Practical Theology Commons^™

Adventist Information Ministry: Historical-Missiological Foundations And An Evaluation Of The Chaplain's Role, Gregory A. Harper

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Purpose

The aim of this dissertation was to: (1) investigate and record historical and missiological foundations of Adventist Information Ministry; (2) survey, analyze, describe, and evaluate perceptions about the AIM chaplain's role and present resulting recommendations; and (3) provide summaries and conclusions for the major topics and methodology revealed in the main body of this report.

Method

Following an investigation of historical documents, a qualitative survey based on Dillman's "Total Design Method" was implemented with six different groups of individuals associated with Adventist Information Ministry. Recorded input from sixty-five telephone interviews was analyzed and described according to pertinent group perceptions …

Developing Bible Lessons To Reach Hindu Youth, Roy Jemison Injety

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The large number of non-Adventist youth who attend Seventh-day Adventist schools have a limited exposure to biblical teachings and, therefore, are unable to make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Method

Bible study lessons were developed to provide youth with a more complete understanding of the Bible and lead them to take a decision for Christ. The lessons address issues relating to youth needs and topics that are common to the Hindu and Christian faiths. A survey questionnaire provided information about the needs, moral development, and Bible knowledge of the target group. A variety of teaching …

Development And Implementation Of A Youth Prayer Fellowship In Madras, Swamidass Johnson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Many youth in the Adventist Church in Madras do not participate regularly in church activities. Additionally they suffer from the effects of poverty, unemployment, and family tensions.

Task

The task of this dissertation was to develop a youth prayer fellowship that would address the problems of youth in the Madras Adventist Church.

Method

The biblical concept of prayer groups was studied to establish a basis for the prayer fellowship. In addition, the organization and effects of five Indian prayer fellowships were studied: Friends Missionary Prayer Band, Indian Evangelical Mission Prayer Fellowship, Christian Missionary Society Prayer Band, New Assembly Prayer …

An Evangelistic Strategy For Reaching Baby Boomers In Rock Island County, Illinois, Clarence H. Small

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Moline Seventh-day Adventist Church, with a regularly attending membership of approximately 65, has fifteen Baby Boomer members in a county of over 160,000, of whom at least 44,000 are Boomers, with over 30,000 of these being unchurched. This project sought to develop a strategy for attracting Baby Boomers to the Moline church.

Method

A strategy was developed and implemented to attract Baby Boomers to church based upon six valid and transferable principles drawn from existing literature and the successful programs of the Willow Creek and Saddleback churches-and the clearly established legitimacy of targeting specific groups for evangelism. This …

Proyecto De Capacitación Laica Para La Iglesia Local, Hector Solera

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Christian Church has the duty of evangelizing all nations. This task requires that all church members participate actively in evangelism. However, not all church members get involved because they do not know how. This research initiated and evaluated a project to train the members of the Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with the purpose of enabling them to evangelize the city.

The project was developed in five different seminars during five consecutive weekends. The topics covered were the following: the priesthood of all believers, how to present the gospel in a Christ-centered fashion, the art …

Creative Bible Teaching For Seventh-Day Adventist Youth Ages 13-18, Michael Kwaku Owusu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Studies regarding how adolescents learn have found that the traditional approach of teaching as information or knowledge to be passed on with an emphasis on the mastery of content is not very effective. In view of this, many Christian educators and youth ministry specialists recommend a shift from the traditional methods of teaching the Bible to creative ways of teaching with a focus on active student participation in the teaching-learning process, and on meaning of Bible truths.

Method

The method used to complete this project was a review of representative literature dealing with theories and concepts of teaching and …

Equipping Laity For Ministry In Multi-Church Districts In Brazil, Paulo Cesar Nogueira

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Most church districts in Brazil are comprised of many churches and companies. The average load of pastoral care is one pastor for seven congregations. In addition, members have high expectations their pastors and both lack a clear understanding of the role of lay ministry. Thus pastors feel a heavy work load.

