Religion Commons^™

Mission Refocus: A Strategic Realignment Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Worldwide Mission Effort In The Context Of The Three Mission Refocus Windows, Erton Kohler

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church emerged as a worldwide missionary movement committed to proclaiming the everlasting gospel to every nation, tribe, language, and people. Throughout much of its history, the Church demonstrated a strong commitment to cross-cultural mission and the establishment of an Adventist presence in territories with low or no access to the gospel message. However, as the Church expanded globally in membership, institutions, organizational structures, and administrative responsibilities, a gradual shift in mission priorities occurred. Increasing attention to institutional maintenance and regional demands often reduced emphasis on frontline mission territories and populations with no or low Adventist presence. …

Programa De Mentoría Basado En El Proceso De Discipulado Para Líderes De La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día Hispana De Rogers Heights, En Wyoming, Michigan, Darling Ayala

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Making disciples is the mission given by Jesus Christ to His followers; this must be the primary objective of the Christian life. Therefore, the church must carry out activities that follow the model of biblical discipleship in order to attract prospective disciples. Since its formation in 2012, the Hispanic Church of Rogers Heights has not experienced sustainable numerical growth because it did not implement a discipleship program or an intentional mentoring plan. The progressive loss of members, the lack of missionary commitment among its leaders, limited resources, and the low number of new disciples in proportion to the number …

Seminario De Predicación Expositiva Para Los Líderes Del Distrito De Hood River, Oregon, Félix Toribio

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The leaders of the Hood River Adventist Church lack training in expository preaching, which constitutes a significant challenge in this area. With technological advances and access to various digital information sources, the church leaders prepare their sermons using information obtained from the Internet and other digital platforms, without conducting a hermeneutical study of the text.

Methodology

To achieve the central objective of this research, a study was conducted following a quantitative paradigm, using a pretest-posttest design, based on the analysis of biblical literature, the contributions of Ellen G. White, and the work of contemporary authors in the field. This …

Programa Para Fortalecer La Identidad Denominacional Entre Los Jovenes De La Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia De Central Quisqueya En Republica Dominicana, David Alexander Uribe Garabito

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Central Quisqueya Seventh-day Adventist Church has a registered membership of 1,231 individuals, as recorded in the Adventist Church Management System (ACMS), which serves as the church’s official management tool. Of this total, approximately 600 members are active, with 80 being young people between the ages of 18 and 35. This indicates that slightly more than one-eighth of the congregation comprises young people. However, discussions with this group have revealed a considerable lack of understanding regarding the pillars of Adventism. To date, the church has not implemented any seminars or programs specifically designed to deepen young adults’ comprehension of …

Implementación Y Evaluación De Un Seminario De Liderazgo Para Dirigentes De La Iglesia Adventista Jardín En Neiva, Colombia, Andrés Palomino

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

A preliminary study, consisting of exploratory dialogues conducted with the church elders, revealed that the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Jardín, Neiva, faced limitations in the development of their local leadership. Although the leaders received instruction regarding the specific functions of their departments, they lacked knowledge in broader aspects of leadership, such as biblical leadership and contemporary perspectives (nature, models, styles, and theories). This deficiency limited the effective leadership of the church departments.

Methodology

The present study was framed within the field of applied practical theology, as it intentionally sought to intervene in ministerial practice and evaluate …

Desarrollo E Implementación De Un Seminario Sobre Comunicación Para Parejas De La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día Hispana De West Suburban En Villa Park, Illinois, Nelson Salazar

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The 184-member West Suburban Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church has no record of holding a communication seminar for couples in the congregation. Several church members have requested that training be provided to the church's forty-five couples. The benefits that the seminar on couples’ communication can confer have the potential to foster unity in marriages and homes. The lessons learned from the implementation of this project can also serve as a reference for other congregations with similar realities.

