Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Boubakar Sanou

Second Advisor

Hyveth Williams

Third Advisor

Yuri Drumi

Abstract

Problem

Haitian churches in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of Florida, are severely affected by intergenerational conflict, persisting between young people and adults who cannot get along. Churches affected by this misunderstanding are facing a loss of young people, particularly college-educated members and people with vocational skills. This conflict has touched entire congregations, decreasing growth numerically and financially. Between 2013 and 2018, there was a 60 percent decline in members with college degrees and vocational skills. This study analyzes this intergenerational conflict, which manifests in disagreements over leadership preferences and worship styles.

Method

To address this problem, I established a series of five seminars to educate youth and adults about the need to work together. Additional remedial strategies were developed to foster dialogue between youth and adults. Church leaders were encouraged to adopt a collaborative leadership style and establish a spiritually-infused worship environment that would attract youth and adults and encourage the community's spiritual development. Over a six-week period, in collaboration with members of the Elders’ Association committee, seminars were implemented to promote the importance of cooperation between youth and adults. A survey was distributed before and after to participants and the SurveyMonkey application was used to collect the data. Pre and post-intervention information was collected, analyzed, and evaluated to diagnose the problem and identify possible solutions.

Results

The study showed that young people and adults finally understood the need to work together to minimize conflict and build a strong, blessed, and healthy Church. The survey results highlighted a conflict between young people and adults and revealed a cultural problem that extends to leadership and worship. However, with the integration of young people into church leadership, which is a strong means to help reduce this conflict, their willingness to remain in Haitian churches is increasing daily. This is why many of our young people have requested the organization of additional regular seminars on conflict management and integrating young people into church leadership. This encouraging result illustrates the potential for cooperation between young people and adults in different sectors and fields. The analysis demonstrates that the involvement of young people in church leadership could help reduce this conflict and strengthen intergenerational bonds. It could also serve as a more effective means of training young people to become highly active and involved members of the Church, both today and tomorrow. However, it is essential to continue promoting and supporting initiatives that encourage and strengthen this cooperation while removing obstacles hindering collaboration between young people and adults.

Conclusion

Intergenerational activities, such as the presentation of the five seminars, the integration of young people into church leadership, and the restructuring of the worship service, where both youth and adults can feel connected, were shown to be appropriate strategic methods to address this conflict situation affecting the Haitian community at SEC in Florida. The research used its working tools to demonstrate that young people and adults can better understand each other while working together to reduce this conflict. Youth are encouraged to engage in church activities without fear of severe reprimands or criticism. Adults are also encouraged to improve their relationships with youth to reduce tension. As a result, several action plans have been implemented and even recommended. In the seminars, I have sensitized the elders to support the mentality of youth and adults to a greater openness regarding contemporary worship styles. I also advocated for an environment of spiritual love, fostering unity between young people and adults, and for edifying worship services that helped keep both groups close to Jesus. I believe this would go a long way toward reducing this conflict.

Subject Area

Intergenerational relations--Religious aspects--Seventh-day Adventists; Haitian Americans--Florida; Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. North American Division. Southern Union Conference. Southeastern Conference.

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