Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2024, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to create a resource that would provide practical insights leading toward discernment for Evangelical Christians considering professional chaplaincy. The manual A Handbook of Discernment for Evangelicals Considering Ministry as a Professional Chaplain was written and evaluated by a team of twelve professionals who serve as pastors and chaplains. A Likert survey with additional qualitative questions was administered to determine if the handbook successfully led to discernment and provided practical tools for entering the profession of professional chaplaincy. Responses indicated the handbook would be an effective tool for discernment for persons considering professional chaplaincy.

Committee: Dawn Morton (Advisor) Subjects: Clergy; Pastoral Counseling; Religious Education

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2020, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to create a resource for Christian Caregivers that would educate them concerning formative practices for children. A group of sixteen experts in the three fields of ministry, psychology, and education were asked to evaluate the effectiveness of the resource through the completion of a survey. The response indicated that the resource was successful in educating Christian Caregivers concerning formative practices for children. The qualitative section of the survey also revealed that most respondents, though unfamiliar with the practices, were eager to implement them in their lives and the lives of those in their care.

Committee: Dawn Morton Dr (Committee Chair); Thomas Gilmore Dr (Advisor) Subjects: Pastoral Counseling; Religious Education; Spirituality

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2020, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to impact the spiritual life of women from the greater Columbus, Ohio area who self-report a history of sexual abuse in childhood by participating in the safe place prayer. The design of this project utilized a pre-test and post-test survey based on the project goals. The goal of impacting the participant's sense of being loved by others gained the highest mean of change. The women were able to sense they are loved by others and as a result, their spiritual life improved by participating in the safe place prayer.

Committee: Dawn Morton Dr. (Committee Chair); JoAnn Shade Dr. (Advisor) Subjects: Pastoral Counseling; Religious Education; Spirituality

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2019, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project is to create a resource that will better equip pastoral caregivers to become spiritual companions for people with bipolar disorder. The resource, Spiritual Companionship and Bipolar Disorder, establishes that pastoral caregivers are gateway people for those with bipolar disorder to receive appropriate care and models multi-disciplinary collaboration. The resource is evaluated by twelve experts using a questionnaire that includes both quantitative and qualitative questions. As a result, the resource is found to have a strong foundation and creative spiritual experientials. Insights give direction on how to improve the resource including format and cohesiveness.

Committee: Shane Johnson DMin (Advisor) Subjects: Counseling Psychology; Pastoral Counseling; Spirituality