Research Paper Assignment Instructions
*****TOPIC GRIEF & LOSS*****
*****DUE SEPTEMBER 10TH*****
*****PLEASE FOLLOW DIRECTIONS THOROUGHLY*****
*****PLEASE FOLLOW RUBIC THOROUGHLY*****
***** Sources need to mainly be from books and journal articles, with no more than three (3) coming from online websites (in current APA format). *****
***** Minimum of 5-10 Scriptures*****
*****COURSE TEXT BOOKS*****
Köstenberger, A., & Jones, D. (2010). God, marriage, and family: Rebuilding the biblical foundation (2nd ed.). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. ISBN: 9781433503641.
Stone, H. (1994). Brief pastoral counseling: Short-term approaches and strategies. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Publishers. ISBN: 9780800627201.
Worthington, E. L. Jr., & Ripley, J. S. (2014). Couple therapy: A new hope-focused approach. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 9780830828579.
Research Paper Assignment Instructions
Student’s Choice of a Current Issue Affecting Pastoral Counseling
Overview
From your reading and experience, there are numerous issues that affect families and couples in our churches today. Many of these directly affect those involved; others seem more superficial but can have long-lasting effects. Examples of these are: homosexuality in the church (congregation, pastors), single-parent families, trauma, grief and loss, gay marriage, pornography, etc.
The student will choose one issue that they desire to research, analyze, and discuss how that issue impacts either or both couples and/or families today, especially in relation to the church and Christian beliefs.
Instructions
· The paper is approximately 12–15 pages long (not including title and reference pages).
· Student is to use current APA professional standards in the writing of this assignment.
· The student should use citations to support their assertions.
· A minimum of 10 acceptable sources, in addition to the course textbooks, are required (e.g. scholarly articles published within the last five years; the Bible; scholarly books).
· The paper should be organized using APA Level Headings.
Use the Research Paper Template to aid you in formatting and organizing your paper.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
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Research Paper Template
Introduction
In this section, introduce the who, what, when, where, how, and why of your topic by explaining:
· Why you picked this issue;
· How does secular society view the issue;
· How it has impacted you directly or indirectly;
· What makes this issue a problem/challenge for Christian couples and/or families in the church;
· What (if any) impact it has had on those in your church;
· What are the short-term effects;
· What are the long-term effects;
· What has been done in the past in the church regarding this issue.
This section will be several pages in length. Note that you will not show the “bullets,” and plan on making each item above into its own paragraph.
The final paragraph of this section should be used to provide the reader with a “path” of understanding of why this issue is crucial, what the church needs to be aware of, and what the writer is attempting to do in the paper.
Brief Review of the Literature
Brief Review of Scripture
This section discusses how the issue is looked at from the lens of the Bible. Again, this is not an exhaustive review of every scriptural injunction but is used to provide the reader with evidence of how God looks at the issue from a biblical standpoint. It is also understood that not every issue chosen will have direct Scripture references, so it is up to the student to use the context of biblical understanding and worldview to support the premise of the paper. Plan on having a minimum of 5-10 Scriptures (in context) here.
Pastoral Counseling Action Plan
As a pastoral counselor, your job is to work with couples and families in your church, so this section is to provide the reader with an “action plan” of what the writer will do to meet the challenge of working with this issue if it is already in the/their church, or provide an “action plan” of what the counselor will do in the event it becomes an issue in the/their church. Provide an introductory paragraph to this section. The action plan must cover the following three (3) areas (show as level 2 headings: flush left and bold). Each should be a minimum of one to two paragraphs long:
Church Analysis
Seek to answer these questions (place each question in a separate paragraph): What are some of the problems this issue has created, or can create, in your church? How have leaders in the church confronted the issue? If it hasn’t been an issue yet, how do you think they will confront it, based on past actions with other/similar issues? How has the congregation reacted to the issue, or how would the congregation react to the issue (in your opinion)?
Church Evaluation
(Place each question in a separate paragraph): How effective have church leaders been in handling the issue (or past issues, if the writer’s issue has not happened yet in their church) that have affected the church? What has been the consequences (write about both the good and the bad) in the ways the church leaders have handled the issue (or past issues, if the writer’s issue has not happened yet in their church)? Is there are better way to handle the issue?
