{"response":{"docs":[{"system_create_dtsi":"2025-12-18T15:26:46Z","system_modified_dtsi":"2025-12-18T15:26:49Z","has_model_ssim":["Etd"],"id":"52f060e3-ae3d-4595-9322-b3d36862760d","accessControl_ssim":["7e0c5d85-4c00-4ab2-98f8-5e0282f70355"],"depositor_ssim":["martins02@moravian.edu"],"depositor_tesim":["martins02@moravian.edu"],"title_tesim":["The decline in church attendance in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and what can be done to reverse the trend"],"date_uploaded_dtsi":"2025-12-18T15:26:45Z","date_modified_dtsi":"2025-12-18T15:26:46Z","isPartOf_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8"],"hasEmbargo_ssim":["3d651550-5e13-448d-8e39-ee1390e36073"],"hasLease_ssim":["ae8da930-d724-4663-aa54-f912b2856eae"],"show_pdf_viewer_tesim":["1"],"show_pdf_download_button_tesim":["1"],"institution_tesim":["Atla RIM"],"degree_tesim":["DMin"],"degree_granting_institution_tesim":["Lancaster Theological Seminary"],"year_tesim":["2015"],"video_embed_tesim":[""],"resource_type_tesim":["D.Min. Project"],"creator_tesim":["Butcher, Louis"],"subject_tesim":["Church growth","Church management","Church renewal"],"abstract_tesim":["Over the course of the last thirty years, there has been a steady decline in church worship service attendance in the United States. The decline has affected all church affiliations, including Catholic, Protestant mainline, evangelical, Pentecostal, Anabaptist and independent churches of all sizes and ethnicities. In particular, Millennials, those in the age range of eighteen to twenty-nine years, have left the church in significant numbers or have never affiliated at all. The fastest growing segments of the American population are agnostics and atheists. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with nearly eight hundred churches is considered a Bible belt with a long history of consistent attendance. This project will explore whether there is attendance decline in Lancaster County and, if so, what can be developed to reverse the trend. Reader responses to a series on the subject in the Lancaster Sunday News will be used to help determine the extent, if any. At the same time, pastors of fifty churches of varying sizes, ethnicities and doctrine will be interviewed to examine local patterns. Using research data on church growth and revitalization from around the country, suggestions and recommendations will be made to help reverse the trend in Lancaster County if decline is evident."],"rights_statement_tesim":["https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"thumbnail_path_ss":"/assets/work-a3b75da7abded620ab321410c80d102e5e2417b71c54de7ba7d4b0363da904f7.png","suppressed_bsi":false,"actionable_workflow_roles_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-approving","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-depositing","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-managing"],"workflow_state_name_ssim":["deposited"],"visibility_ssi":"open","admin_set_tesim":["Metadata Only"],"account_cname_tesim":["rim.ir.atla.com"],"human_readable_type_tesim":["Etd"],"read_access_group_ssim":["public","work_editor"],"edit_access_group_ssim":["admin"],"edit_access_person_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com","martins02@moravian.edu"],"_version_":1851860305164894208,"timestamp":"2025-12-18T15:26:50.608Z","score":1.0},{"system_create_dtsi":"2023-10-12T19:39:20Z","system_modified_dtsi":"2024-02-17T08:55:09Z","has_model_ssim":["Etd"],"id":"e1d172d7-e35a-4ab9-86c6-8d69b4f123e2","accessControl_ssim":["b14adb58-7489-4b4c-9cb9-7eb778ad75db"],"depositor_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"depositor_tesim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"title_tesim":["Intervention manual for Episcopal congregations separated from clergy out of conflict"],"date_uploaded_dtsi":"2023-10-12T19:39:19Z","date_modified_dtsi":"2024-02-17T04:35:49Z","isPartOf_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8"],"hasEmbargo_ssim":["37d72a39-71d8-47e9-81fc-e8f25780da57"],"hasLease_ssim":["e585188c-af9f-4077-853e-f75d3755c019"],"show_pdf_viewer_tesim":["1"],"show_pdf_download_button_tesim":["1"],"institution_tesim":["Atla RIM"],"degree_tesim":["Doctor of Ministry"],"degree_granting_institution_tesim":["Western Theological