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- PublicationA critical comparative analysis of four, church-based, intercultural initiatives in the multicultural city of Melbourne(2023-03) Holdsworth, SueThis study of four evangelical, church-based, intercultural initiatives in multicultural Melbourne sought to discover ways in which love of God and neighbour was expressed and how this might be enhanced. Grounded theory was complemented by ethnographic, participant observation and case study methods. Extended periods of time were spent in the four locations (January-June 2015, September 2015 - January 2016, March-June 2017, September-December 2017). Participants were mostly volunteers but study of the sole initiative with trained and paid participants served as a contrast study. The foundational literature review critically evaluates pastoral care and missiology research, and a supplementary review addresses specific gaps in current research. It was discovered that the motivations of many participants, enacted through the relational dynamics of the projects, were more characteristic of the principles and practice of pastoral care for migrants attending than traditional modes of mission and evangelism. Participants had effectively conceived and implemented the projects and programs as pastoral care rather than mission. The relationship between pastoral care practice and mission consequently became a focus of data analysis and discussion. Pastoral formation was an important lens. Data analysis identified how initial and ongoing formation in pastoral and spiritual care, combined with educational resources, could enhance practice and focus projects more accurately. Teamwork in planning, spiritual nurture (team and individual), including prayer, and skill development/training were contrasted as each location was analysed. Pastoral theologians who engage pastoral care practice as it relates to supervision and action/reflection cycles, were brought into dialogue with the data. Additional perspectives from missiologists enabled the discipline of pastoral care to complement church-based mission.
- PublicationQueer Blood and Fire: The experiences of Salvation Army Officers who identify with diverse sexuality.(2024-12) Watson, BradThis thesis primarily reports the results of a survey and interviews conducted with Australian Salvation Army officers who identify with diverse sexuality. The thesis provides a historical survey of the relationship between The Salvation Army and the LGBTIQ+ community, as well as the denomination’s theological teachings in human sexuality drawing on this data. I also articulate a theological reflection that is born from their testimony. As such, this thesis explores the history, harms and hopes of these people. The harms are multiple and include moral injury, sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts, religious trauma, internalised homophobia, workplace discrimination and, in some cases, suicidal ideation. The hopes are centred on expressions of integrated personhood that are holy and authentic. Their lives teach the church about God’s diverse creation, enlivened grace, justice through solidarity and community, and the ministry of all believers.
- PublicationPaul’s use of faith in context: Galatians 2:15 – 21 as a test case.(2023-12) Nguyen, TommyThis re-examination of Paul’s use of faith language explores the pistis language and syntax in the surrounding literary corpora of his era (the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, Philo, Josephus, New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers). I show that Paul’s distinctive emphasis on the prepositions dia (through) and ek (from, out of) with pistis is a new development within Greek literature that underscores the relationship between Divine and human faith. Paul’s understanding of faith is shown to be inclusive of the Divine and human; subjective and objective; individual and communal; belief and action; noun, verb and adjective; and, in the verb forms, present continuous and punctiliar. This inclusive understanding of faith is tested in a reading of Galatians 2:15 – 21, focusing on Galatians 2:20 as the key text. The thesis concludes with implications for faithing communities today, and a brief reflection on their significance for my own Australian Vietnamese Evangelical faith context.
- PublicationAn exploration into the contribution of pastoral/spiritual care to the spiritual wellbeing of clients with intellectual and developmental disability and their carers within the residential setting.(2024-10) Clark, WinsomeThree research questions framed this Case Study: (i) What factors contribute to client’s spiritual needs? (ii) How do encounters between the pastoral care practitioner (PCP), clients and carers contribute to spiritual wellbeing. (iii) What practical and pastoral interactions have the most significant influence, and why? Methods employed were participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis incorporated a constructivist approach and theological reflection. Results identified: (i) The distinctive characteristics of the PCP’s role and practice in this unique and challenging multi-disciplinary environment. (ii) The specialist skills required. (iii) The nature and extent of collaborative and pastorally supportive relationships generated by the PCP towards other workers, carers and management staff. (iv) The previously unacknowledged spiritual care dimension of the contribution of many staff. The unique skills and training required for PCPs to work in this sector were identified. Findings informed the development and IDD contextual adaptation of Spiritual Assessment Instruments finally producing Spiritual Distress in the IDD Setting: Factors Affecting Wellbeing.
- PublicationA praxis of shalom for social practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand: An integrative theology using World Christianity and migration theology as resources(2025-03) Larking, PhillipThis thesis outlines a praxis of shalom as a response to anti-discriminatory discourses, offering an alternative framework for social practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand. World Christianity and migration theology resource the thesis with processes and themes for theological construction. Descriptors of shalom as hope and wholeness, justice and action help to shape the practice framework. The countervailing narratives of universalism, tribalism, and particularity function as units of analysis to discern narratives that generate borders and perpetuate discrimination. A theology of particularity informs the praxis movement, naming a universal truth claim, ‘grace for all.’ This truth claim underpins the deconstruction of particular truth claims in historical context, discerning and naming the discursive function of contemporary narratives (discourses). When grace is understood as both gift and responsibility a praxis of shalom will generate its reflection and action toward the formation of communities and encounters that embody shalom at the borders created by difference.