Atlantic School of Theology Graduate Research Projectshttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/248542024-03-29T03:48:42Z2024-03-29T03:48:42Z"Unvaxxed and uninvited: Christians whose communities worshipped without them during a pandemic”http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/318972024-03-28T19:00:55Z2023-04-05T00:00:00Z"Unvaxxed and uninvited: Christians whose communities worshipped without them during a pandemic”
“Unvaxxed and Uninvited” is a social constructivist phenomenological study that describes the experiences of six unvaccinated Christians who could not attend worship during the Coronavirus pandemic due to their vaccination status. Themes emerging from participant interviews are presented in three experiential spectrums: from suffering to forgiveness, from fear to hope, and from isolation to community. Pastoral implications of this study rooted in the mystical image of “Divine Mercy” suggest that further exploration of issues such as clericalism, technology use and communication strategies may be helpful in overcoming church division.
2023-04-05T00:00:00ZA song for everyone: Exploring music for worship in an intercultural churchhttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/318962024-03-28T19:00:54Z2023-03-13T00:00:00ZA song for everyone: Exploring music for worship in an intercultural church
This Qualitative Research study examines the data collected from worship leaders and congregational members of one specific Church that self-identifies as an intercultural church. Using the ethnographic case study methodology, having completed direct one-on-one interviews with seven participants, this study focuses on how music is conducted in their worship services and what the Church can do most accurately to meet the musical need of the congregation. This study identifies four overall themes which ultimately relate to theories and practices: Cultural differences and Expectations, Unmasking the challenges, Language Barrier, and Celebrating the Cultural Differences. It is argued that the focus is on the music's spirituality rather than language. This research has many implications for the Church, with an anticipated increase in the number of intercultural singing dynamism.
2023-03-13T00:00:00ZEveryday grace : the effects of Holy Eucharist in the everyday lives of Anglicans in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Islandhttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/296162021-07-14T13:56:11Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZEveryday grace : the effects of Holy Eucharist in the everyday lives of Anglicans in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
"Everyday Grace: The Effects of Holy Eucharist in the Everyday Lives of Anglicans in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island" is a Phenomenological Qualitative study. The researcher interviewed Anglicans in the Diocese of NS and PEI to investigate if the Holy Eucharist effects every day life. Results indicate that Eucharist effects lives of those who receive it. Eucharist's tangibility places those who receive it within the story of God in the world. Findings show that receiving Eucharist also leads to healthier, fuller life physically and spiritually. It improves relationships between the receiver, the world and God. The lived effects of receiving Eucharist have implications for the church as the Body of Christ as it considers the availability and frequency of the Holy Eucharist. It has implications for the renewal of weekly worship. It has implications for individual members of Christ's Body. When participating regularly and receiving, those that do live out sacramental theology in everyday life.
1 online resource (37 pages); Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 25-26).; "Graduate Project"
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZSpirit of the living God, fall afresh on me : a study of discernment and spiritual relationship through spiritual direction within the United Church of Canadahttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/296152021-07-14T13:32:35Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZSpirit of the living God, fall afresh on me : a study of discernment and spiritual relationship through spiritual direction within the United Church of Canada
This research project explores the understanding of and the experience of spiritual direction among members of the United Church of Canada, both clergy and lay. This is a Qualitative Research study in general and a Phenomenological study in particular. The goal of the research is to explore participants' lived experience of spiritual direction. Research was conducted through an initial survey followed by personal interviews. Participants were drawn from across Canada and represented fifteen of the sixteen Regions within the United Church of Canada. Participants represented both urban and rural congregations and included male, female and members of the LGBTQ community. Both clergy and lay members were represented equally. Participants were drawn from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This research explored each participant's understanding of spiritual direction, their experience of spiritual direction, and the impact that spiritual direction has had on their personal relationship with God, their community of faith, and their interaction with the wider world. Interviews were also conducted with several former Moderators of the United Church of Canada and several members of faculty at United Church Theological Colleges across Canada. Using the process of phenomenology and the themes of this investigation, the study identifies common experiences from the data and suggests opportunities for the church that affirm the benefits of spiritual direction for individuals and for the church as a whole.
1 online resource (53 pages); Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 37-39).; "A Graduate Project Final Paper"
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZMedical assistance in dying and its impact on clergy who have accompanied patients through the procedurehttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/294942021-03-18T18:16:38Z2020-01-01T00:00:00ZMedical assistance in dying and its impact on clergy who have accompanied patients through the procedure
This Phenomenological Research study examines data revealed through the lens of clergy who have accompanied patients through Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) procedures. Through a series of one on one interviews, this study seeks to reveal the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impacts of said participation on those interviewed. Six clergy were interviewed – four of whom serve full-time in congregational ministry, one of whom serves full-time as an ecumenical hospital chaplain, and one of whom serves both in congregational ministry as well as in hospital and hospice chaplaincy. Though there were some differences revealed between the experiences of congregational-based clergy and those of hospital or hospice-based clergy, five main themes were revealed. First is that to be invited to walk with someone on their journey toward MAiD is an incredible honour and privilege. Second, critical to the clergy persons experience with a given patient were the primary reasons the patient had chosen MAiD; particularly, when it appeared a patient were choosing MAiD to alleviate existential suffering, the participants found the situation more difficult and questioned their roles in the procedure. Third, a great deal of silence and secrecy surrounds MAiD, so open dialogue on the subject is rare in our churches and the people who choose MAiD often do so in secrecy from their community, friends, and even family. Fourth, clergy tend to feel alone in their experiences, unable to debrief properly with a trusted confidante. Fifth, participants felt called to advocacy work on the subject of MAiD. The phenomenon of MAiD is so new, and the subject is so complicated, that this study only reveals the tip of the iceburg in terms of the wisdom that clergy can bring to discussions on the subject and to our evolving relationship with the procedure.
