Date

12-4-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Jeffrey William Johnsen

Keywords

Expository Preaching, Shame, Alienation, Reconciliation, Discipleship, Evangelism

Disciplines

Practical Theology | Religion

Abstract

Young adults are absent from the pews of churches within the urban African American community. Churches within the community face dissolution because a generation no longer seeks to solve its problems by connecting with the household of faith due to shame-based alienation. There is a need to reconcile young adults into the citadel of invincible grace, God’s church, to fulfill the Great Commission and ensure a generation is not lost. Therefore, this action research project teaches church members through expository preaching and teaching The Unashamed Plan to educate them to reach youth for Christ. The Unashamed Plan is a theological study centered around the doctrine of reconciliation to educate a group of mature adult members in doctrinal truths from the Bible. Fifteen participating members volunteered to participate in this study over seven weeks, consisting of seven expository sermons and seven Bible studies. The research used mixed methods, questionnaires, lesson evaluations, and group discussions to drive its methodology. The data was analyzed through statistical measures of thematic analysis and the t-test to assess growth in biblical literacy, evangelistic confidence, and ministry preparedness. This research contributes to practical ministry by providing a replicable framework for all churches to train mature believers for reconciliation-focused evangelism through expository preaching and teaching to confront shame and alienation, bridging the generation gap, and shaping future disciples for service in the kingdom.

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