Seminary"],"advisor_tesim":["Kyle J.A. Small Ph.D."],"year_tesim":["2015"],"resource_type_tesim":["D.Min. Project"],"types_tesim":["Text"],"creator_tesim":["James Croom"],"subject_tesim":["Pastoral psychology","Church management","Conflict management","Pastoral theology","Leadership--Religious aspects"],"language_tesim":["English"],"abstract_tesim":["This study develops clear guidance to interim leadership in congregations immediately after separation of clergy from conflict. The guidance is offered in manual form intended for use in the Episcopal Church. However, it is expected that the guidance will be useful likewise across denominations and other faith communities.Five learning units inform the development of a doctoral project. Unit One comprises a reflection on relevant personal experience by engaging the works of René Girard on mimetic theory, violence and scapegoating. This reflection completes the writer’s disengagement from personal events and enables objectivity.Unit Two examines secondary literature for data on the nature of conflict, and methods of conflict management. Work includes reading data on the nature of societies, family systems, on evolution with implications among humankind. Literature on management and organizational models in the business world are consulted. A Draft Intervention Model (DIM) in longitudinal steps with named assumptions and pre-requisites is the result. The DIM is submitted for peer review.Unit Three develops a survey tool with interview protocols for action research. Underpinning the data collection is a Theological Vision Statement. Data accrues from survey responses, face-to-face, electronic and phone interviews. Assessment of data begins supplemented by coursework in Grounded Theory Methodology.Unit Four draws from earlier studies to create the Revised Intervention Model assessed in Unit Five by a review panel of seven experts and practitioners from different social and academic disciplines. The experts provide a written review of the RIM. The outcome is the Final Intervention Model located here in Chapter 4.This Doctor of Ministry study seeks to answer the question: Does the Intervention Manual for Episcopal Congregations offered here provide clear guidance for individuals called to serve in pastoral leadership for churches separated from clergy out of conflict?"],"license_tesim":["https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"],"rights_statement_tesim":["https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"related_url_tesim":["https://repository.westernsem.edu/xmlui/handle/1866/1497"],"thumbnail_path_ss":"/assets/work-a3b75da7abded620ab321410c80d102e5e2417b71c54de7ba7d4b0363da904f7.png","suppressed_bsi":false,"actionable_workflow_roles_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-approving","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-depositing","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-managing"],"workflow_state_name_ssim":["deposited"],"member_of_collections_ssim":["Western Theological Seminary"],"member_of_collection_ids_ssim":["c24f9e0f-f5f0-45a3-b7f1-6a406c6902fb"],"visibility_ssi":"open","admin_set_tesim":["Metadata Only"],"account_cname_tesim":["rim.ir.atla.com"],"human_readable_type_tesim":["Etd"],"read_access_group_ssim":["work_editor","public"],"edit_access_group_ssim":["admin"],"edit_access_person_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"_version_":1791135696957734912,"timestamp":"2024-02-17T08:55:11.387Z","score":1.0},{"system_create_dtsi":"2023-10-12T17:01:16Z","system_modified_dtsi":"2024-02-17T08:21:35Z","has_model_ssim":["Etd"],"id":"6de39fb2-718a-4ee6-b543-bc283ddd2a91","accessControl_ssim":["e82b0e77-8c26-4223-94c1-8853ddec1733"],"depositor_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"depositor_tesim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"title_tesim":["Developing best practices for itinerant ministry through interviews with experienced itinerant ministers using self-evaluation in a cross-cultural context"],"date_uploaded_dtsi":"2023-10-12T17:01:15Z","date_modified_dtsi":"2024-02-17T01:20:55Z","isPartOf_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8"],"hasEmbargo_ssim":["b91b18d1-5b71-4ae7-84c7-63686bde8c1d"],"hasLease_ssim":["899a7aab-3725-4f79-b6ef-a48c3f2db29a"],"show_pdf_viewer_tesim":["1"],"show_pdf_download_button_tesim":["1"],"institution_tesim":["Atla