Practical Theology Commons^™

Depressive Symptomatology Among Hispanic Ministers Of The North American Division Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Enrique Nicolas Calandra

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The intensity of our work and living and the struggles we all experience have led to a dramatic increase in the incidence and severity of stress-related disorders, including depression. Ministers—as human beings and helping professionals—are not exempt from this reality. In fact, several studies have shown they are especially vulnerable to it. Although this is a sensitive issue, it needs to be discussed more openly, acknowledging its existence and taking steps to find causes and solutions.

This dissertation seeks to (1) measure and analyze the existence and the intensity of depressive symptomatology among Hispanic pastors of the North American Division …

A Church Growth Study Of The Chachkapi Church In Bihar State Of India, Manohar Kujur

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Chachkapi Church is the only growing church in its pastoral district. However, its growth is very slow. Adventism first came at Chachkapi in 1957 and by 1998 it had grown to 161 members. This shows its potential for growth. The church members are Oraon and the majority of the people who live around the area belong to the same community. Oraons were the first to accept Christianity in Chotanagpur South Bihar. Growth was by a people movement. According to present trends, churches among the Oraons are growing slower in comparison to the other tribals in Chotanagpur.

In an attempt to …

The Development Of A Worship Education Program, Neal Maynard Matson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has never developed a theology of worship. Therefore, the members are unacquainted with the biblical principles of worship. Too often their patterns of worship renewal are often influenced more by sociological factors and methodology than by theology. There is a definite need of a worship education program for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Method

A syllabus was produced for a seminar presentation on the biblical principles of worship. The seminar was presented over a thirteen-week period. Worship patterns of the College Place Village Church were discussed. A survey employed to discover members’ worship knowledge and preferences …

An Evangelistic Strategy For Reaching Baby Boomers In Rock Island County, Illinois, Clarence H. Small

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Moline Seventh-day Adventist Church, with a regularly attending membership of approximately 65, has fifteen Baby Boomer members in a county of over 160,000, of whom at least 44,000 are Boomers, with over 30,000 of these being unchurched. This project sought to develop a strategy for attracting Baby Boomers to the Moline church.

Method

A strategy was developed and implemented to attract Baby Boomers to church based upon six valid and transferable principles drawn from existing literature and the successful programs of the Willow Creek and Saddleback churches-and the clearly established legitimacy of targeting specific groups for evangelism. This …

Proyecto De Capacitación Laica Para La Iglesia Local, Hector Solera

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Christian Church has the duty of evangelizing all nations. This task requires that all church members participate actively in evangelism. However, not all church members get involved because they do not know how. This research initiated and evaluated a project to train the members of the Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with the purpose of enabling them to evangelize the city.

The project was developed in five different seminars during five consecutive weekends. The topics covered were the following: the priesthood of all believers, how to present the gospel in a Christ-centered fashion, the art …

The Development And Implementation Of A Program For The Assimilation Of New Members In The Lexington Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Tim Peterson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

At the Lexington Seventh-day Adventist Church evangelism is important to church growth. However, better assimilation is needed to keep new members in the church. In the past, many people were baptized, but did not stay active. Therefore, this dissertation is an attempt to meet the needs of those who were baptized after an evangelistic meeting in October 1997.

Method

This project is the development and implementation of a program to assimilate new members into the Lexington, Kentucky, Seventh-day Adventist Church. Primary research focuses on the theology, theories, and currently employed methods of assimilating new members. The literature survey includes …

Developing Bible Lessons To Reach Hindu Youth, Roy Jemison Injety

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The large number of non-Adventist youth who attend Seventh-day Adventist schools have a limited exposure to biblical teachings and, therefore, are unable to make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Method

Bible study lessons were developed to provide youth with a more complete understanding of the Bible and lead them to take a decision for Christ. The lessons address issues relating to youth needs and topics that are common to the Hindu and Christian faiths. A survey questionnaire provided information about the needs, moral development, and Bible knowledge of the target group. A variety of teaching …

Development And Implementation Of A Youth Prayer Fellowship In Madras, Swamidass Johnson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Many youth in the Adventist Church in Madras do not participate regularly in church activities. Additionally they suffer from the effects of poverty, unemployment, and family tensions.

