Master of Arts in Leadership

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Women in Leadership in the executive levels of the Seventh-day Adventist church
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2013-08-02) Ramages, Beverley Priscilla
There are too few women in the leadership or executive levels of the Seventh-day Adventist Church even though they represent more than 50% of the membership. Women are significantly underrepresented at every strata of Adventist executive leadership. This study examines the biblical foundations for inclusive ministry and how biblical church practice either includes or excludes women. Biblical foundations are examined with a view to increase the number of women in church leadership. The foundations begin with equality as the basis for relationships between male and female in their representation of God. This equality is never revoked. True equality is evident in a unity of brotherhood amongst God’s children, John 17. This study accepts that unity should be a distinguishing feature of the Adventist Church. Spiritual gifts are the foundation that edifies the church. These gifts are not gender specific and are awarded solely on the discretion of the Holy Spirit. The priesthood of all believers is an underlying principle flowing from the Old Testament right into eternity and Jesus Christ is the High Priest of all believers. Paul compares with Jesus and Luke in His inclusion and acknowledgement of women in his ministry; Roman 16 demonstrates this. Jesus came at a time when the world needed change but it is Jesus’ empowerment of women that arrests ones attention. The historical position of Adventists to women in leadership differs substantially from the current position. That vibrancy is lacking in the policy driven approach to women in leadership today. For mission success women must have their voice back.
The application of the Leadership of Nehemiah in the rehabilitation of the mother Church to improve the performance of the Marovoay District
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2013-08-02) Rabenarivo, Jim Hervé
For a district pastor, the mission is to make his district more spiritually powerful. This is possible if the district manages to find the priority problem and then finds its resolution which will involves the resolution of all the other problems. It was a qualitative study at the Marovoay district level (Indian Ocean Union Missions), including the elders, members and non-Adventists. The study felt that the priority problem is the out datedness of the mother Church. The most relevant strategy to cure it is the extension and the rehabilitation of this Church with the participation of all the churches and all the members of the Marovoay district without waiting for assistance come from outside. Once established the project will run for 8 months with 6 months of preparation and 2 months of actual work of rehabilitation. One applied the leadership principles of Nehemiah. A study on evaluation will be conducted, comparing the spirituality of the members before and after the rehabilitation. Before starting the project, only 30% of the church members were satisfied with the worship. Four months later, the satisfaction of project significantly rose to 70% on the statistics. The impact could not be measured due to shortness of time; however from the direct results obtained the church elders justified the increase in tithe. Meanwhile, the non Adventist members were astonished and this caused them to become Seventh-day Adventist church members.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Literacy as a means for Improving Pastoral Ministry in Anambra-Imo Conference
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2016-06) Akubude, Obinna M.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has played a huge role in the spread of Christianity throughout history. However, the huge burden on pastors serving in Anambra-Imo Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church calls for attention. In 2015, the membership of the church in Anambra-Imo Conference was 9,805 compared to the 19 field pastors. This places an enormous task of reaching out to the members on every pastor serving in the area. This has been a great challenge for the field pastors serving in Anambra-Imo Conference and formed the basis for this study. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized in this research. Two sets of questionnaires were administered. 180 questionnaire were distributed to church members, out of which 116 (70.3%) were returned. All of the fifteen (100%) administered to the pastors were completed. Parts of the data collated from the pastors were gathered through face to face and group interviews.All fifteen (100.0%) pastors interviewed indicated that the evolution and acceptance of ICT are part of prophecy fulfilment. Eleven (73.3%) of the pastors interviewed thought they would most likely be more successful in their pastoral ministry if they would begin to apply ICT in their ministry. The results from this study show that pastors in Anambra-Imo Conference need the application of ICT to improve their pastoral ministry. This work thus recommends that the leadership of the conference organise routine ICT training for both pastors and the members of the local churches. This may increase the interests of the church members in the application of ICT and may enhance pastoral ministry in the region.
