School of Graduate Research Student Theses

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A Pastoral Theological Approach to Restorative Practices in the Australian Catholic School Context
(2019) Cotter, Christopher James
Restorative practices are a suite of interventions designed to improve social discipline and grow social capital through participatory learning and decision making. Participants involved in restorative conferences often report a powerful sense of transformation leading them to responses of surprise and wonder. The philosophy and strategies of restorative practices are used by Catholic schools in Australia and contribute to supporting the Church’s evangelising mission. The pastoral theological approach to restorative practices is an interpretation of a restorative conference through the eyes of the resurrected Christ. As such the restorative conference is an inclusive ritual in which participants undergo the transformation of shame and victimhood through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. This is an experience of the resurrection; it transforms individuals, relationships and communities. It is hope for the world.
An Examination of Emerging-Missional Ecclesiological Conceptions: Missional Ecclesiology and the Ecclesiologies of Miroslav Volf, Joseph Ratzinger and John Zizioulas
(2009-08-01) Hill, Graham
This thesis explores the research question, ‘What are the similarities and differences between the ecclesiological conceptions of the western Emerging-Missional Church Movement (EMCM) and the core ecclesiologies of the theologians presented in Miroslav Volf’s After Our Likeness, being Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas, and how might dialogue between all these parties enrich and inform ecclesiology?’ The two primary and consequent research objectives, therefore, are detailed here. (1) To critically analyse and describe the primary (explicit and less obvious) ecclesiological perspectives of thirty-seven of the most influential EMCM authors, examining works published between 1995 and 2008. (2) To build on Volf’s After Our Likeness, by putting the ecclesiologies therein into a critical conversation with the EMCM, which demonstrates their similarities, differences, and opportunities for enriching dialogue. The research methodology is qualitative, involving Content Analysis, the manual comparing and contrasting of primary sources, and the use of the textual analysis software QSR Nvivo. It involved the examination of thirty-seven EMCM documents published between 1995 and 2008, the analysis of the ecclesiological works of Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas, and the comparison of these sources in order to form conclusions. The thesis involves four parts. Part 1, which is titled Introduction and Methodology,includes the introduction, rationale, description of the research methodology, and justification for the choice of the particular EMCM authors and of Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas in this study. Part 2, which is titled Critical Survey 1, provides an examination of the chosen EMCM texts, and an analytical survey and evaluation of both the obvious and the more subtle ecclesiological views of the EMCM. The insights of Stanley Grenz,David Bosch and Paul Hiebert are occasionally added to this analysis, not because they are explicit ‘members’ of the EMCM, but because of their significant influence on the EMCM texts. Part 3, titled Critical Survey 2, briefly summarizes the core perspectives of Volf,Ratzinger and Zizioulas, not to put them into critical dialogue with each other, or even to critically analyse their perspectives, but to establish their convictions for the purpose of an ecclesiological dialogue with the EMCM. Such a critical survey leads the thesis toward further critical lines of reasoning, comparison and conclusions. Part 4, which is titled Toward Dialogical Ecclesiologies for a Missional Context,examines the similarities and differences between the ecclesiologies of the EMCM and that of Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas, how such dialogue enriches all the parties concerned, and suggests how dialogue deepens and benefits missional ecclesiology as it is taking shape in western culture. It presents the thesis findings and conclusions. This thesis concludes that while the ecclesiological perspectives of Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas enrich those of the EMCM, the emerging-missional ecclesiology of the EMCM contribute significantly to the development of a meaningful missional ecclesiology for contemporary western culture. EMCM ecclesiological perspectives on the missionary nature of the church, and on the core expressions of this missionary nature in local faith communities, are significant for other ecclesiological traditions and for the western church in an increasingly missional context. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of EMCM ecclesiology is important for the formation of an adequate missional ecclesiology for contemporary western culture.
CANCER STORYTELLING: Revealing prayer and well-being
(2015-02) Brown, Gregory
This thesis found that storytellers, who shared their own cancer experience to help a listener, also found healing through the narrative process. Further, this qualitative study established a strong congruence between the spirituality, prayer and well-being within the 160 cancer patients studied. The thesis also indicated that oncology professionals who practiced active listening facilitated better and more effective communication with their patients.
