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Revitalizing Youth Ministry: A Spiritual Strategy To Minister Effectively To The Millennial Generation, Gustavo Squarzon

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The number of young people dropping out of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has increased 50 percent in the last ten years. Fifty-seven percent of those who left indicated the primary reason was not doctrines or theological issues, but the lack of relevance of the church to their lifestyle, spiritual needs, and everyday challenges. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify the spiritual, emotional, and relational needs of a specific generation, such as the millennial; and to develop a biblical spiritual lifestyle strategy to help today’s churches to reach and effectively minister to the members of that generation.

Method …

A Model For Reaching African American Males In Southeast Atlanta With Seventh-Day Adventism, Ralph P. Peay

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Churches in America are on average 60-70 percent female. Attracting and integrating African American males into church life is a grave challenge. This study focuses on African American males in Southeast Atlanta and seeks to design a model for addressing their sociological and spiritual needs in anticipation of their accession into church membership.

Method

The setting for this study is the Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southeast Atlanta. The method employed in this project is an exploratory research approach that is designed to identify the social, economic, and other needs of African American males. In order to ascertain …

Living Waters: An Invitation To Contemplative Spirituality For The Quail Springs Church Of Christ, Wyatt E. Fenno

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This project addressed an acknowledged need for ministry action to promote and facilitate communal spiritual formation in the present and future life of the Quail Springs Church of Christ. The focus of the project was to present a model of contemplative spirituality determined to be accessible to the ministry context at Quail Springs. In addressing the problem of community fragmentation at Quail Springs, this model was offered as a means of grace to deepen faith and strengthen relationships in church life at Quail Springs. A pilot group of six women and six men served as the working group for this …

The Multi-Site Movement, Dave Ferguson

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

There are now at least 1500 multi-site churches in the United States. No longer does a church have to only have one branch, one location, or one campus. This article presents and analyzes data collected by Leadership Network in a survey they conducted with over 1000 multi-site churches.

Preparing Christian High School Students For Secular College Experience, Joseph Stanley

Master of Sacred Theology Seminar Papers

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6 NIV). These words may have occupied the thoughts of Dr. Martin Luther when he wrote, "If all manner of problems are to be dealt with successfully, then the young people who are to live and govern on this earth after us must be trained and guided accordingly." This paper addresses the training and guidance of youth in the church with a view to properly preparing them for the college experience at state or private universities where the academic …

Developing Adult Faith Formation At Our Lady Of Guadalupe Parish, Helotes, Jane M. Abernathy

Pastoral Institute

My project will be to offer assistance to the staff of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Helotes, Texas, in the area of adult faith formation. This will be a two-part project over the course of a nine-month period. The first part will be to examine various Scripture Study programs, select one as a "test," offer it in the Fall of 2002, and evaluate it for possible continuation or rejection.

The second element of this project will be to assess the needs, desires and availability of adults regarding other aspects of adult faith formation. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 38 No 1 - April 2003), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Articles: Calvin’s Concept of Natural and Roman Law by Irena Backus - 7 / Devaluing the Scholastics: Calvin’s Ethics of Usury by Michael Wykes - 27 / Christ’s Atonement: A Multi-Dimensional Approach by Willem van Asselt - 52 / The Noetic Effects of Sin: A Review Article by Dewey J. Hoitenga - 68 / Scholia et Homiletica: A New Age Love Story: Worldview and Ethics in the Gospel of John by Hans Boersma - 103 / “Making Proclamation to the Spirits in Prison”: Another Look at 1 Peter 3:19 by Andrew J. Bandstra - 120 / John Knox …

Book Review: The New Worship: Strait Talk On Music And The Church By Barry Leach, Clark Fox

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

Taming The Tyranny Of Too Much, H. Peter Swanson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Twenty-First-Century Approach To Empowering The Youth Of The Brooklyn Temple Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Newton Upanton Cleghorne

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In several churches in the Northeastern Conference and, in particular, the Brooklyn Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church, the adult membership has dominated the positions of leadership. Most of the potential youth leaders have painfully become spectators rather than players and leaders in the church. The goal of this dissertation, therefore, is to develop and implement a program to empower these youth through training, mentoring, positioning, and liberation.

