Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / Designed within the framework of communication theory and utilizing psychological methods, a study of the Protestant parish ministry has been made yielding basic vocational information, and permitting the formulation of five major problems confronting the ministry and the Church today. Vital information about each communication which took place on one weekday and one Sunday in the life of each minister was systematically collected by a self-recording technique. All topics of conversation were gathered for content analysis. The methodology of this study differs from others made in this field in deriving primary data of communication from records made close to the moment of action, employing extensive followup interviews, and representing a virtually complete sample of the professional Protestant ministry in a greater urban area of 150,000 people. Primary data were transferred to IBM punch cards and processed electronically; statistical results are presented in thirty-two tables and illustrations. Analysis is made of the contents, means, motives, and personal network of communication, providing answers to the questions: What does the minister talk about? By what means does he communicate with others? To whom does he communicate, and why? On the basis of primary and interview data five crucial problems of communication are formulated: (1) the problem of specialization, arising from the desire for vocational fulfilment, but largely frustrated by an overwhelming need for non-professional services; (2) the problem of supply and demand, which calls attention to the Church's failure to provide facilities and manpower to meet rising demands, and the inadequacy of a communication network corresponding roughly to a single wheel with all lines converging at the center, the minister; (3) the problem of selectivity or bias, indicating the degree to which the minister's conscious and unconscious preferences interfere with the establishment of truly cosmopolitan and inclusive Christian communities; (4) the problem of superficiality, indicated by the heavy predominance of incidental contents, brief contacts, and impersonal means of communication; and (5) the problem of sensitivity, of remaining a sensitive receiver of communication in spite of the serious barriers created by status, schedule, and preoccupation with parish detail. Judging from his communications, the major role of the minister today is that of pastor, with the role of administrator a close competitor. In actual conversation as well as by stated preference, ministers move away from administrative functions toward pastoral, while parishioners and others call upon them more often for administrative than for pastoral services. Heavy involvement in committees and groups, averaging one fourth of all working time, gives new prominence to the organizational role, a role in which the minister is not well adjusted, and lacks strategy. The more professional ministry involving direct attention to religion in either pastoral, priestly, preaching, or teaching situations is mainly a Sunday phenomenon, all of these put together accounting for only 11% of weekday conversation. A large proportion of ministers in this study are dissatisfied with their present vocational roles. Yet, they seem unable to cut out spheres of major activity and competence for themselves, and to interpret this specialization to their congregations. In outlining a strategy of communication to meet the situation, the author begins with a consideration of the pastor's own motives and vocational goals, laying particular stress upon the hazards of the Messiah complex. In asserting the need for multiple foci of communication, he analyzes the effects of staff on the actual communications of the pastor, and critically evaluates the staff-solution to the minister's dilemma. Greatest hope is seen in a renewal of a true ministry of all believers under the direction of a spiritual overseer, the pattern of communication which prevailed in the New Testament Church.

