A Life in Words: a self assessment essay

Words https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=anVweXDcxhA

Jim Diaz: a profile essay

This piece was a spur of the moment labor of love. While I was struggling to find a topic I felt was worthwhile I found myself looking at old topics I've covered before. I originally started with an idea of profiling Darth Vader. This interested me as I thought of giving it a twist that Darth Vader was a loving and caring father who just wanted a second chance with his kids. It fell through when thinking of how Anakin and Padmé broke up. I scrapped the idea and desperately began thinking of other figures I could profile.

Painting by Jim Diaz

Nothing seemed interesting, or like something I could complete in a reasonable amount of time. I was in California when I was working on the piece and had just visited my good friend Diaz. I do not call him by his first name, never have, and probably never will. I thought of our relationship, and how I came to know him. He is quite an intriguing character to me. I decided he was worth profiling. (His painting is one example of his artistic ability).

When I started writing I was not sure how it would turn out. I had never written a profile on someone before. I've kept a fairly detailed journal for some years cataloging significant events and experiences. I took this approach in writing the profile. I took on the perspective of myself, as if I had a camera when I met him, and edited it with "flash-backs" and other background information. When writing this piece I originally felt rushed, but once I had my topic the rest just flowed. I learned the enjoyment of writing not simply for detail and record, but for the joy or remembering. While writing I felt connected, warm, and loved. I have enjoyed writing for some years now, but this was different, and I think I will try this genre more often.

Philippians http://www.heartlandworship.com/sermons/sermon/2013-04-14/philippians:-destiny

Philippians: a report essay

This piece was a bit more complicated to write, and was not as enjoyable as the profile essay. I am used to research papers, and I enjoy doing research. It is odd, when I was growing up reading was difficult, and writing seemed impossible. But as I've grown I have found a love, and a desire to read and write more than my first love of drawing. I had been studying the text of Philippians for another class and used that same study time to research for this report. Honestly, I was not passionate about this piece. I love the Bible, and usually that research consumes most of my research time. But the over saturation of the text made me feel less passionate or driven to write something I would want to read. This is not normal for me. I typically do not write things I do not enjoy or want to read and remember, which for me makes this the least favorite piece.

While I did not find the drive to make this piece the best it could be I stand by what I wrote. The topic was well researched, and the information is accurate. What I learned from writing this is not to forget why I love to write in the first place - the enjoyment of the process. I can write for hours, and it could be nonsense, but I would not have it any other way. Losing sight of the goal can make the reader lose interest, and that defeats the purpose of the practice.

Discipleship https://sawyersinuganda.com/discipleship/

The Great Commission - where it fits into the contemporary Church, and why it is needed: an argument essay

The research paper was, and is, something I am deeply passionate about. My concern while writing this piece was doing the topic justice. While the feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive I still had worries of if I did well. In deciding what I would write about the class was strongly urged to pick something that we had a strong opinion about. When it comes to discipleship I am a very strong supporter. Being a preacher kid I have been thoroughly educated on being active in the Church. I have been active in service since the age of twelve. I understand more and more why this is such an important issue in the Church the more I interact with unbelievers. Not simply because of how many there are, but in their view of Christians in general. We are like horrible pyramid scheme promoters/recruiters. All that matters is getting that person involved, once their in they are on their own. It is a sad cyclical system.

Discipleship is not getting converts - it is so much more. It is a relationship that positions itself to build people up, and keep them up. And inevitably when someone falls, discipleship restores them. What I gained from this assignment was why discipleship is so necessary, and what it takes to write with passion and without bias (as much as is humanly possible). The writing strategies helped immensely when I was in the various stages. I appreciated the input from my peers and professor. This helped me look more critically at my work. The outline and paragraph style choice guides were undeniably useful. Out of all the assignment for this class I feel the best about this research paper.

Homeless http://theodysseyonline.com/spelman/homeless-invisible/254703

Homeless on campus: a response essay

This article, we read to write a response to, caught my attention. It was while reading this that I remembered I don't need to write an agreeable response, I only needed to respond. My position toward the ideas raised in the article were heartfelt. My father ministered to the homeless in every city we lived in. Most of his ministry was in the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco. I have a heart for the issues of the homeless. While I can see the view of the author I disagreed with the plan of action. Homeless people could benefit from having other programs more than that which was suggested.

