Date of Award

5-2014

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Houston Thompson

Second Advisor

H. Stanton Tuttle

Third Advisor

Jeffrey S. Williamson

Scholarship Domain(s)

Scholarship of Discovery, Scholarship of Community Application

Abstract

This study explored the influence of postmodernity on the changing attitudes of young pastors regarding spirituality and discipleship in their adult congregants. The purpose of this study was to educate and equip Christian publishers to resource young pastors who are ministering in a postmodern culture. The study focused on Church of the Nazarene pastors 35 years old or younger in the calendar year 2012, exploring their attitudes toward Christian faith, spirituality, and discipleship. At certain junctures in the study, the young pastors’ attitudes were compared to those of pastors who were 36 years or older in order to determine what differences existed in the two demographics. The research pointed to a subtle but unmistakable paradigm shift in thinking on the part of 35-or-younger pastors in matters pertaining to worldview, authority, salvation, Scripture, the Church and the world, spiritual practices, and faith formation in the local context. By examining the young pastors’ priorities, attitudes, and preferences, the researcher gleaned information that will help denominational publishers develop resources to better equip pastors to foster spiritual growth in their congregations.

Comments

Ed.D. dissertation completed in 2014 for Olivet Nazarene University.

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