Date

12-4-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Glenn Stone

Keywords

Anglican Church in North America, Beach Church, charismatic, convergence, Eucharist, evangelical, holistic worship, sacramental, spiritual formation, Trinitarian, unity, worship integration

Disciplines

Liturgy and Worship

Abstract

This Doctor of Ministry thesis project addresses worship fragmentation at Beach Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where sacramental, evangelical, and charismatic elements have historically functioned independently, leading to theological imbalance and diminished congregational unity. The purpose of the project was to develop and implement a framework for unified worship that reflects the Trinitarian nature of God by integrating Word, Sacrament, and Spirit in a cohesive, theologically grounded, and experientially rich liturgy. The study employed an action research methodology involving surveys, interviews, focus groups, and worship observations to assess congregational perceptions before and after the intervention. The resulting framework demonstrated measurable improvement in spiritual engagement, understanding of sacramental practices, and overall sense of community. This integration fostered worship that engages mind, body, and spirit, providing a replicable model for other congregations seeking to harmonize diverse worship traditions. The project concludes that intentional integration of sacramental, evangelical, and charismatic elements not only strengthens theological coherence but also deepens spiritual formation and communal unity within the local church.

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