MTh Theses
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14194/2591
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Item La Formación de Líderes en la Iglesia Local: El Caso de Cuatro Iglesias Pertenecientes a la Asociación De Iglesias Evangélicas de Oriente (ASIGEO) en Venezuela(South African Theological Seminary, 2016) Marcano Carrizalez, Samuel Antonio; Hendrickson, Mark G.La formación para el ministerio es una necesidad vital para todas las iglesias. El apóstol Pablo deja claro que los dones deben ser desarrollados para la edificación de la iglesia (1 Corintios 12:4-11; Efesios 4:11-16) y Pedro exhorta a cada creyente a servir a los demás a través del ejercicio de sus dones (1 Pedro 4:10). En ese proceso de crecimiento, la iglesia necesita de creyentes que sirvan de guías o líderes para ayudar a los demás en el servicio al Señor. La formación de estos líderes siempre ha sido un desafío para todas las iglesias. La mayoría de los pastores se sienten frustrados cuando buscan apoyo en otros creyentes para que les ayuden a liderar ministerios o áreas de servicio en la iglesia y no lo encuentran. Esta investigación muestra la forma cómo cuatro iglesias que pertenecen a la Asociación de Iglesias Evangélicas de Oriente (ASIGEO) en Venezuela están asumiendo la tarea de formar líderes locales. Se demuestra, en la investigación, que es importante en este proceso de formar líderes: 1) Tener una definición clara de lo que es un líder cristiano, 2) puntualizar la necesidad de que sean los pastores mismos quienes asuman la responsabilidad de la formación de líderes en la iglesia local y que busquen toda la ayuda necesaria para este fin, 3) ofrecer apoyo continuo a los líderes emergentes a través de mentorías y asistencias pastorales y 4) reconocer el papel importante que la organización, ASIGEO, puede cumplir en ayudar a los pastores e iglesias en el proceso de formación de líderes emergentes.Item Equipping Christian Teenagers of Bhisho Community Church to Be Effective Witnesses and Disciples of Jesus Christ in the Bhisho Community in the Amathole District, Eastern Cape, South Africa(South African Theological Seminary, 2018) Mayedwa, Mlungisi Gladstone; Mzondi, ModisaThis study focused on the involvement of Christian teenagers at Bhisho Community Church in the Amathole District, Eastern Cape, South Africa, in witnessing to their peers. The research problem focused on how the aforementioned church could enable its teenagers to be effective witnesses and disciples of Jesus Christ in the Bhisho community in the Amathole District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. In delineating and limiting the study, only Christian teenagers at Bhisho Community Church in the Amathole District, Eastern Cape, South Africa, were targeted. This enabled the researcher to interview only those teenagers who confirmed that they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Further, a literature review was conducted to explore research already done on teenage witnessing and discipleship. Since the focus of the research was on a real-life problem within the church, it was key that an empirical study be applied to solve this real-life problem. Consequently, questions were drawn up, and in-depth interviews conducted. The researcher drew a sample of eight teenagers (four males and four females) from a target population of seventy-two teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 years in the church. Data collected entailed the perceptions of the Christian teenagers of Bhisho Community Church regarding church teen activities, help by the church, witnessing, knowing Jesus, and the next step that one must take after having been introduced to Jesus. This has been an endeavor to identify areas in which the teenagers could be assisted. The research revealed that the church has done well in providing the teenagers with the help to tell their friends about Jesus Christ. Conversely, the church has displayed some weaknesses in that it did not supplement its teachings with practical witnessing opportunities. The recommendations state that the church should allow the Christian teenagers to craft a vision of their own that will focus on witnessing to Bhisho community’s youth. Further, focused teachings on witnessing and discipleship, and monthly outreaches should be part of the teenagers’ program in the church.Item Strategies for Church Growth in the Cameroon Baptist Convention(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg) Nkwelle, Ngome Joseph 1974; Joubert, Callie W. T.This research concentrates on the CBC churches among the Bakossi people of the South West Region of Cameroon. These churches do not increase in church membership despite the fact that the Baptists in general and the CBC churches, in particular, have existed among the Bakossi people of the South West Region for as long as 50 years or more. Thus, this thesis seeks to develop effective strategies that will promote church growth in CBC churches amongst the Bakossi people. The researcher did an empirical study by distributing questionnaires to twelve Baptist churches and seven to other denominations all of which he received responses. The data collected was analyzed and interpreted. The outcome of the data reveals that not only have Baptist churches failed to grow numerically throughout the over fifty years of their existence in the land but also that they did not have any intentional plans and strategies to do so. Proof of this is the fact that over ninety-nine percent of the members that make up these churches are non-indigenes who originate from other parts of the country. Therefore, through various resources, the researcher carried out a historical, theological, and biblical framework that formed the basis to develop strategies that will enhance effective church growth in CBC churches among the people. The researcher contends that the topic itself, proposed strategies, recommendations, and action plans must be embraced and implemented by individual Baptist churches, probably facilitated by the Cameroon Baptist Convention, if any meaningful growth has to take place in CBC churches among the Bakossi people.Item A Study of the Burial and Funerary Rites of the Maaŋge Family Villages Among the Ndop People of Cameroon: Implications for Church Growth(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg) Mbahlegue, Pius Mboubougoh 1978; Joubert, Callie W. T.This thesis underscores the uncertainty and confusion that exist among church members, the clergy, and the Maaŋge people regarding the cultural practices of burial and funerary rites of the Maaŋge people. This uncertainty is the result of different teachings taught by different pastors of the same denomination within five denominations on the subject namely, the Baptist, Full Gospel, Apostolic, Presbyterian, and the Roman Catholic church. The aim of this study is, accordingly, to examine the burial and funerary rites of the Maaŋge people through the lens of Scripture, and to establish what cultural bridges exist that can be used to reach the people with the gospel of Christ. This has been performed in the hope that the cultural practices can be integrated into the teaching ministry of the church, with the view that the church will become stronger, contextually relevant, growing in number and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. To achieve that goal, the study uses a modified version of the Browning model of practical theology which is a blend of hermeneutical and empirical methods for doing theological research. The study led to the conclusion that he cultural practices of the Maaŋge people cannot be accepted in their entirety. However, they are not a demonic edifice to be destroyed before the gospel can be accepted by the people. Instead, some of the practices are cultural bridges that can be utilised to make the gospel appealing and relevant to the people. In the final analysis, using cultural practice as a bridge to reach people with the gospel does not necessarily mean that one is accepting everything that the people are doing. It only means that one must find common ground from which to proceed with the ministering of the gospel of Christ.