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ERIC Number: ED620112
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 260
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-7906-3335-5
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Impact of a Domestic Church Member Educational Intervention on the Support of Refugee Ministry
Kieffer, David
ProQuest LLC, D.Min. Dissertation, Lancaster Bible College
The Bible presents a clear call for God's people to welcome and care for foreigners seeking refuge, but many evangelical churches in America have not adequately responded to this call. Churches do not often see the obstacles that inhibit domestic church members' (DCMs') motivation to participate in ministry to refugees. Research shows that churches often provide scant biblical teaching about the importance of welcoming foreigners seeking refuge, and they neglect to address the experiential differences that may inhibit DCMs from confidently interacting with local refugees. This study explored whether a biblically grounded, community networked, culturally intelligent, and trauma-informed educational intervention can improve DCM support of refugee ministry at a large conservative Presbyterian church. The study was conducted at Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC), a congregation of over 1,250 members with a ministry to 110 Congolese and 40 Burmese refugees attending the church on a regular basis. All adult DCMs, including domestic regular attenders who are not formal members of the church, were invited to participate in the study. Forty-four DCMs registered for the twelve-week educational intervention (TWEI). Twenty-nine participants completed data collecting instruments both before and after the intervention. Findings offered some evidence that increases in DCMs' confidence and motivation to socially interact with refugees is correlated with improved cultural intelligence and increased understanding of the impact of trauma. Findings further indicated that an improved biblical and theological understanding of God's call to care for foreigners seeking refuge is correlated with an increased motivation to participate in the church's refugee ministry. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A