Method

A survey of biblical insights, current literature, and other studies on the priesthood of all believers, lay ministry, and effective pastoral work was undertaken. A program designed to enhance pastoral work in multi-church districts in Brazil was developed.

Results

The concept of the priesthood of all believers …

A Psychosocial Support System For Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors In West Indonesia, Edison Pandjaitan

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem The adjustment that many SDA Indonesian pastors go through in the early years of their ministry and the feeling on the part of some ministers that they lack essential psychosocial support suggest the importance of designing a systematic support system. Therefore the dissertation addresses the following questions: (1) How do SDA pastors in the West Indonesia Union indicate their need of a support system? (2) What resources are available to meet the needs of Indonesian pastors? (3) What can the minister, the local church, and the hiring organization do to strengthen this support system?

Method The project is descriptive-prescriptive. …

Life In The World To Come: How Real Will It Be?, Samuele Bacchiocchi

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Developing Seven Bible Studies Related To The Atonement, Consistent With A Cosmic-Conflict Paradigm Of Salvation History, Richard Duane Smith

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

A new view of the atonement threatened to divide some local congregations of Seventh-day Adventists. Referred to in this study as the "trust-healing model" of atonement, the new paradigm proposed by A. Graham Maxwell was developed from a wide reading of Scripture and claimed additional support from the "great controversy" motif in the writings of Ellen G. White. However, because it seemed to call in question certain aspects of the long-accepted substitutionary model of the atonement, the new paradigm became a point of conflict.

Method

This dissertation seeks to clarify the issues by comparing the trust-healing model of atonement …

A Seventh-Day Adventist Understanding Of The Church And Its Mission, Viesturs Rekis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The purpose of this study is to investigate the biblical background of the Christian church and its mission, in order to better understand the implications for Adventist mission in the Baltic countries. This study is intended to equip ministerial students with basic knowledge and to stimulate further studies of the church and its mission. Implications are drawn from the findings of the investigation to stimulate the mission of the church in the Baltic Union Conference.

The first part of the dissertation deals with the origins, nature, and functions of the Christian church within a biblical and theological perspective. Consideration of …

Teamnet Ministries: An Empowerment Paradigm For Every-Member Ministry In The Hamlet Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Amelia, Ohio, Loren L. Fenton

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Hamlet Seventh-day Adventist Church, located near Amelia, Ohio, experienced a period of significant congregational decline during the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. Several contributing factors converged during this time frame to cause much discouragement and burn-out among the church members. Many left to join other congregations, or simply dropped out completely. Attendance dropped from the 120-150 range to an average of 35-40 at worship each Sabbath. By 1992 there was a serious leadership vacuum, coupled with a high level of mistrust, misunderstanding, and factional splintering permeating the church.

Method

In May 1992, I arrived as senior pastor for …

A Strategy For Guiding Pastors And Congregations Through A Church-Building Project In Bermuda Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Carlyle C. Simmons

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Many times pastors in their ministry face the task of leading their congregations through a church-building project. Often with little to no formal preparation for such a task, pastors and congregations experience challenges and pressures not anticipated. Sometimes the magnitude and extent of these challenges and pressures produce an adverse effect on the morale and spiritual conditions of the pastor and congregation. Since the emphasis in the Adventist Church in Bermuda is on evangelism and mission, one can expect that there will be an ongoing need for church buildings. The development of this strategy for guiding the pastor and congregation …

"By Accident Or Design": A Seminar On Origins, John B. Kurlinski

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Evolution is the only accepted theory taught in the public educational systems and by the scientific community in general. The results of the promotion of this theory have had a negative impact on the church and Scripture in general and is in direct conflict with the message of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. However, the scientific data used to support evolutionary theory are highly suspect. There are credible scientific data that call into question the long-held theory of evolution and in fact support the biblical account of the creation and the flood. The purpose of this project was to write …

A Strategy For The Establishment Of Seventh-Day Adventist Chaplaincy In The Ghana Armed Forces, Peter Kwasi Omane

