Practical Theology Commons^™

Developing Guidelines For Functional Substitutes For Ugandan Marriage Practices, Daniel Semakula Serunjogi

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since the introduction of Christianity in Uganda there has been a tension between customary and Christian marriage practices, each struggling to exist at the expense of the other. The crux of the struggle is the validity and sufficiency of customary marriage vis-a-vis Christian marriage rites. Christian youth of marriageable age have been caught in the crossfire, and marital stability has been one of the casualties of the struggle. This study suggests bridging the gap between the two practices.

Method

Biblical teaching on marriage is established through exegesis of texts such as Gen 2:20-24, Matt 19:4-6, and 1 Cor 7. …

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 …

Training Laity To Minister To Inactive Members In The North Tamil Conference, Paulraj Masillamony

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Inactive and uninterested members are common in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the North Tamil Conference. They are the aching, anxious persons who have great difficulty in living in anxiety-provoking settings. The church, if it is going to be an effective instrument to its own membership, needs to be sensitive to what is going on in the life of its members. This presents a problem because the members are ill-equipped for the task. In this study a theological basis for equipping laity was developed. Interviews with pastors and both active and inactive members in the local church and study from …

Enriching The Understanding And Experience Of Baptism In Kenya, Samson Nyang'au Mwebi

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Problem and Method Used

Baptism is a church activity conducted every three months in most Seventh-day Adventist churches in Kenya. While it brings joy to see new members join the church, the significance of baptism is not fully reflected in the life of individual believers or of the church. This problem may largely stem from inadequate understanding of the significance and meaning of baptism and its celebration. This study sought to develop ways of improving the practice of baptism in the areas of preparation of candidates for baptism, celebration of baptismal ceremonies, reception of new converts into church membership, …

Development Of An Adventist Radio Program For Farmers In Tamil Nadu, Thambiraj Mantharasalam Subbiah

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Tamil Nadu is one of the states of India located in the southern part. The people who live in the state are called Tamils. Agriculture is the main occupation of this state. About 70 percent of the total population of the state are farmers. Hinduism is the main core of their religion. Hinduism taught them various beliefs, such as salvation by work and transmigration of the soul. At the same time, the farmers are caught up with various traditional beliefs which are very much influenced by their agricultural activities. Many gods need to be worshiped for their various needs. …

The Establishment Of A Lay Evangelism School At The Ephesus Sda Church In Richmond, Virginia, Gene Michael Donaldson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Sharing the good news is an imperative issued by the Supreme Commander, Jesus Christ for all who call Him Lord. Every member of the church is a minister with the responsibility to bring others to faith. The mandate to witness to others in the context of the three angels message of Revelation 14 is of paramount importance to the Seventh-day Adventist Christian. The purpose of this study was to prepare a training program to equip lay persons in the Virginia area churches of the Allegheny East Conference on how to bring others to faith.

Method

An equipping course called, …

Developing Lay Ministry Through Small Groups In The Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In Korea, Gil Ho Choi

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

As churches continue to grow from small to large communities, they struggle to meet the need of a growing community. There is a need to involve more church members in the ministries of the congregation. The churches also need to assimilate the new church members. Increasing demands are placed upon the pastors of churches to meet the challenge.

Method

This study deals with a program designed for lay ministry through small groups. It consists of two main parts. The first considers the concepts of small-group lay ministry in the theological, sociological framework of the local church. It includes an …

Spiritual Awareness And Growth Of Indian Adventist Youth Through Retreats, Maywald Jesudass

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Each year, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in India spends large sums of money on youth and Pathfinder camps. These camps provide recreation and interaction among the youth, but often fail to lead the campers to conversion and commitment. The program, the methodology, and lack of trained resource personnel contribute to these poor results yearly. Retreats can provide a better alternative to youth camps. Retreats provide seclusion in which the retreatant becomes aware of self and God. The biblical-retreat models of the Old and the New Testaments form the foundation of the study.

