Practical Theology Commons^™

Mentoring And Discipling The Early Adolescents Of The Kitchener-Waterloo Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Jiwan S. Moon

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

From 1951 to 2001, at the Kitchener-Waterloo Seventh-day Adventist Church, only one family from the founding generation has its children and grandchildren attending and active in the church. Most of the second and third generation members of the church who once attended, no longer practice their inherited Adventist religious beliefs. As the church membership was aging, the church was dying and membership continued to decrease, especially the number of young people. It was becoming evident that the church needed intervention to prevent continuous loss of members. In order to prevent a repeat of history, there was a need for …

Using A Small Group Approach To Increase Church Growth In The Gikondo Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Schadrack Nsengimana

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

Although many people are baptized at the Gikondo Seventh-day Adventist Church each year, about 70% leave the church shortly after baptism.

Method.

The biblical principles of church growth were studied and theological reflection focused on four biblical themes. First, the call to integrate the Great Commission into the daily life and relationships of the individual believer in Christ was examined. Second, church growth as faithfulness to God was explored as a biblical teaching. Third, the view that a healthy church embraces multiplication of disciples as its core responsibility was studied from a biblical perspective. Fourth, the role of the …

A Strategy To Present The Concept Of Headship: Healing Families In The North Burundi Mission, Ndikubwayo Joseph

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. The headship of a husband over a wife is one of the concepts that creates a lot of misunderstanding in some Seventh-day Adventist homes in the North Burundi Mission. This situation has impacted both families and the church. On one hand, a husband believes he is to be strong, that he is the only one who can think logically, and that he should make all the decisions for the household. On other hand, a woman is considered to be weak, and therefore must respect her husband, have babies, and keep quiet. Unfortunately many women show respect out of fear …

A Strategy To Share The Gospel With The Hindu Community In The South Kenya Conference, Willys M. Oruta

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Adventist Church in the South Kenya Conference has not developed a strategy to share the Gospel with the Hindu community. The Hindu community is generally looked at as an idol worshipping group. However, this community conducts most of the business in many towns in Kenya. For this reason, they should not be neglected because God wants them to be part of His kingdom. Jesus died for the salvation of the whole world; therefore, a strategy to share the Gospel with the Hindu community is a divine command. In the South Kenya Conference, particularly in Kisii, the Hindu community …

A Strategy Of One-On-One Evangelism In The Nyamira Conference, William Ongaga

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Public evangelism has been a successful way of bringing converts to the church, and by using public address systems the church has been able to reach those who are afraid or too skeptical to come and sit in the meetings. Some have actually made a decision and have been baptized as a result of listening from a distance. But with time the public address systems have been misused with people complaining of noise pollution. This concern has forced the government to pass a bill in parliament banning loud noises in public places. This change calls into question the public …

A Biblical Hiv/Aids Mitigation Strategy In The Oyugis Central Adventist Church, Kenya, Tom Eli Arunga Ogal

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that has and continues to adversely impact the quality of life of not only the members of the Oyugis Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, but of the community in general. Its negative impact touches the social, economic, political, and demographic fabric of society. It is robbing the Adventist Church and society in general of requisite human resource through death and sickness, and is adversely challenging the church’s competencies to effectively engage in its mission.

Method

The Logical Framework Approach (LFA) was used to present the strategy. A Gantt chart was also be used to detail the …

The Impact Of Politics On Churches In The Rift Valley, Lucas Otwera

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Kenya has been experiencing political violence since 1992, with people from different ethnic backgrounds being forced to vacate certain regions perceived to be territories of a particular tribe. The position of the President has been the most fought over governmental position, for people want to elect one from their own tribe. The situation has caused disunity among the members of society, especially during electioneering periods and thereafter. Kenya also has people who are labeled as Internally Displaced People (IDPs) because of recent post-election violence. There are approximately 40 different tribes in Kenya, speaking different indigenous languages. This perennial problem …

An Adventist Functional Substitute For Initiation Rites Of Passage For Kikuyu Boys And Abagusii Girls In Kenya, John Macharia Gichuiri

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Many boys who undergo circumcision as a rite of passage in the Kikuyu community in Kenya are secluded for two weeks while they heal. During this period their parents are barred by the culture from seeing their sons and the boys are left entirely to the influence of their peers, who introduce them to all manner of vices like smoking tobacco, bhang, drinking alcohol, taking drugs of addiction, chewing of miraa, pre-marital sexual activities, and recruitment to illegal gangs. These vices negatively affect the boys’ spiritual growth and expose them to physical, mental, social, and emotional health risks. An …

A Strategy To Increase The Retention Of Members In The Nyaguta District, Paul G. Kiage

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

According to a report given at the 2010 year-end church board meeting that was conducted in the Nyaguta district of the South Kenya Conference, more than 40 percent of the members baptized each year drop out from the church.

