Practical Theology Commons^™

Communally Discerning A Covenant Of Hospitality For The Care Of Children At Westview Boys' Home, Ron Bruner

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This project addressed the lack of a covenant defining the practice of hospitality towards children for team members of Westview Boys’ Home. The purpose of the project was to facilitate the creation of such a covenant. The Westview ministry team already claimed hospitality as a strength; the hope was that reframing the ministry around this strength would improve the quality of care for children and the quality of life for the community. Invited into a communal discernment process (the methodology), the ministry team invested weeks in the examination of biblical texts, theological tradition, personal and communal narratives, cultural trends, psychological …

In Spite Of The Fact That.... (The President's Desk), Roy Gane

Perspective Digest

No abstract provided.

Historical-Grammatical Interpretation Of Scripture, Richard M. Davidson

Perspective Digest

No abstract provided.

Ivy League Adventism, Alex España

180 Symposium Publications

My role as a college administrator at an Ivy League university provides a unique perspective regarding the experience of Adventist students on campus and the role the Adventist Church can assume at such universities. Data, survey results, and strategies are considered for the Adventist Church to establish itself as a relevant, Christ-centered organization to better target one of the largest spiritually questioning population groups in North America.

Toward Building Resilience As The Best Path To Prevention, Duane Mcbride, Gary Hopkins, Peter Landless, Jeffrey Spady

180 Symposium Publications

Substance abuse in the form of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs wreaks havoc in the lives of young and old. The party scene seems to be a given on college campuses. Seventh-day Adventist schools are not immune to these cultural influences. The best method of prevention is resilience. The components that contribute to resilience include a positively involved family, good self esteem, adult supervised after school activities for young people, a sense of community at school, service activities, and faith. By fostering these elements, we can be intentional about making our campuses exception in all areas.

Reach The Mind, Reach The World, Zane Yi

180 Symposium Publications

A vital part of reaching students on campus is to engage and equip them intellectually. Students need resources that help them understand, articulate, and live out their Christian faith in a secular and pluralistic society. These are typically part of the curriculum and also campus options on public campuses. Currently students on Adventist campuses have markedly less exposure and understanding of faith issues in the public square. Here are practical suggestions for both Adventist and non-Adventist campuses in this regard. Of course there are differences, and ministry is important in both contexts. Rather than removing one’s self from the discussion, …

What This Is All About, Steve Case

180 Symposium Publications

No abstract provided.

From Ministry To Movement: The Potential Of Public Campus Ministry, Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

180 Symposium Publications

Too many young people have lost their faith on a public university campus. Despite the barrage of sophistry hurled at these young people, only a handful of denominational workers are engaged in ministry to these students. On many secular campuses, ministry to students is virtually non-existent. At best, sound campus ministry efforts are dependent on a few student leaders that graduate all too quickly. Even where student-led groups do exist, they often lack a clear biblical focus and evangelistic mission. A viable and sustainable program of training for ministry to public university students is seriously lacking within the Seventh-day Adventist …

Please Sir, I Want Some More: Intentionally Biblical Community And The Public Campus, Michaela Lawrence

180 Symposium Publications

Students everywhere are crying out for more: more money, more freedom and oftentimes more knowledge. Those of us who lead them must find ways to satisfy that hunger especially when they desire spiritual food. But of course, for every desire there is a challenge. Those attending public universities must contend with the blatant secular nature of their environs—we should get to know those environs. Those attending public colleges don’t have spiritual formation built into their curriculum—we should provide them with meaningful options. And then we should do even more. “Feed my sheep,” Jesus says and he doesn’t tell us to …

Adventists In Non-Adventist Colleges And Universities: Implications For Ministry From A Personal Journey, Paul Buckley

180 Symposium Publications

Adventist young people who don’t attend Adventist schools often find themselves marginalized in the life of the church. Reasons exist for attending non-Adventist schools. Instead of classifying all tertiary schools outside of the Adventist educational system as public education, a more accurate term would be non-Adventist colleges and universities (NACU). The author shares his personal journey with NACUs and makes suggestions for what churches can and should do to minister to young adults attending school away from home. These include relationship building, networking, introducing expectations quickly, integrating students into church activity, and mentoring. This calls for collegiate focused ministry on …

"Standout" Public School Retreat, Andrea Jakobsons

180 Symposium Publications

Standout is a public high school retreat created by the enrollment team at Andrews University in order to respond to the growing concerns of Adventist youth choosing public schools over Adventist schools. Since the statistics of youth who leave the Seventh-day Adventist church are grim for those who attend public schools, the enrollment team decided to address the issue. The team created a weekend on the campus of Andrews University specifically geared towards public high school students (while including home-schooled youth) in hopes of inspiring Adventist youth to seek a deeper experience with Christ and in turn begin to make …

