Date
11-11-2026
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)
Chair
John Beck
Keywords
PTSD, Veterans, Church Leadership, Military
Disciplines
Christianity | Educational Leadership
Recommended Citation
Pifer, Matthew C., "A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of Protestant Pastors’ Perceived Church Ministry Impact on Combat Veterans in West Michigan" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 9067.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/9067
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to assess, through the perspectives of Protestant pastors, the impact of both pastoral and congregational ministry on combat veterans in Kent County, Michigan. In examining previous studies, it has been found that spirituality and religion can often have a positive impact on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and moral injuries (MI) among veterans. Therefore, the theory guiding this study in this research is that spirituality can positively affect veterans with PTSD, and Christian congregations, as led by their pastors, can have a positive influence in the lives of combat veterans as they experience PTSD symptoms and moral injuries. This study has examined the influence of Protestant churches, as led by their pastors, in Kent County by interviewing ten Protestant church pastors within the chosen region. Interviews were in-person, semi-structured, and the interviews consisted of twelve prepared questions. The interviewer also recorded each interview, and examined each interview to review body language, and observe patterns, similarities, and differences between pastors who were interviewed. Artifacts were also collected in the research process.