The précis format for a reading response focused my aim more sharply than I felt was necessary, yet after using it repeatedly I believe that the practice has been helpful. When reading through my responses I understand more of where I am being led than if I had formatted the introduction myself each time. I try to vary my strategies, but at times I get stuck and do what I did the time before, though it might not suit the genre, or topic. I appreciate the practice of having a specific format for responses, and the focus on constructing each paragraph. These strategies will be made use of more as I head further into my degree and my career. 

Overall writing performance

While going through this course I set my mind to attain an A. I made sure I had the material I needed and that I understood what was expected of me. I used these to insure I would have the highest quality papers I can produce. I did well in applying varies techniques for paragraphs and research material. I adapted to different genre rather well, and I feel good about the papers I have completed. Though overall I believe I did well in applying what I have learned, I did not do so well with the quizzes. Something I need to work more on in the future is taking more time to understand the questions and find the answers. this was a struggle for me as I felt pressed for time.

Development as a writer

My previous pieces are products I am proud of. I have practiced my writing in and out of school, and I feel I can write well. In undertaking this class I feel I have grown most in learning specific styles and being intentional in each paragraph I write. sometimes I can fill the space with information that might add to one point or another, but does not help the paper as a whole. This discipline has helped me to be more focused and stringent in what I write academically. I fell in love with writing when I began writing poetry - therefore I will never put myself in a box completely, but only as the situation may dictate. I enjoy writing for pleasure, and I feel the skills I have gained here will only further my enjoyment in this field.

Writing habits

I have a variety of writing habits - it all depends on what my purpose is. Most frequently I will do an outline, but that is not always first, and the outlines vary as well. For academic purposes I write an outline with basic information - topic, intro, body, conclusion. I research, or I dig in my mind for relevant information and I add to the outline, this may be a website or a book page number, or a phrase that will job my memory. My academic papers usually have a few drafts, such as an outline with my thoughts. Then an outline partially filled in with resources and citation with notes to myself at the bottom or where I feel they are relevant. then I have an outline which is completely filled it, outline points taken away, notes added to bottom and crossed off as I go along and correct or add as necessary.

When I am not writing academically I usually let ideas flow onto the page I am writing. If I am driving I write in my head like giving a speech. I run through the thoughts, and if i feel I may forget something I go over it a few time stating it in different ways so I know I know the concept. Sometimes I will speak the whole paper from introduction through conclusion as I drive from work back home. This helps me process things and edit things that seem clunky or out of place and smooth out transitions.

When I write poetry I usually wait for inspiration. I will listen to music or read old poems of mine and go from there. Other times I take the poem and decide it would be better in a song. I get my guitar and start finding what type of song it will be, but this is rare. Most of the poetry I write stays in poem form.

I write when I feel there is an area that lacks education and I find a way to fill that void. While working for a church I was the Tech Director. I found training needed an overhaul as it was largely done with the tech siting side by side with the trainee. No manual or videos - no outside sources at all, which pulls on the resource of the tech continually. I wrote a manual for the tech team which I still have today. Written from a Christian standpoint I ran through every piece of equipment, and troubleshooting guide necessary to function as a sound tech. in that instance I compiled the list of equipment, then I listed the possible issues each could have and their corresponding solutions. once I had that information I worked from the standpoint of someone who walked in and needed to activate the system correctly and insure it would function, even though they had never seen a sound system. I included picture of the equipment we had including close-ups of certain areas that could be hard to see in other pictures.

My habits change to match what I am writing, but it all starts with an understanding of the knowledge I have and what I need to complete what i am trying to accomplish. Using an outline, whether in my head, on a paper - whether detailed or simple - I always have a guide of where I am starting and where I want to end. And sometime I start with the ending, like those maze puzzles, and work my way to the beginning. The only way to achieve a goal is to have a plan. The same goes with writing.

Performance in the course

I spent a great deal of time on my assignments. during this semester I have dedicated more time to this class than the other I am taking. I ran into a few bumps in the road to which I reached out to my professor and he was helpful and encouraging. this was with my final paper - i was working on the proposal and I did not know how to focus or which part of my passion to pick - I was at a loss. That piece is the one I am most proud of. I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do in writing it, that piece being on discipleship. I usually talk about my paper with my kids or my wife and gauge the feedback I get. But, during this semester I have not done that. These papers were written in my study time and were not shared, for the most part, with anyone but those in the class. The class provided a source of critique needed so as to push me on to a better quality finished product. I believe that success I have had in this class is largely due to the workshop time I had with each draft paper. But this is only helpful when the paper is ready for publication, and this gives that last bit to really polish the piece nicely.