Church Creating
Propose a biblically based response to the issue, from a pastoral counselor’s viewpoint. It should cover these areas (place each question in a separate paragraph): How should it be done in the church (e.g., as a pastoral message/series on Sunday mornings; a “seminar” done on a Wednesday or Sunday night; over several weeks as an in-home Bible study; done in small groups; done as one large topical group, etc.)? Does Scripture provide a model for dealing with the issue? What are the possible positives of your proposal? What are the possible negatives of your proposal? What is the desired outcome?
Conclusion
Use this last section to wrap-up with an overview of a few sentences explain each of the above sections, and several sentences of other possible research/counseling practice needs as it relates to the issue in the church, and what kind of books, journal articles, trainings, etc., would be helpful for all pastoral counselors who are/may deal with this issue.
Page 2 of 2
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Criteria Ratings Points
Content: Introduction, Literature Review, and Review of Scripture
53 to >47.0 pts
Advanced
Introduction is clearly identifiable. Literature is clear and organized and scholarly. Review of Scripture is contextualized as pertains to the issue. The Research Paper meets the page length requirement of 12–15 pages. A minimum of 10 or more acceptable sources, in addition to the course textbooks, are included.
47 to >42.0 pts
Proficient
Introduction is mostly identifiable. Literature is mostly organized and scholarly. Review of Scripture is mostly contextualized as pertains to the issue. The Research Paper meets or comes very close to the page length requirement of 12–15 pages. A minimum of 10 acceptable sources, in addition to the course textbooks, are included.
42 to >37.0 pts
Developing
Some of the Introduction is identifiable. Some if the Literature Review is organized and scholarly. Review of Scripture is somewhat contextualized as pertains to the issue. The Research Paper may not meet the page length requirement of 12–15 pages. Fewer than 10 acceptable sources, in addition to the course textbooks, are included.
37 to >0.0 pts
Below Expectations
The Introduction is not identifiable. The Literature Review is disorganized is not scholarly. Review of Scripture is not contextualized as it pertains to the issue. The Research Paper does not meet the page length requirement of 12–15 pages. Not enough sources are referenced throughout the paper, or none are referenced.
0 pts
Not Present
Not Present
53 pts
Content (Action Plan) Analysis, Evaluation, Creating and Conclusion
53 to >47.0 pts
Advanced
Analysis: All questions are answered completely; Evaluation: All questions are Answered completely; Creating: Biblically based Pastoral Counseling Plan is complete and answers all questions. Conclusion is completed.
47 to >42.0 pts
Proficient
Analysis: All questions are mostly answered; Evaluation: Most questions are Answered completely; Creating: Biblically based Pastoral Counseling Plan is mostly complete and answers most questions. Conclusion is mostly completed.
42 to >37.0 pts
Developing
Analysis: All questions are somewhat answered; Evaluation: Questions are somewhat answered completely; Creating: Biblically based Pastoral Counseling Plan is somewhat complete answering some questions. Conclusion is somewhat complete.
37 to >0.0 pts
Below Expectations
Analysis: No questions are answered; Evaluation: Questions are not answered; Creating: Biblically based Pastoral Counseling Plan is not complete. No conclusion.
0 pts
Not Present
Not Present
53 pts
Research Paper Grading Rubric | EDCO831_B01_202240
Criteria Ratings Points
Structure: Organization
22 to >19.0 pts
Advanced
All required elements are included and presented with strong headings and organizational clarity. There are clear transitions between paragraphs and sections.
19 to >15.0 pts
Proficient
Most elements are included and presented with headings and organizational clarity. There are mostly clear transitions between paragraphs and sections.
15 to >11.0 pts
Developing
Some elements are included and presented with headings and some organizational clarity. There are some clear transitions between paragraphs and sections.
11 to >0.0 pts
Below Expectations
Very few elements are included and presented with headings and poor organizational clarity. There are no clear transitions between paragraphs and sections.
0 pts
Not Present
Not Present
22 pts
Structure: APA, Grammar, Spelling
22 to >19.0 pts
Advanced
APA style is advanced with proper citations and Reference Page. Student double-spaces, uses proper indents. Paper is numbered and has correct subject headings. Spelling and grammar are correct.