The Local Church And Public Education: Student Spiritual Care Pre- And Post-Graduation, Ronald H. Whitehead

180 Symposium Publications

Families continue to provide the foundation for the spiritual development of young people. Today adult Adventists in North America are part of the church primarily because of their Adventist roots and relationships. About half grew up as Adventists, and almost an additional third joined because of personal relationships. Both of these often get cast aside when young adults move away to college or graduate school. It’s time to be proactive to identify local churches can will provide a welcoming home atmosphere for young adults in transition. A new system called “Churches of Refuge” (COR) identifies such churches and provides certification, …

Adopting Your Local Public Elementary School, Kevin Becker

180 Symposium Publications

God promised to give Joshua every place he set his foot. It is my belief that most Seventh-day Adventist churches have little or no impact on the community in which they are located. Depending on which statistic you look at, the median age for an Adventist is between 51 and 62. I believe one of our biggest hurdles, “the graying of Adventism,” could become our greatest strength. I believe that if churches would adopt their local public elementary school they would not only increase their impact, but would establish a positive presence in the community that would transform their image …

Facebook Faith: Social Networking In A Faith Based Community, Kirsten Øster-Lundqvist

180 Symposium Publications

Social networking provides a high impact and efficient ministry to the moveable generation. Through social networks such as Facebook, ministry from a pastoral perspective can become more authentic and meaningful. A young person’s digital identity often reflects one’s faith due to increased openness. A minister can engage in a non-hierarchical manner. Prayer and bible study as well as pastoral care through social networking occur as relationships deepen via social networking and making people real. Spiritual and religious views are freely shared, creating sacred spaces in the midst of life practicing a holistic faith identity in a secular community. Contacts can …

The Obama Factor, Timothy Nixon

180 Symposium Publications

The candidacy of Barack Obama and historic presidential election revealed some important lessons to us about our country and its future. One of the most interesting elements of his election was the way in which this campaign was able to engage youth and young adults. In the general election Obama won 66% of 18-29 year old voters. Much of his organization and support for youth was done by collegians on college and university campuses around the country. At a time when the Christian church is hemorrhaging 70% of young adults ages 18-22 Obama’s ability to galvanize and win the youth …

Ellen G. White And The Secular Campus, William Cork

180 Symposium Publications

Ellen White’s statements about secular college campuses provide principles that can guide the development of Adventist campus ministry today. Remarks she made in 1891 and 1895 acknowledge the challenges of the secular campus, but also the necessity of a positive witness. Guided by the principles she outlines, Adventist campus ministry will both support students on the secular campus and live out a nonconfrontational ministry of presence in the heart of the university.

When The Canaries Stop Singing, Martin Weber

180 Symposium Publications

Concerned about attrition of Adventist students attending secular campuses, we seek ways of inducing them to remain with us—unaware that their departure is due to systemic dysfunction in churches throughout North America. The causative factor of young adult attrition is judgmentalism resulting from a lack of knowing how to love. We have forgotten a core insight into the Great Controversy—that love requires freedom of choice, despite the inevitable risks. Paradoxically, our very concern about safeguarding the spirituality of our young adults generates a judgmental counterfeit of love that drives them away in a spirit of toxic anxiety.

Taskforce Now, Michael J. Stevenson

180 Symposium Publications

The world is currently wrestling with an economic downturn. As life gets rearranged; plans have to change. The convergence of a sluggish economy, lack of jobs and fewer slots available means that more Adventist young people are out of a job. At the same time the huge needs for leadership, mentoring and global economic mix up, we can seize the moment, employ and deploy hundreds to nurture the needs of thousands through the revival and adaptation of Adventist Collegiate Taskforce (ACT).

Shall Thou Reincarnate Or Not? A Quest For Spirituality Among Czech "Irreligious" People, Petr A. Činčala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

In Spite Of The Fact, Roy Gane

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Living Out The Principles Of The Ten Commandments, Trevor O'Reggio

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Seventh-Day Adventist Leadership Recruitment And Training Program For Basarwa In Botswana, Africa, Boitirelo Kabo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh- day Adventist church in Botswana, although being among the fastest growing churches in the country, has not been able to reach the Basarwa tribe since 1921. This is in spite of the church’s best effort. Among the contributing factors is the apparent failure by the church to develop a culturally relevant approach that considers the Basarwa unique lifestyle and a lack of Basarwa church leaders.

Methodology

Surveys were administered among the Basarwa in four districts to establish their awareness of the church and factors that hinder them from joining the church. Training on church leadership for the …

Programa Para Mejorar La Salud Espiritual De La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día De Gainesville-Florida, Byron Alexander Rivera Sr.