Task

The task of this dissertation was to develop a youth prayer fellowship that would address the problems of youth in the Madras Adventist Church.

Method

The biblical concept of prayer groups was studied to establish a basis for the prayer fellowship. In addition, the organization and effects of five Indian prayer fellowships were studied: Friends Missionary Prayer Band, Indian Evangelical Mission Prayer Fellowship, Christian Missionary Society Prayer Band, New Assembly Prayer …

Creative Bible Teaching For Seventh-Day Adventist Youth Ages 13-18, Michael Kwaku Owusu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Studies regarding how adolescents learn have found that the traditional approach of teaching as information or knowledge to be passed on with an emphasis on the mastery of content is not very effective. In view of this, many Christian educators and youth ministry specialists recommend a shift from the traditional methods of teaching the Bible to creative ways of teaching with a focus on active student participation in the teaching-learning process, and on meaning of Bible truths.

Method

The method used to complete this project was a review of representative literature dealing with theories and concepts of teaching and …

Equipping Laity For Ministry In Multi-Church Districts In Brazil, Paulo Cesar Nogueira

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Most church districts in Brazil are comprised of many churches and companies. The average load of pastoral care is one pastor for seven congregations. In addition, members have high expectations their pastors and both lack a clear understanding of the role of lay ministry. Thus pastors feel a heavy work load.

Method

A survey of biblical insights, current literature, and other studies on the priesthood of all believers, lay ministry, and effective pastoral work was undertaken. A program designed to enhance pastoral work in multi-church districts in Brazil was developed.

Results

The concept of the priesthood of all believers …

A Multi-Faceted Program To Recruit And Develop African Seventh-Day Adventist Writers, Enock Okari Omosa

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in Kenya has about 500,000 believers, most of the literature read and used by its members was originally written by Christians from the West. This study identifies some of the problems caused by the lack of African Adventist writers producing acceptable African Adventist literature for Adventist members and other Africans in Kenya, and points the way toward positive measures to remedy the situation.

Method

In order to design an appropriate program to recruit and develop African Seventh-day Adventist writers in Kenya, an attempt is made to examine the kind of literature needed and …

Marketing And Mission: Applying Marketing Principles To Seventh-Day Adventist Mission In The Virgin Islands, Ruthven Joseph Roy

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

In many Christian circles, marketing management is viewed as irrelevant and irreligious because of the misconceptions that exist among Christians regarding this business discipline. There is, therefore, a very urgent need to clear up these misunderstandings and to create an awareness among Christians as to how marketing principles may be applied to the work of Christian mission and ministry, without violating the spiritual platform on which they stand. The purpose of this project, therefore, is to show how religious institutions can maximize their effectiveness by incorporating market-oriented thinking, planning, and action into their task of fulfilling the mission of …

Development Of An Adventist Community Services Center To Serve Navajo Residents Of Kayenta, Arizona, Dale A. Wolcott

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The Problem

A decision had been made to establish a Seventh-day Adventist Community Services Center in Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo Indian Reservation, in connection with a church-planting initiative. Those in charge lacked experience and training in community services ministries and faced obstacles to implementation of the plan.

The Method

A combination of research and action was used to move the envisioned Community Services Center toward reality. Study of the Bible and related literature led to formulation of Scripture-based methodological principles. Demographic research and community needs assessment procedures were utilized to gain an understanding of the Kayenta community and especially …

Reaching The Unchurched: An Evaluation Of And Recommendations For Florida Hospital Seventh-Day Adventist Church's Downtown Community, Raymond Andrew Mcdonald

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Task

The task of this project was to evaluate and make recommendations for the future of Downtown Community, the Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church’s contemporary, ongoing evangelistic ministry to reach the unchurched.

