in a narrative-hermeneutical way. The sermon helps the congregation members to interpret events in their lives in the light of the narrative identity of the group. The identity of the group is shaped by the Bible as underlying narrative, by the tradition of the faith community and by the context. It is a dynamic process that is ever changing; therefore the member is continually invited through the sermon to a re-interpretation of his or her own narrative identity. The Bible, as the fundamental narrative, functions in an intratextual manner in the narrative identity of the community and the individual, through its interpretation as a realistic narrative, and it represents a challenge to attempt new narrative hermeneutical interpretations. The research proposal for pastoral preaching is: an intratextual-narrative-pastoral sermon. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The membership numbers of most of the Protestant denominations in the United States have been decreasing for a number of years. Much of the research studying this phenomenon has used demographic data and surveys of former members to understand reasons for leaving. This qualitative study uses a phenomenological perspective to understand the lived experience of eight former members of the Sunrise Mennonite Church. One former leader and three current church leaders from the Sunrise Mennonite Church were also interviewed for their perspective of the costs and benefits of church membership. The findings of this study were consistent with the literature across two main themes. First, a significant attraction and benefit of church membership is the support and fellowship experienced from close friendships within the church. Relationships as a whole are important, and negative interactions within the church can serve to damage one's satisfaction with a church as a whole. A second factor affecting church membership is the change experienced by church members and the change that occurs in the culture of the surrounding community. These changes lead to new and different preferences of the church members, and if these can not be incorporated into their churches, these members may leave their church. / Master of Science