The impact of small groups on evangelism: a case study of Nketa 8 Church in Nketa/Emganwini District, South Zimbabwe Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2017-05) Kohlisa, Brighton
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is evangelistic in nature. Its members believe that evangelism is the primary purpose for the Church’s existence. Small groups are one important vehicle that can be used to carry the good news of the gospel to the entire world making a people ready for the Second Coming of Jesus, the Savior. Nketa 8 Church in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, seems to be experiencing a problem in enlisting all the members in evangelism. The purpose of this study was to discover how members could best utilize small groups in evangelism in Nketa, a suburb of Bulawayo. The researcher compared the literature on small groups in order to develop a body of information on small groups. Participants were drawn from Nketa 8 church where the researcher sampled 150 members, including fifteen (15) elders and nine (9) section leaders who shall be referred to as zonal leaders. A total of forty-five (45) board members were also part of the sample. Small groups were formed, launched, trained and sent to study the Bible with members of the neighborhood. This was done on the 3rd of July 2016. An evangelistic effort was conducted from the 8th to the 21st of January 2017 mainly through these small groups that also were the respondents to the questionnaire. As compared to previous events where persons were only baptized when there was public evangelism, a total of forty-five (45) persons were baptized as a result of the small groups studying with people in their private homes.
Factors militating tribal conflict and strategies to promote tribal unity in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Atlantic Conference, Lagos State, Nigeria
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2020-01) Oladapo, Amos Aramide
The gravity of the adverse effects of tribal and intertribal conflict is a big threat to the unity of a nation and the churches all over the world. This trend has increased, threatening the perfect unity of the church to move forward spiritually and to increase numerically. This conflict had been on the increase and had progressed through the rank and file of the church levels, wrecking great havoc within the church and the community. Thus, this study assessed the factors militating tribal conflict (TC) and recommends strategies to promote tribal unity in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Atlantic Conference, Lagos State, Nigeria. This study adopted case study research design that entails the detailed and intensive analysis of a single case and a case study of single community and organization, the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Purposive sampling method and simple random sampling was used to assign all volunteered church members (n= 135) into the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used through an interview guide and a validated semi-structured survey questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha =0.74) was used to obtain data from the respondents. The result showed that more than half (51.9%) were between the age ranges of 40-59 while few (3%) were between ages 15-19. Majority (76.3%) of respondents were male. Virtually, all (98.5%) were from Nigeria. Less than half (45.9%) of the respondents were part of the Igbo ethnic group, while 42.2% were from Yoruba tribe only few (5.9%) were Hausa. The majority (85.9%) of the respondents reported tribal conflict as detrimental to the church. Slightly more than half (57.8%) of the respondents reported that tribal conflict led to fear in the church leaders over the loss of control of their congregation. Also, sixty five percent (65%) of the respondents reported that tribal conflict leads to inability to express one’s opinion. From the leadership perspective, 36.3% stated that church leaders always set good examples of ethical behavior and that less than half (40%) of the leaders never showed preferential treatment. Ethics and integrity were communicated clearly and convincingly by 34.8% to avert conflict. The extent to which tribal difference affects the church was measured on a 40 point rating scale and the mean score was 19.39 ±5.3. This inferred that 48.45% of the respondents reported that tribal differences affect the church unity. In conclusion, this study has given meaningful insight into the evil effects of tribal conflict and the need to provide strategies to combat it. It is recommended that leaders teach their members to follow the teaching of Christ and, secondly, to follow Biblical principles to “pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (NKJV Hebrew 12:14). Furthermore, it is recommended that in the selection of leaders, emphasis be placed on the character and honest report, people full of Holy Ghost, wisdom, good standing, (Church Manual, 2015; Act 6:3), great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:2-13; Titus 1:5-11 and 2:1, 7, 8).