Method

After establishing the philosophical basis for the ministry, a careful review of the preparation for and initiation of Downtown Community was conducted. The effects of the ministry were ascertained by observations, focus groups, and surveys. In addition, comparisons were made with other area churches.

A number of unexpected effects from the ministry of Downtown Community were reviewed. This study is highly dependent on observations, testimonials, and opinions, …

Teamnet Ministries: An Empowerment Paradigm For Every-Member Ministry In The Hamlet Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Amelia, Ohio, Loren L. Fenton

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Hamlet Seventh-day Adventist Church, located near Amelia, Ohio, experienced a period of significant congregational decline during the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. Several contributing factors converged during this time frame to cause much discouragement and burn-out among the church members. Many left to join other congregations, or simply dropped out completely. Attendance dropped from the 120-150 range to an average of 35-40 at worship each Sabbath. By 1992 there was a serious leadership vacuum, coupled with a high level of mistrust, misunderstanding, and factional splintering permeating the church.

Method

In May 1992, I arrived as senior pastor for …

A Seventh-Day Adventist Understanding Of The Church And Its Mission, Viesturs Rekis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

The purpose of this study is to investigate the biblical background of the Christian church and its mission, in order to better understand the implications for Adventist mission in the Baltic countries. This study is intended to equip ministerial students with basic knowledge and to stimulate further studies of the church and its mission. Implications are drawn from the findings of the investigation to stimulate the mission of the church in the Baltic Union Conference.

The first part of the dissertation deals with the origins, nature, and functions of the Christian church within a biblical and theological perspective. Consideration of …

A Strategy For Guiding Pastors And Congregations Through A Church-Building Project In Bermuda Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Carlyle C. Simmons

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Many times pastors in their ministry face the task of leading their congregations through a church-building project. Often with little to no formal preparation for such a task, pastors and congregations experience challenges and pressures not anticipated. Sometimes the magnitude and extent of these challenges and pressures produce an adverse effect on the morale and spiritual conditions of the pastor and congregation. Since the emphasis in the Adventist Church in Bermuda is on evangelism and mission, one can expect that there will be an ongoing need for church buildings. The development of this strategy for guiding the pastor and congregation …

A Strategy For The Establishment Of Seventh-Day Adventist Chaplaincy In The Ghana Armed Forces, Peter Kwasi Omane

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There are many Adventist military personal and their families in the Ghana Armed Forces. This has led to the establishment of two organized churches and two companies in the military barracks. Since most of the Adventist military personnel are enlisted persons (non-officers), there is a need for an officer as a spokesperson. The interest that non-Adventist military personnel had shown in the Adventist message, especially in the areas of marriage, health, and evangelism, calls for a well- established Adventist chaplaincy ministries not only to win souls but to retain them. The Ghana Armed Forces has made a request to …

The Development And Implementation Of A Creative Approach In Training Hispanics For Evangelism In The Oregon Conference, Ramon J. Canals

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The rapid growth of Hispanics in the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists represents a challenge for evangelistic outreach. This project was to determine how a conference-sponsored lay evangelism school could enhance Hispanic lay participation in evangelism.

Method

Research was conducted to understand the role of lay people in evangelism, followed by the establishment of a school of evangelism for training Hispanic lay people in the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Fifty-two lay evangelists graduated from the school.

Results

The Hispanic lay people who participated in the training program believe that their spiritual lives have been enhanced. They also indicated …

Strategic Church Planting In The Central Zimbabwe Conference: Towards A Paradigm Shift In Church Growth, Nkosiyabo Zvandasara

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This dissertation focuses on church planting in the Central Zimbabwe Conference. While impressive results have been achieved in evangelizing the lower classes of the society, there has been meager success in reaching the upper classes of the Black community as well as the White, the Indian, and the Colored minorities. A strategic church-planting approach to church growth hopes to not only target the least promising population segments served by the Central Zimbabwe Conference, but also to increase the effectiveness of the other church methods currently being employed to reach the more responsive classes in that conference.