For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has required …

Improving Member Retention In The Zambia Union Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Fordson Vincent Chimoga

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The loss of church members in the Zambia Union of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is of grave concern. According to church statistics, every year members leave the church through being missing and apostasy. This study is intended to provide practical solutions to pastors and the laity on how to keep members from leaving the church. This study of church member retention is approached in the following manner. First an analysis is made of the finding of the questionnaires sent to pastors and church members in Zambia. Second, there is an analysis of the church statistics obtained from Zambia. Third, …

Bhakti: A Bridge To Philosophical Hindus, N. Sharath Babu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Problem

The Christian presence has been in India for the last 2000 years and the Adventist presence has been in India for the last 105 years. Yet, the Christian population is only between 2-4 percent in a total population of about one billion in India. Most of the Christian converts are from the low caste and the tribals. Christians are accused of targeting only Dalits (untouchables) and tribals. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, advised Christians to direct conversion to those who can understand their message and not to the illiterate and downtrodden.

The Task

The task of …

A Church Growth Study Of Three Churches In Kottayam, Robinson Stephenson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Many of the churches in the North Kerala Section have been stagnant for years. In some churches over 50 percent of the members are inactive. This study analyzes the hindrances to the growth of three churches in the Kottayam District and suggests a strategy for church growth.

Method

The theological, historical, missiological, and practical dimensions of church growth were examined. A church growth approach was used which included an analysis of the factors involved in the growth and decline of three SDA churches in the Kottayam district. The growth patterns of three churches over the past ten years were …

Using The Heritage Of The St. Thomas Christians To Develop An Outreach Strategy, Kunjunjukutty Yohannan

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The St. Thomas Christians in Kerala claim their spiritual heritage from Thomas the apostle. Yet they are not generally aware of a number of scriptural teachings including the seventh-day Sabbath, which Thomas and their forefathers observed. For the last one hundred years there has been no developed Seventh-day Adventist strategy to proclaim the full biblical message, which was their heritage, to this people group.

Findings

The St. Thomas Christians of Kerala, India, believe that Thomas the apostle took Christianity to India. Their very existence bears witness to it. Thomas is reported to have arrived in Kerala in A.D. 52. …

"Are You Born Again?": A Doctrine Of Regeneration, Ed Christian

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Eschatology On Protology, Norman R. Gulley

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Essentials For The New Millennium, Jack J. Blanco

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Family

Shabbat Shalom: A Journal for Jewish-Christian Reconciliation

No abstract provided.

Youth, Leadership, And The Church, Skip Bell

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Modern Feminism, Religious Pluralism, And Scripture, Jo Ann Davidson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Eating And Drinking

Shabbat Shalom: A Journal for Jewish-Christian Reconciliation

No abstract provided.

A Multi-Faceted Program To Recruit And Develop African Seventh-Day Adventist Writers, Enock Okari Omosa

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in Kenya has about 500,000 believers, most of the literature read and used by its members was originally written by Christians from the West. This study identifies some of the problems caused by the lack of African Adventist writers producing acceptable African Adventist literature for Adventist members and other Africans in Kenya, and points the way toward positive measures to remedy the situation.

Method

In order to design an appropriate program to recruit and develop African Seventh-day Adventist writers in Kenya, an attempt is made to examine the kind of literature needed and …

Marketing And Mission: Applying Marketing Principles To Seventh-Day Adventist Mission In The Virgin Islands, Ruthven Joseph Roy

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

In many Christian circles, marketing management is viewed as irrelevant and irreligious because of the misconceptions that exist among Christians regarding this business discipline. There is, therefore, a very urgent need to clear up these misunderstandings and to create an awareness among Christians as to how marketing principles may be applied to the work of Christian mission and ministry, without violating the spiritual platform on which they stand. The purpose of this project, therefore, is to show how religious institutions can maximize their effectiveness by incorporating market-oriented thinking, planning, and action into their task of fulfilling the mission of …

The Development And Implementation Of A Program For The Assimilation Of New Members In The Lexington Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Tim Peterson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

At the Lexington Seventh-day Adventist Church evangelism is important to church growth. However, better assimilation is needed to keep new members in the church. In the past, many people were baptized, but did not stay active. Therefore, this dissertation is an attempt to meet the needs of those who were baptized after an evangelistic meeting in October 1997.