Methodology

For the development and implementation of this training seminar, after obtaining the necessary administrative permits, the author examined the topic of couple …

Desarrollo E Implementación De Una Estrategia Para Mejorar La Asistencia Y Participación En El Culto Joven De La “Iglesia Nueva”, En La Asociación Central Dominicana, Yoel Lizardo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The youth service, or “youth society,” of the “Iglesia Nueva” within the Dominican Central Association has experienced low attendance and participation among young adults between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. A preliminary study identified several contributing factors to this situation. These include program content that fails to capture sufficient interest, worship experiences that lack perceived relevance, limited opportunities for young people to discover and exercise their spiritual gifts and talents, a shortage of mentors, and inadequate planning and follow-up in ministry efforts.

Methodology

Theological foundations regarding the principles of youth participation in the church were examined. Contemporary literature …

Desarrollo E Implementación De Un Seminario Sobre La Oración Y El Ayuno Para El Reavivamiento Espiritual De La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día Hispana De Milwaukie, Oregon, Marlon Batz

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church of Milwaukie (IASDM) demonstrates the need for a spiritual revival among its members. An initial diagnosis, conducted with the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) by Lynn Underwood, shows reduced levels in core aspects of spiritual life. For example, in response to the item "During worship, or at other times when connecting with God, I feel joy which lifts me out of my daily concerns”, only 23.6% of participants indicate experiencing this sensation every day, and just 7.8% report feeling it several times a day. In the item "I find comfort in my religion or …

Intergenerational Bible Study As A Means Of Discipleship At The Waukesha Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Myoung Kwon

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Waukesha Community Seventh-day Adventist Church faced a plateau in Bible study engagement. Newly baptized members were disengaging from continuing Bible study and not reproducing disciples, resulting in a spiritual growth process that was minimal and heavily dependent on the pastor.

Method

The DMin student chose action research as a method for developing, implementing, and evaluating an intergenerational Bible study strategy to revitalize discipleship. The three-phase intervention included: (1) a sermon series featuring intergenerational activities to recruit participants; (2) a workshop to equip lay members as Bible study teachers; and (3) an eight-week program with two tracks: a one-on-one …

Worship As A Means Of Formational Discovery At Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Shelby, North Carolina, Ricky Alston Jr

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The formational nature of worship obtains power from the relationship one develops with God through daily practices, as well as in the corporate gathering of God’s people. This leads to a holistic spiritual formation for those who practice it. Members from Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby, NC, participated in a four-week study that defined what a practice of holistic worship looks like, established biblical principles to engage personally and communally, and explored the relationship between corporate gatherings and personal worship. The study provides evidence of growth in participants, and opportunity for further spiritual development individually and as a congregation.

Training Small Group Leaders For Effective Discipleship At Ilive Ministries In Pacolet, South Carolina, Kadeem Antonio Ellis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This project examined the need for discipleship training among small group leaders at iLive Ministries in Pacolet, South Carolina. A four-week workshop incorporating lectures, discussions, and interactive activities was designed and implemented. Evaluation tools included Pre- and Post-Tests, structured observation, and participant interviews. Findings demonstrated measurable growth in confidence, facilitation skills, and discipleship understanding. The project concluded that intentional training not only equips leaders with biblical grounding and practical skills but also highlights ongoing needs for mentoring, refined assessment, and sustainable support, strengthening iLive Ministries’ discipleship culture and offering a replicable model for other congregations.

Scoring A New Jazz Standard: A Collaborative Approach To Implementing Spiritual Care At Erlanger Hospital Palliative Care, Richard Fleck

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Just like a jazz combo brings together professional musicians who are instrument specialists to improvise together, Palliative Care brings together healthcare specialists for holistic, patient-centered collaboration. This ministry project, which is a phenomenological inquiry based on the theological theme of suffering, follows a collaborative approach to implementing spiritual care at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. This project describes the researcher’s collaborative work in scoring a new jazz standard for Erlanger Palliative Spiritual Care, which includes recommendations for quality improvement and recommendations for professional development.