Application & recommendations

I feel very confident in teaching this material. I have learned so much from classes before, and compiling that information with this I believe I can have a positive impact on student who are looking to start their journey. As I have said before, I love learning, and the only thing I love as much is teaching those who want to learn. I have already used some of the information from this class to help my son. He is using MLA in his high school courses. I have explained that there are many writing formats, and that he should be aware of the differences, such as with APA. Explaining how important it is to cite sources and use credible sources has helped him in his assignments. Before this class I had no idea about Google Scholar, and this information I have passed on as well. I have began using the internet researching strategies for other purposes such as my own research. I was propositioned to join a group which sales a certain product. The person seemed on the level so I heard them out. I later researched the company using more scholarly resources and found that company to not be so credible. This has saved me a few issue, and that is just one way in which I am using the information.

Writing is essential in academics, and beyond. I would recommend students to take this course as the demands for academic writing only increase the more years you are in college. Students should be aware of the various genres or types of writer there are. I would encourage them to find a genre they love, either reading or writing, and see how they can connect that with the various other types of writing they may not enjoy so much. I would also recommend that they find a way to make each piece personal. this makes the writing process more enjoyable for the author and the reader. A story that is passionately written is more likely to be passionately read.

Conclusion

In summary, I have learned a great deal from this class, both in writing and in the topics I have covered. i have been stretched in learning and applying new strategies, such as the importance of paragraph focus and intent, workshops for editing papers and peer feedback, and adjusting to different genre outside my normal reporting or persuasive/argument type papers. Also I found that while I am in school I can focus both on the class and my personal goal of community outreach by using my assignments to sharpen and focus my skills and efforts to be most effective. I am saddened, yet happy, that I will no longer require language arts classes. Saddened because I always learn so much, and I love learning. Yet I am happy because I am now able to move on and join other classes where I will be able to practice what I have learned here, as well as learning more about other areas of interest. I have a ways to go to accomplish my goals, but with the help I have received I know I will get there.

References

Diaz, J. (Personal communication, April 2016) Texted a picture of one of his paintings.

Discipleship photo, retrieved April 30, 2016 from https://sawyersinuganda.com/discipleship/

Homeless student photo, retrieved April 30, 2016 from http://theodysseyonline.com/spelman/homeless-invisible/254703

Philippians photo, retrieved April 30, 2016 from http://www.heartlandworship.com/sermons/sermon/2013-04-14/philippians:-destiny

Words photo, retrieved April 29, 2016 from https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=anVweXDcxhA

Homeless on Campus: a response essay

         

          Eleanor J. Bader, in her report Homeless on Campus (n.d.), sheds light as to the unmet needs of homeless students in colleges and universities. Bader lifts the veil and reveals the hardships of students, like that of Aesha Broadway, who are going to college while being homeless. While Bader does give examples of how educators are helping, she also gives many more examples of how colleges and universities are not helping in order to expose the problem, and hopefully inspire some solution. Ms. Bader seems to speak to those who are college age, if not in college, and seems to be speaking as one in authority urging those within here influence to act.

          While there are many issues facing those who are homeless, education after high school may not be the most important. Veronika Scott is the co-founder of The Empowerment Plan (http://www.empowermentplan.org/#!the-coat/cass) (Links to an external site.) which employs homeless individuals, and manufactures a coat/sleeping bag that is distributed to the homeless. In an interview on CNN.com she stated what a homeless woman said to her, "We don't need coats. We need jobs." This happened when Scott was passing out the coat/sleeping bag she had designed. While she had good intentions to help the homeless, it didn’t meet the need they desired most to be met; independence.

          So while Bader is doing good, and making people aware of a need, perhaps it is not the need that most homeless are desiring to be met. In no way is Eleanor Bader wrong for writing and informing, quite the opposite. However, when considering the resources that would need to be put together to fund and operate such a facility or program, one cannot help but wonder how it might be put to better use. Maybe those who would desire such an education could get involved in a program like that which Veronika Scott founded, and in time be able to support themselves and achieve those educational goals.

