Practical Theology Commons^™

Insider Movements Among Muslims: Reflections On Their History, Identity, And Theology, Richard Doss

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

"The enormity of the task still facing Christian missions is almost incomprehensible. Nearly 4.1 billion people are still in need of the gospel (Johnstone 2014:65). In some ways, the task of reaching the unreached is most difficult among Muslims. With nearly 1.3 billion adherents, Islam represents a significant challenge to the spread of the gospel. Or does it? Given the complex nature of the relationship between Christianity and Islam, could it be that the inability of Christian missionaries to shed the social, cultural, and political trappings of the West and Christendom have limited the effectiveness of the gospel? Might the …

Overcoming Barriers To Effective Missions, Kelvin Okey Onongha

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

"Much today is known regarding the Great Commission of Christ to the church before his ascension for which every member is called to actively engage in missions until Christ’s Second Coming. The Greek word ethne, translated in English as “nation” is better understood as people groups (Matt 28:19). The challenge and responsibility of the Adventist Church, therefore, is to reach the diverse and numerous people groups proximal and distant, by employing all possible means and methods that God has provided for this task. The assignment undoubtedly may appear daunting, however, it still is “mission possible.” For this goal to be …

A Biblical Approach For An Inner Healing Discipleship Cycle For Migrants And Refugees, Diói Cruz

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

"Within the Adventist Church many immigrants struggle silently with the consequences of emotional pain, fear, failure, anxiety, stress, inadequate parenting, rejection, and abusive relationships. Many try to cope with the ongoing results of involvement in the occult or other false religions, and the effects of physical illness, accidents, and trauma continue to impact their lives. It is God’s desire that we prosper and be in good health (3 John 2) because he created us in his image. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Therefore, if we are to reflect his image we must …

Who Gave You Authority To Baptize?, Milton Adams

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

"This paper will explore the age-old, yet still relevant question, “And who gave you authority to baptize?”(Mark 11:27-33; John 1:25). First, biblical authority will be examined regarding who is allowed to baptize. Second, the writings of Ellen G. White, as they relate to biblical authority for baptizing, will be considered. Third, a counter-argument will be discussed. And finally, two baptismal tracks within the current conventional Adventist church system will be compared. This paper will conclude with a missional way forward that is faithful to Scripture, sustainable, scalable, and missionally effective in light of current cultural trends."

Introduction, S. Joseph Kidder, Gerardo Oudri

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

The New Orphan: Youth Sabbath School, Steve Case, Eddie Heinrich

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Ibelieve Bible: A Witnessing Resource For Young Adults, Adam Fenner

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Recommendations For A Brighter Future, S. Joseph Kidder, Gerardo Oudri

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Using Technology To Build Community Within The Sabbath School Program, Denton Grady

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Finding Purpose And Practices For Youth Sabbath School, Steve Case, Hubert Cisneros

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Sabbath School: A Place For Healing, Deborah Silva

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Augmented Relevance: Challenges Of The 21st Century, Nik Velinov

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Sabbath School: An Avenue For Discipleship, Ronald R. Pickell

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

Providing A Premarital Education Seminar For The Single Young Adults Of Abuakwa Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Ghana, Daniel Opoku-Adjei

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In my years of service as a gospel minister, I noticed that a sizeable number of church members are censured or disfellowshipped on marriage or family issues, including divorce, adultery or fornication. The reasons for these unfortunate situations in our changing society could be linked to misunderstanding about marriage and the needed preparations. The major root cause of these problems on the part of both the young adults and the older people is inadequate premarital education. This results in wrong selection of life partners, short circuiting the courtship process and misunderstanding of what constitute marital satisfaction and marital stability. …

Training Selected Churches In The Iowa-Missouri Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists To Minister To Cohabiting Couples, Jared S. Miller

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The number of cohabiting couples has dramatically risen over the last several decades. Even a significant amount of Seventh-day Adventist Church members, both young and old, have chosen to live together apart from a committed marriage. Living together without the covenant of marriage comes with many risks and many negative effects on both adults and children. With the prevalence of cohabitation increasing, the church is faced with a new ministry challenge and opportunity. Churches need to be educated about the biblical theology of sexual intimacy and the dangers and damage that come with cohabitation. Furthermore, churches need biblical strategies …

Family, Social Class, And Evangelism: Developing A Strategic Evangelistic Plan To Engage The Middle And Upper-Class Families In The Dennery Community Of Saint Lucia, Dolston L. Morian

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In the St. Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventist traditional evangelistic tent meetings have resulted in a steady growth in church membership. However, the majority of converts added to the church has consistently come from the lower-class individuals of the society. Not surprising therefore, there has been a small increase in new members from the middle and upper-class communities. Arguably, the traditional approach to evangelism conducted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Lucia is not as effective in reaching the middle and upper-class subgroups as it is with members of the lower social class groups. The need to pay …

Oregon Conference Pathfinders' Teen Leadership Development Program As A Model For The North American Division, Tracy Leon Wood

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Pathfinder Teen Leadership Training (TLT) program was introduced in 1994 in the North American Division. Although the TLT Manual had gone through three revisions, there had never been any staff training or conference-level leader training resources developed. Because the TLT program was an NAD Pathfinder curriculum, it was imperative that the components of the Conference-level Leadership Skills Development Program be consistent throughout the division. The problem was that there were no developed processes or guidelines that conferences could follow to develop their TLT conference-sponsored program from the TLT Manual. The Oregon Conference had developed a TLT academic credit …

