A Strategy for Revitalization and Growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Iceland
The Topic This dissertation analyzes the growth pattern of the Adventist church in Iceland from its inception about a hundred years ago to the present and presents an objective portrayal of the future possibilities of church growth on the island and develops a practical strategy of revitalization of...
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Digital Commons @ Andrews University
2005
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| Online Access: | https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/631 https://doi.org/10.32597/dmin/631 https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/context/dmin/article/1642/viewcontent/Gudmundsson_Jorgen_Eric.pdf |
| Summary: | The Topic This dissertation analyzes the growth pattern of the Adventist church in Iceland from its inception about a hundred years ago to the present and presents an objective portrayal of the future possibilities of church growth on the island and develops a practical strategy of revitalization of the church. The Purpose The proposed strategy presented in this project aims at increasing the quality of life of the Icelandic Adventist churches, raising their self-identity and sense of mission, and strengthening their ability to reach the community and to grow. The Sources A Biblical theological rationale for this program is set forth as well as an overview of the counsel of Ellen G. White for its accomplishment. A review of literature of main sources on church growth and revitalization is presented with principal emphasis on the School of Church Growth, spearheaded by Donald McGavran and his associates, and literature on recent developments and responses of churches to the change in the philosophical environment in a postmodern era is also reviewed. The historical analysis of the growth pattern of the Adventist Church in Iceland from its inception to the present is based on church membership records, minutes of the conference executive committee, reports from conference constituency meetings and on two unpublished Seminary papers prepared on early history of Adventism in Iceland and a D. Min. dissertation on Adventist church growth in Iceland from 1950 to 1980. Further, the future model strategy for the revitalization and growth of the work among the above churches is based on that of the Natural Church Development by Christian A. Schwarz and associates who have successfully constructed a valid evaluating instrument and quality index applicable to churches using world wide survey data as a reference. Conclusion In view of the present less than ideally functioning local Adventist congregations in Iceland with respect to local leadership and lay evangelism, a renewal of their vision is of paramount importance. ... |
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