Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

Abstract

The principal problem that this paper addresses is the diminishment of the Christian church‘s moral influence in Harney County, Oregon. The author asks two primary questions: (1) what are the role and the responsibility of the Christian faith community with respect to influencing the wider culture of Harney County, and (2) how should pastoral leaders of Harney County, Oregon facilitate collaborative efforts among their respective congregations to enhance the Christian faith‘s collective influence on our community.

Chapter One introduces the problem through a narrative based on the author‘s local ministry setting of Harney County. Chapter Two presents scriptural evidence to community and family toward raising productive citizens and forming cohesive family units that practice Christian moral principles. Chapter Three presents a history of the Christian church‘s involvement in influencing families toward a Christian moral and ethical life.

Chapter Four describes the problems that arise from the moral decline of the Harney County culture and demonstrates the factuality of this decline in light of local and national data. Chapter Five provides concrete recommendations for churches toward influencing the community through the presentations of what has worked in churches across America. A summary of the problem, (1) what is the role and the responsibility of the Christian faith community with respect to influencing the wider culture, and (2) a conclusion summary of how should pastoral leaders of Harney County, Oregon facilitate the undertaking of such a ministry is discussed in Chapter Six.

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Christianity Commons

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