Refences

Bullock, Richard; Goggin, Maureen Daly,; Wienberg, Francine. (2006). The Norton Field Guide to Writing: with readings and handbook. Third Edition. W. W. Norton and Company, Inc.

Homeless student photo, retrieved April 30, 2016 from http://theodysseyonline.com/spelman/homeless-invisible/254703

Marissa Calhoun (Updated 1:23 PM ET, Thu March 10, 2016). CNN Hero Veronika Scott. CNN. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/10/us/cnn-heroes-veronika-scott-detroit-homeless/ (Links to an external site.).

The Great Commission - where it fits in the contemporary Church, and why it is needed: an argument essay

Discipleship https://sawyersinuganda.com/discipleship/

The Great Commission:

Where it Fits in the Contemporary Church, and Why it is Needed

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, …” Colossians 3:23 (English standard version). This passage is worth consideration along with Ephesians 6:7 which follows the same thought, “… rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, …” What are these two passages saying? Whatever is done by the hand of a believer is to be done to the best of their ability. Looking at how congregations (churches) work in their community is there a sense that the work is done in quality and quantity? The problem facing the Church is that there are not enough people doing the work of the church as are filling the seats of the church. Many want to gain and glean, but not many choose to give. This has little to do with finances, and a great deal to do with the inadequacy of being equipped and commissioned. In His last address to the Church in His physical body Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). This is the Great Commission – to go outside the walls and do what Jesus sent the Church to do – make disciples.

Statistics concerning Christians in America

Jesus gave the command, and the Church of the time responded and did as He said. When observing on a global scale it can be seen that the church of the first century was effective in its application of what Jesus taught and commanded. Yet can the same be said of the Church today? A poll from the Pew Research Center listed in their article America’s changing religious landscape points out two figures (2015). The first shows how Seventy-eight percent of Americans in 2007 reported they were of the Christian faith. The second from 2014 shows that about 70.6 percent of Americans professed a belief in Jesus. In Just seven years the Church in American decreased by nearly eight percent.

The numbers presented make it seem as though there are many disciples of Christ, if the statistics are true to even the 70.6 percent of the population. However, that is not an accurate depiction of what it is to be a disciple. Below are some statistics to help evaluate the numbers and figures more accurately.

Figure 1. Comparison of U. S. population, Christians, 

religious volunteers, and active Christian volunteers.

Comparing the information from the 2010 census that would show 308,745,538 (United States Census Bureau, 2010) people in the United States, and the Pew Research Centers figures show that about 217,974,349.82 were Christian. If the data from the Pew Research Center (2015) is applied to these numbers, 74,111,278.94 are the amount of people who would represent religious volunteers in this country, of which 57,806,797.57 makes up the Christian volunteer base – which is just over a quarter of the whole Christian population as can be seen in fig. 1.

These statistics help to understand how people view volunteer work, and how those who have religious beliefs, and specifically that of Christians, are (or are not) active in doing work in their community. In their research for the Religion for everyday life the Pew Research Center (2016) proposed that people who believe in work in the community as a part of their religious belief system were more likely to volunteer or donate:

For example, among Christians who say that working to help the poor is essential to what being Christian means to them, about six-in-ten say they donated time, money or goods to help the poor in the past week. By comparison, fewer Christians who do not see helping the poor as central to their religious identity say they worked to help the poor during the previous week (42%). (p. 1)

            As the research above shows people need to believe that being involved in the community is a central part of their belief system. Being a disciple is more than having the mental assent that God is, that He sent His Son as a ransom for many, and that through acknowledging this one can be redeemed from the curse of sin.

            A disciple and a convert have similarities, but are very different in living and walking those choices out. A convert believes in Jesus, and confesses this belief. A convert also realizes that they are indeed dead in sin, and only through Christ can they live. The convert knows that Jesus is the way to salvation, and they need Him to be their savior. These all apply to the disciple as well.

Being a disciple vs. a convert

            To rightly compare and contrast a convert and a disciple here is a well known, understood, and necessary part of contemporary life in the united states to measure these up against. Doctors are necessary in modern society. They not only help the patients they have immediately in front of them, but they also help form new treatments for things that cause discomfort or even death. These medical professionals spend much time learning and practicing these treatments before using them on people, and they continue to learn throughout their career. The focus of the doctor is outward toward the patient. This is the life of the disciple. The disciple in not inwardly focused, but outwardly. The disciple seeks the good of those around them, and is active not only in health for the present, but long term as well. Disciples devote themselves to the teaching from God in order to apply those teachings to themselves first, and then to the community around them.

