Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

1983

Document Type

Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Werner Vyhmeister

Second Advisor

Arnold Kurtz

Third Advisor

Norman Miles

Abstract

This study is concerned with the attributes of the ministry as depicted in the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White as well as with an evaluation of ministerial productivity in selected unions of the South American Division (SAD). Those who have dealt with the problem of evaluation have focused mainly on the numerical achievements or quantitative aspects of ministerial productivity. Although evaluation of qualitative characteristics may be more difficult than that of quantitative characteristics, failure to include both aspects of the minister's work may well result in an inaccurate and unbalanced profile of his accomplishments. Consequently, there is a need to clarify the understanding of ministerial productivity between pastors in the field and administrators.

The first part of this study attempts to arrive at an understanding of the nature and mission of the church by examining images of the church and of the minister and/or ministry in the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White. Indirectly, then, one may infer criteria for measuring effectiveness of the minister from these qualifications. From Paul's letters to the Galatians, Timothy, and Titus a list of nearly thirty basic qualifications for a mature and productive ministry may be derived. It would appear that high productivity in the ministry calls not only for ability to edify spiritually but also competency in utilizing the talents of church members in every aspect of the overall mission of the church. Thus the nature and mission of the church provide the framework within which productivity may be viewed.

The second section of the paper attempts to explore current understandings of ministerial productivity in the SAD. While administrators and the pastoral ministry both recognize how essential time is for development of the spiritual dimension of the minister and the implications for leading congregations to spiritual vitality, it would appear that the heavy demands and emphasis on activity-related dimensions of the minister's responsibilities markedly reduce the amount of time allotted for study. However, provision for increased study time, an organized initial internship program, and imaginative continuing education courses may well enhance the qualitative aspects of the ministry. In time, ministerial productivity may be so enhanced that the contribution of the qualitative aspects may become more apparent and qualitative evaluations tools may be more easily developed. This could provide a more balanced and accurate profile of the productivity of the ministry in the South American Division.

Subject Area

Seventh-day Adventists--Clergy; Seventh-day Adventists--South America

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dmin/708

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