Developing Cultural Intelligence Skills At Gracepoint International Church In Gastonia, North Carolina, Sumner Brichelle Rhodes

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Churches across the globe are constantly being reshaped by issues of interculturality, global migration and questions of power and belonging. As churches deal with these dynamics, in our globalized world, it is important for them to have the tools and skills necessary to lovingly reach out to people of all cultures and differences. Reaching people of diverse backgrounds is a part of the Central Commission that Christ commanded for His Church in Matthew 28:19-20. This project explores how developing a high Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is essential for the Church. CQ can help churches lovingly connect with and embrace people of …

Weeping In The Household: Equipping Pastoral Caregivers Among Grieving Families At Grace Presbyterian Church In Baltimore, Maryland, Charles Brandon Brewer

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This project sought to equip pastoral care ministry members of Grace Presbyterian Church to explore communal grief and deepen their own understanding of family systems in intergenerational grief. Participants engaged in a four-week training series aimed at reducing fear surrounding discussions of death, dying, and grief, empowering pastoral caregivers in the church to offer compassionate care to grieving individuals and families. Participants were trained to facilitate Bible studies, group discussions and were equipped with the skills necessary to guide and expand the church’s existing bereavement ministry beyond crisis intervention, strengthening pastoral care efforts, and the pastoral care ministry of the …

Modelo Contextualizado De Discipulado Integral Através De Pequenos Grupos Para A Região Leste Do Brasil, Moises Moacir Da Silva

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Adventist Church (and the Christian Church in general) has the great challenge of leading God's flock to spiritual growth and presenting the fruits of this development. These fruits are measured in the areas of faithfulness, mission, Bible study, participation in activities and worship, among others. -- Within this framework, the Church (in many places) began to worry about filling a calendar with various activities and felt fulfilled by providing members with the feeling that there was growth, since they participated in numerous activities - many of them simultaneously. -- This understanding that being busy brings spiritual growth led …

Teologia A Serviço Da Missão: Uma Análise Da Conexão Entre A Teologia E A Prática No Seminário De Teologia Do Unasp Campus Engenheiro Coelho, Evandro Carlos Favero

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This dissertation investigates the possible dichotomy between academic theology and pastoral practice, questioning whether there is, in fact, a separation between the role of the theologian and that of the pastor, as well as between the formative ideals of the seminary and ministerial reality. If such a division is confirmed, formal theological study could be considered secondary for the exercise of pastoral ministry. However, if theory and practice are understood as integrated and inseparable dimensions, theological training becomes essential for all who aspire to ministry, requiring training institutions to provide preparation that unites knowledge, vocation, and mission. -- Assuming …

Programa Para Fomentar Las Disciplinas Espirituales En La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día De Forest, Mississippi, Hugo Gomez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The absence of a program focused on fostering spiritual disciplines within the Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church of Forest, in the Meridian District, has led to limited awareness of the importance of essential practices such as prayer, Bible study, fasting, singing, and worship gatherings. As a result, the practice of these disciplines has been affected, thus missing out on valuable opportunities for spiritual growth and a deeper communion with God.

Method

This program, which falls under the field of applied theology, follows an “action research” design, as the director was not limited to observation but also participated as an active …

Programa De Evangelismo A Través De Las Redes Sociales En Tucson, Arizona, Cesar Sanchez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Northwest Adventist Church (IAN) in Tucson, Arizona, faces challenges in maintaining a meaningful missional presence within the local community. Despite the growing importance of digital platforms as communication tools, the church has neither developed nor implemented a comprehensive evangelism program that utilizes social media, nor has it provided a training program in this area. This lack of a digital program may be limiting its capacity to attract new members and to increase its relevance in today’s world. Without an appropriate intervention, the church risks continuing to miss opportunities to fulfill its evangelistic mission effectively.

Method

This project employed …

An Urban Discipleship Model For Young Adults Of The New Jersey Conference Of Sda Churches, Carl Rodriguez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

The New Jersey Conference Young Adults Department presented three challenging areas to resolve before becoming a vibrant ministry: (1) a leadership succession pathway to train and develop state and area coordinators to plan regional and Conference-level events and initiatives; (2) training, nurturing, and discipling local church young adult leaders to discover their spiritual gifts while providing opportunities to serve; and (3) uniting the different young adult cultural groups to work together as a community of believers.

Method

A new urban approach was used to aid in changing the course of the Young Adults’ ministry for the New Jersey Conference. …

Developing And Implementing A Course On Homiletics To Enhance The Preaching Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors In The Western Ontario Region, Laurentiu A. Prelipcian

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Pastors in the Western Ontario region are divinely entrusted with the responsibility of delivering contextually relevant sermons that foster spiritual growth and inspire transformation within their congregations. While these ministers are deeply committed to their calling and possess substantial theological training and pastoral experience, the continually evolving field of homiletics and the shifting expectations of contemporary audiences requires renewed engagement with current preaching methodologies. For many, formal instruction in homiletics iii occurred decades ago, and opportunities for sustained exposure to emerging current preaching strategies have been minimal or nonexistent. This project seeks to address this critical deficiency by designing …

Seminar On Biblical Hermeneutics For The Leaders Of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In North Dallas, Texas, Evelio Miranda Páez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The district of McKinney, Lewisville, and Grand Prairie South in North Dallas, Texas, evidences a significant lack of training in biblical hermeneutics among its leaders. This deficiency limits their capacity to understand Scripture faithfully and to provide sound guidance for the congregations. The absence of hermeneutical competence is reflected in four main areas: ignorance of the basic principles of interpretation, lack of methodology for narrative texts, inadequate criteria for complex passages, and insufficient understanding of apocalyptic prophecy, which is central to Adventist identity. As a result, leaders struggle to apply consistent hermeneutical practices in both personal study and ecclesial …

Programa Para Formar Líderes Jóvenes En La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día Hispana De Fresno, Edward Alexander Charles Smith

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church of Fresno faces a significant challenge in developing trained youth leaders capable of directing and sustaining the Youth Ministry. Despite having a large and active membership, the church lacks a structured leadership development process for young people between the ages of 18 and 35. This deficiency resulted in the inability of the Nominating Committee to appoint a youth director due to the absence of adequately prepared candidates. The lack of intentional leadership formation has limited the involvement of youth within the congregation.

Methodology

This Doctor of Ministry project employed an applied ministry approach focused …

Virtual Grief Support For Widows And Widowers At Oakwood University Seventh-Day Adventist Cburch, Maggie M. Compton

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The COVID-19 pandemic created a gap in grief support for church members, including widows and widowers at Oakwood University Seventh-day Adventist Church. This study addresses the lack of accessible, structured virtual grief support for these individuals during a time of emotional and spiritual need, isolation, and loneliness.

Method

Using a mixed-method qualitative case study design, the study collected quantitative information through participants’ demographic data, followed by qualitative interviews and focus groups. The intervention had 10 participants who attended six virtual grief support sessions which included video presentations and group discussions via Zoom.

Results

The virtual, six-week grief support program …

Transforming Pathfinder Acculturation Gaps: Confronting Intergenerational Cultural Conflict Between First- And Second- Generation Immigrants With Family Strengthening Workshops Among Scottish Mission Pathfinders And Their Parents, Njabulo King Ndlovu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The immigrant population in the UK is rapidly increasing along with correlated increases in the membership of both the British Union Conference (BUC) and the Scottish Mission (SM) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Scottish Mission Pathfinder clubs (SMPCs) have many immigrant children. However, as immigrants’ home culture comes into continuous contact with the British culture, acculturation gaps between first- and second-generation immigrants tend to form naturally as a result of the differing pace with which these two generations acculturate. Adolescents are generally thought to adapt quicker. Parent-child miscommunication and disagreement on critical matters such as values, beliefs, and …

Leading The Church Out Of White Supremacy And Toward Biblical Justice And Reconciliation: A Leadership Approach Using The Arc Model, Keenan Tyler

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Seventh-day Adventist church members need to be equipped to respond faithfully to injustice in their communities, beginning with an understanding as to how to respond to systemic racism rooted in White Supremacy.

