Discipleship and Stewardship as Vital Aspects for Church Mission: A Case of Kwamrombo SDA Church in Arusha, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Issue 3) ◽  
pp. 211-218
Author(s):  
Jeremiah Theophilo Izungo ◽  
Mussa S. Muneja

This study sought to establish the linkage between stewardship and discipleship in the context of Kwamrombo SDA Church in Arusha City, using 20 church members as participants. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and the thematic approach was employed in analysis. The study holds that in order to resolve the discipleship and stewardship issues in the Kwamrombo church, members need to make decisions to equally support the church through discipleship and stewardship. If couples plan their finances together, they will be more likely to remind each other on the importance returning tithe and giving offering faithfully. They will also be of help to their children and other church members. Church programs need be conducted in a holistic approach by encompassing both spiritual and economic empowerment aspects including entrepreneurship and personal financial management. There is need for intentional discipleship program that will enable the church members to know their God given responsibilities as Disciples of Christ. Church pastors and church leaders need to launch stewardship programs that will include faithfully receiving the word of God in their lives and living in harmony with the word. This will motivate members to return tithe, give offerings and participate in discipleship programs effectively.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Issue 4) ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
Madaraka Angetile

This study sought to establish stress and its potential impacts among pastors in the Moravian Church of Tanzania. The study adopted the mixed methods research approach whereby interview schedule and closed-ended questionnaire gathered data from respondents. The study comprised of 41 out of 120 population of pastors selected through simple random sampling, including one Bishop, four provincial and district leaders and thirty-six church pastors. Disagreement between church members and pastors was found to be one of stressors to pastors. It is therefore high time to intervene with strong means and alternatives so that pastors work in supportive environments. In order to enhance working morale among pastors it is essential to keep them motivated. Furthermore, the Moravian Church of Tanzania needs to review policies on working conditions so that pastors will work comfortably. The church should also establish regular seminars and trainings to educate pastors on essential skills, such as leadership and financial management in order to reduce unnecessary conflicts with church members and leadership as the conflicts are the causatives of stress.


Author(s):  
Alfian Maase

Christ Church GMIM Manado as a non-profit organization has had internal audit called BPPJ appropriate stewardship book GMIM Church of Christ Manado. BPPJ charge of fostering, or give direction (advices), ensure that there are adequate internal controls in the management of the treasury and fixed asset / inventory and inspection and monitoring to assess whether financial reporting and the asset is transparent and accountable in order to prevent fraud (crime) which can break up the unity of the church. Phenomena occurring in the church today is the emergence of divisions and mistrust due to the financial management of the perceived lack of transparency and accountability, so to sue each other in court and even in the church who have had BPPJ not necessarily be separated from the problem. This is due to the discharge of its functions BPPJ still face many struggles or obstacles that cause the performance of the functions of the internal audit BPPJ not been effective as it should be. This study aims to analyze how the internal audit function in the Church of Christ GMIM Manado. This study used a qualitative approach with a blend of ethnography and case studies. The conclusion of this study indicate that the performance of the functions of the Church of Christ GMIM BPPJ in Manado has not run due plagued with struggles that come both from outside and from within his own BPPJ, the integrity of the church and the conversion of those who make mistakes that become important points of the implementation of the functions BPPJ, and the commitment and surrender to the task of calling the main criterion for becoming a member BPPJ.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-98
Author(s):  
Roma Sihombing

AbstractHuman life which is very complex with all its activities adds to the problems that must be faced which tend to plunge into pain and stress. The servants and administrators of the church today are not only required to be able to deliver the word of God, but also must be able to provide pastoralcounseling services. This study aims to examine and understand howpastoral counseling is for the sick. The method used is a qualitative methodor library research, with the research strategy analyzing various literatures related to the title of this paper. This research found, how pastoral counseling for sick people, so they can be helped and recovered from the disease they experienced. Services can be done in various ways such as, door-to-door visits, face-to-face meetings, which are carried out by thecounselor by: understanding (understanding attitude of the counselor), andResponding (giving constructive responses). Pastoral counseling for the sickwill be better if we remember that counselors take part in the work of Godand his body in this world to penetrate the isolation and alienation of thesick. Therefore, pastoral counseling will be better if we remember that thefocus of pastoral care is the person we are accompanying.Keywords: Pastoral Counseling, the Sick


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-65
Author(s):  
Samuil-Ashton Satu

