Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://192.168.0.29/handle/123456789/135

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Exploration of tithing challenges: A case of Wamaza District of Maniema Mission, Democratic Republic of the Congo
(Adventist University of Africa, 2017-06) Itengo, Tarquin Kilunda
The goal of this study was to discover the reasons that affect tithing. This study was done in two ways; first the interview to the members to know the reasons that affect tithing, and, then, the implementation of strategies to stop the causes and to increase tithes. Before this study, the situation was lamentable which formed the problem this study addressed. After the study, the situation has changed according to the results, which are found in chapter four. If the members practice all the strategies learned during the seminars, and follow all the advice that has been given, we have reason to believe that the situation prevailing in this district will not remain as is, necessarily there will be a change. So, if the Congolese government is thinking of locating the province of Maniema with other provinces, it will allow the population to wander well in their activities because after carrying out an evaluation of the program implemented, the number of donors has increased markedly as well as the rate of fidelity. If the program application extends to other Adventist Churches in other districts, we believe there will be encouraging results.
A strategy for Adventist youth involvement in evangelism in South Rwanda Field
(Adventist University of Africa, 2017-03) Karasira, Nsengiyumva Gerard
In South Rwanda Field of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, only 19.6% of the youth are involved. Most of the youth are not involved in ministry. Therefore, there is a need to change the situation in order to increase the number of young people who actively participate in evangelism. After conducting the survey, the researcher developed a strategy, program, and plan of implementation in order to increase the number of youth who participate in church activities, particularly, in evangelism. The researcher conducted trainings, after which the young people conducted a two-week evangelistic campaign as an application of what they learned in the trainings. Questionnaires were distributed to district pastors, church elders, and some young people. Out of their respective responses, Bible studies were conducted, homiletics principles were applied, and eight selected fundamental beliefs were shared for a period of two weeks, at least. The process ended in selecting a group of forty-five young people who were ready to conduct a two-week evangelistic meeting. The findings were very positive. At the end of the whole process, the involvement of the youth in evangelism increased from 19.6% to 48.3%. Even though they did not reach the goal of 50% participation, this percentage indicates that the program was successful. The exercise also revealed to the entire leadership of South Rwanda Field that there is a need of reinforcing the involvement of the youth in church activities.
A strategic plan for evangelism in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mwinilunga District, Zambia
(Adventist University of Africa, 2009-09) Nshindo, Humphrey Kambanzhi
Mwinilunga is one of the seven districts in the Northwestern Province of Zambia. The district lies in the extreme northwest of the province and covers an area of 20,910 square kilometers. Mwinilunga District lies 872 kilometers from Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. The district has a population of 131,515 according to the census of population and housing of 2000. Though the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been in the area for more than twenty (20) years, the current church membership stands at 365. There is only one organized church. Church growth is very low, making it a source of concern. Chapter one discusses the statement of the problem, the purpose of the study, and the significance of the study. It also looks at the delimitations of the research and the methodology/procedure followed in the research. Chapter two deals with the biblical, Ellen G. White, Seventh-day Adventist proponents and other Protestant theologians’ basis for church growth through evangelism. The local setting of Zambia, Mwinilunga District, and Mwinilunga Central Seventh-day Adventist Church is described in chapter three. Chapter four deals with suggested solutions to the problem of low growth in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mwinilunga District. Chapter five gives the summary, conclusions, and recommendations of the research.
The growth of Seventh-day Adventist Church in Gisenyi City, North West Rwanda Field
(Adventist University of Africa, 2017) Kamandi, Ferdinand
Gisenyi SDA Church was established in 1968 in the Northwestern part of Rwanda. Since then, this church experienced a very slow church growth to the point that the total gross of its membership went up to 3782 church members over the City population of 83,623 by 2015. That is to say a rate of 4.5 percent of SDA Church members of the total population of the City. Even though many evangelistic campaigns were done in Gisenyi City, the growth rate of church members is still very low compared to the population. This being the case, focus is needed in evangelizing this City in more systematic and strategic way. The most promising methods to evangelize would be mobilizing pastors and laity, elders and church members at the same time as one man. Since most of those who will be involved in reaching out to unreached people of Gisenyi City are uneducated church members without skills in matters concerning evangelism, the program of equipping them is an obvious necessity. The researcher used the purposive method in sampling data. Both secondary and primary data were consulted during this research. Primary data was collected with the help of interview given to the church pastors, elders, and church members. The major findings revealed as shown in tables 7 and 8 that both four pastors and fifteen church elders agree that church growth is hindered by members being so busy and lacking training. After a spiritual revival and training of Gisenyi SDA Church members, a remarkable change appeared. The mid-week prayer attendance rate increased from 55.8% to 75%. Following oikos and public evangelism, 267 people were baptized and integrated into small groups for retention. Therefore the researcher concludes that without equipping the church members, growth will still remain low. It is recommended that more training should be carried out if the church is to realize the mission of the Master.