<p> This dissertation is an attempt to construct a perichoretic pastoral theology. This constructive proposal comes through a conversation between central dimensions of pastoral theology and salient features of the doctrine of perichoresis. The conversation partners are: (1) theologies of experience and perichoretic relationality; (2) concern for human angst and perichoretic participation; and (3) situational attentiveness and perichoretic spirituality. This conversation yields a pastoral theology that is being called 'the practice of perichoresis.' The practice of perichoresis is a pastoral theology that helps ministering persons to navigate how their ministry practice can be done participatively (with God), attentively (in situations of ministry) and authentically (personal life and ministry). Spiritual polarities will be used to articulate this relational, participative and spiritual approach to pastoral theology. This perichoretic pastoral theology is articulated as three interrelated movements. The first polarity is the move from experience to relationship. The practices and methods pastoral theology uses to engage human experience is drawn into conversation with perichoretic relationality. This interaction encourages a move toward relationship in all pastoral theological work. The second polarity is the move from concern to presence. Here pastoral concern for human angst is drawn into conversation with perichoretic participation. This interaction encourages a move toward presence; a presence which hopes to disclose God's presence even in the most perplexing circumstances. The third polarity is the move from competence to communion. In this conversation pastoral theology's situational attentiveness is drawn into dialogue with perichoretic spirituality. The move toward communion encourages practices of situational attentiveness that are rooted in communion with God and within the community of faith. A fourth polarity is offered which incorporates the other three. It is the move from practice to prayer. Prayer is the practice that integrates the theological, contextual and personal dimensions of the practice of perichoresis. This perichoretic pastoral theology is constructed in the hope of helping ministering persons to live and minister in an ever-deepening cadence with the triune God.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p> Trauma is a devastating consequence that affects the human identity resulting in the shattering of basic trust in oneself, others, and God. Often people suffering the effects of trauma turn to the Christian community for answers and assistance. Through understanding how trauma affects a person the Christian community is better equipped to walk along side those who are in the recovery process. Compassion creates a safe place for an individual to reveal the depths of emotional pain. The attribute of resilience enables the traumatized individual to continue moving through the recovery process. Six narratives were examined using constructive narrative theology as the methodology. From weaving these narratives together it became apparent that the Christian community can best aid a traumatized person by listening to their story, entering into their lament, drawing out their metaphorical and symbolic language, lifting them up in prayer, and leaving them in God's hands.</p> / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

陳時芳. / "2006年5月". / 論文(神道學碩士)--香港中文大學, 2006. / 參考文獻(leaves 62-66). / "2006 nian 5 yue". / Abstract also in English. / Chen Shifang. / Lun wen (Shen dao xue shuo shi)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 2006. / Can kao wen xian (leaves 62-66). / Chapter 第一章： --- 導論 --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- 論文目的 --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- 論文硏究方法及結構 --- p.2 / Chapter 第二章： --- 雅麗氏何妙齡那打素醫院的歷史背景及架構 --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1. --- 引言 --- p.3 / Chapter 2.2. --- 醫院成立的歷史及福音工作 --- p.3 / Chapter 2.3. --- ´ؤ九九七年後遷院後的歷史 --- p.5 / Chapter 2.4. --- 二零零三年「非典型肺炎」期間的處理情況 --- p.7 / Chapter 2.5. --- 那打素醫院行政架構對院牧事工發展的影響 --- p.9 / Chapter 2.6. --- 小結 --- p.11 / Chapter 第三章： --- 那打素醫院院牧事工 --- p.12 / Chapter 3.1. --- 引言 --- p.12 / Chapter 3.2. --- 那打素醫院院牧事工發展歷史（一九九七年後） --- p.12 / Chapter 3.3. --- 那打素醫院院牧事工目標及使命 --- p.13 / Chapter 3.4. --- 全人關顧及心靈關顧的重要 --- p.14 / Chapter 3.5. --- 院牧事工的五大工作範疇 --- p.15 / Chapter 3.6. --- 香港醫院院牧事工聯會 --- p.16 / Chapter 3.7. --- 被關顧者的身心社靈狀況及需要 --- p.17 / Chapter 3.7.1. --- 被關顧者的生理狀況及需要 --- p.17 / Chapter 3.7.2. --- 被關顧者的心理狀況及需要　　　　　　　 --- p.18 / Chapter 3.7.3. --- 被關顧者的社群（人際關係）狀況及需要 --- p.19 / Chapter 3.7.4. --- 被關顧者的心靈狀況及需要 --- p.19 / Chapter 3.8. --- 小結 --- p.20 / Chapter 第四章： --- 那打素醫院院牧事工的實踐現況及成效 --- p.21 / Chapter 4.1. --- 引言 --- p.21 / Chapter 4.2. --- 院牧事工的實踐現況 --- p.21 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- 對病者牧關及輔導 --- p.21 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- 對員工牧養及輔導　　　　 --- p.24 / Chapter 4.2.3. --- 訓練工作　　　　 --- p.24 / Chapter 4.2.4. --- 聯絡事工　　　　　　　 --- p.27 / Chapter 4.2.5. --- 宗教活動　 --- p.27 / Chapter 4.3. --- 院牧事工的實踐成效 --- p.28 / Chapter 4.3.1. --- 院牧個人品格及專業訓練的影響性 --- p.28 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- 病人不同的回應 --- p.31 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- 疫症期間的院牧事工的限制 --- p.33 / Chapter 4.3.4. --- 心靈關顧對於健康的正面影響 --- p.34 / Chapter 4.3.5. --- 宗教的影響力 --- p.35 / Chapter 4.3.6. --- 角色上的混淆及衝突 --- p.36 / Chapter 4.3.7. --- 對醫護人員關顧上的不足 --- p.37 / Chapter 4.3.8. --- 臨床牧關教育的影響 --- p.38 / Chapter 第五章： --- 總結 --- p.39 / Chapter 5.1. --- 硏究方法的困難 --- p.39 / Chapter 5.2. --- 五大工作範疇的檢討 --- p.39 / Chapter 5.3. --- 院牧事工仍處於被動及限制中 --- p.40 / Chapter 5.4. --- 優點成爲缺點的危機 --- p.40 / 附件一 --- p.42 / 附件二 --- p.43 / 附件三 --- p.45 / 附件四 --- p.47 / 附件五 --- p.48 / 附件六 --- p.49 / 附件七 --- p.50 / 附件八 --- p.51 / 附件九 --- p.55 / 附件十 --- p.58 / 參考書目 --- p.62 / 中文書目　 --- p.62 / 英文書目 --- p.62 / 中文期刊 --- p.63 / 英文期刊 --- p.63 / 特刊 --- p.63 / 年報 --- p.64 / 白皮書 --- p.64 / 網上資源 --- p.64 / 口述訪問 --- p.66

Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes final project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-130, 40-44).

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Freiburg i. Ue., 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes final project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-130, 40-44).

Thesis (D.Th.)--University of South Africa, 2002.

This study examined the extent to which organizational conditions that promote ministry team effectiveness are present in multi-staff churches. The case was made for the need for effective teamwork in the church organization. Five influential and contemporary models of effective teams were examined and through those models a shift in thinking from examining team characteristics toward creating and leading organizational conditions was presented. Finally an integrative effective team model was presented and five key organizational conditions were presented as a synthesis of the components from the five effective team models. Those five organizational conditions are: an environment of trust, a focus on performance, team stability over time, a supportive structure and context, and good team leadership. Based on the five organizational conditions the Team Effectiveness Survey was developed with the assistance of an expert panel. The survey, which examined perceptions of organizational conditions, was distributed electronically to 1165 multi-staff churches. The results collected allowed for the comparison of responses between senior pastors and associate staff. Data collected showed a positive perception among pastoral staff as to both the effectiveness of ministry teams and the presence of the five organizational conditions within their churches. Statistical analysis also displayed agreement in perception between senior pastors and associate staff in each of the five organizational conditions. Two conditions, however, did show a slight divergence in perception. Those conditions were the areas of trust and a focus on performance. Analysis of the data was accomplished primarily through descriptive statistics and was displayed through the use of tables and charts. Implications and applications of the research were also presented. Some of the research implications involved the primarily positive views of pastoral staff regarding how their organizations support ministry team effectiveness, the reality that there is room for improvement in helping teams be more successful, and the agreement that senior pastors and associate staff had regarding team effectiveness and the existence of the five conditions. Research applications were suggested in the areas of continued communication among pastoral staff, the need to continue to improve in setting goals and objectives for tasks, and the need for leaders to shift their thinking from influencing individual team effectiveness to influencing the culture of an organization in order to promote team health throughout the organization. Finally, suggestions for further research were proposed.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-154).