Enhancing the discipleship process of the new converts in the USA-River Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tanzania

Abstract

It is the wish of the church that when new believers join the church through baptism they will stay. On the contrary, the situation at the Usa-River Seventh-day Adventist Church reveals the opposite. Church records of 2012 and 2013 showed that membership at the Usa-River Seventh-day Adventist Church increased by 116. On the other hand, the church lost 576. This incident led the researcher to investigate reasons for this occurrence, then provide solutions to enhance church membership retention at the Usa-River Seventh-day Adventist Church. In addressing this problem the mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative research was used to enhance a larger perspective that would be impossible to achieve by one type of research. It also assisted in the avoidance of bias within each type of research. The data gathered showed that six problems contributed to church membership loss at the Usa-River Seventh-day Adventist Church: lack of Bible study among church members; low participation in family devotional life; poor attendance in worship services; poor participation in small groups; low involvement in witnessing; and poor follow-up ministry. A program was therefore developed, implemented, and evaluated to enhance the discipleship process among believers at the Usa-River Seventh-day Adventist Church. After the intervention it was discovered that there was significant improvement in personal Bible study, family devotions, worship service attendance, and participation in small groups. Nevertheless, with this improvement, there was poor involvement in witnessing. The follow-up ministry realized seven inactive church members beginning to attend church regularly. At the same time, it also attracted two non-Adventists who decided to join the church. It is imperative to enhance believers’ relationship with God because not only will they be enriched spiritually, but it will also boost their staying in the church. Involving church members into small groups and encouraging them to actively carry out the objectives of small groups will enhance their discipleship process. Additionally, church leaders should take seriously follow-up ministry. Church members need to be visited, prayed with, and strengthened regularly as they journey in their spiritual endeavor.