            Now looking at the other side of the medical analogy, it can be seen that patients are much like converts. The patient comes to the doctor when they are not well, or if they are a good patient, they come in for regular check-ups. The patient may be proactive in their health life which means they follow the direction of the medical professional. They may at times give that same advice to others to help them along, but for the most part what the doctor says stays with the patient. The convert, like the patient, seeks out those who are mature in the faith – the disciples – and gleans from them what they need for a life of holiness. While the convert believes in the power of Jesus, and has faith, that belief is not put into action for the good of the body of Christ, but for personal spiritual health.

How discipleship works

            Disciples, like doctors, are necessary in the Church today. While for the most part people can live long healthy lives without seeing the doctor much, the services the doctor provides are critical. Disciples are vital to the health of the church. While the Church can “get along” without being in discipleship, or being mentored, the usefulness of this practice is evident. In Volunteer behavior of minority youth (2006) from the library of Georgetown Schultz comments:

This form of engagement in community affairs has far-reaching importance, as previous research suggests that young people who are involved in volunteer activities are more likely to become politically aware, empowered, philanthropic, and participatory citizens (Flanagan, 2001; Galston, 2001; and Verba, Schlozman and Brady, 1995). (p. 2).

While this is one case, and that involving minority youth, the impact is undeniable – people who get involved are more well rounded, and are more productive citizens.

Problems with the model of discipleship

            Discipleship is not a task for the faint of heart, but neither is Christianity. The call of Jesus is full of hard choices and hard circumstances like with the first group Jesus sent out in Luke 10. Many people look at this as the model for discipleship, and cite how stringent and harsh the requirements are, and for good reason. Taking no money or means of support, making no plans or setting anything up in advance, but setting out with a few things and making it work. Jesus was not giving those 72 people much to work with. But the context is not what is required by the modern day, or even first century, disciple. This was specific to those 72 people sent ahead of Jesus Himself. They did not live the rest of their lives this way. They came back and reported to Jesus (Luke 10:17).

Why discipleship is needed

            A disciple is a follower of Jesus, and a teacher of the way. Jesus wants people to do as He did, reaching out to the broken and forgotten, those cast aside by society, the poor, the widow, and the orphan. These still have significance today. In the social structure of the time widows and orphans had no place in society. They needed security, protection, and provision. While modern society has tried to fix the problems widows and orphans have, a great deal of the issues remain still. D. Peterson (2013) argues in his article Kingdom rules: upside-down discipleship how Jesus’ social structure is a polar opposite to that of the time:

Focusing on Mark 8:22-10:52, the core of Jesus' teaching on discipleship, I contrast the social and ethical norms of power, authority, control, knowledge, status and wealth, which were accepted in first century culture, with the ethical standards that Jesus required of his followers under the rules of the kingdom of God. These two ethical systems are polar opposites. Jesus taught that greatness in leadership, as God measures it, directly relates to our actions on behalf of the marginalized and disenfranchised. These include: the poor, the sick, the disabled, the unclean, outcasts, outsiders, and especially, or perhaps specifically, children. (p. 1)

            How does the Church continue, or renew its efforts, to build disciples? It starts with self. Like the doctor who must learn first, the disciple must learn first. If the Word is not first applied to the disciple it loses its effectiveness for the body of Christ through that person. D. Crouzet poses some hard ideas in regard to being a disciple. The article Giving up one's pretensions to become a true disciple (Crouzet, 2007) suggests this:

“In view of the social role of the family, which sometimes prevents its members from making their own choices; in view of the selfish nature of human beings, revealed in their desire to obtain more and more money and power, this text, it is said, highlights the need for the disciple to make a choice. It is interpreted as an exhortation to leave personal considerations behind” (p. 519).

How does this fit in with the rest of Scripture? Are disciples of Jesus to leave family and friends and continue through their life without considering themselves?

Counter argument to discipleship

            Is discipleship necessary in the contemporary church? Jesus called disciples to Himself, twelve of which He had with Him continually. When the Holy Spirit came did that end the need for discipleship? John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” L. Vaage (2009) in the article An other home: discipleship in Mark as domestic asceticism argues that the form of discipleship in the Gospel is strenuous, anti-family, and that the twelve ultimately failed as Jesus’ disciples.

