Practical Theology Commons^™

A Needs Assessment Of A Continuing Education Program For Korean Pastors In The North American Division Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Kei Hoon Shin

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Continuing education for NAD Korean SDA pastors' ministry has been conducted since 1981. To make this continuing education program relevant a needs assessment was necessary. This study attempted to assess the specific needs of Korean pastors in knowledge and professional skills. Method All Korean SDA pastors in the NAD were included. Data were gathered through a written questionnaire. A graphic comparison method and other complementary instruments were adopted in terms of a discrepancy model.

Results

Among ten general subject-matter areas, the results from the survey show the area of biblical knowledge as most in need of continuing education. This …

A Comparison Of Receptivity To The Deductive And Inductive Methods Of Preaching In The Pioneer Memorial Church, Dwight K. Nelson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem. There are two basic methods into which all preaching falls, deduction and induction. Homiletical literature advocating either method extols the virtues of the one over the other. However, such literature offers little supportive data based upon listener responses and preferences. An historical survey of preaching reveals that the preaching of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament was dominantly inductive, whereas the preaching of the post-New Testament church has been generally deductive. Therefore, it was the task of this project to seek listener response to deductive and inductive preaching in the Pioneer Memorial Church in order to ascertain …

A Study Of Factors Related To The Numerical Growth Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Iceland From 1950 To 1980, Steinthor Thordarson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The rate of growth in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Iceland has not been previously analyzed. This study was undertaken to discover, through historical and numerical analysis, what may have contributed to or hindered growth in the church since 1950, and to analyze the programs of the church and the patterns of growth.

Method

A survey of records of the Iceland Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, i.e., the church paper, executive minutes, constituency reports, membership lists, and accounts of outreach emphasis for several decades, presents a clear picture of the methods used in an attempt to achieve church growth. In …

A Biblically Based Instruction Program In Preaching For Local Church Elders And Lay Preachers In The Philippines, Archibald P. Tupas

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This project sought to develop programmed instruction materials designed to guide laity of the Philippines in independent study in the art of preaching. Preaching is especially challenging to Filipino lay people-- particularly to the church elders--because of the lack of ordained ministers. Preaching the Gospel and nurturing members rest largely on lay shoulders. Unfortunately, the laity who do the bulk of the work in the Philippines are handicapped by lack of formal ministerial training. Thus Seventh-day Adventist church leadership is challenged to equip and instruct the laity to preach more effectively to meet the demands of a rapidly growing membership. …

Toward The Development Of A Conscious Spirit Dependence In The Decision-Making Processes Of The Church, Stephen Gene Chinn

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The church is a divinely called, divinely directed, and divinely destined institution. Yet the church is composed of human beings who are accustomed to human institutions. These humans tend to lead the church as any other institution, unless reminded frequently of the divine aspects of the church. To emphasize these divine aspects involves focusing attention on the Holy Spirit. The Spirit links Christ, the Head, with the church body. Certain factors facilitate the Spirit's ability to communicate the desires of the Head to the church body. Foremost among these is a conscious dependence of human decision makers upon the Spirit …

Role Conflict And Role Ambiguity Applicable To The Local Pastor In The North Pacific Union Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Michael G. Mcbride

Doctor of Ministry Projects

In recent years much has been written in non-Adventist and non-clergy literature concerning role conflict and role ambiguity. Adventist perceptions of role and the importance Adventists attribute to such roles in ministry may differ from the perceptions of non- Adventist clergy and writers. Hence, a specific study of Adventist clergy was necessary to determine if such a problem exists in Adventism and if the conclusions of other studies are applicable in an Adventist context.

It was proposed that an evaluation of the current status of Adventist clergy in the North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) regarding role function and performance would …

Towards A Theology Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Meeting Place, With A Study Of Practical Implications And Applications Thereof, Eduardo Zurita

Doctor of Ministry Projects

From the beginning mankind has selected places for adoration in which to worship the Creator. There is little information as to the kinds of facilities used by true worshipers of God in Old Testament times, until the wilderness sanctuary was built. On the other hand there is no indication in the Scriptures that the sanctuary and, later, Solomon's temple were established as model places of worship for future generations. The New Testament mentions three major kinds of places of worship: the temple, the synagogue, and the house church.