Developing a strategy for witnessing to the Indian community at Lukanaga Seventh-day Adventist Church and Kabwe Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in Midlands East Zambia Conference
(Adventist University of Africa, 2021-03) Chilomo, John Massiye
The church has never had strategic evangelistic activities that target the Indian Community regardless of their proximity to the Conference offices of Midlands East Zambia Conference in Kabwe and despite their longtime presence there. The Hindus of the Indian Community have been in Zambia for a long time. The town of Kabwe in which the Midlands East Zambia Conference is situated has a large population of Indian descent. Despite their idolatrous practices, this study argues that there is the hope of winning Indians to a monotheistic Christian God. Towards that intended goal, this study developed a strategy for reaching out and witnessing to the Indian Community around Lukanga Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) and Central SDA Church. A questionnaire was taken to the churches and several members volunteered to be part of the witnessing project. The training was done using the information which was gathered in Chapter two. After analyzing the New and Old Testaments, the writings of Ellen White, other Adventists, and other Christian authors, the writer of this project was convinced that the church has not done much in witnessing to the Indian community. After the training of the volunteers was done, appointments were made to visit and witness the Indian community of which the target were the Hindus. The program was a success; many of them were reached and prayed with. The DVDs for new beginnings were distributed to them. There were no baptisms, though; The challenge they faced in this witnessing program was the fear of being disowned by their family members and not being supported in their business. However, a lot of interest was shown and Bible studies will continue to be carried out with these that have shown interest.
A strategy to empower lay leaders to develop effective preaching at Ambohidratrimo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Madagascar
(Adventist University of Africa, 2023-02) Josoa Jacquot Jimison
Preaching plays an important role in the lives of believers. The spiritual life of the church depends on it. Most of the members of our church are not satisfied with the sermons they hear in the church on Sabbath. The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Ambohidratrimo is facing that problem. First, educated lay leaders use their skills and knowledge to preach. However, their sermons become profound and philosophical. Second, lay leaders who have not progressed much in their education convince the audience with their chosen language and voice only in preaching. Third, different opinions have been heard from members about lay leaders preaching. In particular, the sermon is too long and uninspiring. Too many references are used and the topic is not clear. The objective of this project is to develop a strategy to empower lay leaders to promote effective preaching. The study followed Biblical teaching, the writings of Ellen Gould White, and a seminar was conducted. The seminar trained lay leaders of Ambohidratrimo SDA Church in terms of preaching. The study reveals that lay leaders of Ambohidratrimo SDA Church must improve their manner of preaching. Because of this research, strategies are given to empower lay leaders to develop effective preaching.
A strategic program to counter the impact of globalization on young people in Mangarano Church District, Madagascar
(Adventist University of Africa, 2022-06) Ranala, Isaac Andriamaniry Zakambololona
Globalization aims at making the world a global village. Its purpose is to eliminate the gap between all regions to connect the world in one big network of information without impediment. Young people who were born in the early 2000s have grown up in a new era of technological innovation which is considered to be more advanced compared to what was experienced before the third millennium. With this threat of globalization, this study is to discover the potential influence of leadership that should be considered to overcome the impact of globalization in the Mangarano Church District. In other words, these questions must be answered: Does globalization have an impact on Adventist youth leadership? Can a revision or improvement of the pastoral ministry, especially within the framework of the approach, constitute a hope for a solution to this situation? Would it be possible to increase or enhance it through this strategic program? This research would be beneficial for pastors and parents in their ministries and education in serving today’s local church youths as it is based upon Jesus’ leadership. The empirical evidence approach is used. It is composed of analytical and clinical methods. It is a mixed tactic. In addition, the survey revealed that leaders should continue to have close contact with young people. One needs to reinforce youths’ identities, their values, and especially to acknowledge the existence of technological innovations that are no longer inevitable because those move forward with new strategies. They need to be used as effective tools to accomplish the mission of the church.