19 to >15.0 pts
Proficient
APA style is mostly correct with proper citations and Reference Page. Student mostly double-spaces, uses proper indents. Paper is mostly numbered and has most of the correct subject headings. Spelling and grammar are correct.
15 to >11.0 pts
Developing
APA style is somewhat correct with proper citations and Reference Page. Student somewhat uses double-spacing, and proper indents. Paper is somewhat numbered and has some of the correct subject headings. Spelling and grammar have some mistakes.
11 to >0.0 pts
Below Expectations
Student has few correct APA citations and Reference page; Student has poor APA style: few double spacing, proper indents. Paper is not numbered, lacks subject headings. Many spelling and grammar mistakes.
0 pts
Not Present
Not Present
22 pts
Total Points: 150
Research Paper Grading Rubric | EDCO831_B01_202240
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2
Discussion
Student's Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Details
Instructor's Name
Date
Discussion
Today, families and couples in churches face many issues affecting how they live with themselves, their community, and even their relationship with God. For instance, many Christian families are going through grief and loss while still in our churches. Grief can be an overwhelming emotion, and every person goes through it at some point during their life. Although death is one of God’s plans, many people, including Christians, find it hard to grapple with emotions associated with losing a loved one, leading to grief. However, it is good to note that death is not the only cause of grief, but other types of losses can also invoke grief, such as loss of a job, loss of a relationship, and even declining health. According to Kochen et al., 2020), grief is a natural response to a loss, not a lack of faith in God or an expression of weakness. People with grief need support from friends, pastors, families, and the general society.
I chose the topic because grief and loss are prevalent issues, not only in churches but also in society and when not well addressed can lead to detrimental outcomes for the affected person. Grieving couples and families are not able to fully participate in church activities or socialize well with others, which affects their social and religious life. Sometimes grief and loss can be seen as normal, but its impact is worth attention and research to understand its sources, extent in churches, effects, and solutions to guarantee high quality of life. Stories and testimonies from fellow church members about their experience with grief and loss are the sources of my interest in the topic.
Some years back, I lost a job I was very passionate about,it was the only source of income at the time. It was so hard for me to figure it out. This happened just a year after losing a relative. Grief is not an easy thing, especially at a young age, when all energy should be on making a brighter future. During this time, I experienced symptoms of sadness, anger, guilt, and even physical pains, which are all symptoms of grief (Eersel et al., 2020).
I believe almost all of the church members are going through grief and loss, especially during this post-pandemic period when many people have lost their loved ones, to include family and friends, due to Covid-19. Additionally, manyhave lost their jobs and the things they loved; relationships were hard to sustain because of the Covid-19 measures, all of which affected people’s lives in one way or another, leading to the experience of grief and loss (Wallace et al., 2020). During such meetings and services, people confess hardships that they have been going through to be prayed for, and with this, I strongly believe many believers, families, and couples are greatly experiencing grief and loss.
Through researching the topic, I would like to understand what factors have lead to increased risk of grief among church members and establish the extent of this problem in the church. I also intend to investigate broad symptoms and effects of grief and loss to social life and Christian’s relationship with God. This would be a great finding because churches are places people go to pray and improve their relationship with God; therefore, investigating how grief can harm this relationship is relevant. Finally, I would be seeking to find solutions and interventions to manage grief and loss among Christian families and couples.
References
Eersel, J. H., Taris, T. W., & Boelen, P. A. (2020). Reciprocal relations between symptoms of complicated grief, depression, and anxiety following job loss: A cross‐lagged analysis. Clinical Psychologist, 24(3), 276-284.
Kochen, E. M., Jenken, F., Boelen, P. A., Deben, L., Fahner, J. C., van den Hoogen, A., … & Kars, M. C. (2020). When a child dies: a systematic review of well-defined parent-focused bereavement interventions and their alignment with grief-and loss theories. BMC palliative care, 19(1), 1-22.
Wallace, C. L., Wladkowski, S. P., Gibson, A., & White, P. (2020). Grief during the COVID-19 pandemic: considerations for palliative care providers. Journal of pain and symptom management, 60(1), e70-e76.
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