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

J. Mercedes Espinosa

Second Advisor

Ricardo Norton

Abstract

Problem

The absence of a program focused on fostering spiritual disciplines within the Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church of Forest, in the Meridian District, has led to limited awareness of the importance of essential practices such as prayer, Bible study, fasting, singing, and worship gatherings. As a result, the practice of these disciplines has been affected, thus missing out on valuable opportunities for spiritual growth and a deeper communion with God.

Method

This program, which falls under the field of applied theology, follows an “action research” design, as the director was not limited to observation but also participated as an active member of the team; therefore, it is also considered “collaborative.” This program, titled Spiritual Disciplines Training Program, was organized into six modules, each consisting of three seminars. The content of these seminars is based on contemporary literature, with a theological focus and direct commentary from the writings of Ellen G. White. The seminars were delivered using a theoretical teaching methodology that incorporated audiovisual resources and written summaries. With the goal of strengthening knowledge and practice of spiritual disciplines, baptized men and women over the age of eighteen, members of the IAHFDM in Mississippi, were recruited. The recruits participated in the full program over a period of eleven Saturdays. At the end of the program, its effectiveness was evaluated through the administration of two quantitative surveys with a descriptive approach. These surveys aimed to assess participants’ reactions to the training, the new knowledge acquired, and any resulting behavioral changes.

Results

The Spiritual Disciplines Training Program utilized two surveys: a pre-training survey and a post-training survey. The pre-training survey gathered information in three specific areas: (1) general participant data, (2) understanding of the concept of spiritual disciplines, and (3) understanding and practice of prayer, Bible study, fasting, singing, and attendance at worship services. The post-training survey, in turn, collected data in four specific areas: (1) general participant data, (2) satisfaction with the implemented program, (3) understanding of the concept of spiritual disciplines, and (4) understanding and practice of prayer, Bible study, fasting, singing, and worship gatherings. Upon completion of the Program, the administered surveys revealed a significant improvement in the participants’ spiritual practices. The collected data indicate an increase in participation and engagement in the development of these disciplines. Likewise, the results obtained through the evaluation instruments confirm that, after completing the training, participants gained a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining active spiritual disciplines in their daily lives, which enables them to strengthen their relationship with God.

Conclusions

Fostering spiritual growth among members of Seventh-day Adventist congregations is a pressing need. In this regard, it is not enough to design and implement training programs that highlight the importance of cultivating a deep and personal relationship with God; such programs must also be developed systematically and sustainably. The Program to Foster Spiritual Disciplines conducted at the Hispanic Church of Forest, Mississippi, through a series of seminars, serves as an illustrative case of the positive impact that both theoretical knowledge and practical application of these disciplines can generate. The results obtained suggest that the ongoing implementation of similar initiatives in local churches can significantly contribute to the strengthening of the spiritual life of church members.

Subject Area

Spirituality; Spiritual Life; Seventh-day Adventist; Forest Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church (Forest, Miss.)

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