Practical Theology Commons^™

A Strategy To Reach The English-Speaking People Of The Bay Islands Of Honduras, Stavely P. Elwin

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The English-speaking Seventh-day Adventist church in the Bay Islands has experienced slow growth over the last ten years. An evaluation reveals that some of the problems include poor evangelistic methods, few well trained pastors and workers, the churches' lack of support from the local mission and pastors, and no material provisions for the departments of the church. In addition, programs are lacking to help members come in contact with secular-minded people, and the methods used to improve the retention rate of newly- baptized members indicate there is a tremendous need for change in the style of evangelism in the …

Imminency And Restorationism In Early Christianity, Timothy E. Crosby

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The problem of the delay of the Parousia is one of the central problems of the Christian faith. In the Seventh-day Adventist Church it usually takes the form of a short delay (100+ years), whereas among New Testament scholars it takes the form of a long delay (1900+ years). This study seeks to shed light on the problem as perceived by New Testament scholars.

Method

In order to delve deeply into the meaning of a handful of cruxes in the New Testament having to do with the imminence of the Parousia, the study attempted to examine all of the …

A Strategy For Church Planting Among The Ewe-Speaking People Of The Volta Region, Ghana, Emmanuel Osei

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since the Seventh-day Adventist Church came to Ghana over one hundred years ago, there has not been any concrete and coordinated plan to establish SDA churches among the Ewe-speaking people of the Volta Region, Ghana. Unconsciously or otherwise, the Volta Region has been left unentered by the church, particularly the area from Ho southward to the sea. This study was undertaken to develop a strategy for reaching the Ewe-speaking people group (of the Volta Region Ghana) through church-planting ministry by which converts won would be gathered to form congregations of the Seventh- day Adventist Church.

Method

In an attempt …

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 …

The Development And Implementation Of A Marriage Support Group And Its Evaluation Using The Das In The Thousand Oaks Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Robert Norman Randall

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Divorces and separations have proliferated in Adventist churches. This project studied the ministry of churches to marriages. Were members' marriages in need? was the church presently being helpful to the marriages of its members? Would the model of a marriage support group put forward by the researcher be helpful to marriages?

Method

The Dyadic Adjustment Scale was used to survey 600 randomly selected married people from the Anglo churches of the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The thirty-two-question scale measured four characteristics of marriage: satisfaction, cohesion, consensus, and affection. An additional section evaluated the church's ministry to their …

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 …

Footwashing As A Means Of Reconciliation With God And Man, Ronald G. Schmidt

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Presently there are seven major interpretations of the footwashing recorded in the Gospel of John 13. This study attempts to discover the true meaning and function of footwashing that is in harmony with Johannine theology, Christology, and Sola Scriptura.

Method

This study was conducted in the following fashion. It traced the function and meaning of footwashing in both secular and sacred history throughout the Bible, as well as Jewish and Greco-Roman history. In particular it focuses on the setting of footwashing in the Gospel of John, and the practice and meaning of footwashing in Church history, with emphasis on …

The Role Of The Pastor In Lay Development In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Papua New Guinea, Aaron M. Lopa

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Statement of the Problem

The task of this study was to rethink the role of pastors as shepherd-equippers of lay leaders in view of the explosive growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea.

Method

The dissertation has two parts. Part One covers: (1) institutional factors which provided the background for this study, (2) biblical and theological dimensions as the basis for the new pastoral paradigm in PNG, and (3) cultural and sociological factors as means to understand the local cultures in order to contextualize ministry to make it more relevant to the people. Part Two synthesizes the …

Strategy To Develop Small-Scale Income-Generating Programs Among Seventh-Day Adventist Lay Members In Ghana, David Sarfo Ameyaw

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The call for self-reliance and self-support in the operation and mission of the SDA Church worldwide presents a great challenge to the churches in developing countries. Many of the members in developing countries such as Ghana are unemployed and fall within the low-income bracket. In order for such membership to contribute to support the church, there must be a program to improve members' standard of living and their contributions and commitment to the church. Making the church in Ghana self-reliant and self- supporting is not a matter of how to motivate members to sacrifice and give, but how to empower …

An Analysis Of Growth In The Euro-Asia Division (1985-1995) Leading To A Strategy For Developing Home Churches, Galina I. Stele

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Euro-Asia Division is experiencing many challenges due to rapid growth in membership during the decade of 1985-1995. This study shows some of the main needs of the Division and suggests a strategy for developing home churches in order to meet the present challenges.