Factors affecting youth retention in Seventh-day Adventist churches in Nyaburi District, Kenya Lake Conference, Kenya
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2020-09) Agalo, Micah
According to a report given at the 2016 year-end church board meeting that was conducted in the Nyaburi District of the Kenya Lake Conference, it was noted that more than 40 percent of the youths baptized each year drop out from the church. This drop was also noted in all the 14 churches in the Nyaburi District. This study, therefore, investigated the factors that affected youth retention in churches in Nyaburi District, Kenya Lake Conference, Kenya. The study was guided by three objectives; how secularism affected youth retention in churches, how leadership affected youth retention in churches, and how nurturing affected youth retention in churches in Nyaburi District, Kenya lake Conference, Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive and research survey design and inferential statistics and obtained its data from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were derived from the questionnaires. The target population comprised all the 14 churches in the Nyaburi District. The researcher used census sampling to select 32 youth leaders and 50 adult leaders from the 14 churches. The sample size was 82 respondents. Data were analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics and were presented in the form of pie charts. Findings revealed that 72.7% of the respondents agreed that factors such as secular worship, secular music, and social media affected youth retention in the churches in the Nyaburi District. The findings also revealed that 70.9% of the respondents agreed that that leadership factors such as conservativeness, lack of involvement, gossip, and parents affected youth retention in churches in the Nyaburi District. Again, 75% of the respondents agreed that nurturing factors such as fellowship, teaching, and sharing affected youth retention in churches in the Nyaburi District. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that secularism, leadership, and nurturing affected youth retention in SDA Churches in Nyaburi District, Kenya Lake Conference, Kenya. To enhance youth retention, the study recommended that the youths be sensitized on the effects of the dangers in secularism. The church leaders should be trained on how to handle youths by not being too conservative, involving the youths in church programs and decision making, discouraging gossip, and encouraging parents to allow their children to attend church. Nurturing committees should also make sure that youths are involved in fellowship, they are taught on church doctrines and allowed to share their views with other church members.
How unhappy marriages affect the spirituality of members in the West Cameroon Mission
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2015-06) Chentu, Jean Nenko
Marriage is one of the institutions that God blessed in the Garden of Eden and as the director of the family life ministries in the West Cameroon Mission, the researcher had to find means and strategies to reduce the marital problems which affects the spirituality of members. With this study the researcher expects that those couples who have lost happiness in their homes and their spirituality is reduced, will regain them back. Three churches were selected in the West Cameroon Mission in which the researcher conducted a survey and an interview to couples who have been married between 5 and 31 years to both men and women, before and after the family life seminar. After the seminar 54.11% of spouses started praying together and 93% started observing regular family worship. In conclusion, unhappiness in the home affects the church community hence spirituality also. So seminars, retreats and workshops should be organized at least once a year.
Marital challenges in the Saints Adventist Church in Seychelles
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2015-06) Bijoux, Georges Michael James
God instituted the marriage institution immediately at the end of the creation week (Gen 2:24). This institution was set as a model that human beings should follow in order to fulfill God’s requirements for generations to come. God’s purpose in marriage is that a woman and a man united together in covenant relationship will live together as long as they both shall live provided they follow the guidelines given to them by their maker. The marriage vows would bind them together in sacred bond that no man should separate. However, in the Saints Adventist Church in Seychelles, many couples are continuously contemplating divorce, young girls are having children before getting married and church members are getting married with non-SDAs. The Saints Church in Seychelles have experienced significant challenges in terms of marital relationships whereby many active members at some time were lead into practices which have not brought glory and honor to God. God’s Church worldwide including the Saints Adventist Church in the Seychelles Mission in the Indian Ocean has a high moral responsibility in defending the biblical principles in family life with the advantage of having principles from the Bible and inspired commentary from the writings of Ellen G. White. The context of this small state country with a population of not more than 100,000 favors strong external influences within the community. Many members now, especially the young ones who accepted the faith and come into the new community of believers were faced with the pressure of past unbiblical cultural relationship practices. Hence the urge of proper education to young adults and adolescents seemed crucial and timely. This project examined the situation of the Saints SDA Church so as to find lifelong solutions towards the existing unfavorable trend. The researcher asked the church clerk at the Saint’s SDA Church to distribute 100 questionnaires to 100 members. Among the members who received the questionnaires care was taken to make sure that all the members were baptized members from the Saint’s SDA church only. There were young people, middle age and elderly, married spouses, singles, divorcees, widows and widowers, spouses with or without children, and young people contemplating marriage. Gender sensitivity was also taken care of during the selection process. Only 55 copies of the questionnaire distributed came back from the members. This represented 55% of the total distributed. Furthermore, among the 55 collected only 37 (67.3%) were filled as they should. Besides filling of the questionnaires there were 25 spouses who were selected for interview. The following were considered in the selection: young men and women contemplating marriage, recently married spouses with and without children; spouses remarried after divorce, and divorced spouses with children. The interview was carried out following appointments with the selected spouses in the list after sending a letter of appointment. Results showed that failures in marital issues in families in Seychelles were due to weak foundations in the family relationships and thus required immediate remedial approaches to change the direction of the trend.