RIM"],"degree_tesim":["Unknown"],"degree_granting_institution_tesim":["Tyndale University"],"advisor_tesim":["Gordon T Finlay"],"year_tesim":["2015"],"resource_type_tesim":["Unknown"],"types_tesim":["Text"],"creator_tesim":["Yajaira A Gomez"],"keyword_tesim":["Clergy--Performance standards"],"publisher_tesim":["Tyndale University College and Seminary"],"subject_tesim":["Intercultural communication","Church management","Self-evaluation","Itinerancy (Church polity)"],"language_tesim":["English"],"abstract_tesim":["This thesis reports on the derivation of best practices for my itinerant cross-cultural ministry. 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Using the methods of autoethnography in comparing a pre, mid and post-project qualitative evaluation of myself, the researcher, the outcomes included improvements to my ministry in three areas: preparation, administration, and health."],"rights_statement_tesim":["https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"thumbnail_path_ss":"/assets/work-a3b75da7abded620ab321410c80d102e5e2417b71c54de7ba7d4b0363da904f7.png","suppressed_bsi":false,"actionable_workflow_roles_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-approving","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-depositing","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-managing"],"workflow_state_name_ssim":["deposited"],"member_of_collections_ssim":["Tyndale University"],"member_of_collection_ids_ssim":["602e7e7c-0b8b-4e09-af87-84c66ff49c48"],"visibility_ssi":"open","admin_set_tesim":["Metadata Only"],"account_cname_tesim":["rim.ir.atla.com"],"human_readable_type_tesim":["Etd"],"read_access_group_ssim":["work_editor","public"],"edit_access_group_ssim":["admin"],"edit_access_person_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"_version_":1791133586528665600,"timestamp":"2024-02-17T08:21:38.725Z","score":1.0},{"system_create_dtsi":"2023-10-12T16:55:57Z","system_modified_dtsi":"2024-02-17T08:37:54Z","has_model_ssim":["Etd"],"id":"907be5ad-48fb-4652-95d2-7fd9d8d91109","accessControl_ssim":["f1a16793-fe98-42b9-9b00-112b31fc42fa"],"depositor_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"depositor_tesim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"title_tesim":["The application of enterprise management in church management: a case study of Logos Baptist Church (Milliken)"],"date_uploaded_dtsi":"2023-10-12T16:55:56Z","date_modified_dtsi":"2024-02-17T02:21:59Z","isPartOf_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8"],"hasEmbargo_ssim":["c8999cde-f11a-4bae-97b3-e924aeb05e08"],"hasLease_ssim":["42fe7bbb-88be-40f3-9f08-24125ccb94ff"],"show_pdf_viewer_tesim":["1"],"show_pdf_download_button_tesim":["1"],"institution_tesim":["Atla RIM"],"degree_tesim":["Unknown"],"degree_granting_institution_tesim":["Logos Evangelical Seminary"],"advisor_tesim":["Wilfred Su"],"year_tesim":["2015"],"resource_type_tesim":["Unknown"],"types_tesim":["Text"],"creator_tesim":["Wai Sang Ho"],"publisher_tesim":["Logos Evangelical Seminary"],"subject_tesim":["Business--Religious aspects--Christianity","Case studies","Church management","Pastoral theology"],"language_tesim":["English"],"abstract_tesim":["For many Chinese churches, church management is a dilemma. If the church follows the methodology of enterprise management, the church will gradually become a secular non-profit organization. At the same time, the church has its own spiritual mission, and needs to be managed according to the Bible and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, does the church still need to employ the enterprise management concepts? Some people uphold that the church needs to incorporate the elements of enterprise management; however, some argue that the enterprise management methodologies will restrict the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, there have been some great controversies in the area of church management. This dissertation addresses the issues, analyzes the scope and concept of church management, and proposes that good church management should employ the concept and methodologies of the enterprise management, but at the same time be guided under the Holy