Changing Faith: The Experience and Resolution of Disruptive Episodes in the Faith of Christian Emerging Adults.
(2020-03) Lewis, Rowan
This thesis examines the ways in which emerging adults experience and seek to resolve significant faith-based transitions. Developmental Systems Theory is utilised to revise existing understandings of faith and its development in order to illuminate the dynamics of faith transitions and the manner in which they are influenced the emerging adult’s primary relationships, communities of origin as well as religious and cultural institutions.
Children and the Church- Jesus brings the child to a place in the middle
(2014-03-17) Mountain, Vivienne
This thesis investigates the relevance of aspects of the Child Theology Movement in selected churches in Melbourne Australia. Semi-structured interviews and Focus Groups were conducted with Children’s Pastors and Ministers. The research pays due regard to the extensive writing in various theologies of the child from which this new movement has grown.
Christian Faith: Help or Hindrance for Chronically IllPatients in their Experience of Suffering?
(2010-04-22) Hope, Marilyn
This thesis will address some key questions of and approaches to spirituality and health care in the Australian context from the perspective of chaplaincy. It will explore the specific Christian religious experience of ten patients who suffer chronic, life-threatening illness, and then relate their experience to some writings of allied health practitioners. These strains of thought will be explored for congruencies and incongruence in their materials and their relevance to the patients' experience. The hypothesis for the research was that patients' belief in the human sufferings of Jesus and their Christian relationship with him would have some impact on their experience of illness. It is also hypothesised that the presence and support of church as expressed in the chaplain would have some significance for their experience of suffering. Finally the findings will be related to the current and furure practice of chplaincy in the healthcare setting and some reflections will be made in regard to current practice and recommendations made for both church and healthcare organisations for future directions.
Cybergnosticism? A Study of Contemporary Christian Faith Communities in Cyberspace
(2004-12-12) Hill, Graham
This dissertation explores the research question ‘What gnostic-like elements are present within contemporary Christian faith communities in cyberspace?’ The research methodology is qualitative. It involves the examination of Gnostic documents and secondary scholarly sources on Gnosticism, and the detailed analysis of primary source written texts presented at the seventeen designated online contemporary Christian faith communities. The two chapters immediately following the introduction examine the important foundational and specific issues relevant to a study of Christian Gnosticism of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. They serve not as a detailed study of these forms of Gnosticism, but rather as a distillation of its principal characteristics. These characteristics are used as benchmarks in the Content Analysis of the contemporary Cyber faith communities. The following three chapters use these benchmarks in the detailed examination of the online Christian faith communities’ particular perspectives on human personhood, community, and engagement with the world and social behaviour. This dissertation concludes that human beings need some bodily engagement and gathering with others in order to experience authentic Christianity, that God is present within Christian communities in Cyberspace demonstrating his grace and redemption, and that while the Christian communities in Cyberspace manifest some Gnostic tendencies, they also contradict the core values of early Gnosticism. It is an overstatement, then, to label them as ‘cyber-Gnostic’.
Exploring narrative practices within a Christian context: Identifying the core elements of narrative practice for an emerging model of training, education and formation of Christian pastoral carers and counsellors.
(2017-02) Vargovic, Zoran
Integrating narrative principles within Christian pastoral care and counselling creates a ‘space’ educational model where both teachers and students co-construct the curriculum. This empowers subjective voices, invites considerate use of language, suggests working with identities rather than selves, favours community rather than individual, and applies dimensional views of human experiences.
Faith-based leadership development for young Cambodians for the purpose of building up communities of solidarity
(2020) Park, Jin Hyuk
This thesis aimed to lay the foundation for a faith-based integrative response to the invitation of a personal and communal journey of young Cambodians into full human liberation. To bring about full human liberation, the building of communities of solidarity is a fundamental task for all, especially for the oppressed and marginalised. This thesis has argued that a faith-based leadership development for young Cambodians is intended for the integrative development of the whole person through personal and communal transformation and that such leadership development is an effective and urgent response to the need to build up communities of solidarity. This thesis has maintained that the purpose of leadership development is to enable young Cambodians to work for the service of the Kingdom of God which can be realised through working together for this community-building commitment. Accordingly, this thesis has explored factors that cultivate agents capable of building communities of solidarity.
