Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

1988

Document Type

Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Clarence Gruesbeck

Second Advisor

Norman K. Miles

Third Advisor

C. Raymond Holmes

Abstract

Problem

One of the important aspects of the minister's work is that of motivating his parishioners in the work of ministry. This involvement is not only necessary to the work of the church but also for the development of the parishioners' faith and growth in Christian maturity. It is the purpose of this study to determine the results of the implementation of psychological and sociological principles outlined in the literature of business and education in the administration of a local church.

Method

The principles of motivation that would apply to volunteer ministries were implemented in the various departments of the church, as well as the overall personal leadership of the pastor in carrying out his duties and functions—ranging from his role as leader of the church, leader in worship, visitation, and counseling.

Results

A marked increase was noted of individuals who contributed time and talent to carrying out various ministries. New ministries were established, new building programs initiated, church membership increased, and a new church congregation established as a result of member involvement.

Conclusions

Determining ways in which people are motivated and ministering to those needs created in members a greater desire to contribute their time to projects that satisfied them as being important, meaningful, and significant. It appeared that the development of ministries that met such individual needs as self-gratification, self-achievement, and self-fulfillment seemed to led to a significant increase in the number of individuals who became involved in the ministries of the church, in the amount of time contributed, and in the volunteers' personal spiritual growth.

Subject Area

Lay ministry--Seventh-day Adventists; Voluntarism

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dmin/701

Download

Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS