Practical Theology Commons^™

Seminarios Para Aplicar Principios De Interpretacion De Los Escritos De Elena G. De White Para Las Iglesias Adventistas Hispanas En Paterson, New Jersey, Jose Alberto Hernancez Lache

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The observations made by the researcher in the district of Hispanic Adventist churches in Paterson, New Jersey, in the years 2021 and 2022, led to the conclusion that the way the leaders uses the writings of Ellen G. White is not the best. Even the understanding held by fellow church members, mostly used for rebuking the behaviors or judging certain situations of other members, clearly demonstrates a lack of wisdom and balance on this subject. This issue creates discontent and animosity towards the task Ellen G. White sought to accomplish when called by God to encourage, strengthen, and sustain …

Seminario De Orientación Sobre El Acoso Escolar Para Los Adolescentes De La Iglesia Adventista Hispana Atlanta Norte, Georgia, Usa, Andres M. Lizardo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In the United States, about 160,000 adolescents drop out of school every day because of bullying. A survey of adolescents from the Atlanta North Hispanic Adventist Church (IAHAN), revealed that 83 percent have experienced incidents of bullying. A seminar on bullying at this church informs on the evils caused by bullying, and has the potential to help decrease bullying and dropout rates among IAHAN adolescents.

Methodology

This research belongs to the practical theology area. The purpose is to develop an orientation seminar to instruct IAHAN adolescents on how to face bullying in their social interactions. The task consisted in …

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 …

Cross-Denominational Dialogue: Sola Scriptura In Setting The Table For Charitable And Faithful Christian Discourse, Ciprian Mihai Manea

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In this project, the problem centers around cross-denominational dialogue. The contemporary Christian theological landscape is highly complex and varied. Theologians engage with different theories of knowledge, authority sources, and theological methods, resulting in diverse perspectives that conflict with each other and with Adventist Christian convictions. The differing rational structures of these perspectives require committed effort to understand and communicate effectively. Best practice cross-denominational dialogue involving the theologically informed must account for these differences and provide a context that can facilitate faithful and charitable discourse. Such a context would not only ease the tensions among different Christian traditions but would …

Implementación De Un Seminario De Educación Sexual Para Matrimonios En La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día De Satélite, México, Josué Omar Martínez Grimaldo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Satellite District is composed of four churches belonging to the Seventh-day Adventist Association the Central Mexican Union, which maintains a limited and reduced teaching on the topic of marital sex education, despite the availability of governmental information, denominational publications, and other resources which indicates that it has been omitted from church programming for the last ten years. Within this context, the following research question was formulated: How does the lack of guidance and information on sexual education impact the marriages of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Satelite District in the second semester of 2023?

Methodology

The researcher …

Self-Care Through Clinical Pastoral Education For Emotional Healing Of Pastoral Staff In The United States: A Case Study For Exploring Relationships, Roberto Vizcaino

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

I have observed that many pastors are suffering from problems experienced in the past and in the present. The problems are both personal (e.g., lack of self-care and depression) and national (e.g., lack of support for social recovery from hurricanes and other natural and socioeconomic catastrophes). Some of the problems experienced by these pastors are because they have not had the opportunity to identify the traumas they experienced in their lives and that still affect them now. In addition, many of them do not have a place where they can share their problems with their colleagues, be heard, supported, …

Capacitación Para Padres Y Maestros Hispanos Del Ministerio Infantil En La Conferencia De Potomac De Los Adventistas Del Séptimo Día Respecto A La Transmisión De Creencias Y Valores, Ana Maria Benzaquen

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The author of this project perceived, during the more than 30 years she served in Children’s Ministry in various locations around the world, that Adventist parents (as well as Children’s Ministry teachers) generally want to pass on to their children and students the beliefs and values they themselves hold so dear. Even outside the church setting, the transmission of values has been touted as the hallmark of successful socialization (Danioni, 2024). However, the results are not always as desired in society, and even in the church. One study revealed in 2006 that 61 percent of young people around twenty …

Pastoral Leadership Of Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors In Sub-Saharan Africa And Congregational Giving During 2020-2021: A Grounded Theory Study, Eric Jean-Bruno Aniel Barbe

Dissertations

Problem

The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical model that describes how the behavioral strategies of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) pastors in Sub-Saharan Africa may have positively influenced congregational giving during the years 2020-2021 of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

A qualitative grounded theory research design was used (Corbin & Strauss, 2015). In-depth interviews were conducted to collect data from a purposive sample of SDA pastoral leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa. The collected data were analyzed using an iterative process consisting of open, axial, and selective coding, thereby facilitating the construction of subcategories and a core category. This analytical process …

The Processes, Events And Characteristics Associated With The Leadership Emergence Of New Believers In The Contemporary Movement Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In The United States, Cleveland Hobdy Iii

Dissertations

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is confronting an unsettling reality in the 21st century. A considerable body of literature has highlighted an escalating attrition rate, with the 'Ministry journal reporting in April 2019 that almost 50% of new converts eventually abandon their commitment (Thomas, 2019). Other data collected by the World Church through its Office of Research include statistics and archive information that confirm the losses (Knott, 2016; Trimm, 2023). After all the baptisms, membership transfers, professions of faith, and accessions, the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church is netting one new member per church per year. Since 1965, roughly 4 out …

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)

Seminario Sobre Conceptos Básicos De Capellanía Policial Para Pastores Adventistas En Fresno, California, José Antonio Pagán

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There is a high demand for chaplains in the Fresno Police Department who can support police officers in addressing city crises. Most Adventist pastors in Fresno do not have the basic knowledge of police chaplaincy nor do they have the certification to practice in this specialized ministry. The latest study published by the California Department of Justice (2023) on the wave of violence in California shows that in 2022, 2,206 homicides were reported, of which 60 were reported by the Fresno Police Department (2023) which required the intervention of trained chaplains to care for the survivors of each victim. …

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.

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 …

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.

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

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

No abstract provided.

How To Deal With Theological Conflicts, Part 1, Timothy Blaze, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

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 …

Developing A Small Groups Health Ministry At The Ventura County Korean Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Hee Choung Park

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although the members of the Ventura County Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church (VC KSDA) expressed interest in evangelism, the congregation had not shown evidence of evangelism during the past three years (2017-2020). As the pastor, I suggested that the members lacked a clear, planned, and structured program for outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for small group health programs. This study was to challenge the church to find ways to respond to the growing influence that the church wanted to have on the community.

Method

The program was designed and implemented at the VC KSDA Church in the fall of …

Desarrollo, Implementacion Y Evaluacion De Un Seminario De Liberazgo Para Lideres De La Iglesia Central De Cojupeque, El Salvador, Alvaro Rafael Linero Vargas

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in the ministry of all believers, and at its base, the local church is not only led by pastors but also by members who take on leadership roles. In order for these members to excel in their ministries, their training and education must be intentional. The Central Cojutepeque Seventh-day Adventist Church of the Paracentral El Salvador Conference did not have an intentional leadership instruction program that can help said leaders assist in the leading of the church.

Methodology

This project is a research initiative in the field of practical theology. It was applied within …

Programa Para Fomentar El Ministerio Filantrópico En La Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Día Hispana De Georgetown, Delaware, Luz E. Pinzón González

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In the last few years, many of the members of the Hispanic Adventist Church in Georgetown, Delaware, had not learned of community service activities, especially those available in Philanthropic Ministry. The church community has many families with economic needs, which would benefit from a philanthropic program that would supply their basic alimentary needs. Such a program would also open doors for the church to share the Adventist message with the beneficiaries. This problem was directly observed by the author, in consultation with the pastor and the church leaders.