Premarital education addressing premarital sex in the district of Ambohijafy, Madagascar
(Adventist University of Africa, 2023-01) Harsha Niaina Davidra
In the Seventh-day Adventist District of Ambohijafy, premarital sex is one of the very crucial issues leading to a number of church disciplines whether by censure or by removal among many young people, both male and female between the ages of seventeen to twenty four. Then, forced marriages take place among youth which lead to the absence of marital stability. This study is a reflection of what is happening in several churches within the Central Malagasy Conference and the Indian Ocean Union Conference territories. The main target of the present project is to offer to church leaders, school officers, and church members, including young unmarried people, a concrete strategy to deal with premarital sex. Beginning with the biblical and theological foundations regarding premarital sex intercourse, the researcher continues with a detailed description of the local setting with an emphasis on the obvious realities motivating premarital sex intercourse and the indications of premarital sex intercourse among the church members. Then, the researcher proposes four principal approaches to stand as a godly education strategy to deal with premarital sex. These four principal approaches are seminars, prayer sessions, self-help and supporting group discussions with virginity pledge ceremony. The core theme of the seminars is grounded upon 2 Timothy 2:22 and the motto “No to sex before Marriage.” The duration of the overall education programs was less than three months long. Precisely one Sunday and nine Sabbath days were needed to complete the all education programs divided into awareness sessions and seminars sessions stages. Special interdependent tools were also used as equipment along the programs. These tools are a small guidance booklet, a Facebook page and a virginity pledge card. In conclusion, the education programs based upon seminars, prayer sessions, self-help and supporting group discussions with virginity pledge could bring success in dealing with premarital sex intercourse. At the end of the development of these four approaches, churches leaders were more concerned and a changing behavior among unmarried young people was observed as they refrained from premarital sex intercourse.
Strategies to Enhance Tithing at Soavinimerina Seventh-day Adventist Church
(Adventist University of Africa, 2023-02) Ratsimba, Oliva Colombe Andriampaniry
Tithing is a way for people to show their trust in God and their acceptance of Him as Lord of the universe. One of the biggest problems facing Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Madagascar is not ignorance of tithing, but unfaithfulness to it. They do not have the intention to follow the biblical model of tithing and this circumstance leads them into dreadful experiences. There is also a lack of training for church leaders on tithing, as well as encouragement of less confident members through fervent prayers and regular visits. The Church of Soavinimerina is one of 851 churches in the Central Malagasy Conference that is no different and has been studied in a particular case. The study aims to discover the reasons for the low tithe returning in the Soavinimerina Church and to achieve a fidelity rate in the tithe at least eighty percent. The study was conducted in two stages: the first was an interview with members to learn about the factors that influence tithing, and the second was the formulation of strategies to address the issue and provide practical advice. This situation should improve following the application and implementation of the proposed strategies, as well as following the suggestions that are thereafter provided.
A Strategy for Retention of New Members in Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church, South Rwanda Field, Rwanda Union Mission
(Adventist University of Africa, 2016-05) Muvunyi, Charles
The aim of this study was to develop a strategy that will be used as a model for solving the problem of membership retention in Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church. The strength of every church is its membership. Loss of church members always affects the growth of the church. It is indeed difficult for the pastor to singly resolve or manage loss of membership in the church. The possibility of becoming ineffective to solve the problem of the loss of membership has made the pastor depend on lay leaders who often are not well equipped with skills in the treatment of new converts. The Bible, Seventh-day Adventist sources and other materials on membership retention were reviewed. Questionnaires were given to selected church members to determine the training needs of the church elders and all church workers as well as the church members for membership retention. A training workshop was organized for church elders and all church workers as well as the church members. The study outlined the reality of the loss of new members and enumerated the probable causes of new members backsliding in Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church. It drew a suggestive strategy on how to prevent this backsliding of new members. At the conclusion to this study, the researcher discovered that the fact that Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church has a high rate of dropouts brought a necessity of looking for the new answer to the question: “How to retain new church members in Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church?” The study considered many challenges and causes of backsliding such as the lack of: proper follow-up, nurturing programs for new converts, bonds of friendship, effective visitation, and adequate fundamental instruction. The church planned a strategy which helped the newly baptized to stay in the church. The small groups program shows that there is hope. After the evangelistic campaign conducted in Ngoma Adventist Church, thirty-seven new converts were baptized. After three months of visiting and follow-up, all thirty-seven new members were still in the church and they were actively participating. Following the implementation of programs that are described in this study, it was concluded that it is possible to decrease the loss of members in Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church if there is proper planning, commitment, and dedication on the part of the leadership of the local church and the pastor.
