2. Theological Seminary : Projects, Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing 2. Theological Seminary : Projects, Theses and Dissertations by Subject "Abidjan"

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    Bridging the gap: understanding church-community disengagement among Seventh-day Adventist members in Abidjan through a phenomenological lens
    (Adventist University of Africa, 2026-06) Jallah, Sahwo Karbah Sr.
    Despite being located in a rapidly growing, socially diverse urban context, Seventh-day Adventist churches in the Abidjan communes of Cocody and Yopougon appear largely disengaged from sustained, contextualized community ministry. Preliminary observations suggest a disparity between the Church's missional identity and its practical engagement in addressing the social, economic, and spiritual needs of the local population. Members demonstrate reluctance to participate in community ministry, resulting in isolation from the very communities the Church is called to serve. Method The study employed an existential-phenomenological research design to explore the lived experiences of church-community disengagement among Seventh-day Adventist members in Abidjan. Following Heidegger's existential-hermeneutic phenomenology and informed by van Manen's interpretive approach, the study used two primary data collection methods: (1) semi-structured interviews with church members, leaders, pastors, elders, and departmental directors; and (2) participant observation in natural settings. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis to identify core meanings and patterns across participants' stories and observed practices. The study focused on understanding how participants perceive, interpret, and respond to the apparent disconnect between church life and meaningful community involvement in the communes of Cocody and Yopougon. Results Findings revealed that church-community disengagement is experienced not merely as inactivity but as a profound loss of clear purpose, relational distance, and decreased sense of mission. Contributing factors included leadership practices that failed to mobilize members effectively, limited training and equipping for community ministry, organizational priorities that favored internal programs over external engagement, and socio-cultural pressures inherent in Abidjan's urban setting. Conversely, moments of genuine engagement—characterized by inclusive leadership, discipleship through service, and visible acts of compassion—were described as spiritually revitalizing experiences that affirmed the Church's mission and strengthened members' sense of purpose. Conclusion Revitalizing church-community engagement requires intentional discipleship, participatory leadership, and strategies contextually tailored to the local Abidjan setting that integrate spiritual growth with practical service. The study concludes that when churches move beyond mere residency to active presence in the community, members experience transformation that enhances their witness and strengthens the Church's missional identity. By emphasizing lived experience through an existential-phenomenological lens, this research contributes to practical theology and missiology, providing actionable insights for strengthening the Adventist Church's witness through genuine presence and faithful involvement in community life. The findings demonstrate that mobilizing members for community ministry is essential not only for external impact but for internal spiritual vitality and mission fulfillment.
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    Training Pastors and Church Members to Reach the Upper Class Through Literature Ministry in the City of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
    (Adventist University of Africa, 2016-06) Baka, Paul Able
    The Seventh-day Adventist Church consistently makes evangelistic efforts to proclaim the everlasting gospel. However, in many places, the church has not been able to reach persons of the middle and upper class in society. For many years, efforts have been made to evangelize in the city of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire Conference. There have been many public campaigns, mega campaigns, satellite campaigns, and small group campaigns, which is a parfait method, run by local as well as international preachers. Most of them have taken place in Abidjan and other major cities in Côte d’Ivoire in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These methods have yielded great results. The membership increased from 4000 in 1995 to 13536 in 2012. Since the official recognition of the church in March 1946, almost 4000 persons have joined the Church, while in 17 years, more than 9000 have joined. Since 2000, the yearly average baptism in the Côte d’Ivoire Conference has been about five hundred people, the majority of whom are from people of lower socioeconomic status. It appears that the most responsiveness to the message of the Adventist Church is among the poorer segments of the population. The unsuccessful attempts to win persons in the upper class have led the church to marginalize this group of people or ignore them. The main question of the study was how can the middle and upper classes in Abidjan be reached with the Good News by use of the Literature Ministry in the Church? This research used a mixed method approach which involved key methods of data gathering: participant observation, interviews, training seminars, focus group discussions, and key informants. However, relevant literature which consisted of the Bible, reference books, journals, magazines, newspapers, web-based resources, and unpublished works on literature ministries were also consulted. Informal interviews with both church members and people in the upper class were conducted to understand their worldview and needs better. Based on this information, a strategy was developed, implemented, and evaluated. This dissertation will stimulate pastors and laymen to become more aware of the role of literature ministry in the outreach of the Church and implement similar strategies in their areas of work. Additionally, this project could promote discussion among leaders of the SDA Church regarding making literature ministry more central in evangelism. It provides a necessary emphasis to an apparently neglected evangelistic strategy to reach the middle and upper class. This dissertation can be a practical manual providing a meaningful strategy for all SDA Churches regardless of their size, geographical and cultural setting. Furthermore, this dissertation serves to enhance knowledge of the use and value of literature ministry. The ultimate goal of God’s mission on earth has always been the salvation of all people regardless of their race, gender and social status. The Great Commission states that the Gospel is to be preached to every nation and people (Matt 28: 18-20; Mark 16: 15-16; Rev 14: 6-12). Therefore, there is an urgent need to extend the Church’s mission to people in the upper class because their salvation is part of God’ plan.