Moral formation is a crucial aspect of the training that young Christian leaders have to be exposed to during their education. A holistic focus was adopted to analyse the nuances of the moral self and give moral formation the focus it requires. Three major areas of the moral self namely knowledge, emotion and socialization have been investigated. The study was exploratory in nature and made use of a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed with a constructivist framework using content analysis. Findings mainly related to the three areas under focus with the impact of emotions being the most prominent. The influence of the Holy Spirit was also a key finding as charismatic emerging adults depended on his guidance during moral decision making. The data also reflected the significant interaction and overlap of the three areas exercising an influence on emerging adults’ moral decision making. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

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.

This study sought to determine if the locus of control of seminarians is altered as a result of graduate theological training. Gaskins' (1978) locus of control scale was selected because it included God as one of several external controls. This scale was either mailed or administered directly to first year and graduating students from two Southern Baptist and two Disciples of Christ seminaries. The 187 responses revealed no significant difference between the locus of control scores of the two levels despite the fact that all but one school reported mean graduating scores lower than their first year average. The effects of seminary on locus of control appears to be statistically insignificant.

This dissertation examines the perceptions of Southern Baptist ministers and seminary faculty regarding the importance of administration competencies and the perceived level of seminary preparation in equipping graduates for managerial responsibilities. Relationships between perceptions of ministers and faculty are analyzed using ranking correlation methods. The impact of staff position on the perceptions of ministers toward administration competencies is also examined. Rank variances are used to identify competencies where potential over-preparation and under-preparation occur. Chapter 1 presents the research concern related to varied perceptions of the role of seminary education in preparing ministers for practical ministry. This research focused on competencies in ministerial administration. Chapter 2 examines the precedent literature for ministerial administration competencies and includes theological, administration, and ministry foundations. This chapter analyzes the arguments related to the need for administration in ministry and the role of the seminary in preparing ministers. Chapter 3 presents the methodological design of the research. The study surveyed 637 Southern Baptist seminary graduates and 68 Southern Baptist seminary faculty regarding their perceptions of administration competency importance and educational adequacy. The "Research Survey of Administration Competencies" was developed by the researcher to measure perceptions of thirty-four competencies in five competency dimensions for ministers and faculty. Chapter 4 presents the demographic data and the analysis of findings related to five research questions. Statistical analysis revealed a high level of perceived importance for administration competencies and a moderate level of seminary preparation in administration. Ministers and faculty ranked competency importance and education adequacy similarly resulting in strong correlation coefficients. Various perceptions existed between church staff positions within the minister group. Chapter 5 presents the conclusions of the research. A high level of importance was placed on the role of administration competencies by ministers and faculty. Decision making was the highest ranked competency for ministers and the second highest by faculty. Knowledge of biblical models of administration supported the emphases found in precedent literature. Both groups rated assessing and reporting last in importance among the five competency dimensions. Ranking variance analysis indicated that over-preparation occurred in four of the thirty-four competencies while under-preparation was identified in four competencies. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

Moral formation is a crucial aspect of the training that young Christian leaders have to be exposed to during their education. A holistic focus was adopted to analyse the nuances of the moral self and give moral formation the focus it requires. Three major areas of the moral self namely knowledge, emotion and socialization have been investigated. The study was exploratory in nature and made use of a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed with a constructivist framework using content analysis. Findings mainly related to the three areas under focus with the impact of emotions being the most prominent. The influence of the Holy Spirit was also a key finding as charismatic emerging adults depended on his guidance during moral decision making. The data also reflected the significant interaction and overlap of the three areas exercising an influence on emerging adults’ moral decision making. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