Methodology

This present project is based on creating a program to …

A Strategic Approach To A Discipleship System And Culture At The Adventist Community Church Of Vancouver, Washington, Ryan H. Whitehead

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Discipleship is a term that church congregations use to articulate their goal of fulfilling the call of Jesus to make disciples (Matt. 28:19, 20). The Adventist Community Church (ACC) in Vancouver, Washington is no different. With a mission to “Reach Up in Worship, Reach Deep in Discipleship, and Reach Out in Evangelism,” a discipleship culture is key to the church’s mission. A deficiency in the discipleship culture at ACC is evident in the absence of a disciple-making system. The strategy to address this challenge is to invest in an intentional and robust discipleship growth plan.

Method

A systems-thinking approach …

Encouraging Intergenerational Faith Transmission And Spiritual Growth In Home And Church: Reconnecting Youth And Older Generations Through Family Systems Concepts At The Adelaide Seventh-Day Adventist Church, The Bahamas, Larry L. Green

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This Doctor of Ministry (DMin) project addresses a pressing issue within the church context of the Adelaide Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bahamas. We first observed sporadic attendance of our youth (Gen Z and Millennials) and their lack of identity with the church. Wider observation revealed weak relationships among the various generations within our church as well as in our homes. This absence of relatedness across generations potentially hinders some from embracing the community’s faith and growing spiritually.

Method

This study aimed to understand and address the nuanced factors contributing to this generational disconnection through the intervention of an …

A Leadership Strategy To Train And Equip African Pastors And Lay Leaders For Effective Ministry To Central African Refugees And Immigrants In Phoenix, Arizona, Joel Mpabwanimana

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since 2010, there has been a growing number of Central African refugees and immigrants resettling in Arizona. This transition adds many other challenges to the trauma some of them have already endured. Unfortunately, there is a lack of trained pastors and lay leaders to effectively minister to them. I designed this project to develop and implement an effective strategy to train and equip pastors and lay leaders to minister to Central African refugee and immigrant communities in the Ubumwe Seventh-day Adventist Church and Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Phoenix, Arizona.

Method

This project had several primary objectives: (1) to …

Seminario Sobre La Educacion De Los Hijos Para La Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia Hispana Indy Segunda De Indianapolis, Indiana, Fernando Pizarro

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Instructing parents about the education of children is a task that requires time, willingness, and commitment. Nonetheless, the literature suggests that educating parents on this subject tends to produce favorable outcomes in children (Finders et al. 2016; Nelson 2015; Barth and Liggeth 2014). The Bible also highlights the vital role parents play in educating their children (Deut 6:7; Eph 6:4). However, according to the records of the Indy Second Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church Board in Indianapolis, Indiana, no seminar regarding the education of children has been held in this congregation for the past seven years. In addition to the …

Intergenerational Mentorship Model For Membership Revitalization And Involvement At The Guelph Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Aundrea A. Thompson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Guelph Seventh-day Adventist Church faced challenges characterized by low spiritual vitality and a generational divide. These factors jeopardized the spiritual well-being of some members, leading to a decline in church engagement.

Method

Recognizing the urgency of revitalization, the study explored the impact of a seven-week intergenerational mentorship model on participants’ spiritual health and church involvement. Employing a Participatory Action Research approach led by the pastor-researcher in collaboration with the church board, the study utilized Lifeway’s Spiritual Growth Assessment and Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests by Melissa Kruger (2020) to guide the development and …

Programa De Discipulado Sobre La Familia Nuclear Para La Iglesia Bilingue Adventista Del Septimo Dia De Hanford, California, Usa, Bismarck Castillo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20) charges each believer with the duty of forming disciples among people inside and outside the church and could be applied to members within the nuclear family. The Hanford Bilingual Adventist Church (IABH) does not have a program that trains parents in making disciples within their homes. Such a program has the potential to strengthen the nuclear families of the IABH and to form disciples within other families in the community.

Methodology

This research was carried out in the field of practical theology and its main objective was to develop a discipleship program oriented towards …