Arts and Humanities Commons^™

A Strategy To Manage Members Expectation Of Pastor's Work In Multicultural Churches In Birmingham, England, Steve Palmer

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

2017 the North England Conference administrators evaluated my ministry, and although they were satisfied with my work, the feedback from some of the church members indicated dissatisfaction. It was evident that the diverse ethnic and cultural groups had different expectations of the role and responsibility of the pastor. It was difficult for me to do fulfill all their expectations.

Method

The research method employed in the design of this project was a qualitative one. It explored the question under examination by using semi-structured interviews, questionnaire, mentorship training, discussions, pastors' expectations, and cultural intelligence seminars. The semi structured interview and …

Applying Biblical Principles Towards A Model Of Theological Dialogue At The Hillside O'Malley Church, David Shin

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

Based on feedback from members of the Hillside O’Malley Church through personal conversations, theological polarization threatened to paralyze the local church and keep it from fulfilling its mission of ministering to its members and reaching out to the community with the gospel message. The theological polarization stemmed from divergences on the presuppositional, macro-hermeneutical level that are revealed visibly in how members interpret the biblical text.

Method

The methodology that was employed was to derive biblical principles from an exegesis of the book of Acts specifically related to theological reason, which included an understanding of how presuppositions worked in the …

A Strategy To Reach Families With Children In Calgary, Alberta, Ghenadie Girleanu

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

During the last decade, Calgary Central Church has not been intentionally involved in reaching families with children. They have done many different types of evangelism and community outreach programs but nothing to attract this specific segment of the population. With a large number of unreached families with children in the community, the need for a specific outreach project like this was obvious.

Method

A 12-week program to reach families with children was developed and implemented during 2016-2017. The approach of this project was to reach the parents by reaching their children first. For this purpose, Kids' Discipleship Club was …

A Systems Theory Analysis Of The Goshen Seventh-Day Adventist Church's System Of Communication, Clavour R. Tucker

Master's Theses

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) is a complex and multilayered nonprofit organization (NPO), with carefully outlined policies and guidelines for almost every aspect of the organization. However, the philosophical or structural framework that guides communication within the organization is not clear. It is my hypothesis, having been a member and employee of the organization for almost 30 years, that not having such a structure has led to the creation of a fragmented culture of communication, which is observable in local congregations. This research assesses this phenomenon at the Goshen SDA Church, in Chicago, IL, and seeks to answer the …

Speaking Life To A Church In The Process Of Healing And Growth, Emeka Buffong

Master's Theses

Problem

Over the past several years, there has been a marked decline in almost every area of the Niles Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church life. Members have reported feeling overwhelmed with discouragement, and overall commitment has dwindled significantly. This poor morale is reflected by the low numbers at prayer meetings, Sabbath services and other church functions. Furthermore, there is difficulty in filling church offices and even when individuals volunteer to serve in specific offices they often later resign or lose their motivation to serve. Church members often appear to look for excuses to leave. There is a deep sense of discontentment. …

A Strategic Marketing Plan For Community Ministries At The Toronto West Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Allan Roy Chichester

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

The Toronto West Seventh-day Adventist Church is a large church that has a membership of 1,306, located in a very diverse urban community of Etobicoke North in Toronto, with variety in ethnicity, language, culture and religion. In the church’s neighborhood, there is a growing immigrant population that is currently in flux due to the constant demographic transition. This certainly poses a number of challenges for this church because there are so many varying ethnic and cultural groups that make ministering to this community very difficult. The church has tried to reach its neighbors by hosting community services events such …

A Program For Increasing Personal Reflection From A Biblical Perspective For Spiritual Growth At The Topeka Wanamaker Seventh-Day Adventist Church, George Mclain Goddard

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

Shortly after arriving as the new pastor of the Wanamaker church I noticed the appearance of spiritual immaturity and disunity among members and stress between members and leaders. People gave time and talent to the church, yet complained about each other’s actions. It seemed that misperceptions of self, others, and God among members blocked spiritual development toward the maturity and unity that Christ prayed for (John 17). The root of the problem seemed to be perceptual. A developmental program was needed that would be accessible to people across the broad spectrum of understanding and move them toward Christian maturity …

The Impact Of Politics On Churches In The Rift Valley, Lucas Otwera

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

Kenya has been experiencing political violence since 1992, with people from different ethnic backgrounds being forced to vacate certain regions perceived to be territories of a particular tribe. The position of the President has been the most fought over governmental position, for people want to elect one from their own tribe. The situation has caused disunity among the members of society, especially during electioneering periods and thereafter. Kenya also has people who are labeled as Internally Displaced People (IDPs) because of recent post-election violence. There are approximately 40 different tribes in Kenya, speaking different indigenous languages. This perennial problem …