The Method

Any theology that does not have a biblical foundation is suspect and, therefore, humanistic. A theology of youth ministry was developed within a biblical context. The intent of the study was …

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: October 2002, Ronald J. Feenstra, Ronald J. Nydam, Rev. John Scott, David Rylaarsdam

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflection
3 - Forgiven—and Forgiving by Ronald J. Feenstra
6 - Forgiving Seventy Times Seven by Ronald Nydam
8 - Charge to a Young Leader 1 Timothy 6:11-12 by the Rev. John Stott
10 - Prayer for the Students of Calvin Seminary by David Rylaarsdam

Departments
11 - The Council Room
12 - Presidential Inauguration
14 - News

Hispanic Catholic Leadership: Key To The Future, Kenneth G. Davis, Andrew Hernández, Philip E. Lampe

Journal of Hispanic / Latino Theology

This article assesses data from a 1999 survey of Hispanic adults concerning their experiences, needs, and deficits with respect to Hispanic-based leadership in their churches. Commissioned by the National Catholic Council on Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM), the study concluded that "because Hispanics are an increasingly important part of the Church in the United States (and society), Hispanic Catholic leadership development (especially among women, youth and young adults) requires an immediate and significant investment. Once formed, such leaders are very likely to contribute time, talent, and treasure to the Church."

Systemic Catechesis, Kevin Wyssmann

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Systemic Catechesis is designed to merge several academic disciplines into a new catechetical model. Learning theories, systemic psychology, and a distinctive Lutheran approach to confirmation are combined in an effort to catechize whole family systems while specifically targeting junior high youth. This multifaceted program utilizes class time, home work, periodic evaluations, camps and retreats to maximize learning. The results of this project is a two-year curriculum that fully integrates educators, congregation, and the family into the catechetical process.

Seeking The Rhetoric Of Jesus, Susan L. Trollinger

English Faculty Publications

I come to the questions posed by this volume from a somewhat different background than one might expect. Whereas one might anticipate that I was an Anabaptist first and a scholar second, just the opposite was the case. I Before beginning my graduate studies I had never heard of Anabaptism. Indeed, I was poring over Aristotle's Rhetoric before I was even a Christian. I thus went through much of my graduate studies (not to mention all of college, high school, and elementary school) without giving a thought to how my studies were impacting my faith-never mind how my faith might …

Un Programa De Retención De Miembros En La Iglesia Adventista De Pueblo Nuevo, Solistahuacán, Chiapas, Moises Espinoza

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The goal of the Gospel Commission is to make disciples, not only to baptize them. Making a disciple out of a new convert requires the participation of the pastor and of mature church members. This results in the design and implementation of a program to retain members. The Bible emphasizes the retention of church members, using different Greek terms. The most common is mend. The Bible also presents examples of church leaders who affirmed the believers. Ellen G. White asks members and pastors to retain those who are new in the church. She suggests different methods. She speaks of the …

Un Estudio Sobre La Vida Espiritual De Los Jóvenes Adventistas En Tabasco, México, Ervin A. Gonzalez Esteban

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Bible gives great attention to youth. Important Bible characters acted under divine direction, leaving teachings regarding leadership and obedience. The biblical terms most used in reference to young people are na 'ar, a young man possessing strength and vigor, and neos, a person full of youth and inexperience. Paul advised Timothy: “Let no one despise thy youth” (1 Tim 4:12). John saw young people as being strong through the word of God and overcoming the wicked one (1 John 2:14). Research of young people shows that in today’s society, generations follow each other approximately every twenty years. Each one …

Calvin Seminary Forum: April 2001, Ruth A. Tucker, Henry Zwaanstra, John W. Cooper, Henry Demoor

Calvin Seminary Forum (1994-2001)

1 - “Walking Away from Faith” - Ruth A. Tucker
3 - “Calvin Seminary: Yesterday and Today” - Henry Zwaanstra
4 - “Prove It! A Reformed Perspective on Faith and Reason” - John Cooper
6 - “Office and Ordination: Another Round” - Henry DeMoor
8 - “Real Heros” - Calvin Van Reken

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Leadership Mentoring Program In The Hampden Heights Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Barry Tryon

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Leadership development is a vital but often neglected part of church life. In many churches little is taught on the subject to the current leaders of the church, and even less is done for the development o f future leaders. In addition, the traditional seminar approach, when used, is not always effective in developing church leaders. One program, written by Dr. Dan Reiland, seems to address both o f these problems. Joshua's Men is a spiritual leadership training program using mentoring (discipleship) to grow potential leaders in the church. Is this program effective? Does it develop spiritual leaders in …

Youth Ministry Strategies For Korean Seventh-Day Adventists In The United States, Joon Hwan Huh

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since the ministries of Korean-American churches have focused mainly on the first generation, little relevant ministry to second- and third-generation Korean-Americans has been developed. The youth have been ignored by the church leadership. Consequently there has been a need to encourage the spiritual developmental stage of youth leadership, to clarify worship and relationships, and to design an effective youth ministry for the SDA Korean-American church.

