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Doctor of Ministry (DMin), The purpose of this paper is to develop an appropriate curriculum for pastoral formation for Nepali churches. Through the study of Sixty-seven years of historical development, and practices currently available for training pastors, a new strategy is being prepared to equip the pastoral leaders of Nepali Reformed Churches (NRC). Pastors will learn to adopt healthy and excellent ministry practices by learning and mentoring towards formation. The paper argues that pastors, since the beginning of the church in Nepal, have practiced leadership heavily influenced by the culture, politics, and religion around them. This has led to faulty ecclesiology, apparent in the churches. Church leaders need to reframe contextual frameworks for spirituality and leadership, shifting from traditional models of person and power-based to a more biblical model of shepherding that enables others. Intentional learning, practicing, and mentoring must become the backbone of pastoral training. The first part of the paper presents the historical church and the context of leadership development, as well as the ministry challenges of the NRC churches. The second part presents theological reflections by way of relevant literature reviews and biblical studies on the topics addressed. The third part of the paper presents the methodology of new ministry initiatives, including a sample manual on Mentoring for Pastoral Formation. To test these principles, the project ran two sets of training with pastors and church planters, and a group of seminary faculty in Nepal. Through an examination of Scripture and relevant resources, the project concludes that Jesus's model of shepherding leadership seeks to serve the community in practice. The project unearths the principle that transformational leadership formation is best achieved through mentoring.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin), The purpose of this doctoral project is to foster spiritual authenticity in the personal lives of pastors by seeking God through discipleship to Jesus using spiritual practices over an eight-week experience, which will lead to fruitful ministry within the local church. Pastoral ministry can easily be reduced to the accomplishing of tasks. Since pastors are often evaluated on these tasks, the danger within pastoral ministry is focusing entirely on what pastors do without any concern for who pastors are. As leaders of faith communities, pastors should be personally pursuing a deep relationship with God through disciplined use of spiritual practices. The hope is to stir desire within pastors to pursue this authentic relationship and present these spiritual practices as the avenue through which this relationship is cultivated. The temptation is that what is presented here is received as simply another thing to do. The intent is not to make pastors feel guilty or present these practices as mandates that would reduce them to law and legalism. The intent is to provide an invitation into a way of being with God that is fruitful and vibrant. Ministry then naturally flows from this relationship. Part One will present a local church as one example of many where authentic spiritual leadership is needed. Part Two will establish the need for authenticity in pastoral leadership, an understanding of spiritual practices, how these practices have been used within the Reformed tradition and throughout history of the Church. Lessons from Jesus and Paul will point toward the purpose of this project in establishing a healthy balance between a contemplative life and active engagement in ministry. Part Three will propose an eight-week spiritually formative experience for pastors using a variety of spiritual practices. Desired outcomes and evaluative tools will be discussed.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin), In a busy suburban church, those with introverted personalities may easily be marginalized or overlooked. This project set out to create a new kind of welcome for both introverts and extroverts through a weekly contemplative worship service. Celebrating the Lord's Supper amid stillness and quiet presented a stark contrast to the prevailing culture of the congregation, which is usually sociable and boisterous. It recognized the increasing diversity of the community and invited leaders and participants to practice hospitality more deeply. It also taught a new kind of Christian practice that is essential for a congregation engaged in local mission. This doctoral project includes the short history of the congregation with its increasingly diverse context and explores the general definition, needs and character of introverts and extroverts. A theological and biblical argument is made for greater inclusion and for the use of contemplative spirituality as a way to welcome introverts more fully. A full liturgy for the Eucharist in a contemplative style is also included. This project not only widened the welcome at Trafalgar Presbyterian Church; it also created a new rhythm of action and contemplation. Once introverts were heard and accommodated, their needs and preferences turned out to be a gift to extroverts as well. Contemplative spirituality, previously unexplored, has begun to nourish a tired and missional congregation.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin), The purpose of this study is to establish and address the need for a graduate course, “Intimacy with God: Practicing the Presence of God,” among seminary students that includes experiential learning in regards to growing a deeper relationship with God. This project argues that scriptural knowledge alone cannot fulfill students’ needs for the intimacy they seek with God. This premise will be tested among the seminarians at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This project will be presented in three parts. Part One exegetes the culture of Regent University Divinity School, revealing the diversity among students and faculty. It also describes the need that exists among the student body for a deeper relationship with God. Part Two offers the theological basis for spiritual intimacy among seminarians. Here the concept of intimacy is defined, and its necessity in the life of the seminary student is supported by Scripture. Scripture also is used to establish the manner in which intimacy can be achieved. The spiritual lives of the saints from the past, examples of revivals, and today’s spiritual openness and receptivity to God’s invitation also are examined. The final part outlines the strategy for helping students move into an intimate relationship with God. The role of worship, specific spiritual disciplines, and the church community are set forth. The role of the instructor is defined, and the instructor’s needs in preparation are identified. Part Three also explains the course design, its purpose, and its implementation. This discussion also evaluates the course’s effectiveness. Student feedback and general insights from this project will guide future revisions and teaching of this class. Content Reader: Tom Schwanda, PhD