Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Jeanette Bryson

Second Advisor

Bruce L. Bauer

Third Advisor

Russell L. Staples

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this Ministry Focus Project document was to develop a theoretical and practical framework for implementing a discipleship ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the West Central Korean Conference in South Korea and ultimately to cultivate a consciousness of discipleship among Adventists. The worldwide Seventh-day Adventist denomination is growing, but it seems that Adventist churches are failing in the area of discipleship. Making disciples needs to be an important part of our Adventist culture. A discipleship curriculum would help the pastors and members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Korea to become mature, committed, reproducing witnesses for Christ.

Method. This study uses demographic data and statistics regarding South Korea. A theoretical framework for this study was established based on the literature review. A systematic discipleship curriculum is offered as the basis for growing churches and deepening the religious experience and commitment through discipleship ministry.

Results. A discipleship ministry needs to have a strong foundation in biblical concepts. Church members grow into the likeness of Christ as disciples through spiritual formation and discipleship. The church should offer effective disciple-making models to its members. Attending worship services is not enough to grow into the likeness of Christ as disciples. The congregational profile of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Korea analyzed the current situation, membership trends, and ministerial context. The study revealed some very important challenges that the members of the Korean Church need to seriously consider. Church members leave the church at almost the same rate as people who come into the church. A discipleship ministry is one of the best ways to make a healthy church.

Conclusion. The findings of this study indicate the need for a discipleship ministry that focuses on cultivating a level of consciousness of the importance of incorporating discipleship among Adventists. Currently, outreach to save souls is largely dependent on the individual activities of pastors and public evangelism. It is time to focus on a discipleship ministry at the local church level that nurtures new and current members.

Subject Area

Discipling (Christian life), Spiritual formation

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dmin/66/

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