Globalized Media in India: Towards a Pneumatological Understanding for Christian Mission.
(2009-05-09) Devanur, Ezekiel S. S.
This thesis adopts a pneumatological paradigm of mission, to suggest creative ways in which the Church might understand its role as advocate and critic in the globalized media reality of the 21st Century. Particular note is taken of the Indian context, where satellite and cable technology are enabling mass communication possibilities.
Inculturated Faith Formation of New Teachers through Narrative Theology
(2020) Dujunco, Normandy
Since its beginning in 1680, the success and sustainability of the schools founded by John Baptist de La Salle depended on well-trained and committed teachers. To ensure this, La Salle spent much time in encouraging his teachers to develop the ‘spirit of faith’ through a rigorous formation process, then understood as mastering classroom routines and procedures. These practices could no longer be used at present because the Lasallian Institute has become much more diverse spanning over eighty countries. The spirit behind these practices, however, are still relevant today. As Lasallian schools hire new teachers every year, it is essential to continuously explore ways to provide relevant faith formation. This thesis proposes that Joseph Campbell’s ‘hero’s journey,’ can be used as a framework for formation programs. It likewise argues that to be truly relevant, formation efforts must consider the Gospel, the Lasallian story, cultural myths, and the teachers’ own stories.
Making Theology Accessible: Empowering Christians to do their own Theology
(2011-03-02) Hunter, Nathan
Noting a gap between the understandings of the ecclesia and academia, this thesis explores how ‘good theological process’ can become widely accessible to the church community at large. It surveys some significant ways in which theology has been defined in the past to create a framework for evaluating helpful theological processes, defined in this thesis as ‘working theology’. Having drawn some conclusions regarding what such processes might look like, it explores why such processes are seemingly scarce in the everyday activity of the church community. It seeks opinions about theology from six members of an Australian evangelical church through semi-structured interviews, using a central allegory as a key discussion point. Interviewees offer perspectives on the challenges of theology from a non-academic viewpoint. The interviews identify that transparent leadership, humble teaching, companionship, accessible resources and theological translators all have vital roles to play in Making Theology Accessible.
O Le Tofa Liliu A Samoa: A Hermeneutical Critical Analysis of The Cultural-Theological Praxis of the Samoan Context
(2011-05-12) Tuisuga, Fa'alepo A.
The central question of this study is: ‘How can we understand the Samoan church as an indigenous church of the twenty-first century?’ In the eyes of the adherents of the Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa (EFKS) – also known as the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS) – the Samoan life-world as it is now has been vigorously shaped and reshaped by the assimilation and integration of Samoan culture and Christianity since the arrival of the latter in 1830. The whole Samoan existential system, the fa’asamoa, which encompasses moral, ethical, cultural, political, economic and social factors, and indeed the spiritual values of Samoan society, has been conditioned by the interface between the two institutions – the EFKS, and Samoan culture. Reciprocally, the Christian faith and practice of the EFKS has been reshaped by the Samoan cultural context. The concrete actions and activities that constitute good Samoan life are what the term praxis denotes in this study. The sum total of actions and activities that derive out of the fine synthesis between Samoan culture and Christianity is described here as the ‘cultural–theological praxis’. This study is an attempt to interpret and understand the dynamics of the integration, interaction, and inter-relationship processes existing between Christianity and Samoan culture within the Samoan context. Thus, the overarching aim of this study is to critically analyse the cultural theological praxis of the EFKS setting; and to explore and establish a philosophical hermeneutic to both appraise and understand such praxis of the indigenous Samoan church context of the twenty-first century. I have developed this contextual philosophical hermeneutical approach from the indigenous notion of ‘O le Tofa Liliu a Samoa’ – ‘objective self-reflective wisdom of Samoa’. From the critical evaluation and analysis of the EFKS some suggestions are made as to further significant elements of possible contextualisation from the fa’asamoa, through which the EFKS may be made more relevant and participatory for its contemporary adherents, especially the younger generation. The hermeneutical approach O le Tofa Liliu a Samoa could establish a solid foundation for a more extensive review of the EFKS.
