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"Our Families For God": A Family Worship Seminar For The Hamilton Mountain Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Wesley Rocha Torres

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Family worship is highly esteemed by the members of the Hamilton Mountain Seventh-day Adventist Church, yet the quality and practice of this spiritual activity could still be improved among the church families. It was the researcher’s presupposition that the design of a practical, creative, and attractive family worship seminar, incorporating new ideas and suggestions, could motivate and assist the church members to enhance their spiritual experience and fellowship with God, as well as within their family circles.

Method

The topic of family worship was brought to the church through a series of sermons and also the children’s story segment …

Reflections On Organizational Patterns Among Pauline Congregations, Miguel Luna

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Secularism In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Korea: A Program Of Church Revival And Community Involvement, Kyu-Young John Jeong

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The evidence of secularism, such as ethical relativism, spiritual alienation, and materialism, are appearing among Korean Seventh-day Adventists. Consequently, they are removing God from the center of their lives. Seventh-day Adventist church leaders must develop and conduct a program of church revival through community involvement to ignite the original passion for Jesus and His soon return in the hearts of the Seventh- day Adventists in Korea and train them to witness in their communities.

Method

Library research, a personal and theological analysis, a contextual analysis of South Korea and the Korean Adventist members and churches, development of a Logical …

Developing An Interdisciplinary Analysis And Application Of Worldview Concepts For Christian Mission, Paulo Candido De Oliveira

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. The Adventist emphasis on cognitive knowledge and behavioral change instead of deep changes of worldview assumptions and allegiance is the main concern of the present work. It is easier to emphasize cognitive beliefs and behavior than to do the difficult task of working to change the underlying worldview premises that drive behavior. The emphases on cognitive beliefs and behavior have frequently generated syncretism, created loyalty based on surface advantage instead of deeper allegiance, and hindered the Seventh-day Adventist Christian message from being adapted to different cultures.

Method. An interdisciplinary library research is conducted to establish the foundational knowledge of …

Developing A Curriculum To Train The Lay Leaders In Ghana, Isaac Bimpeh Boateng

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ghana is growing at a very fast rate. The rate of growth far exceeds the rate at which ministers are trained. There were over 300,000 baptized members at the end of 2005 and fewer than 200 pastors. The pastor to laity ratio is therefore very high. Some of the elders who are assisting the pastors do not have the needed skills to work effectively as leaders. As a result of this there is an increase in apostasies especially among new converts.

Method

In an attempt to train the laity in Ghana to assist the …

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 …

Equipping The Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors In Zimbabwe For Grief Ministry: A Culturally Sensitive Approach, Simbarashe Nyasha Musvosvi

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Problem

Zimbabwe faces a predicament in which the mortality rate is rising while support for grieving people is declining. At the same time the Zimbabwean culture is rapidly changing because o f the impact of Christianity, urbanization, Western influences, and HIV/AIDS. Church leaders are not always in agreement on what rites are appropriate for Christians. These factors often result in inadequate support from the extended family, the community, and the church.

Method

This dissertation discusses the challenges that confront the Seventh-day Adventist church in Zimbabwe in ministering to the bereaved. My purpose was to design a training program for …

A Pilot Grief Ministry Program To Equip Grief Ministry Facilitators In The Local Adventist Churches, Joyce Marie Hatchett

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There is a need for a visible and effective Seventh-day Adventist Grief Ministry Training Program that is theologically sound and culturally sensitive that will serve the bereavement needs of both the local Seventh-day Adventist congregation(s) and others in the community.

Method

For this study, I used formative evaluation, sometimes referred to as pilot testing. Formative Evaluation has two goals: (1) To gain understanding through observation and soliciting responses of participants concerning how the curriculum and instructional processes might be improved; and (2) to develop strategies for improving the curriculum and instructional process. This pilot training program was held September …

Ministry To The Black Middle Class: Strategies For Churches In Transition, Dedrick L. Blue

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Between 1944 and 1997 over 1 million Black people in the United States rose from poverty to middle class status. Increased upward mobility has brought an increased social mobility. Middle class Blacks are moving into close proximity to predominantly White suburban Seventh-day Adventist churches. Simultaneously, the out-migration of the Black middle class from urban areas to suburbia has created not only an economic drain, but also has fostered class tensions within the Black urban church. If churches are to be successful in the recruitment and retention of the Black middle class, then ministry approaches must be developed to address …

Have Adventists Abandoned The Biblical Model Of Leadership Of The Local Church?, P. Gerard Damsteegt

Faculty Publications

This paper describes the development of leadership of the local church since the days of the early Adventist pioneers till today. It compares this development with the New Testament model of leadership and draws conclusions how to bring the current situation in harmony with the biblical model of local church leadership.