Development Of An Action Plan To Transform The Erwin Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church Into A Family-Friendly Church For The Purpose Of Winning Families With Youth And Children, Eli Rojas

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

Through a period of a few years the Erwin Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church went from a thriving congregation with members of all ages to a small group of faithful members who desired to see the return of the days when their church was thriving. As the new pastor took office a desire to change came upon the leadership, one that led them to think of ways to attract and retain families to their ranks. There was a lack in ministry that was inclusive of all the members of a household and thus unattractive to new members with young adults …

The History Of The Emergence Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In The State Of Manipur, India, Cornelius Kamei

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist church emerged in the state of Manipur, India, through a lay-led church planting movement. Currently, no written account exists of the early history of this work in Manipur. Today, the work in Manipur is clergy-dependent and growth in this region has stagnated. In order for the work to move forward successfully, there is a need to remember the early history of the work in this region.

Method

In the absence of earlier written works on the rise of Adventism in Manipur, oral sources were relied upon as primary sources for accuracy. The sources were gathered through …

A Lay Mobilization Program For The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Zimbabwe, Cuthbert Machamire

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

The church in Zimbabwe involves lay people in ministry, but the proportion of people involved is small compared to the total membership of the church. Further, while the church believes in the biblical teaching on spiritual gifts, this concept is not given enough emphasis in enlisting members for ministry. This results in some members experiencing frustration as they serve in ministries for which they are not gifted. Others stay uninvolved either because they are not personally invited to take part, or because they do not find a ministry in the church that matches their gifts.

Method

In this dissertation, …

Proyecto Para La Construccion De Un Templo Para La Iglesia Adventista Central Hispana De Kansas City En Missouri, Manuel Moral

Professional Dissertations DMin

The purpose of this project is to meet the need of a temple for the Kansas City Adventist Central Hispanic Church in Missouri. Financing the construction of that temple presents a difficulty. That is why fundamentals, principles, strategies, and methods will be studied that will make the construction possible.

The theoretical part will consist of studying the proceedings required for the building of temples in the Bible, and that are still applied today. Consequently, actual books and manuals will be researched regarding the construction of a temple. The process mentioned includes different implications that will also be researched in this …

Desarrollo De Una Escuela De Discipulado En La Iglesia Del SéPtimo DíA De Chino, California, Misael De La Cruz

Professional Dissertations DMin

The biblical concept of discipleship consists in training and equipping people so they can become responsible Christians. The idea of equipping church members for the ministry appears often in the New Testament. According to Paul, the work of equipping is a joint effort between the Deity and the Christian leader: “And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:11, 12, NIV). The word “equipping” comes from the Greek katartizo, which means to prepare, equip, or perfect, as translated in other Bible …

The Establishment Of A Lay Evangelism School At The Ephesus Sda Church In Richmond, Virginia, Gene Michael Donaldson

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

Sharing the good news is an imperative issued by the Supreme Commander, Jesus Christ for all who call Him Lord. Every member of the church is a minister with the responsibility to bring others to faith. The mandate to witness to others in the context of the three angels message of Revelation 14 is of paramount importance to the Seventh-day Adventist Christian. The purpose of this study was to prepare a training program to equip lay persons in the Virginia area churches of the Allegheny East Conference on how to bring others to faith.

Method

An equipping course called, …

Implementing And Evaluating A Model Of Pastoral Counseling In A Church District, Don Miller

Professional Dissertations DMin

The Topic

Programs in my churches do not seem to be helping members that have ongoing problems. It is important to find ways to resolve problems to help people and thus help prevent their leaving the church.

The Purpose

The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a systematic approach to pastoral counseling in the setting of a church district. It also purposed to develop a theology/philosophy of counseling and to adapt a counseling model, using it in working with church members. Positive changes were expected, evidenced by changes from negative behavior patterns. Another goal was to learn …

Ecclesiology In Dialogue : A Critique Of The Understanding Of The Nature Of The Church In The Thought Of G. C. Berkouwer, Bruce Norman

Dissertations

This dissertation deals with the concept of the nature of the church in the thought of G. C. Berkouwer as indicated in the following chapter sketches. Chapter 1 briefly outlines the historical and theological development of thought about the nature of the church, her function, and the interrelationship of the two. The most revelant elements of the church's nature are identified, described, and analyzed in both Roman Catholic and Reformed thought. Chapter 2 presents biographical, methodological, and theological backgrounds of Berkouwer. These provide the framework within which one must understand Berkouwer's view of the nature of the church. Chapter 3 …

The Development And Implementation Of Role Negotiation Between The Pastor And The Members Of The Anoka/Maple Plain, Minnesota Seventh-Day Adventist Multi-Church Parish, Bruce Teel Juhl

Professional Dissertations DMin

There is a great need among pastors for clarification of roles in light of the rapid changes in society and the increased expectation of parishioners that he/she be skilled in an ever widening range of pastoral function. There is also a need for pastors to develop skills in negotiating their roles with the congregation(s) they serve so that differences may be narrowed.