Causes of marital conflict and divorce among Adventist couples in Cape Coast, Ghana
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2015-01) Kusi-Acheampong, Solomon
Marital conflicts, separations and divorce are fast growing phenomena in the Cape coast district and its environments. It is an undisputable fact that a solution should be found for this problem in the society. This study therefore aimed at designing, implementing and evaluating an educational strategy to reduce these marital conflict that result in divorce to the barest minimum. After an intensive literature review which embodied the study of the bible, the Spirit of prophecy books and other relevant materials, a program was designed and implemented in the Cape Cost district which included: a weekly reading of marriage passages from the book Adventist Home by selected families. Furthermore, during Sunday bible studies program in the church, the book Encounter with Marriage Truth was read. Monthly meetings for a “Family Life Week of Prayer” for a period of six months were held, and an intensive Pastoral visitation to the selected respondents. It was based on these educational activities that the program was assessed.The implementation of the program attracted non Adventists, especially Adventist whose parents were non Adventist. Most local churches had their premises filled to the capacity during the program. Some of the participants gave their lives to Christ and got baptized. The confessions and pronouncements made by some attendees, and the reduction in conflicts, separations and divorce during and after the program indicated that the messages had deep impact on the participants. Moreover, the relationship between the district pastors and the church members was improved tremendously. It was observed after the program implementation that many church members were half baked in matters of marriage, hence the numerous marital problems. The researcher recommended that a bible study guide on marriage be prepared for the churches. It was also suggested that both the programs Christian Home marriage week and Family Togetherness week programs continue in the various churches.
Proposed Evangelistic Program for Winning Mijikenda into the Adventist Church, Kenya
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2015-12) Marwa, Zachariah Mwita
In any random sample taken from any church in the coast it will show that the indigenous Mijikenda are the Minority or at times are not represented in the church at all For Kenya Coast Field to succeed in evangelizing the whole coast region, major target should be the Mijikenda who for a long time have not responded well to the Adventist message as expected. The researcher therefore developed an evangelistic strategy through which the Mijikenda are to be reached and be won into the Adventist Church. This strategy involved the church pastors, church elders and members that the researcher had trained in Ziwani Church before the program started. The methods used in this strategy were predominantly public evangelism and literature distribution and visitations. The researcher developed an evangelistic program whereby a team of members were trained through lectures and sent to un-entered Mijikenda areas to do visitation, distribute literature, and conduct evangelistic meetings in various centers.As a result, in 2010, thirteen evangelistic meetings was conducted, 300 literature were distributed, and 276 souls from the indigenous people were baptized. In 2011, twelve meetings were conducted, 222 literature were distributed, and 259 souls were baptized. In the third year, that is 2012, fifteen meetings were conducted, 300 literature distributed, and 344 souls were won to Christ. This researcher recommends the following; that Kenya Coast Field consider deliberate evangelistic program among the Mijikenda as their primary objective, and that Kenya Coast Field increase the spiritual growth of the members in all its territory people in order to spur them into evangelism, and lastly that a replication this study in the rest of the Field focusing the Mijikenda as a target group.
Retaining Literature Evangelists in North East Tanzania Conference
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2014-06) Kujiru, Elitabu Muze
The Publishing Ministries Department in Northeast Tanzania Conference has been faced with the challenge of retention of Literature Evangelists. About 50% of those who join the ministry as literature evangelists quit within six to twelve months. Since Literature Evangelists play a significant role in winning souls to the kingdom of God, retaining them in Literature Ministry is automatically to support the mission of the church. Through Bible study, writings of Ellen G. White, and other authors, a training program was developed by the researcher focusing on the retention of Literature Evangelists in Northeast Tanzania Conference. Data was collected from the said conference. Forty three Literature Evangelists and 4 APDs were involved from the five zones of NETC. Three retirees (two former Publishing Directors and one former APD), and one conference officer were the leaders who were involved. Data from Northeast Tanzania Conference Publishing Department office was collected. The researcher used SPSS computer software to analyze data. The program was implemented for ten days, five days at a time at the interval of one year involving 43 Literature Evangelists and 4 Assistant Publishing Directors. Evaluation was done after two years of work from the first training session and one year after the second training session. After the training program Literature Evangelists were more satisfied with their career, managed to plan their schedule of work, more increased their financial stability, more practiced capital investment plan, more APDs managed to work with LEs on a regular basis, and as a result more Literature evangelists were retained.