A Strategy to Equip Leaders for Church Growth at Ilakaka, in the South West Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Madagascar
(Adventist University of Africa, 2023-05) Andriamampiononandrainy, Arthur Sasah Doudou
It is a known fact that leadership is needed for the church. A great challenge for the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the lack of growth. Several reasons attribute to the lack of growth: a) diversity of communities, b) different levels of knowledge, c) different attitudes, d) different cultures, and the influence of other religious groups, such as Muslims. However, the main reason is the lack of spirituality. Leaders neglect to set aside time to communicate with God, and this has an impact on the members, and consequently prevents the church from growing. People are so busy trying to survive that they hardly have time to be with Jesus. There was a need to develop a strategic plan to deal with this lack of spiritually in order for the Ilakaka Seventh-day Adventist Church to grow. This study examined the theological foundations for leadership and church growth. Leadership and church growth are closely related. The paper analyzed different leadership styles and principles in the Old Testament and New Testament. This project explained also the Biblical concepts on church growth, both from the Old Testament and the New Testament, and Ellen White’s writings. Taking into account the theological basis of leadership and church growth, as well as the relationship between methods, the behavior of the leaders and the growth of the church, this study should help and equip Ilakaka leaders to apply some strategies to experience church growth. It is hoped that when this strategy is implemented, Ilakaka Church, and other churches in the Conference may attain their potential growth.
Developing the Skills of Young Ladies for Church Growth at Agona Akrofonso Church, Ghana
(Adventist University of Africa, 2023-06) Amoako, Emmanuel Kwaku
The Seventh-day Adventist Church at Agona Akrofonso is blessed with young female endowed with numerous skills that, when developed, would accelerate the growth of the church. The skills vary from natural skills to acquired ones. Furthermore, the young female adults outnumber their male counterparts in the church. If their skills are developed, it will reduce the unemployment problems in the church and widen the church’s revenue generation base. Besides this, the project aims at developing the skills of the young ladies to help them understand the trend lines of the church and its challenges and how their skills can reduce the challenges and impact church productivity. The study among other considerations followed Bible studies, organization of young ladies’ sensitization programs, personal interviews, workshops, preaching, and opinion polls and receiving feedback to make the research attain its desired goal. The research has revealed the fact that young ladies’ skills development across the board is a collective responsibility of the church and the community. The research ascertained the fact that majority of these undeveloped young ladies in the church are orphans, others from broken homes, whilst others are plagued with poverty. The research advises that, irrespective of the fact that church members have varied views on who is responsible for the development of the skills of young ladies in the church, the church—as a place of rescue for perishing souls—can develop these young ladies to boost church growth. In addition to the above, the research reveals the need for the church to allocate budget funds for the establishment of skills development centers to help young ladies. Again, the well-to-do individuals in the churches can be approached and encouraged to help the less privileged individuals, especially the young ladies to avoid immorality and promote church growth. Having got the cooperation of all concerned, the research exposes the fact that young ladies’ skills development at Agona Akrofonso Seventh-day Adventist Church is a wakeup call to the church at large for the redemption of the image of the young ladies in the church. This can be attained through establishing low-cost training institutes, assisting the young ladies in some existing institutions; lastly, urging some individuals in the church to be of help to these young ladies.