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Every church as a social group has the potential to grow and improve its spirituality, its cohesion, its commitment, its fidelity and its participation. The Gainesville Spanish Adventist Church is formed by members that have the ardent desire to improve in all these areas. This investigation aims to improve the spirituality of the congregation.

Methodology

The investigation began with the selection of 25 members of the Gainesville Spanish Church in Florida who were available to collaborate in the investigation in order to detect the spiritual deficiencies among church members. A questionnaire was used to discover the spiritual weaknesses and, …

The Transformational Effects Of Forgiveness In The Lives Of Members Of The Kingsboro Temple Congregation, Joseph E. Ainsworth

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Forgiveness is a crucial need within the congregation, and the lack of a greater practice of forgiveness is severely impacting the emotional, relational, and spiritual wellbeing of members. This present study investigated causes of hurt within the congregation, and designed a process to assist members in achieving forgiveness to empower them to live a forgiven life.

Method

The Pearson Correlations of Values measured 17 variables of spirituality and forgiveness against variables of avoidance, revenge, distancing, and feeling close. The ] 7 variables were reviewed and validated by Dr. Joan Atwood as a check and balance to personal biases. Forty-eight …

Performance Evaluation Of Pastors In East Zimbabwe Conference, Douglas Mutanga

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There has been no consistent and effective way of evaluating the performance of pastors in the East Zimbabwe Conference. In most cases the evaluating is only done for the purpose of identifying ordination candidates and is based only on quantifiable goals that include baptisms, tithe returns, and submission of reports. Due to the rapid growth of the church in terms of personnel, number of churches and membership, and the vast geographical territory, the need for an evaluation instrument is critical.

Method

The study was descriptive and designed around research questions that helped determine the job description of the pastor. …

Desarrollo De Un Seminario De Predicación Para La Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Dia Hispana De Charlotte En Carolina Del Norte, Carlos Gerardo Molina

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

On September 27, 2008, the body of fourteen elders from the Charlotte Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church in North Carolina had a meeting where they indicated that it was necessary to develop a preaching seminar to prepare and train the twenty-three active preachers and church members willing to participate in such a program. These preachers had not had previous academic training or instruction on how to prepare and deliver sermons. This need, identified by the local church elders as urgent, provided the basis for the present D.Min. project.

Method

The procedure for the development of a preaching seminar took various …

The Transition Of The North Botswana Field To Conference Status: Three Critical Factors, Galenakgosi M. Orapeleng

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since being organized in 1984, the North Botswana Field (NBF) has been aspiring to become a conference but had been hindered by a number of factors. However, in 2008 it managed to qualify for conference status. This project was to evaluate the prevailing circumstances in North Botswana Field between 2005 and 2008 to discover critical factors that contributed to the rapid growth of the work in North Botswana Field, resulting in it qualifying for conference status in May 2008.

Method

The methodology used for gathering information in this project was not intended to be scientific or to be used …

Developing Spiritual Formation And Mission Awareness In The Hill Portuguese Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Johannesburg, South Africa, Dilson M. Bezerra

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Between 1992 and 2007, the attendance of the Hill Portuguese Seventh-day Adventist Church has declined from 200 to 60 members and the church completely lost its sense of mission. This downturn requires investigation and study in order to reverse the situation. The project is an implementation of a program to revive the church in fellowship with God, and in action within the community. Further, Portuguese immigrant members display a tendency towards liberalism when removed from their native culture.

Method

An informal survey was created and administered to the church members in order to discover why membership had been declining …

Dual Allegiance And The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Africa: How To Address The Issue In An Open Dialogue In The West Central Africa Division, Gilbert Wari

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Africa in general, and the West-Central Africa Division in particular, has been facing the issue of dual allegiance or “split level Christianity.”

Method

The Bible, Spirit of Prophecy, and other related books and articles concerning the issue of dual allegiance were studied, then theological and religious-cultural data were analyzed, a strategy was put in place by using a Logframe Matrix and a Gantt Chart so as to address and deal with the issue from a biblical point of view.

Results

A spirit of dedication and commitment started manifesting itself among pastors, administrators, and church …

Developing Team Ministry Among Pastors And Elders In The Eastern Sector Of The Reunion Conference Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Johnson Andriamanalina Razafimamonjy

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In 2005, two of the churches in the eastern district of Reunion Island experienced severe conflict between the assigned pastor and elected local elders. The response of one church was the removal of its elders from their posts. In the other church, the church board expressed that they did not want the pastor. The result was minimal church growth during the two years that followed. The continuing confusion and conflict that has stymied the evangelistic potential of the congregations must be addressed in order to recover mission and witness.

Task

The task of this project is to develop and …