Bishop Payne Library at Virginia Theological Seminary

Companion on the Journey: Peer Influence on Spiritual Development in College Residential Communities

The purpose of this thesis project is to examine a new opportunity for students to explore spiritual development beyond programs offered through the office of university ministry. Central to this project is the idea of how peers influence spiritual…

Pastoring Evolving Faiths: Faith Deconstruction and Reconstruction in a Post-Evangelical Church

Faith deconstruction and reconstruction have become a religious cultural phenomenon in 21st century America. It is an experience lamented by conservative evangelical and fundamentalist leaders as a step toward apostasy. But deconstruction is also a…

Learning From Each Other: Toward an Episcopal Understanding of Testimony

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the introduction of the practice of testimony in a congregation that does not readily understand itself as a community that engages in the practice. Testimony is an underutilized practice in the Episcopal…

Between Generations: Using Narrative for Intergenerational Faith Development

Forty years ago I was on a journey of discovery that would lead me to the life changing waters of baptism and a new chapter in my life. My journey began with a deep yearning to learn more about God and Jesus, but my pursuit for answers was wrought…

Evagrius of Pontus and the Demons in the Desert: A Phenomenology of Transition in the Church

In a congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas, a crisis ensued during a clergy leadership transition.

Church Leadership in a Digital Age: Cultivating Community and Spiritual Growth Online

The current season of Christian ministry calls for church leaders to view their social media platforms as online sacred spaces where God is present and believers online can experience the presence of God and each other. Technological advancements of…

Paradox Unpacked : Jesus as God in the Gospel of John

The Prologue of the Gospel of John previews the theological framework which guides readers through the book. This thesis identifies in the Prologue three paradoxes pertaining to Jesus’ identity, mission, and purpose and traces them through the…

Mutual Blessings : Towards a community centered on the sacredness of creation

By Scott, Matthew R. (2020) -- "An opportunity for dialog between church members and unchurched local environmental activists offers an evangelistic opportunity for a rural Episcopal congregation. The paper argues that by sharing reflections in a…

Celebrating the Music of Appalachia in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Tradition: Mission, Evangelism, and Renewal

"Traditional music of Christian faithful in Southern Appalachia offers hope and richness, greater community, and life for Episcopal churches throughout the region and beyond. As St. Thomas’ Christmas Eve celebration in 2017 revealed, musicians whose…

Reimagining Women’s Ministry and Leadership in Light of the Eucharist : A Palestinian Anglican Perspective

By Naoum, Hosam Elias (2019) -- This project’s purpose was to highlight gender inequality within Palestinian society in general and the local Anglican Church in particular. In the context of the project, women initiated conversations centering on…

Let’s Talk About Money : How Breaking Money Silence In The American Church Unlocks Greater Christian Financial Generosity

By Ateek, Sari Naim (2020) -- The aim of this project thesis is to advance the research in the field of Christian charitable giving to the church in America. Prior studies in the field identify that American Christians have the capacity to give more,…

The Black Church and Economic Empowerment: An Ecumenical Collaboration in The Revitalization of West Dayton

By Speare-Hardy, Benjamin E.K. II (2021) -- "This thesis is about an Ecumenical Collaboration of the Black Church to address the disparities in the education of Black students in Dayton (Ohio) Public Schools. These disparities include unjust…

Finding God in All Things: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Praying the Ignatian Examen

By James Pevehouse, 2020 -- "As part of the clergy staff of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waco, Texas, I have wondered what practices are used to help experience a deep relationship with God, especially when it is affirmed that believing in God is…

‘Evangelistening’ – Listening as Evangelism in Caring Concern for Community

By Nyasha Gumbeze, 2020 -- "Anglican congregations throughout Western countries are struggling with the decline of membership numbers as the societal context becomes more secular. Members at Henderson Anglican Church in Auckland, New Zealand, are…

Vocational Understandings: An Exploration of the Nature of the Tensions in the Musician-Cleric Relationship

By Alexander C. Graham IV, 2020 -- "Go up to a group of clergy and say, “let’s talk about Church musicians…” and the eyerolls will be ubiquitous and revelatory. Go up to a group of Church musicians and do the reverse, and expect to encounter the same…

Unconventional prayer practices

by Dawna D. Wall, 2013 - How do we as people of faith keep ourselves in tune with the rhythm and mystery of God while being inundated with increasing levels of information, noise, frantic motion, and jobs that are more connected to the flow of…

Vestry Members as Trustees of the Soul of the Parish

by Divis, Mary Lou Hoover (2020) -- Vestry members need to understand their leadership role in the parish by attending worship and meetings, engaging in the life of the parish, establishing prayer and Bible reading habits. In a specific workshop,…

Congregational Mentorship and Vocational Discernment: A Case Study of 18 – 35 year old Anglicans in the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

By Jervis, Georgia C., 2019 -- A Case Study, carried out with a sample group of 18-35 year olds in the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, examining the role of Congregational Mentorship as a way of fostering faith development and vocational…

VTS Doctoral Theses

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