Evangelism Strategies, Conversion Patterns, and Membership Retention Strategies in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sub- Saharan Africa: Report of Findings for West-Central Africa Division of Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Digital Commons @ Andrews University
Abstract
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The initiative for this study began in December 2021 when a team of Seventhday
Adventist educators and researchers from the Adventist University of
Africa (Kenya), University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (Kenya), Rusangu
University (Zambia), and Valley View University (Ghana) formed the Africa
Seventh-day Adventist Study Group (ASDASG). The group’s primary aim is
to use research to support the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
in sub-Saharan Africa. After communicating with divisional leadership across
the continent, the East-Central Africa Division and West-Central Africa
Division endorsed the initiative and provided funding for the first phase of
the study. Consequently, the fieldwork was conducted between April and
August 2023 in these two divisions. The analysis of findings and the writing
of the report began in late 2023. We hope and pray that the findings and
recommendations of this study will significantly contribute to advancing the
mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in these divisions.
The Africa Seventh-day Adventist Study Group (ASDASG) conducted
a comprehensive study to understand the dynamics between evangelism
strategies, conversion patterns, and membership retention in the Seventhday
Adventist Church in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study, which used
a quantitative method, aimed to interpret the demographic segment
relationship between conversion patterns and retention factors. It sought to
provide insights and strategies for strengthening evangelism and member
nurturing within the Church in the West-Central Africa Division (WAD).
Research Team
The study was led by Sampson M. Nwaomah, Ph.D., with a team of
distinguished academicians and researchers from various universities and
institutions across Africa and the United States. They are: Rei Kesis, Ph.D.,
Warren S. Simatele, Ph.D., Angela E. Nwaomah, Ph.D., Daniel Dei, Ph.D.,
Davidson Razafiarivony, Ph.D., and methodologist Williams Kwasi Peprah,
Ph.D. .
Research Ethics and Declaration
The research adhered to current ethical guidelines in the conduct of
procedures involving human subjects. The team obtained the necessary
ethical clearances and acknowledged the obligations and rights of the
participants .
Contents Overview
The report covers the introduction, including the background of the study,
statement of the problem, goals and objectives, significance, definition
of terms, and conceptual framework. It then details the findings and
recommendations in two main parts: the current members’ report and the
former members’ survey. A current member of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church refers to an individual who actively participates in and is officially
recognized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as part of its congregation.
On the other hand, a former member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
is someone who was once an active and officially recognized member of the
church but has since disassociated or been removed from the membership roll.
The sections encompass various aspects of evangelism strategy distribution,
effectiveness of strategies, discipleship, membership retention strategies,
and factors influencing membership retention and loss .
Key Findings and Recommendations
1. Evangelism Strategy Distribution: The study presents a detailed
analysis of the most common evangelism strategies, including their
effectiveness based on education levels and age ranges. Recommendations
focus on diversification, training, integration, measurement, community
engagement, and media expansion.
a) Discipleship and Membership Retention Strategies: The
study examines programs organized for new converts, discipleship
programs, and factors influencing member integration, retention,
and nurturing. It emphasizes the need for tailored strategies,
inclusive training programs, and collaboration among members
from diverse educational backgrounds and age groups.
b) Former Members Survey: This section delves into the reasons
for leaving the Church, the route to Adventism, perception of the
Church environment, duration of membership, and analysis of
programs for new converts. It provides a critical understanding of
factors influencing conversion to and departure from the Church.
The report concludes with a comprehensive set of references, underlining
the extensive research and data collection that underpin the findings and
recommendations.
Significance
The findings and recommendations of this study are crucial for the Seventhday
Adventist Church in the West-Central Africa Division. They provide a
roadmap for enhancing evangelism strategies, improving member retention,
and effectively nurturing new converts. The insights gained can significa
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Citation
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/hrsa