Method

The current nurturing programs in the Nyaguta District churches were reviewed to see whether they were effective. A questionnaire was administered to the focus groups to obtain information. Seminar materials on membership retention from the Bible, the writings of E. G. White, and other Christian writers were developed and a series of seminars were conducted to train a group …

A Strategy To Increase Membership Among The Xhosa-Speaking People In Zimbabwe, Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Seventh-day Adventist membership among the Xhosa-speaking people in Zimbabwe (a minority ethno-linguistic group) is very low. The Seventh-day Adventist presence among the Xhosa-speaking people in this particular area has been minimal. This trend has led to a lot of frustration in the planning and implementation of outreach programs among this people group. The problem is that in spite of the outreach programs conducted for the Xhosa, the response of the community remains relatively low as compared to other ethnic groups in the same area.

Method

A theological study on reaching the unreached was developed and formulated from a review …

A Strategy To Create A More Meaningful Worship Experience In The Sony Seventh-Day Adventist Church In The Ranen Conference, Duncan Odhiambo Mumbo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Some members of the Sony Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Ranen Conference skip worship services claiming that the services are boring and do not meet their spiritual needs. They claim that the services are always the same and too traditional, hence their reason for not attending regularly. At times some members attend Pentecostal services on Sundays to experience more meaningful worship. This study was to develop and implement a program for a more meaningful worship experience during the worship services in the Sony Adventist Church of the Ranen Conference so as to encourage members to attend worship services regularly. …

Training Church Members In The Theory And Practice Of Preaching In The Spanish District Of Tri-City In The Upper Columbia Conference, Jaime Flores

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

One of the challenges of a multi-church district is that the pastor cannot preach at each church, each Sabbath. The Spanish district of Tri-City is comprised of three churches (Pasco/Kennewick/Richland). Some elders are reluctant to speak when the pastor is absent at one of these three churches. In addition, my preliminary research shows that attendance is lower at these churches when the pastor is absent. The reason for this absenteeism, according to some members, is poor preaching. Accordingly, the challenge is to develop qualified preachers who can preach at those churches within the district when the pastor is absent. …

Teaching Self-Care To Pastors In The Western Nigeria Union Conference Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Sunday David-Abiola Adelakin

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem and Purpose

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria, as well as those in other parts of the world, have genuine concern for their pastors’ physical and spiritual well-being. One of the fundamental teachings of the church that applies both to the pastors and the laity as well is to be temperate in all that we do. There is still concern, however, for those pastors that are not observing and keeping the laws of health to keep healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This project explored concepts of self-care practices as they relate to pastors in Nigeria and a teaching manual …

Empowering Volunteers For Community-Focused Ministry For Families Of Inmates: Selected Churches Of The Potomac Conference, Jorge A. Ramirez

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Nearly 70% of churches in the Potomac Conference do not have ministries that are geared at serving their communities. As a result of this problem, churches are not growing and are not making a significant impact in their communities. They have become internally focused congregations. Churches are missing opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with these communities through creative externally focused ministries. Externally focused churches believe God has called them to change communities for God’s kingdom. There is a need for churches in the Potomac Conference to become externally focused.

Methodology

The recruiting and training of church volunteers to serve …

Whole Patient Care: Awareness And Attitude Of Babcock University Teaching Hospital Health Caregivers, Aja T. Victoria

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Statement of the Problem.

This study seeks to understand Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) health caregivers’ awareness of and attitude to whole patient care for the purpose of developing whole patient care at BUTH. I have been tasked to help develop and establish whole person care at BUTH. Babcock University Teaching Hospital is still at a developmental stage. It has not established an institutional definition of whole patient care, nor has it established an institutional office for the promotion and administration of whole patient care or hired a full-time chaplain.

Method.

This study adopted a quantitative (survey) and qualitative (Focus …

Seminar For Improving Marital Satisfaction In The New Bethel Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Antigua/Barbuda, Mark Lincoln Braithwaite

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The New Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Antigua and Barbuda had four marriage enrichment seminars, covering general topics, between 2006 and 2010. However, based on my observations the marital satisfaction of those who attended did not appear to improve as a result of these seminars. Matters such as commitment, communication issues, and handling conflict seemed to be the major factors which accounted for low marital satisfaction. The development of a seminar to address these specific needs was thought to be advantageous.