The project includes an extensive review of Old Testament conceptual models (priest, prophet, king, and shepherd) and New Testament orders (apostolate, deaconate, and elder) for the purpose of discerning the biblical foundations for modern pastoral roles. It also …

A Program For "Caring Church Ministry" In The Eugene, Oregon, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Robert L. Heisler

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

Caring Church Ministry is a strategy for church growth which was developed by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. How that strategy might be implemented in the Eugene Seventh-day Adventist Church was the basic concern of this research project. How theology and management philosophy inform a caring church membership, how to implement a program involving the church membership, and dynamics of that church which favored or inhibited church growth were questions that had to be addressed.

Method

A theological investigation and an examination of contemporary concepts of caring in management literature form a basis for the study. Two …

Towards A Theology Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Meeting Place, With A Study Of Practical Implications And Applications Thereof, Eduardo Zurita

Professional Dissertations DMin

From the beginning mankind has selected places for adoration in which to worship the Creator. There is little information as to the kinds of facilities used by true worshipers of God in Old Testament times, until the wilderness sanctuary was built. On the other hand there is no indication in the Scriptures that the sanctuary and, later, Solomon's temple were established as model places of worship for future generations. The New Testament mentions three major kinds of places of worship: the temple, the synagogue, and the house church.

This study discusses the characteristics of places of worship during selected periods …

Toward The Development Of A Conscious Spirit Dependence In The Decision-Making Processes Of The Church, Stephen Gene Chinn

Professional Dissertations DMin

The church is a divinely called, divinely directed, and divinely destined institution. Yet the church is composed of human beings who are accustomed to human institutions. These humans tend to lead the church as any other institution, unless reminded frequently of the divine aspects of the church. To emphasize these divine aspects involves focusing attention on the Holy Spirit. The Spirit links Christ, the Head, with the church body. Certain factors facilitate the Spirit's ability to communicate the desires of the Head to the church body. Foremost among these is a conscious dependence of human decision makers upon the Spirit …

A Proposed Order Of Worship For The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Informed By The Theological Presuppositions Implied In The Genesis Account Of The Creation And Fall Of Man And The Covenant Promise Of Genesis 3:15, Oliver Kang-Song Koh

Professional Dissertations DMin

It is the thesis of this research project that the theological foundation for Christian worship was laid in the beginning chapters of Genesis in the context of the Creation, the Fail of Man, and the subsequent gospel covenant of Gen 3:15. The basic structure of worship which involves God, man, and their relationship is present at the beginning. Through this basic structure, worship is seen as an intentional act of man's adoration and commitment to God and is always in response to divine initiative.

As an intentional act of adoration of God, man's worship is circumscribed by the theological presuppositions …

New Testament Principles Governing The Relationship Between The Christian And Civil Authorities And Their Elaboration In The Writings Of Ellen G. White With Their Reflection In The Adventist Church In Romania, Mihail S. Popa

Professional Dissertations DMin

No Abstract.

This Doctor of Ministry Project report falls under the category described in the Seminary Bulletin as Project II, a paper completed in fulfillment of requirements for an alternate curriculum plan under which the candidate prepares two related papers—a theological position paper addressing some issue or problem that exists in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in a theological setting and a professional paper addressing this same issue or problem from the standpoint of ministerial practice.

The Church As Family: A Study Of Viability In The Smaller Local Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Kerry H. Hortop

Professional Dissertations DMin

Small churches form such a large part of the Christian church, and of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination in particular, that it was felt desirable that the viability of the small church should be examined. An examination is made of current theological thought relevant to the small church. This was followed by a study both of family-style motifs and family-style practice by the church in the New Testament. Sociopsychological factors which effect and also explain the operation and "personality" of the small church are noted from relevant recent literature and studies.

Some church-growth and organizational projects involving small churches are included …

The Euro-American Seventh-Day Adventist Church: Its Foundation And Future, With Special Focus On Six Such Congregations In New York City, Ned P. Maletin

Professional Dissertations DMin

Task of the Project

The task of this project was to prepare a report on the present condition of the Euro-American Seventh-day Adventist church focusing on six such congregations in the Greater New York Conference. By studying their historical, cultural, and environmental background, the writer sought to determine whether the existence of such congregations, as separate units within the Seventh-day Adventist organization, was justified. And, on the basis of that investigation, to submit his recommendation in favor of their separate ethnic outreach among the groups they represent, or to recommend that they be incorporated with the English-speaking congregations of the …