Out of Time, Out of Place: Pastoral and Theological Implications for Parents of Extremely Premature Infants
(2011-05-12) Heard, Gary
This thesis is an original exploration of the experience of parents in the wake of their child’s extremely premature birth, using grounded theory analyis. Biographical narratives, intercultural frameworks, and anthropological models offer insights into the identified experience of dislocation which find some integration through theological metaphors of exile and return; and faith, hope and love. A pastoral care strategy is developed in response to the disruption experienced. The last five decades have seen rapid growth in the extent and incidence of premature birth, such that the thresholds of viability have been steadily pushed back to the point where babies only slightly more than half way through a normal gestation are resuscitated and hospitalised for extended periods. At the same time the percentage of births which are classified as premature has increased to more than 10% of all live births. Whilst extensive research has been undertaken – and continues today – investigating the impact on the child born at such margins of viability, little research exists investigating the impact of this experience on the parents who will ultimately care for and nurture these premature infants through to adulthood. The parent experience is at the centre of focus for this study. This research has been undertaken through an on-line discussion list, comprising members drawn from different countries from around the world, and a repository of over 60,000 email postings during the period under consideration (1996-2003). The methodology employed in this study is that of an unobtrusive researcher, utilising grounded theory analysis of an on-line resource interpreted through a pastoral-theological framework of interpretation and understanding. The research findings reveal that parents suffer a significant experience of dislocation which leaves them unable at the time of discharge to reintegrate into the world they knew and experienced prior to the experience of premature birth. The existing literature which informs the parent experience of premature birth is shown to be both misleading and inadequate, failing to prepare parents for the experience, and providing no helpful insight for the parents‟ social community which would enable or foster support during this crisis, and in re-adjustment to home life subsequent to discharge. Different epistemologies are explored in an effort to develop a framework for understanding this experience of displacement and disconnect and to develop an interpretive grid which provides the basis for a strategy for pastoral care of parents. Biographical narratives, intercultural frameworks, and anthropological models offer insights into the nature of the premparent experience, which ultimately highlight the impact of social isolation which flows from the hospital experience. Two theological metaphors: exile and return; and faith, hope and love provide interpretive insights which serve as a basis for developing a pastoral response to the parents. The practice of pastoral care within the current setting is examined in light of the principles of pastoral care within the christian tradition, with particular view towards the ways in which care can be facilitated towards helping parents cope not only with the journey within the hospital setting, but also with the attendant impact on personal identity and values, and in relationship with their wider communal setting. In the concluding chapter, recommendations for change which provide strategies to address the social disruption and isolation, and which provide frameworks for assisting parents in addressing the multifaceted losses associated with extreme premature birth are offered.
Personhood, Human Brokenness and the Therapeutic Calling of the Eastern Orthodox Church: A Pastoral Approach To Mental Health Issues and Disability.
(2009-05-08) Cagnoni, Clare
Orthodox theology proposes an ontology of complete personhood, experienced through loving relationships with others and with God through the Church, mediated through the doxological experience of the Trinity. This thesis suggests that the Orthodox Church thus has a unique and therapeutic calling with rich possibilities for pastoral and practical application.
Polyvisual Narratology: A Postcolonial Feminist Reading of the Ancestral Narratives in Genesis
(2017-07) Alsen, Carolyn
Polyvisuality is a mode of reading biblical narrative that can develop previous ways of reading the text as polyphonic. In this thesis, narrative polyvisuality produces a postcolonial feminist reading of selected Genesis narratives. The politics of Israelite identity is discussed in terms of seeing and being seen by multiple gazes.