Method

A weekend seminar entitled, “Committed to my Spouse” was developed and presented in August 2013. A didactic …

A Conflict Resolution Program For The New Life, Warner Robins, Georgia, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Everton Alphonso Ennis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In December 2008, the membership of the New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia, was listed at 120. In actuality, however, there was only about one half of that number of members and guests attending on a regular basis. Over the next two years the church experienced a further decline in membership attendance. As of December 31, 2010, the voted membership stood at 58. Two key identifiable factors were responsible for the reduced membership. First, a necessary membership audit was undertaken. Second, there were additional losses due to damaging congregational conflict. A history of disunity, an offensive …

Seminario De Treinamento Para Lideres De Louvor De Capital Brazilian Temple, Edemilson Alves Cardoso

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The worship leader has a very important role at Capital Brazilian Temple in leading praise team and worship ministry. The difficulty lies in having church worship leaders prepared for this mission, as they have no Biblical training on worship theology. The worship leaders have has directed this ministry and congregational singing more based on ecclesiastical tradition and personal taste than according to Adventist theology of praise and worship.

Method

This research relates to the discipline of Applied Theology. It starts out by analyzing the Biblical and theological foundations of worship and praise in the Bible, the writings of Ellen …

Building Authentic Community Through Small Group Ministry Among Young Adults Of Select Churches Within The Greater New York Conference, Ricardo V. Bain

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Greater New York Conference has several churches that have begun and sustained many programs for building interpersonal relationships between young adults within their membership. These programs have produced lukewarm results. In some cases these efforts failed. Many of the young adults have either left the church because they do not feel connected to others of their peer group, or they are present with little or no intentional ministry that relates to building their relational needs. In an interview with the immediate past and present youth directors of the conference, both admitted that there is tremendous need for a …

A Mentoring Program For Equipping Youths As Leaders In The Rivers Conference, Nigeria, Ugochukwu Elems

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Young people feel neglected in the leadership process of Rivers Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists, Nigeria. On the other hand, the adults think that the young people lack the experience and skills needed to occupy positions of leadership. Unfortunately, while the young people are being marginalized in the leadership process, they constitute an overwhelming majority of the membership in Rivers Conference

Method

The mentoring approach adopted for equipping the young people of Rivers Conference as leaders in this project is a modification of Jesus' model of leadership proposed by Kreider (2008, p. 113). The process will be divided into …

An Introduction To The Process Of Re-Purposing The Fort Worth First Seventh-Day Adventist Church From Maintenance To Mission, Tyler Bower

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. In 2008 the Fort Worth First Seventh-day Adventist church had nearly 200 filled volunteer positions (according to the nominating committee report) as well as a wide range of ministries that served the needs of the members. The weekly attendance at that time averaged between 220 and 250 individuals (including children). In a self-administered survey only 20 members (less than 10% of weekly adult attendance) reported that they were engaged in direct evangelistic ministry aimed at recruiting new members (accessions). A similar survey was filled out by ministry leaders and 58% of these ministry leaders reported that their ministry had …

A Discipleship Program For Developing Community In The Amazing Grace Seventh-Day Adventist Church Plant In Johannesburg, Samuel O. Misiani

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Many believers hunger for a deeper experience with Christ in their spiritual life, but do not know how to go about it. This discipleship and spirituality project was an attempt to discover a model that one could use to develop an authentic community in the ministry context of the researcher. Discipleship is a loving relationship with Christ in which the one whom He calls submits to His Lordship, and makes God’s purpose and glory the sole reason for being. In essence it is about total commitment to the Lordship of Christ, and cooperation with the Holy Spirit in His …

Developing Servant-Leaders At The Three Angels Fellowship Seventh-Day Adventist Church In The Michigan Conference, Frank Lugo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The former elders' use of stern domineering leadership behaviors at Three Angels Fellowship Church led to a schism that caused deleterious effects and lingering debility. This schismatic experience left the church body suspicious toward the remaining elders' leadership style. The church lost lay leaders, church members, financial support, and was losing ministry opportunities because the congregation dreaded authoritarian leadership. It was clear that the biblical model of servant leadership needed to be applied by the remaining elders. This study dealt with the ministry challenges at Three Angels Fellowship Seventh-day Adventist Church by equipping the board of elders to discover …