Spirit."],"rights_statement_tesim":["https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"thumbnail_path_ss":"/assets/work-a3b75da7abded620ab321410c80d102e5e2417b71c54de7ba7d4b0363da904f7.png","suppressed_bsi":false,"actionable_workflow_roles_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-approving","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-depositing","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-managing"],"workflow_state_name_ssim":["deposited"],"member_of_collections_ssim":["Logos Evangelical Seminary"],"member_of_collection_ids_ssim":["54e7729a-4915-469f-8fd5-c7bb7ccd6c20"],"visibility_ssi":"open","admin_set_tesim":["Metadata Only"],"account_cname_tesim":["rim.ir.atla.com"],"human_readable_type_tesim":["Etd"],"read_access_group_ssim":["public","work_editor"],"edit_access_group_ssim":["admin"],"edit_access_person_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"_version_":1791134614170894336,"timestamp":"2024-02-17T08:37:58.761Z","score":1.0},{"system_create_dtsi":"2023-10-12T16:55:26Z","system_modified_dtsi":"2024-02-17T04:09:31Z","has_model_ssim":["Etd"],"id":"d2b6dfa2-625b-4690-b78f-109c985d30c1","accessControl_ssim":["6ff2d7e2-7ab8-411d-aec1-016868de83e9"],"depositor_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"depositor_tesim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"title_tesim":["Avoiding division within a church: a proactive approach for identifying sources of conflict and creating a healthy ministry environment"],"date_uploaded_dtsi":"2023-10-12T16:55:26Z","date_modified_dtsi":"2024-02-17T04:09:31Z","isPartOf_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8"],"hasEmbargo_ssim":["2a5ced0e-b6a1-4065-a8da-1d32c65d9acc"],"hasLease_ssim":["e8304328-78dd-4fb4-9a59-ef1bb032d1d0"],"show_pdf_viewer_tesim":["1"],"show_pdf_download_button_tesim":["1"],"institution_tesim":["Atla RIM"],"degree_tesim":["Unknown"],"degree_granting_institution_tesim":["Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN)"],"advisor_tesim":["Donald L Reed"],"year_tesim":["2015"],"resource_type_tesim":["Unknown"],"types_tesim":["Text"],"creator_tesim":["Kenneth V Polley"],"keyword_tesim":["Congregations--Self-evaluation","Congregations--Internal conflict"],"publisher_tesim":["Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN)"],"subject_tesim":["Church management"],"language_tesim":["English"],"abstract_tesim":["The research identified topics church interventionists address when assisting churches in the recovery process, primary sources of conflict based upon church experiences, and parallels between these two areas.  Seven areas common among church interventionists were identified: acceptance of differences, unresolved corporate sin, church structure, ministry focus, leadership, communication, and accountability.  The data were inconclusive in establishing a direct relationship between the seven identified areas and the onset of conflict.  The research found surveyed churches shared common areas of deficiency: weak administrative structure, avoidance of differences, absence of ministry focus, and lack of leadership time focused upon development or spiritual development."],"rights_statement_tesim":["https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"thumbnail_path_ss":"/assets/work-a3b75da7abded620ab321410c80d102e5e2417b71c54de7ba7d4b0363da904f7.png","suppressed_bsi":false,"actionable_workflow_roles_ssim":["f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-approving","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-depositing","f6c99b2a-5c91-4444-8946-01a1837f1fd8-default-managing"],"workflow_state_name_ssim":["deposited"],"member_of_collections_ssim":["Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN)"],"member_of_collection_ids_ssim":["fccbc3d7-874c-42e3-8a20-621b107c56c7"],"visibility_ssi":"open","admin_set_tesim":["Metadata Only"],"account_cname_tesim":["rim.ir.atla.com"],"human_readable_type_tesim":["Etd"],"read_access_group_ssim":["public","work_editor"],"edit_access_group_ssim":["admin"],"edit_access_person_ssim":["ckarpinski@atla.com"],"_version_":1791133063139295232,"timestamp":"2024-02-17T08:13:19.582Z","score":1.0}],"facets":[{"name":"resource_type_sim","items":[{"value":"Unknown","hits":3,"label":"Unknown"},{"value":"D.Min. 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