Digital Commons Network^™

The Racial Attitudes Of White Students At A Christian Institution, Jarad Russell

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

This phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews to understand the lived experiences and racial attitudes of White students at a Council for Christian Colleges and Universities institution as they related to Black people. The participants were asked about their past experiences with Black people, their discussions with family about race, their present understanding of terminology related to race and racism, and their desire to support racial justice in the future. Through this study, three categories of students emerged: those that had taken steps to educate themselves on matters related to race and racism, those that were just beginning to understand issues …

Young Adults And The Black Church: Exploring The Relationship Between Young Adults And Their Desire To Engage In Church, Jovita Lee

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation study takes a deep dive into the key motivators and desires of young adults deciding to engage, or not, in church, particularly the Black church. This study is seeking to understand the particular factors that play an important role in the decision making process of young adults participating in church and the significance that participation may or may not hold in their lives. Through both qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as mixed methods surveys and focus groups, this study thoroughly examines the experiences, perceptions, and beliefs of young adults directly related to the Black church. Through this …

Evangelism Strategies, Conversion Patterns, And Membership Retention Strategies In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Sub-Saharan Africa: Report Of Findings For East-Central Africa Division Of Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Sampson M. Nwaomah, Williams Kwasi Peprah, Rei Kesis, Warren S. Simatele, Angela E. Nwaomah, Daniel Dei, Davidson Razafiarivony

Human Subject Research Archive

A study conducted by the Africa Seventh-day Adventist Study Group (ASDASG)

Evangelism Strategies, Conversion Patterns, And Membership Retention Strategies In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Sub-Saharan Africa: Report Of Findings For West-Central Africa Division Of Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Sampson M. Nwaomah, Williams Kwasi Peprah, Rei Kesis, Warren S. Simatele, Angela E. Nwaomah, Daniel Dei, Davidson Razafiarivony

Human Subject Research Archive

A study conducted by the Africa Seventh-day Adventist Study Group (ASDASG)

The Hispanics: The Legacy From The Past And The Claim On The Future, Roberto Escamilla

The Asbury Journal

This article is a transcript from a chapel given at Asbury Theological Seminary on April 28, 1981 in Estes Chapel as part of the Freitas lecture series on Ministry Among the Hispanic People. This was one of the earliest lecture series devoted to the potential future of Hispanic ministry in the United States, and Escamilla lays out in a brief and engaging way, both the history and the potential influence of the Hispanic community on the culture and faith of the United States. Such an insightful review of the situation of Hispanic ministry from over 40 years ago, allows for …

Intergenerational Christian Community: A Vision For Spiritual Formation For All Ages, Robin Pyles

Doctor of Ministry

For decades, American churches have been struggling with shrinking attendance, particularly among young people. An increasingly polarized society that elevates individualism and secularization, along with widespread escalating age segregation, has contributed to this trend. In response to these societal norms, many local churches have defaulted to a primarily age-segregated programming model. This model results in the absence of a sense of community and belonging, and a lack of Christian spiritual formation growth among both youth and adults within the church. This research revealed that creating regular opportunities for meaningful cross-generational interactions that combine shared experiences of play, creative expression, intentional …

Estrategia Para Fortalecer La Retencion De Jovenes En La Iglesia Adventista Central De Las Tunas, Cuba, Magdiel Larramendy Laurencio

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist church in the city of Las Tunas, Cuba, from 2000 to 2015 has suffered for the loss of the youth ages 18 to 35 years old. A pastoral study of the congregation revealed that 70% of the youth that were born between the years 1990 and 2000 abandoned the church, indicating that it´s services were irrelevant and the absence of younger people and lacked youth in the leadership of the church. The congregation of Las Tunas has been a church centered in the accomplishment of the mission, and focused on the expansion of the gospel in …

History, Theology, And Implementation Of A Volunteer Lay Pastor Ministry In The Territory Of The North American Division Of Seventh-Day Adventists, José Cortés Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This study examines the strategic necessity and implementation of a Divisionwide Volunteer Lay Pastor Ministry (VLPM) within the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA Church). The NAD oversees the church’s work in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Guam, and Micronesia, serving over 1.2 million members across 6,300 congregations. Despite its strong presence, the NAD faces challenges reaching a diverse population of approximately 370 million. With 69 percent of its congregations either plateauing or declining, the church is at a critical point that requires proactive measures to maintain its mission.