REFLECTIONS ON AUSTRALIAN CONTEXTUAL MODELS OF PASTORAL MINISTRY
(2005) Cronshaw, Darren
Australian historical images – for example, the Aborigine, convict, bushman, gold digger, Anzac ‘digger’, and migrant – are a fruitful source for theological reflection to develop models of ministry. These images and their historical contexts helped shape Australian culture and so shape context for ministry. A conversation between historical themes and Christian tradition suggests a number of complementary models for pastoral ministry in Australia. Spiritual companions, for example, help people relate faith to their journey in everyday life. This model resonates with Aboriginal listening and sensitivity to the sacred, and is at home with the Australian longing for everyday spirituality as articulated by contemporary social commentators such as Michael Leunig. Chaplains get alongside people in the midst of their lives, although colonial chaplains were seen more as distant moral policemen and their role in evangelism was limited by their government employment. As settlement spread through the bush, ministry as shepherding with clergy who cared for their flocks replaced or supplemented chaplaincy. Shepherding, an image rich in nurturing and care, was at home in the rural setting of the colonies, and continues to meaningfully express the pastoral care aspects of local church ministry. The labour movement and the Australian value of a fair go for the underdog suggest a place for ministry as prophetic advocacy; and ministry as service fits Australian humanitarianism, the Anzac spirit and servant leadership popular today even in business circles. Finally, ministers as community hosts reflect both God’s hospitality and the multicultural ethos of Australia that draws people together from different cultures and backgrounds. The pastoral ministry can be imagined and expressed by various models which describe different emphases of ministry, and the most effective models for pastoral ministry in Australia will derive from and critique Australian culture and historical images.
The Shame of the Old Woman: A Feminist Reading of Psalm 71
(2022-02) Eastwood, Michelle
Psalm 71 is possibly the only psalm written by an old person. This thesis asks, what happens if the psalmist speaks in the voice of an old woman? What are the different resonances that can be heard? This thesis employs an interdisciplinary methodology drawing together feminist, phenomenological, and literary theories. The feminist methodology places women’s perspective at the centre of understanding as an intentional counter-voice to perspectives of the psalms that prioritise Davidic authorship and masculine themes. The phenomenological focus considers the impact of lived experience, particularly at the intersection of marginalised identities and faith journey’s, on the way the text is heard. Literary theory draws these elements together through iterative readings with the goal of understanding the perspective of old women through the lens of Psalm 71. The research question is answered through a two-part exploration of the psalm. Firstly, an academic literary approach considers the compositional context, linguistic and literary features, and proposes a new structure through which the psalm can be understood. Secondly, the psalm is ‘heard’ through the lived experiences of six old women’s encounter with the psalm. Exploration of the psalm’s key themes of shame and ageing provides a conceptual framework to guide the reading of Psalm 71, particularly from the perspective of the old woman. The women’s understanding of the psalm is understood in terms of embodiment, connection and disconnection, communal and individual perspectives, scripture and authority, and perspectives of readers and reading on the reception of the text. The women read the psalms within the context of worship and liturgy, bible studies, and in conversation with members of their faith community. Listening to the perspective of the old woman, and her experience of shame and ageing, allows the contemporary reader of Psalm 71 to engage and hear a fresh message in this ancient text.
Spiritual Affections and the Pastoral Disposition
(2020-03) Gilbert, Sean
In recent years, both writing and teaching on pastoral ministry practice has tended to emphasise the central place of leadership and measurable outcome. Contrary to that trend (though not unsympathetic to it), the thesis investigates the question of whether spiritual affections continue to be a vital aspect of contemporary pastoral ministry. The thesis brought the findings of affect theorists into conversation with the role of spiritual affections in the life and thought of two major pastoral reformers, Bernard of Clairvaux and Jonathan Edwards. That analysis was then synthesised into key considerations of current practical theology. The thesis found that spiritual affections, intentionally attended to, shape distinctive pastoral dispositions in the practitioner which generates a quality of pastoral ministry that is equally original and fruitful. That is, spiritual affections do continue to be a vitalising, thus foundational aspect of contemporary pastoral ministry.
Spiritual Affections and the Pastoral Disposition
(2020-03) Gilbert, Sean
In recent years, both writing and teaching on pastoral ministry practice has tended to emphasise the central place of leadership and measurable outcome. Contrary to that trend (though not unsympathetic to it), the thesis investigates the question of whether spiritual affections continue to be a vital aspect of contemporary pastoral ministry. The thesis brought the findings of affect theorists into conversation with the role of spiritual affections in the life and thought of two major pastoral reformers, Bernard of Clairvaux and Jonathan Edwards. That analysis was then synthesised into key considerations of current practical theology. The thesis found that spiritual affections, intentionally attended to shape distinctive pastoral dispositions in the practitioner which generates a quality of pastoral ministry that is equally original and fruitful. That is, spiritual affections do continue to be a vitalising, thus foundational aspect of contemporary pastoral ministry.

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Browsing School of Graduate Research Student Theses by Subject "D - Pastoral Studies"

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