AbstractPreaching and teaching sound doctrine based on Christocentric doctrine is of utmost importance to Christian belief, as it is the cornerstone of the New Testament, the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit), and the Apostles. So we will not do less as Christians. The purpose of a sermon is to bring about holy transformation through the Word of God in the life of the listener. The preachers need to help the audience put the Word into their lives. With respect to this, Bryan Chapell notes that “without application, a preacher has no reason to preach.” Thus he proposed five questions for the application for Christocentric doctrinal preaching, which should first be addressed to the preachers themselves. Through these questions, preachers can help to change the life of congregation by applying Christocentric doctrinal preaching. Furthermore, evidence of transformation within believers is seen in the way that the likeness and glory of Christ is increasingly reflected (2 Corinthians 3:18). The apostle Paul said, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9). Believers must be led by the Spirit of God to be considered as children of God. And it is by the power of the Spirit of God that Christ is living within them. The life transformed reflects Apostle Paul's thoughts in Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Conversely, if the church leaders ignore Christocentric doctrinal preaching and the application of the Word of God in the church members’ lives, then the transformation of the  believers’ lives will be thwarted. This study uses descriptive and phenomenological analysis of the data collected to find out why there is no change in some christians life-style and values. The results of this analysis will give impetus to revitalise the church to have a healthy theology for a healthy church of transformed lives in Christ Jesus.AbstrakBerkhotbah dan mengajar doktrin yang sehat berdasarkan dokrin Kristosentrik adalah terpenting dalam kepercayaan Kristen karena itulah penegasan Perjanjian Baru, Allah Trinitas (Allah Bapa, Allah Anak dan Allah Roh Kudus) dan Rasul-Rasul. Karena itu, seorang Kristen harus juga berbuat demikian. Tujuan dari khotbah ialah transformasi hidup melalui pendengaran Firman Allah. Pengkhotbah harus membantu jemaat mengapplikasikan Firman Allah dalam hidup mereka. Bryan Chapell menyatakan, “Tanpa aplikasi, seseorang pengkhotbah itu langsung tidak punya alasan untuk berkhotbah”. Dengan itu, ia menyarankan lima hal untuk penerapan atau applikasi kepada pengkhotbah terlebih dahulu. Melalui pertanyaan ini, pengkhotbah bisa membantu kehidupan jemaat untuk diubah dengan penerapan Fiman Allah berbasiskan doktrin Kristosentrik. Selain itu, bukti transformasi dalam hidup seseorang Kristen dilihat bagaimana seseorang itu kian mencerminkan gambar dan kemuliaan Kristus (2 Korintus 3:18). Rasul Paulus menyatakan, “Tetapi kamu tidak hidup dalam daging, melainkan dalam Roh, jika memang Roh Allah diam di dalam kamu. Tetapi jika orang tidak memiliki Roh Kristus, ia bukan milik Kristus” (Roma 8:9). Untuk dianggap sebagai anak-anak Tuhan,orang percaya harus dipimpin oleh Roh Allah. Dan melalui kuasa Roh Kudus, Kristus diam di dalam mereka. Hidup transformasi mencerminkan pemikiran Rasul Paulus dalam Galatia : “Namun aku hidup, tetapi bukan lagi aku sendiri yang hidup, melainkan Kristus yang hidup di dalam aku. Dan hidupku yang kuhidup sekarang di dalam daging, adalah hidup oleh iman dalam Anak Allah yang telah mengasihi aku dan menyerahkan diri-Nya untuk aku.” (Galatia 2:20). Sebaliknya, jika pemimpin gereja mengabaikan khotbah doktrin Kristosentrik dan applikasi Firman Allah dalam kehidupan jemaat, maka transformasi kehidupan jemaat akan digagalkan. Penelitian ini menggunakan kaedah deskriptif dan fenomenologi analisis atas data-data yang dikumpulkan untuk menemukan jawapan mengapa kehidupan dan cara hidup banyak jemaat tidak berubah. Hasil analisa ini akan memberi dorongan kepada gereja untuk memperoleh teologi yang sehat untuk membangun gereja yang sehat yang hidup dalam Kristus Yesus.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-176
Author(s):  
E. Pranawa Dhatu Martasudjita

Abstrak: Dari pengamatan, tidak banyak tulisan teologis tentang sakramen tobat atau sakramen rekonsiliasi di lingkungan bahasa Indonesia selama ini. Begitu pula, ada kesan bahwa pemahaman umat Katolik mengenai sakramen tobat cukup terbatas. Dari sinilah artikel ini ingin memberi sumbangan pemikiran teologis melalui kekayaan dan kedalaman pandangan teologis Karl Rahner mengenai sakramen tobat. Dari penelitian penulis, sabda pengampunan Allah menjadi inti pemikiran Rahner tentang sakramen tobat. Dengan metode teologi transendental sebagaimana dikembangkan oleh Karl Rahner, penulis mengupas secara kritis pemahaman sabda pengampunan Allah melalui alur pemikiran sakramental Rahner. Rahner berpendapat bahwa  manusia  memiliki  pengalaman  dasar  akan  dosa-kesalahan yang tak dapat dihapus oleh diri sendiri, dan justru karena itulah manusia senantiasa mendambakan sabda pengampunan Allah sebagai pemberian diri Allah (Selbstmitteilung Gottes) yang berpuncak pada wafat dan kebangkitan Kristus. Melalui Gereja, sabda pengampunan Allah itu dihadirkan melalui aneka macam bentuk, sedangkan yang khusus dan istimewa melalui sakramen tobat. Tulisan ini ditutup dengan penyampaian poin-poin relevansi pandangan Rahner tersebut bagi Gereja sekarang ini. Kata-kata kunci: Sabda pengampunan Allah, sakramen tobat, sakramen  rekonsiliasi,  teologi  sakramental,  teologi  transendental, belas kasih Allah.   Abstract:  Theology  of  Sacrament  of  reconciliation  has  not  been widely written and developed in Indonesia, and therefore the general understanding among the faithful. This article is to contribute, particularly by presenting Karl Rahner’s theology on the sacrament of reconciliation. Rahner focused on the forgiving word of God. Employing his transcendental method, this article is presenting a critical study on the understanding of Rahner’s forgiving word of God as well as his sacramental theology. Rahner showed that human beings themselves aware and know of their experience of sin or guilt and could not just get out of it, and because of that human beings themselves are longing for forgiveness and God’s forgiving word (Selbstmitteilung Gottes) revealed per exellentiam in the death and resurrection of Christ. Disciples of Christ gathered as people of God or church make present God’s forgiving word here and now in various forms, yet especially in the sacrament of reconciliation. The article shall conclude with points of relevance for the church today. Keywords: God’s forgiving word, sacrament of penance, sacrament of reconciliation, sacramental theology, transcendental theology, mercy of God.