Method

A church-growth analysis of the Euro-Asia Division was conducted for the years 1985-1995 to discover problems and challenges. The advantages that a home-church approach would bring in solving many of the challenges is discussed. Guiding principles for organizing house churches and training home-church leaders are suggested.

Results

The church-growth analysis showed that the main …

New Approaches For Seventh-Day Adventist Evangelism In Swaziland, Stephen Jacobs Masuku

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist church in Swaziland experienced slow growth from the time of its inception. Starting from 1920, when the first Adventist missionary arrived in Swaziland, to 1994 membership was 2075. This means that the Adventist church in Swaziland was the slowest growing church in the former Southern Union and among the Christian churches in Swaziland.

Method

This dissertation analyzes: Swazi traditional history, Swazi traditional religious beliefs, the introduction of Christianity in Swaziland, how the SDA church was planted in Swaziland, and the evangelistic methods utilized by the Adventist church and other Christian churches. This approach helped in the …

A Christian Response To Zambian Death Rituals, Cornelius Mulenga Matandiko

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Adventist Christians in Zambia wrestle with the tension between elements of their traditional religion and Western Christianity. Many of them, fearing spirits of the dead, participate in traditional funeral practices aimed at protecting them from spirit attacks. This presents a problem because many of these practices are contrary to what the Bible proclaims.

Method

In this study, a traditional understanding of death and death rituals is developed. This is followed by a biblical understanding of death and death rituals. An analysis and evaluation of cultural views in the light of the Bible teachings on death, death rituals, and spirits …

A Plan For Strengthening Expository Preaching By Korean Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors, Chongho Yang

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Adventist churches in Korea urgently need expository preaching to act as a counterbalance to the strong traditional emphasis on topical preaching. The greatest problem of preaching in Adventist churches of Korea seems to be a lack of biblical content. Complicating this is a widespread failure to correctly apply hermeneutical principles to biblical exposition.

Method

Two taped sermons preached by each of seven selected Seventh-day Adventist preachers in Korea were collected and analyzed in the light of the criteria established for authenthic expository preaching. The criteria were obtained from the review of biblical and current literature.

Results

It was found …

Marketing Strategies For Seventh-Day Adventist Literature In Brazil, Mario Paulo Martinelli

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There is a great need for the publishing work in Brazil to use different methods. Although several changes have occurred with the advance of technology and urbanization, the methods employed to distribute SDA literature have remained practically the same as those used in earlier times. Literature evangelists are facing greater difficulties in personally talking with people. The traditional door-to-door sales method is reaching fewer and fewer people and new approaches are required to support colporteurs in their work. In addition, sales of literature to church members in Brazil are low and give evidence to the fact that strategies are …

Improving The Assimilation Of New Members In Small Adventist Churches In Central Pennsylvania, Robert C. Williams

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The failure of many of our small Seventh-day Adventist congregations to fully welcome new members into their midst has been of pastoral concern for many years. This project is an attempt to build awareness among established church members of the need to assimilate and sacrifice for new members.

Method

The first part of the project involved research into the assimilation of new members in ten small Adventist congregations in central Pennsylvania. New members who had joined the church during a six-year interval were studied to see if they had maintained active membership status during that time. Interviews were also …

A Training Program For Grief Ministry For Singapore Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors, Chor Kiat Sim

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Many Seventh-day Adventist church pastors in Singapore are not trained in grief ministry. This results in some pastors who are insensitive to the grieving. Consequently, theirs and many church members' grief has been unresolved. This study was undertaken to develop a holistic pastoral perspective regarding grief and to compose a training program in grief ministry that will help pastors understand their own grief dynamics and that of their parishioners.