A tese propõe-se a analisar e a interpretar a representação social da sexualidade em seminaristas e padres. Em vista de alcançar essa finalidade, foi realizada, primeiramente, uma pesquisa documental para mostrar o modo como a Igreja Católica compreende a sexualidade. Em segundo momento, buscou-se perceber o que enfatiza o Magistério Eclesiástico no que concerne ao tema da sexualidade nos seminários e no ministério presbiteral. E por último, realizou-se a pesquisa empírica com seminaristas e padres sobre seis temas relacionados à sexualidade: compreensão da sexualidade, desafios da sexualidade, sentido do celibato, homossexualidade nos seminários, compreensão do autoerotismo e a pedofilia na Igreja Católica. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa em que se utilizou a aplicação de um questionário. Participaram da pesquisa 50 seminaristas e 51 padres. Após a aplicação do questionário, todas as informações foram tabuladas, lidas e categorizadas a partir de sua dimensão semântica e analisadas à luz da Teoria das Representações Sociais em consonância com a análise temática, que é uma das vertentes da análise de conteúdo. Da análise dos dados, foram construídos mapas representacionais com as categorias e subcategorias que revelaram os elementos centrais que constituem tal representação. A tese compõe-se de seis capítulos. O primeiro apresenta a estrutura orgânica da tese tendo em vista os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados para a realização da pesquisa. O segundo capítulo, também teórico, trata dos pressupostos ontológicos e epistemológicos da Teoria das Representações Sociais. O terceiro refere-se à realização de uma pesquisa documental para mostrar a representação social da sexualidade segundo o que enfatiza a Igreja Católica. O quarto capítulo, também documental, dedicou-se ao estudo da representação social da sexualidade de acordo com o que orientam alguns documentos do Magistério Eclesiástico dedicados à formação seminarística e ao ministério presbiteral. O quinto apresenta os resultados empíricos da representação social da sexualidade na perspectiva dos seminaristas. Tal representação é revelada a partir dos seis mapas representacionais tendo subjacentes as duas grandes dimensões compreensivas da sexualidade em cada um dos mapas. O sexto e último capítulo, também empírico, volta-se para a representação social da sexualidade na perspectiva dos padres. A exemplo do capítulo anterior, a sexualidade na compreensão dos presbíteros, está matizada a partir dos seis mapas representacionais à luz das duas grandes dimensões compreensivas da sexualidade em cada um dos mapas estruturados. / This thesis proposes to analyze and interpret the social representation of sexuality in seminarians and priests. To achieve this purpose, firstly the author did documentary research to show how the Catholic Church understands sexuality. Secondly, he sought to understand with what emphasis the Magisterium of the Catholic Church treats the theme of sexuality in seminaries and in priestly ministry. And lastly, an empirical research was done with seminarians and priests on six themes related to sexuality: their understanding of sexuality, the challenges they encounter in their sexuality, meaning of celibacy for them, homosexuality in seminaries, their understanding of self-eroticism, and the phenomenon of pedophilia in the Catholic Church. It is a qualitative research using a written questionnaire. The participants were 50 seminarians and 51 priests. After the questionnaire was administered, all the information was read, tabulated, and categorized according to its semantic dimension and analyzed in the light of the Theory of Social Representations in line with a thematic analysis, which is one aspect of content analysis. With the analysis of data was built representational maps with categories and subcategories revealing core elements that constitute such representation. The thesis consists of six chapters. The first presents the organic structure of the thesis in view of the methodological procedures used to perform the research. The second chapter, also theoretical, deals with the ontological and epistemological presuppositions of the Theory of Social Representations. The third chapter treats thedocumental research conducted to reveal social representation of sexuality according to Catholic Church teaching. The fourth chapter, also documentary, is dedicated to the study of social representation of sexuality in accord with orientation of some documents of the according to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church related to the formation of seminarians and those in priestly ministry. The fifth presents the empirical results of social representation of sexuality presented by the seminarians. Such representation is revealed from six representational maps with two underlying major comprehensive dimensions of sexuality in each of the maps. The sixth and final chapter, also empirical, points to the social representation of sexuality from the perspective of priests. As the previous chapter, sexuality from the perspective of priests is presented in six maps representatives in the light of the two major comprehensive dimensions of sexuality in each of the structured maps.

Thesis (M. A.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [60]-62).

Thesis (D.Min.)--Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, 2006. / Title from dissertation title page (viewed Nov. 5, 2009). Includes abstract. "A project report and thesis submitted to the Faculty of Brite Divinity School in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry, Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling." Includes bibliographical references.