Strategy to improve the spirituality of youths affected by globalisation in Antsiranana Church District, Madagascar
(Adventist University of Africa, 2022-07) Rambinintsoanandrasana, Alphonse Lovanomenjanahary
The majority of Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Antsiranana district, that is, 75% of them, consist of young people. Instead of becoming assets for the churches, their existence seems to be a burden for the church leaders. They complain that nowadays the youths ’spirituality level is very low. This paper presents the strategy to improve the spirituality condition of youths which is affected by globalization in this church District. As a result of the analysis of the situation, then analysis of some documents and information, it is suggested that the strategy which should be adopted to educate these young people in Antsiranana is to equip the church leaders and the board members of the churches to improve and correct this defect. Research on the culture, mentality, distraction and religious backgrounds in Antsiranana city are presented in this study. All of these are meant to be a starting point to help parents and church leaders understand the real situation regarding young people, so they can help young people have a good relationship with God and train them to be spiritually mature. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to improve the spiritual condition of these young people in such a way that they become real pillars of the church, have an influence on their neighbors in order for them to be able to preach to their friends, and become citizens of heaven.
A study of the spirit of prophecy counsels on constructing and managing church facilities
(2022-06) Agyapong, Alexander
The Spirit of Prophecy, a term that refers to the writings of Ellen G. White, has guided the Seventh-day Adventist Church since its inception on critical issues including doctrinal purity, church organization, outreach, education, and health. A critical assessment of the Spirit of Prophecy shows that it also offers several counsels on the construction and management of church facilities, which include land acquisition and documentation, church facility construction, maintenance and general church facility management. Adopting a historical and case study approach, the study dived into the writings of Ellen G. White to unearth her counsels on the built environment and its usefulness in the Church of God. Questionnaires were administered and interviews were also conducted in selected churches within the Mid-North, and Mid-West Ghana Conferences to understand how Elders and Pastors knew the availability of the Spirit of Prophecy counsel on church estate management, as well as its relevance in managing the built environment of the church. A program was developed and implemented for two years by conducting training workshops for church leaders on the importance of the counsels of the Spirit of Prophecy and the need for Church leaders to consult it in their decisions with regard to the construction and management of church facilities.
Developing a strategy with tools to reach the Hindu community in Mauritius
(Adventist University of Africa, 2023-07) Lamour, Alain Laval
One of the issues that the Mauritius Conference is grappling with is how Hindu converts in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church might lead their family and friends to Christ. Members of Hindu backgrounds, as well as non-Hindus in the church, have differing perspectives on the best ways to reach out to their friends and relatives in the areas where they live. A few Hindus here and there joined the Christian community each year. However, Hindu converts in the church are not coming forward to assist in the development of strategies and elaborate plans for reaching out to the Hindu community by presenting them to Christ. The purpose of this project is to develop a contextualized strategy and tools to help congregations with a significant number of Hindu converts. Hindu relatives and close friends did not join them in church. Personal interviews, devotionals at church board meetings, elders’ meetings, Wednesday prayer meeting devotionals, and divine service preaching were all used in this study’s traditional methodology. In addition, a seminar was utilized as a component of the project to teach participants in small-group prayer meetings by exposing them to fresh perspectives on contextualized small-group evangelism. It was also a means of getting input from members as they evolved in small groups. The findings show that both Hindu converts and non-Hindus in the church have a misunderstanding about evangelism. Many members do not perceive the need for contextualized outreach to a particular group of people. Furthermore, many people believed in the one-size-fits-all strategy, since it was the only method, they knew worked. This is because SDA Church leaders have told new converts from Hindu backgrounds that to be saved and become Christians, they must adopt the occidental style and way of life. As a result, many of these converts from Hindu backgrounds were not directly involved in sharing the gospel of Christ with their community. According to the study, small group prayer sessions are one of the finest ways for the church to reach out to Hindus in their communities. However, these small group meetings must be reorganized and monitored by the church. Additionally, the study acknowledged that Global Mission is doing an excellent job in some particular regions around the island. However, the person in charge should visit those churches where there are many Hindus converts and explain to them the nature of its mission and tell them how the Hindu converts in the church can help in reaching more Hindus with the gospel. He can accomplish this through preaching sermons at certain churches and holding seminars in the afternoon. This would be beneficial if more Hindu converts started gathering in small-group prayer meetings and developing plans and methods to win over more Hindus to Christ.