Cultural practices that promote pre-marital sex among the youth of Seventh-day Adventist church, Lafia District, North East Nigeria Conference
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2013-11) Zakiri, Ezekiel Luka
To some people virginity is viewed as sacred and honorable, while to others it is not and cannot be. There is little to doubt that culture has a role to play in the sexual behaviors of young people. The high percentage of pregnancy in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Lafia, due to premarital activities is quite disturbing. These cases of unwanted pregnancies constitute serious problems for the youth, the family, the church and the society at large. To make a proper investigation of the problem, 65 questionnaires were administered and personal interviews were conducted. All interviews were undertaken in a private environment and in the language of choice of the respondents. The interview guide had earlier been translated into Hausa, a language that dominates the Northern part of Nigeria.Findings revealed that the predominant sources of sexual knowledge that negatively influenced the youths were media and friends. Cultural matters, like very high bride price and the inclusion of prohibited items, such as alcohol and pig, as bride price, encouraged the youths to engage in sexual immorality. It is, therefore, recommended that the home school be strengthened. Parents that are members of the church should not succumb to the cultural and pagan practices of demanding forbidden items as bride price. The leadership of the church should lay emphasis on youth’s fellowship that puts a living relationship with God as top priority.
Strategies for Retaining Membership in Begoro District of Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ghana
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2014-06) Baffour, Addai Harrison
Church growth is receiving much attention. Indeed, it is the desire of every faithful Christian to see the church growing. However, retention of church members has become the greatest challenge facing the Seventh-day Adventist church as a whole and Begoro District in particular. Adventist has the desire for evangelism and Begoro District is no exception. There has been a huge budget for evangelism and revivals in the churches and Districts every year, but membership retention in the Seventh-day Adventist church at Begoro District of East Ghana Conference is minimal. The strength of every church is its membership. Loss of membership always affects the growth of the church. It is indeed a difficult for the pastor alone to resolve or manage loss of membership in the twenty–two churches and companies in the District. The possibility of becoming ineffective in solving the problem of loss of membership has made the pastor to depend on the lay leaders who are not well equipped with skills in dealing with new converts.The purpose of this paper was to find out the causes of poor retention of membership and develop better and effective strategies and training modules to train lay leaders to be effective and efficient in helping the district pastor to address the problem in the District and in Seventh-day Adventist churches as a whole. The Bible, Adventist sources and other sources on membership retention were reviewed. Questionnaires were given to selected leaders and church members to determine the training needs of the leaders for membership retention. A workshop was organized for Lay leaders. The project was evaluated after six months through head count of members in all the churches.The project was successful, the training should continue in other districts of the conference and the recommendations given should be adopted.
Equipping the local church leadership to involve membership in mission focused activities of the Amakhandeni Seventh-day Adventist church
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2013-08-02) Tshuma, Lulama
Emakhandeni Seventh-day Adventist Church was experiencing the problem of low involvement of membership in evangelistic activities that lead to the accomplishment of its mission. Despite this, it seems there was no intentional member focused mobilization strategy that had been developed to address the issue. After reviewing literature on membership mobilization towards involvement in evangelistic activities and after having scrutinized questionnaires that were completed by the surveyed group, the researcher embarked on an intervention program to alleviate the problem of low involvement of membership in mission focused evangelistic activities at Emakhandeni Church. The program was done in one year and nine months beginning from May 2011. It was a leadership development program which aimed at equipping local church leadership to mobilize church members to get involved in mission focused activities of the Emakhandeni Seventh-day Adventist church. The researcher developed and implemented this program in the church. A year after the intervention program had been developed and implemented, the church realized an accelerated rate of involvement in evangelistic activities that saw 243 baptized at the end of 2012 as compared to 124 that were baptized in 2011. This meant an increase of membership from 711 to 1078.