Equipping Teenagers Of The Glendale Spanish Seventh-Day Adventist Church To Manage Their Finances Effectively, Jaime A. Heras

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

America's teenagers do not understand the basic financial principles of earning, spending, saving, and investing. Adolescents who never learn to manage their budgets and adopt healthy financial habits grow up to be adults whose spending habits surpass their income. By carrying those habits into adulthood, they will make poor financial decisions that will impact every area of their lives. As a church, providing a financial training will not only increase the financial literacy of adolescents, but it can give them direction for godly priorities and practices as a lifestyle.

Method

A six-hour seminar on financial education and money management …

Strategy To Develop A Culture Of Biblical Spirituality Among South New South Wales Conference Pastors, Kendell Cobbin

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The majority of the pastors in the South New South Wales Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church work in isolated rural settings. In the past, there has been minimal connection between these pastors, with little sharing of plans, ideas, deeper concerns, or spiritual accountability. This has been compounded by their demanding roles and responsibilities. Such realities have the potential to deplete the spiritual health of individuals.

Method

This project developed, implemented, and evaluated a strategy over a 12 month period that fostered an enhanced intentional journey with God among 18 South New South Wales Conference pastors. The main focus …

A Biblical-Based Strategy For Discipling Women Who Convert To The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Malawi, Alice Abigail Takomana-Luwemba

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

New converts, particularly women, continue to leave the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Some converts experience adverse conditions after joining. Some women are rejected by their significant others: Parents, spouses, or other family members. Some are even banished from the community and often deprived of the joy of bringing up their own children. It seems that the lack of follow-up after baptism is one issue, but many are not spiritually grounded.

Method

In this study, historical, religious, and traditional practices are explored. The library research, interviews, and personal experience formed the basis for the contextualization of the traditional practices. The information …

An Enrichment Program Designed To Increase Marital Satisfaction Among Couples Age 18-40 In Highlands County, Florida, Dion Henry

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Couples who are between the ages of 18 and 40 divorce frequently in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist. In Highlands County, Florida young couples seem to experience marital stress which may affect marital satisfaction. Unique to young marriages are certain stressors that can contribute to a decrease in marital satisfaction which will inevitably lead to a failed relationship. Although, there are several enrichment programs that focus on potential challenges for couples in general, few solely target married couples age 18 -40 with skills to manage these unique stressors.

Method

The purpose of this in-ministry project was to …

Youth Evangelism, "Link2llife," A Strategy To Reach Postmodern Youth In Germany And Switzerland, Stephan Sigg

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In terms of cross-cultural mission youth are the most crucial group of people to be reached with the Gospel. From a theological, a sociological as well as a psychological point of view adolescence can be seen as the most receptive phase of life regarding the adoption and integration of faith, a coherent value system and a meaningful life narrative. The process of individuation in the adolescent years offers the biggest potential for both conversion and apostasy. Despite a professionalized youth ministry youth evangelism has never been high on the missional agenda of the Christian Church.

Method

The youth ministries …

A Pilot Project To Increase Member Participation And Revitalization Of The Coffeyville And Independence, Kansas, Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In The Central States Conference, Andre M. Trofort Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Mt. Moriah and South 18th Street Seventh-day Adventist Churches, located in Coffeyville and Independence, Kansas, had not experienced membership growth in the ten years of 1987-1997. These two churches were part of a three-church district, which also included a church 145 miles away in Springfield, MO. That church was active in developing outreach and evangelistic strategies whereas the Kansas churches were not. The two Kansas churches were headed toward closing due to stagnation. Unless revitalization and consistent leadership training took place, a turnaround would never happen for these two small churches.

Method

This project explored the Coffeyville and …

Developing A Strategy For Mobilizing Ministry On Behalf Of The Community Of Lilongwe, Malawi, Gladson Thumbalamoto

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Statement of the Problem

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world with over half of the population living below the poverty line (Fekete et al., 2007). The country has had a Seventh-day Adventist presence for the last 100 years. Although the Adventist Disaster and Relief Agency (ADRA) is addressing hunger in Malawi, there is a need for church congregations to do something at a local level to combat poverty, HIV/AIDS, disease, and hunger which are all rampant (Pembrey, 2010b). Lilongwe is the headquarters of many aid agencies but the worst symptoms of poverty exist within the city …