Educating members on the theology of tithes and offering in Osun Conference, Nigeria
(Adventist University of Africa, 2017-03) Ajao, Enock Abiodun
The purpose of this study was to find out the modalities for educating Church members within Osun State Conference on the theology of tithes and offerings in order to boost the financial support accruing to the local Churches, Districts and Conference by 20% within a period of six months. This will aid in boosting the expansion of the church in unreached territories of Osun Conference. In this study, theological basis for tithes and offerings will be discussed. The factors responsible for member’s probably low response to issue of tithe and offerings will be uncovered. This work will examine better ways of teaching financial stewardship as a sacred act of worshiping God and discover how members could better understand and practice the combined offering plan otherwise called systematic benevolence that will become a way of life. The population of this research was a representative of all the Seventh-day Adventists who worship in churches in eleven districts of Osun State. An average of two hundred questionnaires were administered in order to sample the level of understanding of SDA members on theology and practice of tithes and offering. The questionnaires were employed in collection of data, they were analysed by percentage procedures. This enabled the researcher to develop a model through program design from the respondent understanding of Church supporting strategy and other factors affecting tithe and offerings. This study reveals that teachings on theology of offerings has not been very much understood, imbibed and implemented by Seventh-day Adventist Members in most of the Churches in Osun Conference except those in the four Districts where increment in offering was noticed. Hence, there is urgent need for continuous monthly, quarterly, annual or bi-annual orientation on theology of returning offerings that will encourage the spirit of liberality and cheerfulness in all the Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Osun Conference. Members should always be reminded that he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully, while he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.
Developing a program to improve members’ participation in the partaking of holy communion in Mahazoarivo Antsirabe District, Madagascar
(Adventist University of Africa, 2022-07) Andrianasolo, Ainanirina
After washing the feet of his disciple, Christ commanded them to do this service of foot washing (John 13:14). And after eating together with His disciples for celebrating the Passover, Christ told them to remember Him whenever they eat the bread and the wine (1 Cor 11:24-26). That is the recommendation of Christ, not only for His disciple, but for His Church through the ages before his coming, and the church should follow this. After making research about the Holy Communion, researcher investigate a problem about the participation in the Holy Communion Service (HCS) in the churches of the Mahazoarivo district which is in the Central Malagasy Conference, Madagascar. Researcher gives a solution for the base of problems and make a pastoral visit planning and training for the church members and church leaders.
Effective program of Church membership retention in the Seventh-day Adventist, Ahodwo District, Ashanti South Ghana Conference
(Adventist University of Africa, 2017-06) Adjei Mensah, Isaac
It is not the first time someone is writing on membership retention. I observed the challenge of membership retention. The Church is poise in responding to the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20. The Church always eager to hold open air campaigns and other outreach programs to increase baptism; meanwhile, both entrance and exit doors are open. The Church spends a lot of funds (huge budget allocation) channel through these programs, meanwhile to retain them is another thing altogether for the Church worldwide, which Ahodwo district is inclusive. This uncertainty has motivated the researcher to help reduce the dropout in the Church. For example, out of 215 people baptized in 2015, only 40 of them were in the Church at the beginning of the second quarter of 2016. The researcher reviewed much on what other writers contributed on this topic, but there is still problem with the nurturing and retention in the church. Therefore, this paper intended to develop training materials on nurturing and retention to train lay person on the effective and efficient way of retaining new converts and old members in the Church The purpose of this paper is to find out the causes of this poor retention of membership and to develop a better and effective means to reduce such challenges. Several works of literature on membership retention were reviewed. The Bible, Ellen G. White’s writings, and other religious writers were used. Questionnaires were given out to some selected members and purposive group discussion were conducted to know the real challenge and to determine the actual area to work with and to understand the real needs of the leaders and the laymen. Workshops were organized for leaders and laymen, and after six months, an evaluation was made through headcount of members in all the Churches, and there was a significant improvement in all the Churches. The project was embraced by the members, the training should be done from time to time in the districts within conference and recommendations given should be implemented.
