Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

College

Barnett College of Ministry & Theology

Department

Department of Christian Ministries and Religion

Primary Advisor

Dr. David Docusen

Second Advisor

Dr. Corey Gaston

Third Advisor

Dr. Jeremy Sims

Abstract

Although there is still a long way to go, the Christian church in America is growing more and more diverse. In the same timeframe of the shift to more diversity, America has grown more divided politically, socially, and religiously. Throughout scripture, and especially in the New Testament, God speaks of the power and purpose of a unified church. The early church was required to grow in its diversity while also pursuing unity among all the differences that existed. The church of the twenty-first century and beyond is under the same mandate. This project’s purpose is to uncover, by surveying current pastors of diverse churches, pathways and best practices that exist presently that aid in pursuing unity in a diverse context. Through the implementation of these researched pathways and best practices in diverse churches across America, Jesus’ prayer from John 17 will be fulfilled when he says that by the Church’s unity (oneness), the world will know that Jesus is the Savior of the world.


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