Date of Award

9-2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

H. Colleen Butcher, DMin

Second Advisor

Tricia Gates-Brown, PhD

Third Advisor

MaryKate Morse, PhD

Abstract

Section 1: The Problem addresses Christians outside of the churches that do not have ministerial support. Contemporary Exodus Christianity is the practice of Christianity outside of the institutional church. Currently there is a shifting of the global center of Christianity. Consumerism is affecting the Christian church. Consumerism is a potential contributor to the problem of church exodus. There is a trend of continuing decline of church attendance. A statistical exploration of the reasons congregants, members, and pastors have left the church is included. The sociological study of the Exodus Christian population delivers an introductory view of Exodus Christianity.

Section 2: Other Proposed Solutions include Digital culture and the House Church movement. Digital culture has a growing relationship with Christian ministry. Social Media in digital culture is a powerful ministry tool. The House Church movement provides a viable solution for Exodus Christians to engage in fellowship and build community.

Section 3: Thesis offers a viable solution to strengthen the ministry effort on behalf of the Exodus Christian population. Exodus Christians are influencing a reformed practice of Christianity outside of the church. The exodus population is an underserved people group. Their need for ministry inspired the design of a House Church Ministry dedicated to them. Exodus Christian leadership promotes new leaders and Exodus Christians as leaders in the exodus movement. Christianity is changing in relationship to the Exodus Christian population. Changes in leadership approaches are an essential part of the changes. An Exodus Christian House Church Ministry will be designed with their special needs in mind.

Section 4 and Section 5 describe the Artifact that is a non-fiction book. The Artifact ministers to the spiritual journey of Exodus Christianity. The non-fiction book is entitled Exodus Christian: A Spiritual Journey Outside of the Church. Section 6 includes the Post Script, which describes the challenges, future work, and learning process of the Artifact.

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