Motivating Strategies for Professionals Participation in Church Development, a case of Atap in Dar es salaam
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2014-06) Malekana, Mark Walwa
The focus of this study was to develop motivating strategies for professionals to participate in church development. The study was concerned with the association of professionals/businessmen within the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church in Southern Tanzania Union (STU), more especially in Dar es Salaam city namely the Association of Tanzania Seventh-day Adventist Professionals (ATAP). The general objective was to analyze workable motivating strategies to motivate professionals in SDA Churches in Dar es Salaam to participate in church development. Specific objectives include: to establish the profile of ATAP members in Dar es Salaam, to determine the percentage of church members who are professionals in Dar es Salaam; to explore the key factors which make professionals not to participate in ATAP; objective was to suggest possible solutions for actively engaging professionals in church development activities. The study used questionnaires, interviews, observations and focus group discussions as methods of data collection, which were used to gather data from the field. Seventy-one respondents formed the sample size through which four objectives were achieved. Tables and figures were used for data presentation and discussions thereof. Findings were presented, discussed and conclusions from the research indicated that the church is aware of the presence of the professionals in the church. This means that any talent in the church cannot hide from the congregation. The study also found that, professionals are not used effectively for church development due to poor motivation, less church participation in other activities, selfishness among professionals, and some different social classes within ATAP members themselves. Areas for further study are recommended for implementation and evaluation of motivating strategies for professionals. The researcher gives room to any person who want to study on the implementation/evaluation of motivating strategies discussed in this study. Factors based on this recommendation are: first, to avoid plagiarism if another researcher repeat the same topic; second, study on implementation/evaluation of motivating strategies that have been outlined, discussed and recommended in this study, have never been done before. Therefore, a researcher recommends further study can be done on their implementation/evaluation.
A Strategy for the Involvement of Staff members in the Character Development of Students at Bugema Adventist Secondary School, Uganda
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2009-08) Lwanga, Justine
Staff members at Bugema Adventist Secondary School need to be fully involved in the character development of the students in order to enhance the quality of the social learning experience of the students. In this study the researcher has looked at the importance of character development in the educational experience of students at this stage of their life and how it can be done from the context of the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White and Developmental Psychologists. On the local ground, the study looked into the reasons for limited staff members’ involvement and how they can get more involved in this aspect of the students’ life. The information from questionnaires that I administered showed that the staff members were aware of the need for their involvement, but they were reluctant to do so because they were not motivated, lacked the time and yet still lacked the skills to do so. Using information from the books read and the responses from the survey and interviews with the staff members, a strategy was designed for the staff involvement in character development of the students. The strategy targeted all of the staff members irrespective of job or position held in the school. The proposed strategy was directed at demystifying and emphasizing the importance of staff involvement in the character development of the students. The study findings show that the most effective way of getting involved in the character development of students is through an integrated approach. There are many opportunities in the school setting that can be used by the staff members to influence the character of students. From this study the most significant influence that staff members can have on their students is the example they show them in all aspects of their formal and informal interaction. Every staff member therefore should be cautious of their behavior so that they do not transmit the wrong message to the students. They also need to be helped to appreciate the strength of every moment they spend with the students out of class as a good opportunity for character development.
Classroom integration of faith and learning at selected Adventist Schools in Copperbelt, Midland and Luapula Conferences of Northern Zambia Union Conference
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2019-04) Soko, Jonah
The study was on class Integration of Faith and Learning (IFL) practices at Mupapa Adventist Academy (MAA), Kabwe Adventist Secondary (KAS) and Chimpempe Adventist Mission Secondary Schools (CMSS) of the Northern Zambia Union Conference. It was observed that there was a weak emphasis on the Integration of Faith and Learning practice in the classes, but not much was known apart from that. The purpose of the study was therefore to explore the extent to which the IFL was being practiced in the classroom and the factors that are associated with the practice. The study used a descriptive design. Data was collected from 60 teachers from both the primary and secondary sectors. The instrument was a self-designed questionnaire that inquired, apart from the demographic variables (age, years of teaching, academic qualification, religious affiliation and sector of employment), about the level of IFL practice of the teachers, and whether they were trained in IFL teaching. The whole population was chosen for the three schools, that is, 65 teachers. The schools involved were MAA and KAS of the Copperbelt and Midlands Conference respectively and then CMSS of Luapula Conference in Northern Zambia Union Conference in the Luapula Province. Only 60 questionnaires were returned. The data was analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics—frequency distribution, simple correlation and t-test for independent samples. The study showed that the majority of the respondents were male (58%), and are more than 30 years old (70 %). 