Method

This project is the development and implementation of a program to assimilate new members into the Lexington, Kentucky, Seventh-day Adventist Church. Primary research focuses on the theology, theories, and currently employed methods of assimilating new members. The literature survey includes …

Depressive Symptomatology Among Hispanic Ministers Of The North American Division Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Enrique Nicolas Calandra

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The intensity of our work and living and the struggles we all experience have led to a dramatic increase in the incidence and severity of stress-related disorders, including depression. Ministers—as human beings and helping professionals—are not exempt from this reality. In fact, several studies have shown they are especially vulnerable to it. Although this is a sensitive issue, it needs to be discussed more openly, acknowledging its existence and taking steps to find causes and solutions.

This dissertation seeks to (1) measure and analyze the existence and the intensity of depressive symptomatology among Hispanic pastors of the North American Division …

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 …

Scripture Memorization As A Discipline For Spiritual Formation, Robert H. Banks

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Purpose

The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a seminar that will help Christians learn how to incorporate Scripture memorization into their devotional life. Biblical and scientific evidence is explored to encourage individuals to consider memorization as an important tool for improving their understanding of the Bible and their spiritual life. Further purposes include uncovering principles and techniques that aid memorization, and gaining a clear understanding of their Scriptural and scientific grounds. This project explains the content and reviews the effectiveness of a seminar designed to equip Christians with the means of incorporating this discipline into their devotional life. …

The Development Of A Worship Education Program, Neal Maynard Matson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has never developed a theology of worship. Therefore, the members are unacquainted with the biblical principles of worship. Too often their patterns of worship renewal are often influenced more by sociological factors and methodology than by theology. There is a definite need of a worship education program for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Method

A syllabus was produced for a seminar presentation on the biblical principles of worship. The seminar was presented over a thirteen-week period. Worship patterns of the College Place Village Church were discussed. A survey employed to discover members’ worship knowledge and preferences …

A Christian Approach To Traditional Male Circumcision Customs In Malawi, Harry Godfrey Mtike

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Lorn we and Yao tribes in Malawi practice traditional male circumcision rituals which are damaging the Malawian society. While these rituals have value and fill key functions in society, they are at the same time troublesome. The lack of proper medical equipment and training in performing actual circumcision, as well as accompanying teachings which encourage sexual promiscuity, makes these ceremonies physically, spiritually, and morally dangerous. The AIDS epidemic in Malawi can also be partly traced to these rituals. This study seeks to find a Christian answer which preserves the value of these practices while avoiding the problems connected …

A Strategy For Ministry To The Homeless In North London, Carl Thorpe

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Despite the benefits that the English Social Security provides, many individuals fall out of the safety net into abject poverty. Every night hundreds of individuals sleep rough. Exposed to the elements, these people are in need of food and a permanent place. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North London is not providing an adequate ministry to meet the physical and spiritual needs of these people. This dissertation sets out to develop a strategy for ministry to the physical and spiritual needs of those who "sleep rough" in North London.

Method This study looks at various aspects relating to homelessness, …

Development Of A Strategy To Reach The Folk-Buddha Lepcha Community Of Sikkim, Joseph Tudu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The majority of the Lepchas who live in the land of Sikkim are unreached with the gospel message. A preliminary investigation of current literature indicated that 70 to 80 percent of the Sikkimese are followers of folk-Buddhism.

The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a strategy to reach the Folk-Buddhist Lepcha community of Sikkim with the gospel message.

The dissertation traces the historical development of the Lepcha community in Sikkim,,its culture, economy, health situations, and education. Chapter 3 details the beliefs, practices, and world view of the Lepchas, discusses government restrictions against Christianity in Sikkim, and describes the growth …

A Health Evangelism Strategy For Reaching Rural Indians With Giffard Memorial Hospital As A Model, Measapogu Wilson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Like many nations, India offers notable opportunities for church growth in spite of its diverse cultural and language barriers. The challenge is to understand the growing populations. Masses of Indians are suffering from disease, poverty, and ignorance. They desperately need to achieve health and learn how to maintain it. About 80 percent of the Indian population lives below the poverty line and many are ignorant of healthful living. Health evangelism work can break down prejudice as nothing else can. At the same time, India is resistant to the gospel. A recent census shows that there are only 2.43 percent …