Thesis (D. Min.)--Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary, 1997. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-106).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2005. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-181, 49-51).

Thesis (M.A.)--Wheaton College (Ill.), 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 137).

Thesis (M.A.)--Wheaton College (Ill.), 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 137).

Text in German, summaries in German and English / Rund 70% aller Ostdeutschen gehoren keiner Kirche oder Religionsgemeinschaft an, und sind somit uberwiegend konfessionslos. Die Konfessionslosen sind jedoch keine homogene Gruppe. Zudem ist Konfessionslosigkeit ein Negationsbegriff, der lediglich besagt, was jemand nicht glaubt. Um die konfessionslosen Ostdeutschen besser mit dem Evangelium zu erreichen, ist es jedoch hilfreich zu wissen was sie glauben. Denn in dieser Untersuchung wird davon ausgegangen, dass auch Konfessionslose an etwas glauben. Der Fokus dieser Studie, richtet sich auf die Glaubensvorstellungen der ostdeutschen jungen Erwachsenen, im Alter von 18-26 Jahren, die nach der Wende 1989 geboren und sozialisiert wurden und somit ,,postsozialistisch" sind. Von Interesse ist die inhaltliche Fullung, die sinnstiftenden Elemente, die Pragung, sowie die Lebens- und Alltagsrelevanz des Glaubens dieser jungen Erwachsenen, als auch die missionarische Ansprechbarkeit auf der Grundlage dieser Ergebnisse. Dazu wurde in der brandenburgischen Stadt Cottbus, auf die sich diese Studie beschrankt, eine qualitative Studie mit halbstandardisierten Leitfadeninterviews durchgefuhrt. / Approximately 70% of Germans living in East Germany (the former German Democratic Republic) belong neither to a church, nor to a religious fellowship. These "confession-less" are, however, not a homogenous people group. To describe people as confession-less is negative terminology, which says simply that they do not believe. In order to better reach the confessionless East Germans with the Gospel, it is helpful, of course, to know what they believe. This study proceeds from the assumption, that every person believes on something. The focus of this study is on young adults in eastern Germany from 18-26 years of age, who were born and received their socialization after the peaceful revolution of 1989 and who are therefore "post-socialistic''. The belief of these young adults is analyzed in regard to its content, the elements that give it meaning, its characteristics and its relevance for their lives in general, as well as for their everyday life. In addition, of concern is their level of missional responsiveness, based on the results of this analysis. In this study, quality-based, partially standardized, guided interviews were employed in the city of Cottbus (Brandenburg, Germany), to which this study is limited. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

Text in Afrikaans / The central focus of this study is the church involvement of young adult members. Following an introductory chapter in which the research methodology and modus operandi are being explained, a discussion, in the light of recent literature, is devoted to young adults as a unique generation of our time, shaped within a particular social context; their specific characteristics and spiritual needs; and possible reasons for their very slight involvement with the church (chapter 2). In chapter 3, the empirical survey, conducted by means of questionnaires and structured interviews within the Uniting Reformed Church's Circuit of Wellington, is described and the results interpreted. In chapter 4, certain conclusions are drawn. The indication from the literature reviewed, that young adults are mainly uninvolved with the church, was empirically confirmed. Finally, recommendations are made and guidelines given, aimed at a more effective ministry to the young adult member of the church. / Religious Studies & Arabic / M. Diac. (Youth Work)

Thesis (D. Min.)--Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 213-225).

Text in German; abstract in German and English / In dieser Studie werden die Auswirkungen von Mentoring zur Förderung von Glaube und Kompetenzen innerhalb des einjährigen Jüngerschaftsprogrammes „Missions Discipleship Training“ von OM Deutschland untersucht. Zum einen wird erforscht, mit welchen Erwartungen die Teilnehmenden zum MDT kommen, zum anderen ihre Wahrnehmung der Mentoringtreffen, deren Inhalte und die Auswirkungen auf die Entwicklung von Glaube und Kompetenzen. Anhand des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus wird sowohl die Planung und Durchführung sowie die Ergebnisse der qualitativen Interviews dargestellt, die mit sieben ehemaligen Teilnehmenden des MDTs geführt wurden. Als Ergebnis des mehrmaligen Kodierens unter Anwendung der „Grounded Theory“ lassen sich fünf Typologien von Teilnehmenden herausarbeiten. Auf der Grundlage der Forschungsergebnisse wurden Praxiskonsequenzen für Mentoring erarbeitet. Die Studie will einen Beitrag zur besseren Umsetzung von Mentoring zur Förderung von Glaube und Kompetenzen in einjährigen Jüngerschaftsprogrammen leisten. / This research project examines the impact of mentoring in a one year discipleship programme, Missions Discipleship Training (MDT) from OM Germany. First, it looks at the expectations of participants at the outset of the programme. Secondly, it explores how participants evaluate mentoring sessions, specifically the content of the sessions and the impact on the development of the faith and competence of participants. Consistent with the empirical-theological praxis cycle the planning, implementation and results of the qualitative interviews of seven former MDT participants are included. A „Grounded Theory“ methodology is employed, resulting in the creation of multiple codes and the classification of the interviewees into five categories. A best practice approach to mentoring is developed based on these research results. This project aims to improve the implementation of mentoring in one year discipleship programs, so that through mentoring participants are encouraged to grow in both faith and competence. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / The central focus of this study is the church involvement of young adult members. Following an introductory chapter in which the research methodology and modus operandi are being explained, a discussion, in the light of recent literature, is devoted to young adults as a unique generation of our time, shaped within a particular social context; their specific characteristics and spiritual needs; and possible reasons for their very slight involvement with the church (chapter 2). In chapter 3, the empirical survey, conducted by means of questionnaires and structured interviews within the Uniting Reformed Church's Circuit of Wellington, is described and the results interpreted. In chapter 4, certain conclusions are drawn. The indication from the literature reviewed, that young adults are mainly uninvolved with the church, was empirically confirmed. Finally, recommendations are made and guidelines given, aimed at a more effective ministry to the young adult member of the church. / Religious Studies and Arabic / M. Diac. (Youth Work)

Text in German, summaries in German and English / In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird empirisch-theologisch der Frage nachgegangen, welche Relevanz Partizipation in der kirchlichen Praxis für beteiligte Ehrenamtliche besitzt. Dazu wurden qualitative, halb-standardisierte Interviews mit jungen Erwachsenen aus partizipativen Jugendarbeiten in Köln geführt und diese anschließend methodisch ausgewertet. Ziel war es, einen Eindruck zu gewinnen, warum sich junge Menschen partizipativen Gemeindeformen anschließen und dort mitarbeiten- und welche Rolle dabei die partizipativen Elemente tatsächlich einnehmen. Dies geschieht vor dem Hintergrund aktueller und historischer kirchlicher Praxis, vor dem die Ergebnisse betrachtet, reflektiert und nutzbar gemacht werden. / This research paper examines how important participation is for volunteers at church. The goal of this study is to gain insights into why young adults join participatory forms of church youth work and participate actively in the programs as well as to determine how important participatory elements really are to them. The study is carried out with empirical-theological methods. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adults in participatory clerical youth organizations in Cologne. Subsequently, these interviews were examined methodologically. Against the backdrop of current and historical ecclesiastical practice, these results were considered, reflected upon and made useable. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)