Date
6-19-2024
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Chair
Lucien Fortier
Keywords
activism, attitudinal shift, Christianity, church, communication, creative writing, culture, engagement, influence, newsletter, pastor, public square, state, trust, Two Kingdoms
Disciplines
Communication | Practical Theology
Recommended Citation
Thoma, Christopher Ian, "Pastoral Prose and Civic Engagement: Crafting the Call to the Public Square" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5736.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5736
Abstract
This thesis explores the relationship between creative writing techniques employed by pastors and congregational engagement in the public square. The central thesis posits that if pastors incorporate creative writing methods in extended weekly communications with congregants, then the necessary factors for engagement in the public square will be fostered, leading to attitudinal shifts demonstrated by increased congregational interest or participation in civil affairs. Through an extensive literature review, the thesis fairly examines historical and contemporary views of church and state, the Two Kingdoms doctrine, concepts relative to public square participation, Christianity’s waning cultural influence, communication science, developmental theory, literature familiarity, theological foundations for creative communication, and the potential benefits and challenges of employing such writing techniques within a religious context. Built on best practices in research, the thesis then presents an intervention in which nine pastors from nine different congregations employed a uniquely crafted writing rubric once a week for twelve weeks. Prior to the writing effort, the congregations were surveyed to detect initial perceptions relative to public square engagement. The same survey was administered and synthesized at the study’s conclusion to detect attitudinal shifts. Prior to and throughout the intervention, participating pastors joined in four seminars designed to cultivate, enhance, and maintain their participation toward the effort’s goal. Overall, this study resulted in an attitudinal shift while simultaneously contributing to a deeper understanding of the importance of Christian engagement in the public square and the role of pastors in fostering such engagement. Residually, and practically, it provides insight for engendering trust between pastor and parishioner.