A program to curb the effects of syncretism on quality of worship in Erinmope District, Ekiti conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church, Nigeria
(Adventist University of Africa, 2023-02) Adeoye, Oladele Ezekiel
The quality of worship in Erinmope District, Ekiti Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was impacted by the effects of syncretism on her members. This work ascertained the presence and effects of syncretism in Erinmope District on the quality of worship and proffered solution to avoid its continuous occurrence through an intervention program. Quantitative method was adopted, using questionnaire to gather data and analysis was done using, hierarchical clusters, cross-tabulation, pierson correlations and percentages. A Focused Group Discussion was also used to ascertain the impact of the intervention program. The study revealed that syncretism was a practice in Erinmope District, as more than seventy percent of respondents (77.3% male and 70.6% female) agreed that some members were still in one occult group or the other as at the time this survey was carried out. That some members still visit Babalawo is assented to by 60.7% of respondents. That some still communicate with the dead to rest in peace is consented to by 87.5% of respondents. That some members do fear to share their prayer requests before the congregation or to one another to avoid turning it to a misfortune is attested to by 71.5% of the respondents. That there are still adherents of Ogboni fraternity among the members is attested to by 53.6% of the respondents, which is a little more than average of the respondents. That there were confirmed cases of witchcraft in the time past is attested to by 91.1% percent suggests that there is a need for intervention. Conclusively, above eighty-seven percent (87.5%) of the respondents indicated that, some members are still practicing ancestral worship as they participate in Egungun Festival. The afore-mentioned facts and members’ involvement in them greatly impacted the quality of worship in Erinmope District negatively. The study further showed that the Church is educated to a point, as 94.6% of the respondents consented that obedience is paramount in worship and a requirement for genuine worship. That Christians’ participation in traditional festival is not advisable; it could lead away from God because of the element of idolatry, which is attested to, by 91.1% of the respondents. They are also aware that dual allegiance has a serious negative effect on the return of tithes and offering as 89.1% of the respondents attested to this. They are aware that becoming a Traditional Chief as a Christian could lead to idolatry as 96.4% of the respondents attested to this. Moreover, they are also aware that compromise of Christian faith is possible when a believer accepts traditional Chieftaincy title, as 75% of the respondents attested to this. They also responded, that the practice of partisan politics might affect Sabbath keeping. Conclusively, 96.4% of the respondents revealed that they are aware that Christian worship requires total surrendering to the Almighty God. The intervention program made a positive impact within the District and the work therefore recommends, regular bible study, prayer meetings, and sanctions for offenders as some of the ways to curb syncretism in Erinmope District.
A strategy for motivating professional growth of pastors in the Southern highlands conference, Tanzania
(Adventist University of Africa, Theological Seminary, 2013-08-02) Chaboma, Ezekia Lupocho
The issue of offshoots is one of the big challenges facing the Southern Highlands Conference. This has affected the church in Southern Highlands Conference. Church members have become suspicious about the church organization. As a result, they question some of the church beliefs and Church Manual guidelines. A contributing factor is the incompetence on the part of pastors to handle the situation and to restrain the heresies from invading the church. The pastors’ professional growth is low. Most of them are unable to handle theological and leadership issues. The situation has preoccupied the researcher to the point that he has undertaken this research with the purpose of developing a strategy to empower pastors in the Conference, thus helping them to grow professionally. In the process of the study, the researcher collected data from the relevant current literature as well as from the survey in the Southern Highlands Conference. The data obtained from the survey was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. The analysis revealed that the contributing factors to pastors’ poor performance were lack of personal study on the part of pastors (see Table 9), and incompetence in the use of computer science (See tables 10, and 15).As a solution to the problem, the research has developed a strategy which proposes three pillars for pastors’ professional growth. These are: 1) Personal study, 2) Prayer, and 3) Practical use of gained knowledge including computer science. The designed strategy was implemented and evaluated through a Bible Conference organized in Isanga SDA Church. Three pastors who had been trained on the use of the three pillars were key presenters of the Bible conference. The outcome of the meeting revealed the effectiveness of the strategy In conclusion, the researcher is persuaded that the implementation of this strategy will enhance pastors’ professional growth in the Southern Highlands Conference. Pastors are urged to apply the three pillars for their professional growth in the ministry.

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