82% of the respondents had between 0-15 years of teaching experience, 53% have an undergraduate degree or above and 47% have either a certificate or a diploma. Seventy-five percent of the participants were baptized Seventh-day Adventists, 53% teach in secondary schools and 47% teach in primary schools. A crosstab analysis revealed that 64% of the primary school teachers are females and 78% of the secondary school teachers are males. The latter also hold an undergraduate degree and above, whereas their female counterparts hold either a diploma or a certificate. The findings revealed that the respondents did practice Integration of Faith and Learning mainly in the form of praying, reading the Bible in class and using the Bible as a textbook for all subjects. “Praying” scored a slightly higher mean than the other three forms. Use of the Bible during the lesson presentation rated second and reading the Bible during class came in third position. The overall score indicated a mean of 3.3, with a standard deviation of 1.21. The analysis also examined if there was a significant difference in the practice of Integration of Faith and Learning based on the demographic variables. In order to answer this question, a mean comparison using t-test was done. The findings indicated that female teachers seem to practice more Integration of Faith and Learning than their male counterparts. For the demographic variable “age” the finding indicated no significant difference. Also there were no significant difference in the practice of IFL based on years of teaching, and religious affiliation. However, for the last two variables: academic qualifications and sector there was a significant difference. Those who have certificates and diplomas and who are in the primary school sector practice seem to practice more Integration of Faith and Learning than those who have first degrees and above and who work in the secondary school sector. Further analysis was done to find if there is a relationship between the level of spirituality of the respondents and their level of practice of Integration of Faith and Learning in the classroom. The study revealed that the teachers had a fairly high level of spirituality. The correlation analysis showed a strong correlation between the level of spirituality and the level of practice in the classroom. Nevertheless it was found that in the secondary sector, even if the teachers seems to have a high level of spirituality, they do not practice IFL that much in the classroom. This finding seems to suggest that there are other factors that can affect the actual practice of IFL. Finally, an analysis was done to see if there was a significant difference in the practice of Integration of Faith and Learning based on the attendance to the training and orientation seminars on IFL. Using independent samples T-test, the results showed that there was a significant difference between the practices based on the training and orientation received by the participants. Those who have attended the seminar on IFL and obtained an orientation on how to integrate faith and learning during the lessons as well as during the social games tend to practice it more than those who had not obtained the training. Based on the findings four major recommendations were made. First, the teachers of the Primary schools who happen to the mostly female teachers should be encouraged to keep up IFL practices, while the secondary school teachers need to be encouraged to do so. Second, given the fact that those who got the training tend to practice it more in the classrooms, the school administrators need to ensure that all the teachers get an opportunity to attend training seminars on ILF. Third, the use of the Bible during lesson presentation be encouraged further. Fourth, the teachers should be encouraged to nurture their level of spirituality as this will drive them to practice their faith more in the classroom.
A strategy of nurturing new members in Bamburi Great News Seventh-day Adventist Church, Kenya Coast Field
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2013-08-02) Ombuoro, Khamala Eliab
For a pastor/leader, biblical discipleship means training and equipping people to become responsible Christians who follow Jesus and share the gospel with others. In the Bamburi Great News Church, which is Bamburi District of Kenya Coast Field in Kenya, the names of most of those attending services were not on the Church register, while the registered members were not attending Church program. The study investigated the reasons behind this and made recommendations for effective nurturing of Church members. Quantitative data was collected through the use of questionnaires administered on 200 members, only 148 out of these were returned. In addition, 12 people were interviewed for collection of useful qualitative information. Data analysis indicated a mere average level of new membership nurturing in the Church, with 60% of respondents agreeing to know a member who left the Church for a lack of good nurturing. The study also discovered a low level of involvement of Church members in Church programs.All those interviewed face to face agreed that the Sabbath School Discussion Groups should be used for monitoring of members and those absent should be subsequently followed up. About 75% of those interviewed also suggested the allocation of special mentors to new members, taking sex and age into consideration. In addition, 50% of the interviewees suggested home-based fellowship at mid-week, for those living within the same proximity; this will increase the participation of all members in mid-week prayer meetings. The study concluded that improved participation of all members in Church activities, which will encourage and result in increased Church members, may be achieved if members commit themselves to the Lords’ work.