1 online resource (43 pages); Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (page 27).; "Graduate Project"
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZVolunteer burnout : the cost of caringhttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/294932021-03-18T18:26:55Z2020-01-01T00:00:00ZVolunteer burnout : the cost of caring
Using the Grounded Theory approach to qualitative research, the experience of emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual fatigue or burnout in four Christian volunteers was studied. The participants were interviewed together in a focus group. The data gathered illumined what it was like for these people to become fatigued in the face of slow change
or no perceivable change in the volunteer work where they hoped to see a positive impact. Their experiences showed that burnout or fatigue occurred through a four-step process: 1) an initial motivation to become engaged as volunteers; 2) when positive impacts and effectiveness were not perceived, a decrease in motivation and effectiveness occurred as well as an increase in repetitive, isolating, ineffective behaviours; 3) a period of burnout when the volunteer could no longer engage at all with the tasks, and this burnout impacted other areas of their lives; and 4) an acceptance that involvement in the volunteer work must cease in order to recover. The results showed that burnout might be avoided if volunteers are well-supported by leaders and colleagues, if they learn not to repeat ineffective behaviours, and if they can let go of responsibilities before reaching the burnout stage.
1 online resource (43 pages).; Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (page 22).; "Graduate Project"
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZWho is my neighbour : the church through the eyes of former inmateshttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/294922021-03-18T20:27:19Z2020-01-01T00:00:00ZWho is my neighbour : the church through the eyes of former inmates
This Qualitative Research study examines the data collected from former inmates of provincial and federal jails and prisons. Using a phenomenological research method, having completed one on one direct interviews with five participants, this study focuses on how former inmates have experienced the church and what the church can do most accurately to engage with individuals upon release from custody and return to community. This study identifies five overall themes which ultimately relate to accurate engagement by the church with former inmates: hopelessness, aloneness, time, connection and hope. Based, on the findings, literature review on the subject and theological consideration, the implications for the church as well as general conclusions are drawn. Most notably, it is argued that accurate support from the church relates to ongoing contact, connection, and relationship, all requiring a very limited draw on time or human resources. This is a hopeful outcome indeed.
1 online resource (50 pages); Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 26-28).; "Graduate Project"
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZBeyond welcome : what people with intellectual disabilities have to teach the churchhttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/292322020-01-30T18:50:22Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZBeyond welcome : what people with intellectual disabilities have to teach the church
“Beyond Welcome” is a Grounded Theory study that examines what people with intellectual disabilities have to teach the church. People with intellectual disabilities and those who have respectful and trusting relationships with them were interviewed. These research partners have all lived in L’Arche communities as core members or assistants and were involved in the leadership of L’Arche community prayer. They have also been involved in their own church congregation. Through the wisdom of these eleven research partners, four main themes emerged. The first is that people with intellectual disabilities are particularly able to model a deeply rooted spirituality. The second is that they call us to authentic belonging. This includes the wisdom that the church must let go of formality and the striving for perfection and instead focus on helping people experience that they belong and are the beloved of God. The third theme was that worship must be for and by everyone. Worship needs to include all voices in leadership roles. It also needs to engage all the senses by moving beyond just words. Finally, their wisdom revealed how the church can be transformed by creating time and space for the richness of the gifts of all people. Instead of trying to fit people into precut holes, worship can be broken open to the Spirit by embracing the diverse; and sometimes non-traditional; ministries of all people. The Church is the body of Christ and we are all part of this body that is called to do the work of Christ in the world. This can only be accomplished if people with intellectual disabilities are fully included in the Church.
1 online resource (iii, 51 pages); Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references.; "Graduate Project"
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZTransforming stories : what is the role of storytelling in congregational visioning within United Church communities of faith?http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/292312020-01-30T18:37:26Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZTransforming stories : what is the role of storytelling in congregational visioning within United Church communities of faith?
This qualitative research study uses a narrative framework to explore the role of storytelling in congregational visioning. Using a multi-case study approach, the project explores the vision journey of three United Churches of Canada that have each completed visioning in the last five years. The data, collected through a series of group and one on one interviews as well as through analysing written material, identifies common ways in which stories are used to help churches understand who they are, who they once were, and where they are going. It offers insight to the correlation between the use of storytelling in visioning, and the transformation results within the community of faith.
1 online resource (40 pages); Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 34-35).; 'Graduate Project"
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZThe man behind the priest : being married to gay Anglican clergyhttp://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/289332020-01-28T20:53:46Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZThe man behind the priest : being married to gay Anglican clergy
In this narrative inquiry & arts-based research project, five male spouses of gay Anglican clergy were interviewed regarding their lived experience within the Anglican Church of Canada. It is important to note that at the time that this research was conducted, the Anglican Church of Canada is a denomination currently in the midst of heated debate regarding changing their Marriage Canon to allow same-sex marriage. The research project explores the participants’ relationships to their spouses, the parishes that their spouses serve and the national church, as well as the impact that this has had on their own faith. While the narrative inquiry portion of the interviews allowed the participants to share their stories, the arts-based research allowed these stories to be accessed from a different lens with meaningful results. The major themes that were discovered were relationships, identity and acceptance. In addition to this a sub-theme of faith appeared in the interviews. Overall, it was found that the participants’ lives were comprised of wonderful supportive relationships coupled with anxieties regarding identity, often producing a state of hyper-vigilance and hyper-sensitivity regarding their surroundings.
1 online resource (42 pages); Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (page 22).; "Graduate Project"
2019-01-01T00:00:00Z