Method

This project attempts to present the principles of grief ministry through the following dimensions: (1) Singapore's need of grief ministry in the midst of socioeconomic development; (2) the study …

Enthusiasm And Charismatic Manifestations In Sabbatarian Adventism With Applications For The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Of The Late Twentieth Church, James Michael Wilson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Task

It was the purpose of this study to discover what charismatic manifestations were extant among the Sabbatarian Adventists and to determine why those manifestations deceased. This information was then analyzed in the light of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of the late twentieth century in order to find ways of stimulating spirituality and a healthy approach to the Holy Spirit and charismatic manifestations.

Method

The historical section of this project focused on the charismatic manifestations and enthusiasm of the Sabbatarian Adventists between the Great Disappointment of 1844 and the development in formal organization in 1861. The types of experiences of …

Tune In The Bible: A Computer-Based Adult-Learning System, Bradford C. Newton

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Computers have been utilized in virtually every arena of American society to convey information and to educate. This project was designed to investigate the adult-learning literature and then produce a computer-based Bible study program that would interest and motivate the user to further investigation of the Bible's contents and message. The adult-learning literature survey yielded significant principles that were applied to the formulation of scripts and storyboards for a computer learning system called "Tune in the Bible." This computer program was produced using the IBM development software, "Linkway Live!"

Twelve participants were engaged to review and evaluate the content, effectiveness, …

Enlisting Volunteers In Ministry, Jerry Louis Fore

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Involving church members in ministry annually challenges church leaders. To meet this demand within the Seventh-day Adventist church, a committee typically nominates church members to fill prescribed offices—places of need. Filling offices, however, too often causes a committee to overlook some people or to mismatch interests, talents, and tasks.

Method

While serving the Kansas City Central Church as senior pastor, I introduced a Bible-based process to involve members' gifts and talents in ministry. Using trained interviewers in this one-year pilot project, members became involved after matching their talents and interests with tasks. After the church approved the project, I …

A Series Of Sermons And Growth Experiences In Marital Covenant Love Relationships In The Ottawa East Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Vaudré Pierre Jacques

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In my interactions with my church members or more precisely with married couples, I have become aware of their idiosyncrasies in the realm of marital conflicts. It is hoped that this project will help to salvage marriages. However, this project is written from a preventive stance.

Method

In this project, a theological basis for marital covenant relationship was developed. Second, a series of five sermons and five growth seminars were conducted with some married couples and persons contemplating marriage. Third, pre- and post-questionnaires were distributed in order to assess the understanding of what is being discussed.

Results

From the …

An Intellectual Approach To The Communication Of The Biblical Message To Secular People, Michele Buonfiglio

Doctor of Ministry Projects

One of the most important responsibilities given Christians is to "make disciples from all nations." This includes secular people. The communication of the biblical message to secular people is a complex and difficult assignment. The difficulty increases when secular people are intellectuals. Many currents of thought including philosophy and scientific understandings of reality have contributed to the formation of the Western secular mind.

In Part One of the dissertation, philosophical, theological, and scientific theories that have contributed to the development of the process of secularization are considered. The section culminates with a profile of secular people. The methods and strategy …

Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Seminar On Positive Resolution Of Interpersonal And Substantive Conflict In The Hazelton, British Columbia, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Bruce B. Boyd

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Some form of conflict is associated with virtually every human relationship, including relationships involving Christians. Negative conflict situations frequently injure Christians, and sometimes conflicts are severe enough to cripple churches. The purpose of this project was to study whether the teaching of concepts and skills that are, first, related to the management and resolution of interpersonal and substantive conflict, and second, congruent with biblical principles will have a positive impact upon how parishioners understand conflict and, as a result, upon how they behave in conflict situations so that the negative results of conflict are reduced and the positive results …

Seventh-Day Adventist Worship: A Course For Pastoral Students At Montemorelos University, Mexico, Hector Enrique Ramal

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop an undergraduate course in Seventh-day Adventist worship. Chapter 1 states the purpose, justification, and expectations of the project. Chapter 2 states the origins and development of worship as these are revealed in the Old and New Testaments. Chapter 3 considers worship from Ellen G. White’s perspective. The concerns, issues, and principles of true worship are found in her writings. Chapter 4 deals with contemporary issues in worship.