This study discusses the characteristics of places of worship during selected periods …

Developing And Implementing A Program Of Instruction For Church Administrators And Ministers Of The Antillian Union Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists To Enlarge Their Understanding Of The Doctrine Of Spiritual Gifts As It Relates To Their Roles And Functions, C. Dionisio Christian

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Due to the lack of opportunity of administrators and ministers of the Antillian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists to take full advantage of the materials that can be found in the English language on the doctrine of spiritual gifts, there is not a clear understanding of spiritual gifts among the majority of the church administrators and ministers. There is a need for them to understand how spiritual gifts relate to their roles and functions.

Method

The steps utilized in the project were: (1) a theological presentation of the doctrine of spiritual gifts; (2) studies presented by means of sermons, …

Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of An Evangelistic Approach For Gujarati Hindu Indians In Kenya, Haren Sthalekar

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The task of the project was: 1. To study the historical, sociological, religious, and cultural backgrounds of the Gujarati Hindus in Kenya. 2. To develop an evangelistic approach suitable for the Gujarati Hindu people. 3. To implement the evangelistic approach for a period of two years in Kenya. 4. To evaluate the approach.

(No Abstract)

An Interpersonal Relationship Workshop Designed For Seventh-Day Adventist Congregational Use, David Emery Greenlaw

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Seventh-day Adventist church has entered the field of human relations to help members within its communities function more harmoniously. As problem areas have arisen the church has endeavored to meet them. Somehow, the area of interpersonal relations has not been broached on the congregational level. Due to this lack of involvement materials have not been readily available. These are essential so that fellowship and growth might be constant.

To develop materials for presentation in a workshop for congregational use, five areas were explored:

1. Self-worth. This subject is examined from a biblical perspective. Self-worth effects our ability to interact …

An Evaluation Of Current Procedures Of Local Conference Constituency Sessions With Recommendations For Possible Improvement, Jere D. Patzer

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There is a growing dissatisfaction being openly expressed toward the current procedures pertaining to constituency sessions. The perception o f many constituents is that these meetings are held for the purpose of "rubber stamping" what has already been decided.

Method

In cooperation with my major professor and the Andrews University In s titu te o f Church Ministry, I decided that an evaluation instrument in the form of a survey would be sent to a sample of the delegates present at the 1980 Upper Columbia and Idaho conferences and the 1983 Upper Columbia conference constituency sessions. Some of the …

A Study Of Productivity In Ministry As Related To South America Division, Itamar Sabino De Paiva

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This study is concerned with the attributes of the ministry as depicted in the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White as well as with an evaluation of ministerial productivity in selected unions of the South American Division (SAD). Those who have dealt with the problem of evaluation have focused mainly on the numerical achievements or quantitative aspects of ministerial productivity. Although evaluation of qualitative characteristics may be more difficult than that of quantitative characteristics, failure to include both aspects of the minister's work may well result in an inaccurate and unbalanced profile of his accomplishments. Consequently, there is …

The Cultural Shape Of Preaching: A Rationale For A Course In Biblical Preaching Emphasizing Culturally Contextualized Proclamation In East Africa, Per W. Naesheim

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This project seeks to set out a rationale for culturally contextualized preaching in East Africa, with a specific focus on Kenya, and on this basis develops a syllabus for a college course in Biblical preaching. A survey of contemporary East African culture shows it to be still largely based on traditional African patterns but modified by many outside influences. When compared with the cultural context of the Bible or with Western society, East African culture shows significant differences. An understanding of this is necessary in order to preach effectively in Kenya.

Many preachers, both missionaries and East Africans 2 3 …

Child Discipline : A Workshop For Christian Parents, Lloyd H. Logan

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Purpose of the Project

It is the purpose of this project to prepare and field-test for pastoral use a series of six workshop presentations for parents on child training and discipline.

Description of the Project

The project consists of two papers: A theological position paper and a professional-application paper. In the theological position paper a study was made of selected ways and methods God used to discipline and correct the waywardness of the human family. Biblical principles of child training advocated by leading evangelical scholars and writers are compared with Scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White and theologically …

A Proposed Training Program For Seventh-Day Adventist Ministerial Interns In The Scandinavian Countries, Rolf H. Kvinge

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Wherever the Seventh-day Adventist Church with its professional ministry desires to improve its effectiveness, the matter of field education for interns as well as theological education is of importance. Somehow, guidelines and formative education for the ministers in the field has been lacking in the Scandinavian countries. Due to lack of orientation and the absence of supervised education in the practice of ministry, ministerial interns have often felt inadequate when taking up their own responsibilities for the work in their national environment. For the development of a field practicum that may change the situation stated above, this study has been …

