Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Douglas R. Kilcher

Second Advisor

Benjamin Schoun

Third Advisor

Russell Burrill

Abstract

Problem

For the past twelve years the Greater New York Conference has been struggling to produce growth within the Caucasian sector and other indigenous people groups. The primary source of membership growth has been from immigrants. An analysis of the demographics retained of the Conference's geographical location, however, reveals that the majority of the people are second- and third-generation Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans. These are the people who the Greater New York Conference has not been successfully evangelizing.

Method

In order to understand how churches grow, I surveyed pertinent literature on church growth. I implemented these strategies into a plan to increase the membership of existing churches within the Greater New York Conference beginning in 1992, and also to plant new churches focusing on these same targeted groups.

Results

As a result, in 1997 the churches in the Multi-ethnic group experienced 186 baptisms. 120 were second- and third-generation Americans. Of the 186 baptized, 73 were Caucasian, of whom 51 were second- and third-generation. In 1998, 290 individuals were baptized, with 154 being second- and third-generation. Of the 290 baptized 122 were Caucasian. Of this group 91 were second- and third-generation. In 1999 the number of baptisms rose to 444. In 1999 the targeted indigenous population showed record growth. Of 444 members added, 203 were first-generation and 201 were second- and third-generation. Of the 444 members added through baptism, 198 were Caucasian baptisms. From this group of Caucasians, 57 were first-generation, and 141 were second- and third-generation.

This trend continued in 2000, with an increase of 532 members, 205 of whom were Caucasians, and 167 of whom were second- and third-generation. In 2001, we had an increase of 330 members, 208 of whom were Caucasians, and of whom 152 were second- and third-generation. This includes the establishment of five new congregations in Caucasian areas: Kinderhook, Blessed Hope, Manhattan Fellowship, East Side Church, and Wingdale; and the revitalization of five churches: House of Prayer, Manor Road, Morris Park, Jackson Heights, and Yonkers. In addition, twelve new congregations and companies were established. For the first time in 12 years, the trend of growth among the Caucasian sector actually rose from 947 to over 1,200 in the Greater New York Conference.

Conclusion

It has been empirically demonstrated that the strategies and general principles are applicable within the Greater New York Conference environment. Thus, a model for growth has been produced from which future strategies can be extrapolated

Subject Area

Seventh-day Adventists--New York (N.Y.); Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Church growth--New York (N.Y.)--Seventh-day Adventists.

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