Method

A diachronic …

A Strategy For Public Evangelism In Russia, Mikhail K. Morar

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

After Perestroika ushered in new opportunities for public evangelism in Russia, local and foreign evangelists have been baptizing thousands of new converts every year. The rapid growth resulting from these crusades has brought about new challenges. This study analyzes some of the challenges associated with public evangelism in Russia and suggests a strategy to improve the longterm results of these campaigns.

Method

A descriptive analysis of John Carter's 1992 evangelistic campaign in Nizhniy Novgorod city was conducted in order to suggest ways to improve long-term results from public campaigns. The strengths and weaknesses of evangelistic campaigns in Russia are …

Preparing Pastors To Train Laity For Church Growth In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Japan, Akeri Suzuki

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The annual number of baptisms in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Japan has decreased from 426 in 1986 to 334 in 1995 despite increases in both the total membership and number of churches. During the same period of time, the number of pastors has declined from 118 in 1986 to 112 in 1995. Thus, the average annual baptisms per pastor has decreased from 3.61 in 1986 to 2.98 in 1995.

Method

Current literature was reviewed. This included books and articles on the principles, strategies, and programs which help pastors develop their abilities to equip the laity and to …

Development Of A Program For Intentional Growth In The Antioch Seventh-Day Adventist Congregation, Long Island, New York, Trevor Saint Aubyn Forbes

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Antioch Seventh-day Adventist congregation was started in 1988 and grew steadily; however, for the last four years membership growth has plateaued. This lack of church growth has caused much concern among the church’s administration. The original hope and intention that the congregation would establish a growing church was founded on the premise that in order for the congregation to grow, it must implement intentional church growth programs.

Method

In order to learn how churches grow, I surveyed literature on church growth. I also interviewed six pastors of growing churches — three who are Seventh-day Adventists and three who …

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 …

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 …

A Seminar On The Dynamics, Prevention, And Legal Implications Of Clergy Sexual Misconduct, Jorge E. Rico

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Clergy sexual misconduct has become a major problem among Christian denominations. It involves violation of expectations and the breaking of public trust. There is also a growing awareness in our society of the legal implications of clergy sexual misconduct. This present study was to prepare, present, and evaluate a seminar for pastors on the dynamics, prevention, and legal implications of clergy sexual misconduct.

Method

Research was done to help ministers understand the dynamics, prevention, and legal implications of clergy sexual misconduct. Then, a seminar was conducted in four areas of the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. This seminar was …

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 …

Toward A Theology Of Youth Ministry And Its Praxis In The Local Church, Luis Fernando Ortiz

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In many Seventh-day Adventist churches in North America patterns of non involvement among the youth were observed. Young people were attending church on Sabbath, but almost none of them were leaders. The objective of this dissertation was to identify biblical principles for the development of a youth ministry in which leaders build responsible servant leaders and encourage young people to grow, learn, and use their gifts in Christian ministry.

Method

The Scriptures were searched for a biblical background for youth work and principles for successful youth involvement. The word “youth” was analyzed in the Old and New Testaments together …

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 …

Bipolar Preaching For Hispanic Evangelism In The North American Division, Eradio Alonso

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This dissertation deals with the bipolar concept of preaching as it applies to Seventh-day Adventist evangelism in a Hispanic-American context. Bipolar preaching is preaching that focuses on answering human problems or needs by applying eternal truth to the human condition. In my experience bipolar preaching was missing for many years. This project attempts to make the homiletical theory of bipolar preaching better understood I hope that it will be integrated into the preaching ministry in general and into evangelistic preaching in particular. The Hispanic evangelistic sermon seems to be well-anchored in the Word of God, but it does not …