A Proposed Order Of Worship For The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Informed By The Theological Presuppositions Implied In The Genesis Account Of The Creation And Fall Of Man And The Covenant Promise Of Genesis 3:15, Oliver Kang-Song Koh

Doctor of Ministry Projects

It is the thesis of this research project that the theological foundation for Christian worship was laid in the beginning chapters of Genesis in the context of the Creation, the Fail of Man, and the subsequent gospel covenant of Gen 3:15. The basic structure of worship which involves God, man, and their relationship is present at the beginning. Through this basic structure, worship is seen as an intentional act of man's adoration and commitment to God and is always in response to divine initiative.

As an intentional act of adoration of God, man's worship is circumscribed by the theological presuppositions …

A Study Of Church Planting And Growth Patterns Of Eight Korean Seventh-Day Adventist Congregations In The Eastern North America, Hai Chong Pak

Doctor of Ministry Projects

NOTE: This Doctor of Ministry Project falls in a category described in the Andrews University Theological Seminary Bulletin as "Project II" in fulfillment of requirements for an alternate curriculum plan under which the candidate prepares two related papers—a theological position paper that addresses some issue or problem that exists in the church in a theological setting and a professional paper that addresses that issue or problem from a standpoint of ministerial practice.

(No abstract)

A Proposed Psycho-Social Support System For Ministers' Wives Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In North America, John David Watts

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This study reports and evaluates problems and needs of the wives of Seventh-day Adventist ministers in North America, and proposes a psycho-social support system for them. Support units comprising the support system focus upon normal rather than pathological needs of wives, prevention rather than cure, multi-resources, and a whole population of wives in North America.

Literature and survey analysis reveals that Seventh-day Adventist ministers' wives have needs very similar to those of wives of other Protestant ministers, indicating that problems faced by them are inherent in the role of minister's wife. Problems experienced by the former group are: high mobility, …

A Functional View Of Human Motivation In The Local Seventh-Day Adventist Church Based On Theological And Psychological Principles, Willmore Duncan Eva

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The hypothesis o f the study states that an internalized grasp of the pardoning love of God revealed in Jesus Christ will tend to motivate Christians to a life of Godly activity . At the same time it is recognized that the human being is motivated on the basis of certain natural needs, the need for a sense o f belonging, esteem, and self- fulfillment. The study shows how the motive force o f God's forgiveness through Christ affects the natural motivational drives of humanity in the local church setting . The possible effect on the local church of intentionally …

A Description And Analysis Of The Role Of The Local Seventh-Day Adventist Conference Communication Director In The United States, Daryl Louis Meyers

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although the General Conference Communication Department has a plan of action outlined for local conference communication directors, a clearly stated rationale for this department as to its place in the evangelistic strategem of the church has yet to be developed. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to provide the laity, church pastors, local conference communication directors, and conference presidents with a better understanding of the place for and duties of a trained conference communication director in an evangelistic context.

Method

Interviews with several professionals in communication, a study of the General Conference role description for conference communication directors, …

A Rationale And Suggested Program For Ministers' Support Groups For Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors In Brazil, Luiz Silva Melo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

No Abstract.

This Doctor of Ministry Project report falls under the category described in the Seminary Bulletin as Project II, in fulfillment of requirements for an alternate curriculum plan under which the candidate prepares two related papers--a theological position paper addressing some issue or problem in the church theologically, and a professional paper addressing this issue or problem from the standpoint of ministerial practice.

A Christian Consideration Of Polygamy, Jean-Jacques Bouit

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Since the beginning of its mission outreach in Asia and Africa, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been confronted with the polygamy issue. Several attempts made by the church to formulate a unified policy for dealing with the polygamous convert culminated in the recommendation voted at the General Conference session in San Francisco in 1941. This resolution requires that in order to be admitted to baptism and church membership a polygamist must dismiss all his wives save one.