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There are many Adventist military personal and their families in the Ghana Armed Forces. This has led to the establishment of two organized churches and two companies in the military barracks. Since most of the Adventist military personnel are enlisted persons (non-officers), there is a need for an officer as a spokesperson. The interest that non-Adventist military personnel had shown in the Adventist message, especially in the areas of marriage, health, and evangelism, calls for a well- established Adventist chaplaincy ministries not only to win souls but to retain them. The Ghana Armed Forces has made a request to …

The Development And Implementation Of A Creative Approach In Training Hispanics For Evangelism In The Oregon Conference, Ramon J. Canals

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The rapid growth of Hispanics in the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists represents a challenge for evangelistic outreach. This project was to determine how a conference-sponsored lay evangelism school could enhance Hispanic lay participation in evangelism.

Method

Research was conducted to understand the role of lay people in evangelism, followed by the establishment of a school of evangelism for training Hispanic lay people in the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Fifty-two lay evangelists graduated from the school.

Results

The Hispanic lay people who participated in the training program believe that their spiritual lives have been enhanced. They also indicated …

Strategic Church Planting In The Central Zimbabwe Conference: Towards A Paradigm Shift In Church Growth, Nkosiyabo Zvandasara

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This dissertation focuses on church planting in the Central Zimbabwe Conference. While impressive results have been achieved in evangelizing the lower classes of the society, there has been meager success in reaching the upper classes of the Black community as well as the White, the Indian, and the Colored minorities. A strategic church-planting approach to church growth hopes to not only target the least promising population segments served by the Central Zimbabwe Conference, but also to increase the effectiveness of the other church methods currently being employed to reach the more responsive classes in that conference.

Method

A diachronic …

Development Of An Adventist Community Services Center To Serve Navajo Residents Of Kayenta, Arizona, Dale A. Wolcott

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Problem

A decision had been made to establish a Seventh-day Adventist Community Services Center in Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo Indian Reservation, in connection with a church-planting initiative. Those in charge lacked experience and training in community services ministries and faced obstacles to implementation of the plan.

The Method

A combination of research and action was used to move the envisioned Community Services Center toward reality. Study of the Bible and related literature led to formulation of Scripture-based methodological principles. Demographic research and community needs assessment procedures were utilized to gain an understanding of the Kayenta community and especially …

A Strategy For Public Evangelism In Russia, Mikhail K. Morar

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

After Perestroika ushered in new opportunities for public evangelism in Russia, local and foreign evangelists have been baptizing thousands of new converts every year. The rapid growth resulting from these crusades has brought about new challenges. This study analyzes some of the challenges associated with public evangelism in Russia and suggests a strategy to improve the longterm results of these campaigns.

Method

A descriptive analysis of John Carter's 1992 evangelistic campaign in Nizhniy Novgorod city was conducted in order to suggest ways to improve long-term results from public campaigns. The strengths and weaknesses of evangelistic campaigns in Russia are …

Reaching The Unchurched: An Evaluation Of And Recommendations For Florida Hospital Seventh-Day Adventist Church's Downtown Community, Raymond Andrew Mcdonald

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Task

The task of this project was to evaluate and make recommendations for the future of Downtown Community, the Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church’s contemporary, ongoing evangelistic ministry to reach the unchurched.

Method

After establishing the philosophical basis for the ministry, a careful review of the preparation for and initiation of Downtown Community was conducted. The effects of the ministry were ascertained by observations, focus groups, and surveys. In addition, comparisons were made with other area churches.