Method

Our study begins with an …

The Divine Digital Divide: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Effects Of Implementing Information And Communications Technology In The Black Baptist Worship Service Experience On Attraction And Retention Of Young Adults Post Covid-19, Ladonna Y. Boyd

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of using information and communication technology (ICT) in the Black worship experience for recruiting and retaining young adults in relation to church services, engagement (defined in this study as communication, community outreach, social activism and collaboration, and support services), and cultural identity within the community of faith. The relevancy and engagement for emerging generations and the cultural and ancestral ties of the Baptist church will be explored. Data analysis from these findings will be used to identify opportunities for faith and community leaders in relation to young Black adults, defined …

Re-Feminizing The Divine: Understanding The Cultural Constructs Of Gender And Sexuality In A Church-Based Christian Community, Cameron K. Thomas

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Historically, Christianity has sought to maintain rigid separation between men and women. Christianity often views women as secondary to men, particularly in relation to authority under Jesus Christ. These ideals have led to the restrictions of rights and roles of people who choose not to adhere to strictly defined or enforced gender roles. For this ethnography, I examined one church community; namely Barbwire Baptist Church in northern Illinois and how its members used scripture and doctrine beyond simply worship to reinforce norms and expectations of self and others regarding gender and sexuality. I draw on scholarship in gender studies, and …

The Lord Will Provide: What Will You Do?, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Youth ministry often rises or falls based on its leadership. However, recruiting, training, and retaining youth leaders remains problematic. Making youth leadership development the modus operandi of youth ministry turns it into an ongoing process rather than an annual tug-of-war. It includes the youth as leaders, as well as a variety of other ages. It goes beyond completing a task, although it includes many tasks. And the expectation is to engage and explore one’s own development as well as that of the group. Resources exist to foster this, but the buy-in has been limited. Following these recommendations could result in …

The Existential Turn: An Adventist Response, Stephen Yeagley

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Youth ministry has taken several “turns” in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, culminating in the current existential turn. This latest shift acknowledges a more diverse youth demographic (Gen Z) concerned with identity, significance, purpose, belonging, and survival. Numerous existential threats have contributed to this generation’s unprecedented mental health crisis. Nevertheless, members of Gen Z are determined to meet these threats and create the conditions for all to flourish. This paper seeks to articulate a supportive and uniquely Adventist response to the existential turn in the form of Sabbath rest.

Divine Attachment As A Context For Discipleship Transformation In Youth, Kristina Freed

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

O ne of the most profound human lifespan needs, especially among youth, is to have a worthy purpose for living. A growing body of research has identified a serious discrepancy between a Christian’s doctrinal and experiential knowledge of God, leading to disengagement from the practice of discipleship. This may be related, in part, to an unfortunate null curriculum rooted in the assumption that believers understand God in such a way that predisposes them to a discipleship lifestyle. This paper suggests that the missing relational context and the discrepancy between doctrinal and experiential knowledge of God may be remedied by an …

Thomas Freeman Hudson Papers - Accession 790, Thomas Freeman Hudson

Manuscript Collection

The Reverend Thomas Freeman Hudson Papers document the ministerial career, scholarly interests, and ecclesiastical activities of Thomas Freeman Hudson, an Episcopal priest who served congregations in Ohio, South Carolina, and North Carolina and who played an active role in diocesan and national church affairs. The collection primarily reflects Hudson’s work within the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina as a parish priest, diocesan ecumenical leader, and participant in liturgical development during a period of significant change in the Episcopal Church.

The papers include correspondence, sermon notes, subject files, service bulletins, programs, liturgical materials, and published works that illustrate Hudson’s pastoral …

The 180° Symposium 2022 A New Opportunity: Summary, Steve Case

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

The Power Of The Story, Rogelio Paquini

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

When most people ignore the story of Scripture, there needs to be a different approach to reach them for Jesus regarding knowledge of the biblical narrative. The evangelistic system to reach this generation needs to change. The Next BIG Thing in youth ministry is returning to the power of storytelling. To reach this generation it is imperative to practice storytelling, especially the story of the Bible. Our identity as Seventh-day Adventists depends on the strength of our story in connection with prophetic and historical narratives. We get to tell a story of hope, not of disappointment; a story of cooperation …

180° Symposium 2024 Focus Group—Academicians, Rogelio Paquini, Scott R. Ward, Kristina Freed

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

180° Symposium 2024 Focus Group—Administrators, Tracy Wood, Lyle Notice, Ron Whitehead, Stephen Yeagley

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

Discipling Young People According To The Shema, Scott R. Ward

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

If pastors, teachers, and parents can learn to live and teach the gospel in front of and with our young people on a daily basis during their pre-teen and teenage years, our young people will be much more likely to find and embrace a meaningful personal relationship with Jesus before graduating high school (Barna Group 2023; Williams 2017, 22-24). It is imperative that we do all we can to help our young people develop their own personal relationship with Jesus before they enter the collegiate/young adult developmental stage where they frequently leave home—which often also means leaving their home church …