An investigation of factors contributing to the decrease of tithe and offerings in Kasulo Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Congo
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2019-04) Wazenga, Emile Ilunga
Kasulo Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of the organized churches in West Katanga Field of the East Congo Union Mission. It is located in Kolwezi town. Currently, the church is experiencing a critical financial situation in terms of tithe and offerings. A situational analysis of the income for three years indicates a continuous decrease in tithe and offerings. An investigation was done in order to find out the real factors contributing to this failure in rendering tithe and offerings. The researcher developed questionnaires and administered them to church members. Findings revealed that the contributing factors for the decrease in tithe and offerings were the lack of confidence in God among church members and the result in this area revealed that among seven questions responses were as follow: 451 responses equivalent to 31% were positive 1019.Responses of 69%, which are negative. This result is sufficient evidence that the majority rejected the spiritual dimension as a cause for not rendering tithe and offerings in Kasulo Church. Nevertheless, the statement of the 31% who have responded that the lack of spirituality is the cause of spirituality should not be underestimated. In other words, 31% have already lost their trust in God and therefore they consider the claim of tithe as a simple tax. Another factor was ignorance of teachings on stewardship and the result announced that in this area of 3 questions 630 responses equivalent to 30% were positives, whereas 438 or 70 % were negative. Such a result indicates that the majority agreed that they had not enough information on stewardship teachings. Thus, this is one of the basic reasons for not rendering tithe and offerings in the Kasulo SDA Church. Their level of knowledge in term of tithing is very poor. The third factor was based on poor leadership as a factor of failure in tithe and offering and after the investigation, the result explains that regarding the hypothesis stating that the poor leadership in Kasulo is one of the six factors for not giving tithe and offerings. About this factor which comprised questions, 1260 response equivalent to 33% were positive, while 839 or 67 % were negative. This result shows a significant difference between the two groups of respondents. Therefore it is obvious that the issue of poor leadership is strongly confirmed. Church leaders may be a hindrance to tithing and offerings if they do not visit church members and if they are not a good model in tithing. It may also happen that they don’t organize seminars on Christian stewardship. The last factor is poor income which is considered as another factor and the investigation shows that Out of a total of 405 responses, 244 were positive meaning 60% and the remaining equivalent to 40% was negative. Therefore, poor income as a factor of failure to render tithe and offerings in Kasulo Seventh-day Adventist Church is confirmed. Nobody can expect to have positive tithing when church members are deprived financially. In general incomes within the church depends to a great extent on the Church members economic conditions. Church member’s responses provided an authentic source of reference which helped the researcher to design a program to improve the financial situation in Kasulo Church. The program consisted of visitations of church member’s families for a period of one month. The purpose of visitation was to teach members and gain their confidence in the Lord. The teachings were intended to help them their major role in the preparation of the second coming of the Lord. Likewise, the program was also concerned with educating pastors and church elders. The Program was evaluated with an appreciation of the entire process to ensure the welcome side effect of the program. Thus, it was recommended that church leaders had to put great importance on visiting members, keeping a good relationship with them and to be good examples in giving tithe and offerings.
A strategy for retaining the youth in Betel Seventh-day Adventist church, Huambo, Angola
(Adventist University of Africa, School of Postgraduate Studies, 2015-06) Suquina, Domingos Lourenco
This research has investigated and identified the dropping out of church and the low attendance of youths at Bethel Seventh-day Adventist church programs. What prompted the research were the reasons that the youth themselves gave of their low participation in church as lack of interesting programs for church members. Surveys carried out among the youth of ages 16-30 discovered possible causes were among them lack of programs that engaged and allowed youths to participate in church programs. The church ought to realize that the future and the strength of the church is assured only if they have programs that focus on youth retention. This project set out to establish and carry out a program that involved training and equipping the youth to become responsible Christians and leaders in the church, increase their church participation and attendance. Literature from the Bible and other authors clearly indicated examples of how youth participated in spiritual matters. The Bible has examples that include Joseph, whose childhood education and training raised him to high ranks in Egypt (Exod 40). Esther, who eventually became Queen in Persia during the time of the reign of Ahasuerus (Est 2). Daniel and his friends in Babylon are another good example. Proverbs 22:6 alludes to this when it says “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” The study set out a program that involved participation of the youth of ages 16-30 in the church. It included the following: teaching the youth on topics such as: Stewardship, Life Style, HIV/AIDS, Blood donation and door to door witnessing on Sabbath afternoons. This program was a success as it increased the participation of youth in church programs, created high interest in church activities and they also felt that there spiritual needs were catered for. Youth church attendance and membership increased from 50 to 78. Forty-one of them were baptized at the end of this program.

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