Method

The task of this dissertation was to discover biblical principles and guidelines for the development of effective and relevant youth ministries for Korean-American Seventh-day Adventist churches. In order to meet this aim, Scripture …

Development And Implementation Of A Stewardship Program At The Calhoun, Georgia, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Paul S. Hoover

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Task

The task of this project was to increase the participation among the membership of the Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church with the financial stewardship need of the congregation. The study was to determine the number of families involved and to implement factors to increase church family involvement.

Method

A family giving unit was defined as a family within the Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church. A family unit is made up of a household whether the member is single, married, or married with dependents. Family involvement was measured in three giving areas of tithe, church budget, and debt reduction to the Calhoun …

The Impact Of Intentional Learning Experiences For Personal Spiritual Formation On Seminary Students, Carol M. Tasker

Dissertations

Problem. Many seminary students describe their time in seminary as a spiritual desert. Most Protestant seminaries do not provide spiritual formation classes for their students, thinking that such measures are unnecessary or inappropriate for theological education, or assuming that the church is the place for spiritual formation to take place. Nevertheless, pastors are expected to be spiritual leaders, and the pastor’s spirituality is ranked by laity as the highest priority needed by seminary graduates for effective church ministry. A literature survey of theological education shows that, in the last 150 years, students have consistently recognized their need for help …

Calvin Theological Journal (Vol 35 No 2 - November 2000), Calvin Theological Seminary

Calvin Theological Journal

Common Grace, Theonomy, and Civic Good: The Temptations of Calvinist Politics (Reflections on the Third Point of the CRC Kalamazoo Synod, 1924) by John Bolt - 205 / What Kind of Book Is Calvin's Institutes? by Randall C. Zachman - 238 / Calvin and Catholic Trinitarianism: An Examination of Robert Reymond's Understanding of the Trinity and His Appeal to John Calvin by Paul Owen - 262 / Calvin and the Nicodemite Controversy: An Overlooked Text of 1541 by Robert White - 282 / Calvin Bibliography: 2000 by Paul Fields - 297 / Scholia et Homiletica: The Use and Abuse …

Designing A Needs-Based Mentoring Program For New Pastors In The Free Methodist Church Of North America, Mike Edward Conkle

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Spontaneous Generation: Lessons From The Jesus Movement For Today, Alvin L. Reid

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

The Echo Boom : Developing Effective Ministry To Reach A New Generation In The Arkanasas Area Of The United Methodist Church, Lyndol L. Loyd

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Calvin Seminary Forum: April 2000, Henry De Moor, Henry Zwaanstra, Carl Zylstra, Calvin Van Reken

Calvin Seminary Forum (1994-2001)

1 - “A One-Week Synod?” - Henry De Moor
2 - “Women in Office: Where we are.” - Henry Zwaanstra
4 - “The Changing World of Education for Ministry” - Carl Zylstra
6 - “Compassion at the End of Life” - Calvin Van Reken

Development Of A Series Of Bible Study Guides To Prepare Preteens For Baptism And Membership In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Francois J. Sarault

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

According to the 1992 Valuegenesis Study, a survey of Adventist youth in grades 7-12 showed that 77 percent wanted a deeper relationship with God, and 66 percent were interested or very interested in Bible study. Yet, an informal survey of existing materials created to lead SDA youth into a deeper relationship with Christ through Bible study, baptism into Christ, and active membership in the Adventist Church points to these existing materials as being inadequate in approach and content. Preparing preteens for baptism and active membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church must include something more than simplifying adult Bible studies …

What Types Of Churches Will People Stand In Line For In The 21st Century?, Russell Chandler

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

Noted journalist and author, Dr. Russell Chandler uses his broad understanding of churches to answer the question, “What Types of Churches Will People Stand in Line for in the 21st Century?” An award winning author, Dr. Chandler carefully discusses issues such as ethnicity and diversity, ages and stages, spirituality and experience, communication and collaboration, and branding and benefits.

Youth, Leadership, And The Church, Skip Bell

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Church Growth Study Of The Chachkapi Church In Bihar State Of India, Manohar Kujur

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Chachkapi Church is the only growing church in its pastoral district. However, its growth is very slow. Adventism first came at Chachkapi in 1957 and by 1998 it had grown to 161 members. This shows its potential for growth. The church members are Oraon and the majority of the people who live around the area belong to the same community. Oraons were the first to accept Christianity in Chotanagpur South Bihar. Growth was by a people movement. According to present trends, churches among the Oraons are growing slower in comparison to the other tribals in Chotanagpur.

In an attempt to …