A number of unexpected effects from the ministry of Downtown Community were reviewed. This study is highly dependent on observations, testimonials, and opinions, …

The Sanctuary And The Mission Of The Church, Jack J. Blanco

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

La Evangelización De La Clase Media Alta De Buenos Aires, Daniel Belvedere

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The biblical instruction commands us to evangelize every person without discrimination. Nevertheless, the evangelization of the higher classes has not been highlighted enough. The purpose of this thesis was to prepare a manual that would enable pastors in Buenos Aires to accomplish this task. Throughout the Bible, different types of evangelistic methods to reach the higher social status people are described. The writings of Ellen G. White present health related evangelism, person-to-person and small group evangelism, and public efforts as effective methods to evangelize the higher classes. Very little has been written by Evangelical authors about evangelism of the higher …

Preparing Pastors To Train Laity For Church Growth In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Japan, Akeri Suzuki

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The annual number of baptisms in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Japan has decreased from 426 in 1986 to 334 in 1995 despite increases in both the total membership and number of churches. During the same period of time, the number of pastors has declined from 118 in 1986 to 112 in 1995. Thus, the average annual baptisms per pastor has decreased from 3.61 in 1986 to 2.98 in 1995.

Method

Current literature was reviewed. This included books and articles on the principles, strategies, and programs which help pastors develop their abilities to equip the laity and to …

Apocalypse Not Yet, Roy Gane

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Apocalypse Now, Roy Gane

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Bipolar Preaching For Hispanic Evangelism In The North American Division, Eradio Alonso

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This dissertation deals with the bipolar concept of preaching as it applies to Seventh-day Adventist evangelism in a Hispanic-American context. Bipolar preaching is preaching that focuses on answering human problems or needs by applying eternal truth to the human condition. In my experience bipolar preaching was missing for many years. This project attempts to make the homiletical theory of bipolar preaching better understood I hope that it will be integrated into the preaching ministry in general and into evangelistic preaching in particular. The Hispanic evangelistic sermon seems to be well-anchored in the Word of God, but it does not …

Barriers In Traditional Ashanti Religion To Membership In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Amofah-Anane Asamoah

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The persistence of traditional belief and practice among about 30 percent of Ashanti traditionalists presents a great challenge to the Ashanti SDA Church on how to engage the traditionalists' with the gospel. The darker side of the Ashanti world is characterized by fear and insecurity. While Christianity presents an attractive doctrine of salvation in a transcendent sense, its emissaries have failed to provide satisfying ways of dealing with the forces of the spirit world. In addition, the Ashanti institution of chieftaincy involves closely connected socio-political and religious rites. The chief is both the central officiant in rituals of tendence …

A Study Of The "Grassroots Integrated Development Agency" In Uganda, John B. D. Kakembo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

When poverty in Uganda deepened due to the miseries and destabilization caused by economic mismanagement, turbulent politics, and the incessant civil wars in Uganda up to 1985, all public, private, and religious organizations were adversely affected. At the end of 1985, conditions in the Seventh-day Adventist church were characterized by massive poverty among its rural membership, a slow church-growth annual rate of 4.9 percent--the lowest tithe per capita in the Eastern Africa Division (EAD)--and the lowest remuneration scales for pastors in the EAD. In 1986, an indigenous, grassroots organization sprouted in the SDA church under the leadership of a …

A Seminar On The Dynamics, Prevention, And Legal Implications Of Clergy Sexual Misconduct, Jorge E. Rico

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Clergy sexual misconduct has become a major problem among Christian denominations. It involves violation of expectations and the breaking of public trust. There is also a growing awareness in our society of the legal implications of clergy sexual misconduct. This present study was to prepare, present, and evaluate a seminar for pastors on the dynamics, prevention, and legal implications of clergy sexual misconduct.

Method

Research was done to help ministers understand the dynamics, prevention, and legal implications of clergy sexual misconduct. Then, a seminar was conducted in four areas of the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. This seminar was …

Falling From The Faith : Causes Of Membership Dropout In The Grenada Mission Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Clinton P. Lewis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This study endeavored to find the causes of membership dropout in the Grenada Mission of Seventh-day Adventists and the ways that it may be reduced. The dissertation investigates the biblical and theological basis for seeking to reduce dropouts by undertaking a study of the Great Commission and God’s concern for dropouts. A select review of relevant literature on dropouts was done in an effort to get an overview of the problem in various denominations and regions, as well as to receive insights in reducing dropouts.

One hundred and sixty-nine questionnaires were completed by dropouts, and twenty-one by church leaders in …