1994 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Robins

In 1822, from his Conway home in the shadow of New Hampshire's White Mountains, one Dr. Porter surveyed the nation's religious landscape and prophesied, “in half a century there will be no Pagans, Jews, Mohammedans, Unitarians or Methodists.” The prophecy proved false on all counts, but it was most glaringly false in the case of the Methodists. In less than a decade, Porter's home state became the eighth to elect a Methodist governor. Should Porter have fled south into Massachusetts to escape the rising Methodist tide, he would only have been buying time. True, the citizens of Provincetown, Massachusetts, had, in 1795, razed a Methodist meetinghouse and tarred and feathered a Methodist in effigy. By 1851, however, the Methodists boasted a swelling Cape Cod membership, a majority of the church members on Martha's Vineyard, and a governor in the Massachusetts statehouse.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-212
Author(s):  
Avelinus Moat Simon

In the age of Industrial Revolution 4.0, human life is influenced by various of sophisticated technologies. One of them is social media that increasingly develop, and take some impacts in human life. The fact is there are some priests ignore their pastoral duty and this takes the result that the church is separated. Many of priests don’t live up to their calling as good shepherds. They cannot recognize the church members who entrusted to them by a bishop. This study focus on the influence of social media for a priest’s duty. The research method used in the issue is a qualitative method by using literature approach. I found out that a priest is a shepherd for members of catholic community. A priest ordained by a bishop to continue Christ duty. Social media can become a tool and an equipment for a priest to develop the spiritual life and ministry. The attendance of a priest is the presence Christ as a good shepherd for His sheeps.


Author(s):  
Michael P. DeJonge

If the church decides to seize the wheel, to speak the directly political word, Bonhoeffer writes, then the church will find itself in statu confessionis. This chapter examines the phrase status confessionis to shed further light on Bonhoeffer’s idea of the church’s directly political word (the concern of Chapter 7). The phrase originates in a sixteenth-century episode where the emperor, with help from accommodating religious leaders, forced changes in order and rites on the Lutheran churches. The phrase status confessionis came to be seen as the battle cry of those who resisted these changes, the gnesio-Lutherans. In adopting this language, Bonhoeffer identifies a parallel between the sixteenth century and 1933, when Hitler and the Nazi regime threatened to force changes in church order (especially concerning church members of Jewish ancestry) on the church with accommodation from church leaders.


Author(s):  
Gordon S. Mikoski

This chapter maps the essential contours and points of dialogue or contention pertaining to the sacraments among Presbyterian denominations. First, the chapter examines the distinctively Presbyterian understanding of sacraments in general. The chapter then explores in detail the theological meaning and practices of the two Presbyterian sacraments: baptism and Holy Communion. For Presbyterians, baptism serves as the rite of Christian initiation. The chapter also explains why Presbyterians practice paedobaptism. While baptism is for Presbyterians the sacrament of initiation into the church, the sacrament of Holy Communion is at the core of the church’s corporate life and work. The chapter next examines several contemporary issues related to the sacraments for Presbyterians. In the spirit of “the Reformed church always being reformed according to the Word of God,” the chapter concludes by posing several provocative questions for Presbyterian denominations and the sacraments in the digital age.


2021 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-26
Author(s):  
Ruth A. Meyers ◽  
Katherine Sonderegger

These essays were presented at the Jubilate conference at Christ Church Cathedral in the Diocese of Southern Ohio on 2 November 2019. Meyers urges the expansion of images and metaphors used to speak of the mystery of God in liturgy while not abandoning classical masculine language for God. Expanding our language is essential, she argues, both to speak the truth about God and to uphold the dignity of every human being. Sonderegger contends that masculine language for God is a settled matter in the church and in liturgy, and that this is compatible with a particular vision of Christian feminism, one centered on the material conditions of living women.


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