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Developing an Effective Spiritual Maturity Process Within a Congregation

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Developing an Effective Spiritual Maturity Process Within a Congregation DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL MATURITY PROCESS WITHIN A CONGREGATION A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY PATRICIA A. SNELLING WINEBRENNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY FINDLAY, OHIO AUGUST 1, 2015 Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Snelling All rights reserved DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL MATURITY PROCESS WITHIN CONGREGATION A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY PATRICIA A. SNELLING APPROVED BY: Gwen Ebner July 8, 2015 Project Mentor Date Winona McDaniels April 8, 2015 External Reader Date Margaret Sattler July 8, 2015 Writing Stylist Date M. John Nissley July 8, 2015 Doctor of Ministry Director Date WINEBRENNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY FINDLAY, OHIO AUGUST 1, 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS .......................................................................................................... vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. viii ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT ................................................1 Context of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................12 Purpose of the Study .............................................................................................14 Research Methodology .........................................................................................15 Research Questions ................................................................................................16 Significance for the Broader Church ....................................................................17 Assumptions and Limitations ...............................................................................18 Definitions of Terms .............................................................................................19 Outline of the Research Project ...........................................................................20 CHAPTER TWO: BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS .....................22 Spirituality in the Biblical Texts ...........................................................................22 Biblical Models of Spirituality ..............................................................................27 The Spirituality of Abraham .....................................................................27 The Spirituality of David ..........................................................................28 The Spirituality of Job ..............................................................................28 iv The Spirituality of Peter ............................................................................29 Biblical Transformation ........................................................................................30 Christian Spirituality Origins to the Twelfth Century ..........................................31 Athanasius of Alexandria ......................................................................................35 Basil of Caesarea ...................................................................................................36 Hilary of Poitiers ...................................................................................................37 Eastern Christianity (Monasticism and Asceticism) .............................................37 Western Christianity (Monasticism and Asceticism) ...........................................40 Christian Spirituality in High Middle Ages and Reformation ..............................44 Martin Luther ........................................................................................................47 John Calvin ...........................................................................................................49 Post-Reformed and Modern ..................................................................................50 Historical Overview of the Baptist Church ...........................................................50 The Seventeenth Century ..........................................................................52 African-American Baptists .......................................................................59 Summary ...............................................................................................................64 CHAPTER THREE: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE .....................................................66 Spiritual Formation in Sports ................................................................................88 Spiritual Journey ...................................................................................................97 Summary .............................................................................................................112 CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURES ...............114 Qualitative – Pastor’s Interview Questions .........................................................119 Qualitative – Leadership Interview Questions ....................................................121 v Quantitative – Congregation Survey ...................................................................123 CHAPTER FIVE: RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF DATA ........................................126 Introduction .........................................................................................................126 Spiritual Growth Survey .....................................................................................126 Interviews with Leadership .................................................................................145 Interview with Pastor ..........................................................................................154 Summary .............................................................................................................157 CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................159 Introduction .........................................................................................................159 Project Summary .................................................................................................161 Project Findings ..................................................................................................166 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................178 Recommendations ...............................................................................................182 APPENDIX A, Full Gospel Distinctives ........................................................................188 APPENDIX B, Baptist Doctrines ...................................................................................191 APPENDIX C, Spiritual Growth Survey ........................................................................194 APPENDIX D, Informed Consent Letter .......................................................................198 APPENDIX E, Permission Letter Pew Research Center ................................................200 WORKS CITED .............................................................................................................202 WORKS CONSULTED .................................................................................................211 vi ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page 5.1 Responses to Question 1 ......................................................................... 127 5.2 Responses to Question 2 .........................................................................128 5.3 Young People Less Religiously Affiliated ............................................ 131 5.4 Responses to Question 3 ........................................................................ 132 5.5 Responses to Question 4 ........................................................................ 133 5.6 Responses to Question 5 ........................................................................ 134 5.7 Responses to Question 6 ........................................................................ 135 5.8 Responses to Question 7 ........................................................................ 136 5.9 Responses to Question 8 ........................................................................ 139 5.10 Responses to Question 9 ........................................................................ 140 5.11 Responses to Question 10 .......................................................................141 5.12 Responses to Question 12 ...................................................................... 142 5.13 Responses to Question 13 ...................................................................... 143 5.14 Responses to Question 14 ...................................................................... 144 6.1 Question 11 Themes .............................................................................. 171 6.2 Question 15 Themes .............................................................................. 174 vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research was born out of the passion of the researcher to see Christians mature in Christ. I was taking a class, Spiritual Formation,
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