A tese propõe-se a analisar e a interpretar a representação social da sexualidade em seminaristas e padres. Em vista de alcançar essa finalidade, foi realizada, primeiramente, uma pesquisa documental para mostrar o modo como a Igreja Católica compreende a sexualidade. Em segundo momento, buscou-se perceber o que enfatiza o Magistério Eclesiástico no que concerne ao tema da sexualidade nos seminários e no ministério presbiteral. E por último, realizou-se a pesquisa empírica com seminaristas e padres sobre seis temas relacionados à sexualidade: compreensão da sexualidade, desafios da sexualidade, sentido do celibato, homossexualidade nos seminários, compreensão do autoerotismo e a pedofilia na Igreja Católica. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa em que se utilizou a aplicação de um questionário. Participaram da pesquisa 50 seminaristas e 51 padres. Após a aplicação do questionário, todas as informações foram tabuladas, lidas e categorizadas a partir de sua dimensão semântica e analisadas à luz da Teoria das Representações Sociais em consonância com a análise temática, que é uma das vertentes da análise de conteúdo. Da análise dos dados, foram construídos mapas representacionais com as categorias e subcategorias que revelaram os elementos centrais que constituem tal representação. A tese compõe-se de seis capítulos. O primeiro apresenta a estrutura orgânica da tese tendo em vista os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados para a realização da pesquisa. O segundo capítulo, também teórico, trata dos pressupostos ontológicos e epistemológicos da Teoria das Representações Sociais. O terceiro refere-se à realização de uma pesquisa documental para mostrar a representação social da sexualidade segundo o que enfatiza a Igreja Católica. O quarto capítulo, também documental, dedicou-se ao estudo da representação social da sexualidade de acordo com o que orientam alguns documentos do Magistério Eclesiástico dedicados à formação seminarística e ao ministério presbiteral. O quinto apresenta os resultados empíricos da representação social da sexualidade na perspectiva dos seminaristas. Tal representação é revelada a partir dos seis mapas representacionais tendo subjacentes as duas grandes dimensões compreensivas da sexualidade em cada um dos mapas. O sexto e último capítulo, também empírico, volta-se para a representação social da sexualidade na perspectiva dos padres. A exemplo do capítulo anterior, a sexualidade na compreensão dos presbíteros, está matizada a partir dos seis mapas representacionais à luz das duas grandes dimensões compreensivas da sexualidade em cada um dos mapas estruturados. / This thesis proposes to analyze and interpret the social representation of sexuality in seminarians and priests. To achieve this purpose, firstly the author did documentary research to show how the Catholic Church understands sexuality. Secondly, he sought to understand with what emphasis the Magisterium of the Catholic Church treats the theme of sexuality in seminaries and in priestly ministry. And lastly, an empirical research was done with seminarians and priests on six themes related to sexuality: their understanding of sexuality, the challenges they encounter in their sexuality, meaning of celibacy for them, homosexuality in seminaries, their understanding of self-eroticism, and the phenomenon of pedophilia in the Catholic Church. It is a qualitative research using a written questionnaire. The participants were 50 seminarians and 51 priests. After the questionnaire was administered, all the information was read, tabulated, and categorized according to its semantic dimension and analyzed in the light of the Theory of Social Representations in line with a thematic analysis, which is one aspect of content analysis. With the analysis of data was built representational maps with categories and subcategories revealing core elements that constitute such representation. The thesis consists of six chapters. The first presents the organic structure of the thesis in view of the methodological procedures used to perform the research. The second chapter, also theoretical, deals with the ontological and epistemological presuppositions of the Theory of Social Representations. The third chapter treats thedocumental research conducted to reveal social representation of sexuality according to Catholic Church teaching. The fourth chapter, also documentary, is dedicated to the study of social representation of sexuality in accord with orientation of some documents of the according to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church related to the formation of seminarians and those in priestly ministry. The fifth presents the empirical results of social representation of sexuality presented by the seminarians. Such representation is revealed from six representational maps with two underlying major comprehensive dimensions of sexuality in each of the maps. The sixth and final chapter, also empirical, points to the social representation of sexuality from the perspective of priests. As the previous chapter, sexuality from the perspective of priests is presented in six maps representatives in the light of the two major comprehensive dimensions of sexuality in each of the structured maps.

