Title

Practicing Community: Naming, Claiming, and Practicing the Holy Spirit's Sending of a Congregation in the Midst of Change into the Open Future

Author

Meghan K. Gage-Finn

Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

First Advisor

Alvin Luedke

Second Advisor

Daniel Anderson

Abstract

This project utilized social science research, through a transformative, mixed- methods strategy, to investigate a thriving, downtown Presbyterian Church (USA)

congregation’s missional awareness and response to change, disruption, and chaos in their midst during a major building expansion and movement into new spaces. This study explored in what ways members of the congregation relied on or adjusted their patterns of engaging in spiritual practices as a result of a change in their surroundings. This research shows how a greater missional understanding developed for members of the congregation because of a movement through a season of modification to both their building and access to it, and the ways in which they were able to gather and practice their faith.

Recommended Citation

Gage-Finn, Meghan K., "Practicing Community: Naming, Claiming, and Practicing the Holy Spirit's Sending of a Congregation in the Midst of Change into the Open Future" (2019). Doctor of Ministry Theses. 48.
https://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/dmin_theses/48