Holiness Versus Mercy: How Theology Both Hinders And Facilitates The Church's Response To The Hiv/Aids Pandemic, Johnny Ramírez-Johnson, Edwin I. Hernandez

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

No abstract provided.

Focus, 2005, Winter, Andrews University

Focus

FOCUS (ISSN 1077-9345) is published quarterly, free of charge, for alumni and friends of Andrews University, an institution owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Restoring Fallen Pastors: A Study On Restoring And Reinstating Clergy Who Have Been Involved In Sexual Misconduct, David Lawrence Bissell

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. Research among Evangelicals and Seventh-day Adventists shows that approximately 12 percent of pastors commit adultery while in the ministry. What happens to an Adventist pastor who commits adultery? The North American Division policies are straightforward. An adulterous pastor should lose his credentials and ordination, be disfellowshipped, and never be rehired by any church entity. However, administrative practices are not consistent with church guidelines. Often a fallen pastor is moved to another district without a lapse in the service record. Some are restored to ministry after having had a time out. This apparent discrepancy may be due to eroding standards …

The Development And Implementation Of Intensive Training For Planting And/Or Transitioning To Cell Church Models Within The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Donald C. James

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The priesthood of all believers is a theme I have heard sounded within the Seventh-day Adventist Church for many years, yet there are still many who are not really engaged in ministry who are on our church books. In our churches there seems to be a lack of close connections with one another in mutual support and in ministry to others. Equipping for every member is also lacking, an equipping that develops disciples and moves them into the paradigm of disciple-makers. As a church, we have good results with winning and baptizing individuals, but it seems there has been …

The Development And Implementation Of A Pilot Training Course In Pastoral Diagnosis For Six Pastors In The Lake Region Conference, Richard D.B. Sylvester

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This study was an examination of the counseling style of six pastors and to determine if they have a clearly defined method of informing their interventions.

Method

The task of this dissertation was to design a curriculum to train a pilot group of six pastors in the Lake Region Conference to do spiritual diagnoses and assessments and to have a better psychological understanding of diagnosing in their pastoral ministry. They learned how to integrate spirituality and psychology into their counseling. They were also taught some DSM-IV concepts and how to use the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale.

I …

Increasing Pastoral Job Satisfaction And Efficiency In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Hungary, Andras Szilvasi

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The number of pastors in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hungary increased significantly since 1989. In 2002, 70 percent of the pastors had less than fifteen years in ministry. The members’ expectations of their pastor have changed and become widely polarized. Since there is not an evaluation and affirmation system in place, many of the pastors struggle to find satisfaction in pastoral work. One of the major premises of this project is that pastors are central figures in the church and the success of God’s work is largely dependent on how effectively pastors function.

Method

A Myers-Briggs Type Indicator …

A Strategy For Developing Holistic Churches In London: A Case Study Of North Wembley Seventh-Day Adventist Community Church, Steve A. Thomas

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The lack of space for growing membership and to house ministries had allowed the members and officers to live with no clear picture of what they were supposed to be doing and where they were going as a church. The concept of developing a strategic plan and planning for progress was almost foreign to many. Because of these learned habits it was increasingly difficult to gain support for an increase in planned activities. Scheduled programs and activities were not supported. The laity was lacking in motivation for gospel work and had not been adequately trained for mission work. Members …

Leadership Formation In Ministerial Education -- Part 3: A Comparison Of Transformational Effect In Three Selected Programs, Skip Bell, Roger L. Dudley, Douglas Tilstra

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

No abstract provided.

