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Summary

Cook, B. Bruce (2001). Justice that reconciles and heals: Developing a ministry for crime victims with a restorative justice perspective Professional project submitted to the Theological School of Drew University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry.

The purpose of this thesis is to propose a model of crime victims ministry that uses restorative justice principles as its base. The scope of the thesis is to develop, design, implement, and evaluate this model during a six months period from September 2000 to March 2001. I worked with my D.Min. Advisory Committee to design, operate and evaluate this model while serving as the chaplain and director of pastoral care for the Crime Victims Advocacy Council (CVAC) in Atlanta, Georgia. CVAC is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that has operated programs for crime victims since 1989, and began the crime victims ministry in 1999. The doctoral project facilitated pastoral care sessions for crime victims, a memorial service for homicide survivors, the design and implementation of a crime prevention program, technology used to interact with crime victims, and legislative education efforts. The project was based on the Good Samaritan Parable, and doctrines of shalom, reconciliation, forgiveness and healing revealed in the incarnational Christ and other religious teachings. Author's abstract.

Link: www.gbgm-umc.org/cvac/thefinal_thesis.pdf

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