            However, during the time of Jesus the disciples were not empowered by the Holy Spirit. He is the one who enables the believer to do as Jesus commanded. But the Holy Spirit does not do all the work, as some believe John 16:13 implies. Believers must do as the early Church did in Acts 2:42, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This was after the Holy Spirit came. So if Jesus intended for discipleship to continue then why is it not prominent in the Church today?

What can be done, and what should be done?

            The statistics on page three show not many people are in discipleship in the church. People who are working in the church or community make up only about a quarter of the population of the Church in America. What is a disciple? A disciple is one who follows Jesus, both in knowledge, and action. When someone is participating in a discipleship program they have a leader to emulate, a trustworthy person they can turn to with their struggles, and a believer who has experience in life and in ministry – this can be defined as a mentor. Being in discipleship requires transparency and vulnerability which can make the one in discipleship uncomfortable. Yet they are necessary if the process is going to be fruitful.

            The Church is commissioned to make disciples. The leadership must take the lead as a disciple to make disciples. The laity has the responsibility to submit themselves to trustworthy leadership in a mentorship/discipleship program. Some congregations do this through having a school of ministry, while others have internship programs for certain positions in the congregation. If there is no mentor/disciple program it is the responsibility of those who are called and able to build one up and implement it under the supervision of responsible God-fearing leadership.

Conclusion

            In summary, Jesus gave the command to go and make disciples, not only converts (Matthew 28:19). This was the last command Jesus gave – it holds great weight and value. In order to accomplish the work Jesus sent believers out to do in the community they must be in discipleship. Being that Jesus is not in His earthly form, and that He specifically told His disciples to do the work, Christians today must follow the Godly example that is given in those He has called. Twenty-five percent of the church on average should be active. These are the individuals which should be sought out for this kind of mentorship. The roles for these disciple makers can be those such as pastors, teachers, prophets, and evangelists. These mentors are not found only speaking from the pulpit, but are servants in the community as well. God has given His Spirit, He has Given His Word, and He has given leaders and overseers all to accomplish the work of His Kingdom. Twenty-five percent of 217,974,349.82 people may seem like an overwhelming number, but twenty-five percent is not acceptable when Jesus has called each of His followers to do everything as unto God. The Church must respond, and that in the form of becoming, and making, disciples.

References

            Cole, D., (2015). The Outward Focused Church: Leadership training for the established northwest ministry network churches to transition church culture from inward-focused to outward-focused. Retrieved April 16, 2016 from https://www.agts.edu/encounter/articles/2015_Fall/Cole_Article_Rev.pdf

Crouzet, D. (2007). Giving up one's pretensions to become a true disciple. The Ecumenical Review, 59(4), 519-522.

            Nelson, P. K. (2011). Discipleship dissonance: toward a theology of imperfection amidst the pursuit of holiness. Journal Of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care, 4(1), 63-92.

            Petersen, D. (2013). Kingdom rules: upside-down discipleship. Asian Journal Of Pentecostal Studies, 16(1), 31-50.

Pew Research Center, (2015). America’s Changing Religious Landscape: Christians Decline Sharply as Share of Population; Unaffiliated and Other Faiths Continue to Grow. Retrieved April 22, 2016 from http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/.

            Pew Research Center (2016). Religion in Everyday Life: Highly religious Americans are happier and more involved with family but are no more likely to exercise, recycle or make socially conscious consumer choices. Retrieved April 22, 2016 from http://www.pewforum.org/2016/04/12/religion-in-everyday-life/.

            Schultz, M. (2006). Volunteer Behavior of Minority Youth. Georgetown University. Retrieved April 16, 2016 from https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/bitstream/handle/10822/555985/etd_mds66.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.

            United States Census Bureau, (2010). 2010 Census. Retrieved April 22, 2016 from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00.

            Vaage, L. E. (2009). An other home: discipleship in Mark as domestic asceticism. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 71(4), 741-761.

            Vick, J. (2011). Volunteer Administration, and the Local Church: The relationship between servant leader characteristics and volunteer administration skills among church leaders. Tennessee Temple University. Retrieved April 16, 2016 from http://www.tntemple.edu/application/files/Academics/DMin/J.Vick.pdf