A tese propõe-se a analisar e a interpretar a representação social da sexualidade em seminaristas e padres. Em vista de alcançar essa finalidade, foi realizada, primeiramente, uma pesquisa documental para mostrar o modo como a Igreja Católica compreende a sexualidade. Em segundo momento, buscou-se perceber o que enfatiza o Magistério Eclesiástico no que concerne ao tema da sexualidade nos seminários e no ministério presbiteral. E por último, realizou-se a pesquisa empírica com seminaristas e padres sobre seis temas relacionados à sexualidade: compreensão da sexualidade, desafios da sexualidade, sentido do celibato, homossexualidade nos seminários, compreensão do autoerotismo e a pedofilia na Igreja Católica. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa em que se utilizou a aplicação de um questionário. Participaram da pesquisa 50 seminaristas e 51 padres. Após a aplicação do questionário, todas as informações foram tabuladas, lidas e categorizadas a partir de sua dimensão semântica e analisadas à luz da Teoria das Representações Sociais em consonância com a análise temática, que é uma das vertentes da análise de conteúdo. Da análise dos dados, foram construídos mapas representacionais com as categorias e subcategorias que revelaram os elementos centrais que constituem tal representação. A tese compõe-se de seis capítulos. O primeiro apresenta a estrutura orgânica da tese tendo em vista os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados para a realização da pesquisa. O segundo capítulo, também teórico, trata dos pressupostos ontológicos e epistemológicos da Teoria das Representações Sociais. O terceiro refere-se à realização de uma pesquisa documental para mostrar a representação social da sexualidade segundo o que enfatiza a Igreja Católica. O quarto capítulo, também documental, dedicou-se ao estudo da representação social da sexualidade de acordo com o que orientam alguns documentos do Magistério Eclesiástico dedicados à formação seminarística e ao ministério presbiteral. O quinto apresenta os resultados empíricos da representação social da sexualidade na perspectiva dos seminaristas. Tal representação é revelada a partir dos seis mapas representacionais tendo subjacentes as duas grandes dimensões compreensivas da sexualidade em cada um dos mapas. O sexto e último capítulo, também empírico, volta-se para a representação social da sexualidade na perspectiva dos padres. A exemplo do capítulo anterior, a sexualidade na compreensão dos presbíteros, está matizada a partir dos seis mapas representacionais à luz das duas grandes dimensões compreensivas da sexualidade em cada um dos mapas estruturados. / This thesis proposes to analyze and interpret the social representation of sexuality in seminarians and priests. To achieve this purpose, firstly the author did documentary research to show how the Catholic Church understands sexuality. Secondly, he sought to understand with what emphasis the Magisterium of the Catholic Church treats the theme of sexuality in seminaries and in priestly ministry. And lastly, an empirical research was done with seminarians and priests on six themes related to sexuality: their understanding of sexuality, the challenges they encounter in their sexuality, meaning of celibacy for them, homosexuality in seminaries, their understanding of self-eroticism, and the phenomenon of pedophilia in the Catholic Church. It is a qualitative research using a written questionnaire. The participants were 50 seminarians and 51 priests. After the questionnaire was administered, all the information was read, tabulated, and categorized according to its semantic dimension and analyzed in the light of the Theory of Social Representations in line with a thematic analysis, which is one aspect of content analysis. With the analysis of data was built representational maps with categories and subcategories revealing core elements that constitute such representation. The thesis consists of six chapters. The first presents the organic structure of the thesis in view of the methodological procedures used to perform the research. The second chapter, also theoretical, deals with the ontological and epistemological presuppositions of the Theory of Social Representations. The third chapter treats thedocumental research conducted to reveal social representation of sexuality according to Catholic Church teaching. The fourth chapter, also documentary, is dedicated to the study of social representation of sexuality in accord with orientation of some documents of the according to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church related to the formation of seminarians and those in priestly ministry. The fifth presents the empirical results of social representation of sexuality presented by the seminarians. Such representation is revealed from six representational maps with two underlying major comprehensive dimensions of sexuality in each of the maps. The sixth and final chapter, also empirical, points to the social representation of sexuality from the perspective of priests. As the previous chapter, sexuality from the perspective of priests is presented in six maps representatives in the light of the two major comprehensive dimensions of sexuality in each of the structured maps.