Assisting Anchor Baptist Church with Engaging the Celiac Community with the Gospel

Abstract

John Ross Coin, D.Ed.Min.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2014

Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Troy W. Temple

This dissertation explores the need of ministry techniques tailored specifically to reach individuals with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Chapter 1 explores the demographic makeup of Anchor Baptist Church as a body, the nature of Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance, as well as identifying and understanding the unique dietary and social issues that may serve as barriers to properly engaging the Celiac community with the gospel.

Chapter 2 explores the biblical basis for ministry in general. Afterwards, a theological construct is made to better understand the role of food and eating within the gospel, and how to integrate dietary disease interventions with ministry.

Chapter 3 analyzes Celiac Disease itself: identifying what it is, what causes it, what the symptoms are, how the symptoms impact individuals psychologically, socially, and spiritually. Isolation and rejection of the Celiac diagnosed individual are also examined.

Chapter 4 sets up the structure of a Celiac Disease/gluten intolerance ministry. Attention is given to developing a support group, how to provide interventions into people's lives both physically/dietary as well as spiritually. The aim is to allow the gospel to impact the entire life of those involved.

Chapter 5 examines the result of the test support group, determining if the designed interventions were indeed helpful.