Date

12-7-2023

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Farid Awad

Keywords

Spiritual Health, Emotional Health, Online Fellowship, Cognitive Restructuring, Adult Learning

Disciplines

Counseling | Practical Theology

Abstract

This research aims to apply the US Army concept of spiritual readiness to help Christians manage emotional stress in a civilian context through an online community. This project invites disconnected Christians to join an online community where they can address negative emotions by developing self-awareness of their maladaptive thinking and embody the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. This approach assists individuals in building emotional resilience, a concept emphasized in the military. This project addresses five negative emotions (anger, shame, sadness, fear, and loneliness) by replacing them with positive emotions taught in the Bible. The project consists of eight weekly sessions, each addressing one of the five negative emotions and three theological virtues. Through engaging discussions and a connection with God, participants develop their coping mechanisms. Each session will involve collaborative discussions on familiar subjects, encouraging self-reflection and a deeper understanding of the topics. Through fostering spirituality within a group environment, individuals can learn from one another to develop coping strategies for negative emotions linked to challenging situations. This research project has two primary implications. Firstly, it develops a virtual program to overcome the geographical limitations that disconnect Christians so they can experience deep fellowship without the need for in-person interaction. Secondly, it pioneers the use of a non-traditional approach to spirituality, focusing on the practical aspects of biblical teachings.

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