The Design and Development of an Online Encyclopedia of Canadian Christian Leaders

Abstract

This thesis describes and analyzes the designing and developing of an online encyclopedia of Canadian Christian leaders. The encyclopedia entries include leaders from several sectors of Canadian life whose work has been completed or substantially advanced since Canadian Confederation in 1867. Its theological inspiration is drawn from Hebrews 11: 1-12:1, which contains a resonant definition of faith and provides several narratives of leaders who preceded those living in the then-contemporary Christian world. The thesis reviews the technical, editorial and business aspects of the encyclopedia's initiation and implementation. The preliminary research leading to the choice of entries focused on both the author's own published works and on several independent sources, both secular and faith-based. Researchers, writers and faith-based leaders will be able to draw facts and insights from entry contents. The thesis provides a model of how the process could be duplicated for other countries or spheres of interest.