The first part of this chapter has to do with the literature review and centers in the Pentecostal Movement and its influence on the Christian …

Premarital Education: A Model For The Toronto Perth Avenue Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Steve David Cassimy

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Statement of Project

Every pastor is involved in performing marriages. Pastors are also spending a considerable amount of time in post-marital counseling. This project sought to design and implement a Premarital Education program to help prepare couples for marriage and to reduce the number of hours pastors spend with post-marital care. The sessions in the model may prepare couples for life's challenges as they learn to develop communication and coping skills. It is hoped the sessions will aid the couple in handling marital adjustment and in dealing with conflict.

Method

This project report explores a brief history of Premarital Education …

Stewardship Practices In Kenya With Proposed Solutions, Absalom N. Birai

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although the Seventh-day Adventist church in Kenya has over three hundred thousand believers, the annual statistical reports indicate that its return of tithes and offerings does not correspond with its large membership. This study was undertaken to survey its giving patterns so as to discover possible weaknesses, to find ways of overcoming such weaknesses, and to promote faithful stewardship.

Method

To create a better concept of the stewardship of tithes and offerings an attempt was made to examine how tithes and offerings were practiced during the Old Testament era, intertestamental period, New Testament period, and by Ellen G. White. …

An Investigation Of Satanic Influences Upon Physically, Emotionally, And Spiritually Disturbed Christians: Selected Case Studies, Clifford N.R. Quantz

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This project emerged out of a sincere desire to find answers to the physical, emotional, and spiritual bondage that plagued Christians. After many years of pastoral ministry, I was convinced that something was not complete in my ministry to these troubled people. Traditional counseling methods I had been taught were ineffective in breaking these bondages. An honest soul search, and a new look at the ministry of Jesus and the apostles exposed this one area of neglect in my ministry. As an Evangelical I believed in the biblical account of evil spirits, but was not really aware of their …

Improving The Understanding And Practice Of Country Living In The Georgia Central Korean Sda Church, Martin Byung Cho Rho

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The message of country living has been repeatedly stressed throughout the Spirit of Prophecy counsels, and there has been a problem in understanding and applying the message of country living among Korean SDA members in Korea and North America. The effect of this misunderstanding has produced many problems in the area of church growth and church leadership.

Method

This project report examined the historical background of Ellen G. White’s counsels of country living and studied the writings of Ellen White regarding country living in relation to city mission. This study involved a workshop and survey for evaluation. This project …

A Church Seeking Vision: A Study To Determine Which Stage Of Its Life Cycle The La Sierra Collegiate Church Is In, To Help The Church Clarify Its Purpose And Goals And Grow Numerically, Bradley K. Whited

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Attendance at the La Sierra Collegiate Church worship services declined for several years, then membership began to decline. Programs, finances, and morale were negatively impacted. The church had lost any evangelistic fervor it may have had in the past. The Collegiate Church lacked a focus for ministry other than the education of the children of the members, in spite of efforts at worship renewal by a new senior pastor after his arrival in 1988. There was no mission or purpose. There was no vision and work for God’s redemption in the world.

Method

A questionnaire based on David Moberg’s …

What You See Is What You Get: A Media Seminar For The Renewal Of Christian Values, John Glass

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

North American Seventh-day Adventists who spend considerable time viewing television appear to be increasingly patterning their lives after those lifestyles portrayed on commercial programs, consequently experiencing some of the problems (e.g., divorce) that secular individuals experience, yet tend to reject those who question television, nor seek to understand the impact television viewing has on character development, spirituality, and lifestyle values.

Method

Using recent scientific research as a basis, a seminar was developed that was designed to inform church members of the impact that indiscriminate viewing of commercial television programs has on character development and personal lifestyle values.

Results

The …

The Methods Of Selected British Pastors Evaluated In The Light Of The New Testament And Ellen G. White For Their Usefulness To The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Paul R. Smith

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Since the early 1950s immigrants have been arriving in Britain in large numbers from the Caribbean and from Asia. Some immigrants from the West Indies have joined Seventh-day Adventist churches. Currently, statistics indicate that although Seventh-day Adventist membership has increased in Britain since 1950, the Black percentage has risen considerably while the White percentage has dramatically declined. This study was undertaken in the hope that by examining the methods of four successful non-Seventh-day Adventist pastors in England and comparing their approaches with instructions found in Scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White we could find pointers which could help …