The teaching of Appalachian cultural values in Appalachian Bible colleges

Abstract

The research purpose as stated in the first chapter of this dissertation is to examine, in Bible colleges that are located in and sending graduates to the Appalachian area, the faculty perceptions of their inclusion of Appalachian cultural awareness in the curriculum they teach. A 1995 study by Roland Smith spawned the question of the extent to which Bible colleges are addressing the Appalachian culture in the process of training ministers for service in the Appalachian area.

A scriptural theology of ministry is presented in chapter 2, and related writings are explored. From precedent literature, ten defining values of Appalachian culture have been identified. Loyal Jones' list of values provides the cultural definition of Appalachia that is central to this work.

A simple taxonomy was outlined in chapter 3, based on those ten values, and was used in evaluating the extent to which Bible colleges are addressing the Appalachian culture. An instrument was developed, based on that taxonomy, that was used to examine individual efforts of Bible college professors in teaching that culture to ministry students. The analysis of findings may be found in the fourth chapter. In general, the researcher found that Appalachian Bible college professors do teach Appalachian values at lower cognition levels, but few teach those values at higher levels of application and integration.

Among other conclusions stated in the fifth chapter, the researcher concluded that professors in Appalachian Bible colleges are well trained, experienced, mature professionals. They do teach the ten values determined to be definitive to the Appalachian culture. Research did reveal that even as those values are taught, identification of those values as Appalachian values and application to Appalachian ministry are two areas in need of improvement. One factor in this deficiency could be the fact that few professors in Appalachian Bible colleges have studied Appalachian culture.

Keywords. Appalachia, values, ministry, education, ministry training, Bible college, curriculum.