Improving The Lifestyle Of Andrews Korean Seventh-Day Adventist Church Members, Myung Do Park

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Andrews Korean Seventh-day Adventist church in Berrien Springs, Michigan has holistic lifestyle problems that are on the rise. Church members are experiencing health issues such as cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and insomnia. In observing dietary patterns, it was noticed that some of our members do not bother to ascertain the content of the food being eaten. Other members have express the desire to learn about a healthy lifestyle. Purposeful attention to this need of the church is necessary. As a church community comprised of mostly pastors, university students and their families it is time to advocate …

A Strategy For Discipleship Of New Members At The Mount Of Olives Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Michael G. Coleman

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There was no discipleship strategy for new members at the Mount of Olives Seventh-day Adventist Church. Although the majority of new converts remained with the congregation, the church lacked a clear plan for nurturing the spiritual growth and leadership development of its new members.

Method

A strategy was developed in harmony with the practices and principles of biblical discipleship found in the New Testament and described in academic literature. It entailed the development of new members, particularly, and the entire congregation in general, by addressing the following four areas: spiritual nurturing, evangelism, leadership development, and stewardship/financial management. The strategy …

A Two-Year Grief Support Program For Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Harold Thomas Iii

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church members experienced grief due to over 20 deaths of loved ones from 2012-2014. During that time, the church provided an annual 12-week GriefShare program during the first quarter and an annual one-day Surviving the Holidays program during the last quarter. While participants appreciated the programs, some, including those who provided grief support, expressed concern that there was too little follow-up after the GriefShare and Surviving the Holidays programs. Pastoral observation suggested that the church needed an expanded bereavement support structure over a longer period of time.

Methodology

A two-year plan was developed to …

Strategies For Retention Of New Members In The Ebenezer And Gethsemane Seventh-Day Adventist Churches, Keith Woodard

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church of Greenville, North Carolina, was organized 33 years ago and is located on the periphery of Pitt County. In the past five years, the church has baptized 27 people; however, 15 of them are currently missing. As a result, growth has been inconsistent and members have become concerned about the growth of God’s kingdom. A possible factor in this situation is the lack of a structure to retain members after baptism. The Gethsemane Seventh-day Adventist church in 2013 held an evangelistic meeting in which 15 people were baptized. Only one person from the 15 …

A Strategy To Increase Cross-Cultural Preaching Ministry Among Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors In Southern Alabama, Dejuan Knight

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Southern Alabama's Seventh-day Adventist churches are mostly segregated across ethnic lines. Furthermore, most of the church pastors are of the same ethnic group as their members. One of the main reasons for the continued fears among laity, pastors, and conference administrators towards pastoral leadership from other cultures stems from the widespread idea that cross-cultural pastors cannot present their sermons in the cultural preaching style and with the content desired by the congregation.

Method

A project was designed and instituted in Dothan, AL between the two Seventh-day Adventist churches in the city. The Dothan First Seventh-day Adventist Church is a …

A Strategy For Launching A Missional Ministry In The All Nations Seventh-Day Adventist Church Of Saint Petersburg, Florida, John Mills

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Based upon my pastoral observation, there was a lack of understanding among a majority of the board members of the All Nations Seventh-day Adventist Church regarding what it meant to be a missional team in service for Jesus Christ. As leaders of departments in particular, and the church, in general, the board members were more driven by the notion of putting on a quality program, than by the idea of a missional focus for all activities. Their influence made the work of ministry less effective than it could have been and more burdensome for their fellow leaders and members …

Development And Implementation Of A Ministry Program To Reconnect Former Adventists Within The Waitara Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Roger Govender

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The membership data from the Waitara Church revealed a gain of 1.33% in baptisms and professions of faith. However, attendance data collected indicated that the weekly attendance numbers in the Waitara Church, within the Greater Sydney on any given Sabbath; did not add up to the numbers found on the local church membership roll. This disparity in membership numbers raised questions regarding the whereabouts of those who do not attend church any longer but continue to claim to be Seventh-day Adventists, this is a member retention problem that needs attention.

Method

Reconnecting ministry strategy was developed in order to …

An Approach To Discipleship To Create A Culture Of Evangelism In The Adventist Churches In St. Lucia, Caius Alfred

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In spite of an annual growth in membership, a significant number of Seventh-day Adventists in La Bayee and Vieux Fort are not engaged in personal evangelism. Although the members reported that they have a good relationship with Christ, one does not see the evidence of spiritual transformation that is expected of the believers (National Church Development, 2009). Neither is there the type of penetration of the Gospel in the work place, neighborhood, among friends and associate as it should be. Several attempts were made to address the problem but to no avail. The current state of things in the …

Uplifting The Non-Custodial Parent, Alina M. Baltazar

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Declaration Of God's Power To The Nextgen, Padma P. Tadi Uppala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Inside The Mind Of A Struggling Saint: The Psychology Of Perfection, H. Peter Swanson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Effective And Ineffective Pastors: A Study In Contrasts, H. Peter Swanson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Chaplains In Leadership Development And Conflict Management: A Reflection On Acts 15:36-41, Boubakar Sanou

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.