"Conscience" In The New Testament, Edwin Cook

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Preventive Steps For Pastoral Sexual Misconduct: A Seminar For Brazilian Pastors In The North American Division, Samuel Ramos

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In recent years sexual misconduct among clergyman has received an unprecedented public profile as victims have become increasingly willing to speak up and the media has disseminated the stories of clergy abuse. An increasing number of people have been willing to risk their personal reputation and go public with their stories. Effective ministry occurs only within a climate of trust and credibility; however, the ministry is increasingly losing its credibility in society. The goal of this study was to prepare, present, and evaluate a seminar for Brazilian pastors in the North American Division, discussing the main reasons for a …

The Development And Implementation Of A Grief Support Program At Florida Hospital, Michael R. Lombardo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

With little or no formal grief support provided at Florida Hospital, an intentional bereavement facilitation program was needed. Many of the problems individuals face can be traced back to unresolved loss. The grief support program at Florida Hospital provides numerous avenues for the grief process to take place. This study describes the development and implementation of a comprehensive grief support program at Florida Hospital designed to enhance the bereavement process for those in grief and to provide assistance to care-givers involved in bereavement facilitation.

Method

There were various methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of this program. All 219 …

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 …

Towards A Theology Of Worship: An Application At The Oakwood College Seventh-Day Adventist Church, John S. Nixon

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. There is an ongoing conflict between the members of the Oakwood College Church regarding what constitutes appropriate and meaningful worship. The conflict is most pronounced between the church’s two largest constituencies, college students and senior citizens. The lack of unity on this issue hinders both nurture and outreach efforts on behalf of the church and is a constant source of member dissatisfaction. Initial observations suggest that the problem is traceable, at least in part, to the lack of a clear understanding as to what should be the basis for determining corporate worship practice.

Method. This study presents a review …

Development Of Targeted Strategies For Church Growth Within The Greater New York Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Angel Jesus Rodriguez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

For the past twelve years the Greater New York Conference has been struggling to produce growth within the Caucasian sector and other indigenous people groups. The primary source of membership growth has been from immigrants. An analysis of the demographics retained of the Conference's geographical location, however, reveals that the majority of the people are second- and third-generation Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans. These are the people who the Greater New York Conference has not been successfully evangelizing.

Method

In order to understand how churches grow, I surveyed pertinent literature on church growth. I implemented these strategies into …

El Ungimiento De Los Enfermos, Juan Jose Andrade Gonzalez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Bible presents several types of anointing, each with a different meaning. Kings were anointed when they were enthroned. Prophets and priests were anointed to indicate consecration and sanctification. Other kinds of anointing were for cosmetic or medicinal purposes. Finally, the anointing of the sick is mentioned. This dissertation deals with the practice of anointing, as recommended by the apostle James (Jas. 5:14), believers who were going through physical or spiritual affliction. Generations following the disciples of Jesus gave a very special meaning to anointing, associating it with prayer and miraculous cures (Mark 6:13).

One chapter is taken up by …

Focus, 2001, Fall, Andrews University

Focus

FOCUS (ISSN 1077-9345) is published quarterly, free of charge, for alumni and friends of Andrews University, an institution owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Master Planning For Church Growth In Serbia, Radivoje Rade Milosavljevic

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Very quickly we are approaching the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church is growing as never before. However, the SDA Church in the former and present-day Yugoslavia grew rapidly in some periods, and declined in others. What factors helped the SDA church to grow? How can the power of the Holy Spirit be combined with a good strategic planning process to fulfill the Great Commission? This vital issue needs to be acknowledged and observed with practical steps taken to find causes and solutions.

This dissertation examines the development of a master-planning strategy for church …

Recent Developments In Luther Research: Implications For The Adventist Understanding Of Christ Our Righteousness, C. Raymond Holmes

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Equipping Church Members In Community: A Follow-Up Strategy For Spiritual Body-Building Groups In The Brandon Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Paull Dixon

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This dissertation evaluates a strategy that was developed for equipping church members in the Brandon Seventh-day Adventist Church using the Spiritual Body Building Lessons and an intentional follow-up process. One of the greatest needs of church members is to truly experience body life in the church: having a sense of belonging and a meaningful, significant ministry in which one receives support and encouragement. Spiritual Body Building Groups were designed as a launching pad to equip church members in how to be church as well as how to do church.

There were two phases of this project implemented in the Brandon …