Method

This Doctor of Ministry project implemented an adapted form of Jamar Tisby’s ARC model—Awareness, Relationships, Commitment—contextualized for a Seventh-day Adventist theological and ecclesial setting. The immediate goal was to move beyond raising awareness of racial injustice to equipping congregations to actively resist systemic racism and dismantle the lingering influence of white supremacy in church life and mission. Over six interactive sessions, 18 participants engaged in historical, …

A Cross-Cultural And Inter-Ethnic Awareness Strategy For Members Of Ipswich, Colchester And Clacton Adventist Churches, Robin Johannes Lewis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The three multicultural, multi-ethnic (MCME) churches in my district were facing tension among members from diverse cultures, ethnicities, countries of origin, and languages. Factions formed cliques and vied for leadership roles, while some groups appeared to dominate the worship services. Certain members became upset when people with difficult accents from specific language groups led out in services and could not be understood. Others shared their distinctive foods only within their own groups. Some members felt isolated and believed they lacked a voice.

Method

Nine seminars and workshops were organised to raise awareness among the MCME congregants about the causes …

Estratégia De Discipulado Para Crescimento Com Retanção De Membros: Um Estudo De Caso Na Igreja Adventista Do Sétimo Dia De Vilas Do Atlântico, José Wilson Da Silva Barbosa

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since 2013, the Vilas do Atlântico Church has seen above–average growth compared to other churches in the Bahia Conference. However, at the same time, there has also been a significant attrition of members. This likely occurred because the local church lacked a discipleship strategy for growth and member retention. Although the evangelistic strategy produced significant results, it lacked a broader vision of discipleship as a process, both cognitively and relationally. Considering this, a discipleship strategy for growth and member retention was developed for this church, starting in 2022. This strategy sought to answer three questions. The first two refer …

Developing A Mentoring Model For Nurturing Worship Leaders In The Berrien Springs, Michigan Area, Jonathan Paul Rosengren

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Pastoral observation suggests that the use of worship leaders in the area of music is gaining prominence in Adventist churches today. However, because this is a relatively undefined ministry, worship leaders often lack spiritual preparedness and support for ministry in the local church.

Method

As a pastor I want to learn from worship leaders so I can help develop mentoring models that nurture their calling and ministry. The theological basis for nurturing worship leadership is based on a Seventh-day Adventist understanding of worship being central to the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14:6-7. In a practical sense, two theological stories …

Volunteering And Spiritual Practices: A Cross-Country Analysis In The Seventh-Day Adventist Context, Elbert Kuhn

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although the number of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) volunteers worldwide has increased dramatically, the Church continues to face challenges in engaging people, particularly young adults, in volunteer and mission projects on a global scale. While interest in volunteering is growing, especially in countries within the southern hemisphere, the percentage of participation remains disproportionately small in comparison to the global church membership. Given this disparity, there is a pressing need to research the impact of the volunteer experience on spiritual practices and discipline. Understanding how volunteering influences young adults’ spiritual growth is critical to developing strategies that can effectively engage more …

The Mordecai-Esther Mentorship Initiative: A Cross-Gender Mentorship Model For Commissioned Female Pastors In South Central Conference, Latina Carriger

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SCC), while male pastors receive formal mentorship through the ministerial internship program leading up to ordination, female pastors—who are only commissioned and not ordained—often experience a lack of continued mentorship beyond commissioning. This absence hinders their professional development, limits leadership opportunities, and contributes to feelings of isolation. The current mentorship framework does not adequately support the ongoing growth of female pastors in a context where ordination is not extended to women, thereby creating a gap in pastoral leadership development and equity.

Method

This project utilized a qualitative case study design to …