Recently, increased anthropological knowledge has led many Protestant churches in Africa to emphasize the legality of the marriage institutions in various societies. In …

Toward A Theology Of Christian Worship And The Improvement Of Worship Participation In Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In Africa, Andre H. M. Stijnman

Doctor of Ministry Projects

In the typical mission station in West Africa in the nineteenth and even in the early twentieth century, life was routinely patterned after the Western mode, hardly reflecting at all the life and routine of the surrounding villages. This was particularly true of their worship. It is the thesis of this doctoral project that an effective approach to promoting and advancing African Christianity is to proclaim the basic principles of Christian worship and faith in such a way that these principles can be understood and lived in any society or culture. Christian worship must be seen as transcending ethnic and …

A Ministry Of Reconciliation, Graeme Stanley Loftus

Doctor of Ministry Projects

There has been a growing need in the Seventh-day Adventist Church to ground pastoral ministry on an undergirding theology that provides an integrating matrix for all of its tasks. Too often there has been a dichotomy between "pure theology" and "applied theology". Pragmatic and immediate concerns, rather than theology, have usually guided and determined the implementation of most tasks of ministry.

The thesis of this study is that the work of God Himself in ministering to human needs forms a fundamental paradigm for men to construct such an undergirding theology of ministry to their fellows. This concept is pursued specifically …

Christian Mission : A Biblical Foundation And Its Application To Evangelistic Work For Indonesian Muslims, Bahasa Soemarna

Doctor of Ministry Projects

As far as Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic work for Indonesian Muslims is concerned, it appears that there is no formal, well-defined program to guide the pastors and members in working for the Muslims. It is, therefore, the purpose of this project to develop an evangelistic program which is specifically geared toward reaching the Indonesian Muslims with the Christian message, and which could be used by the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) churches in Indonesia.

In order to achieve this purpose, the project is organized into two main parts. Part I, "Biblical Evidence for the Universality of Jesus' Mission," will attempt to establish the …

Church Discipline As Restoration: Guidelines For Its Implementation In The Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In The Caribbean Union, George Montaque King

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Church discipline is an important function of the church. In the Caribbean Union of Seventh-day Adventists there is the need to administer discipline in such a way that the restoration of the erring member is ensured. This is expressed by the presidents and some ministers of the conferences there. It was the purpose of this study to develop some guidelines that will facilitate the restoration process. It is hoped that this study will assist in the development of an understanding of discipline as restoration and the providing of guidelines for its implementation, especially in the Caribbean Union.

Method

A …

The Transfer Of Ministers In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Of The German Democratic Republic And Its Effects On The Minister's Service And Family Life, Johannes E. Mager

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Transfers from one pastoral district to another are part of the life and work of ministers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Every transfer deeply affects all aspects of his life, and that of his family. It also influences his relationship with the administrators of the church and touches the respective congregations. The aim of this study was to find out (1) whether transfers have solely a pragmatic character, or whether they also carry biblical-theological implications; (2) whether transfers do encumber interpersonal relations and, if so, what possibilities exist to solve these tensions …

Urban Evangelism In India: An Evangelistic Project Conducted In The City Of Poona, John Willmott

Doctor of Ministry Projects

After two thousand years in its advent to India, Christianity still remains an unknown entity to the main core of the population. There are more than 3,000 cities and 550,000 villages in India with a population of 683,810,051 people. The urban development in India presents the greatest challenge to the church. It must discover ways of employing effective methods of evangelism to reach the massive population. Guidelines for evangelistic outreach in the cities of India were drawn from certain theological implications for evangelism under the headings: evangelistic priority, participation, incarnation, and proclamation. An actual evangelistic project was carried out in …

New Testament Principles Governing The Relationship Between The Christian And Civil Authorities And Their Elaboration In The Writings Of Ellen G. White With Their Reflection In The Adventist Church In Romania, Mihail S. Popa

Doctor of Ministry Projects

No Abstract.

This Doctor of Ministry Project report falls under the category described in the Seminary Bulletin as Project II, a paper completed in fulfillment of requirements for an alternate curriculum plan under which the candidate prepares two related papers—a theological position paper addressing some issue or problem that exists in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in a theological setting and a professional paper addressing this same issue or problem from the standpoint of ministerial practice.

Tv-Radio Spot Evangelism: An Experiment In Attitude Change, James David Chase

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although marketing and advertising firms spend millions of dollars annually to determine which types of commerical radio spots are most effective in appealing to specific audiences, little of this research has been done by churches using the broadcast media. The objective of this project, therefore, was to discover which of the most commonly used radio production formats contribute most to credibility and acceptability of religious radio spots whose intended audience is either nominal or rion-Christian and to produce a thirteen-week series of daily public service, radio spots for evangelistic purposes based on this determination.

Method

A telephone survey of …