Date

10-2021

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Jeffrey L. Dowdy

Keywords

Church Decline, Church Health, Church Growth, Missional, Revitalization, Vitality

Disciplines

Christianity | Religion

Abstract

The purpose for this DMIN action research thesis is to develop a revitalization strategy for Victory Temple House of Refuge located in Fayette, Alabama, that will connect the hearts and minds of its leaders to biblical principles for restoring church vibrancy and growth. The purpose rises to confront a problem of church membership decline and community contraction, frequently associated with a lusterless existence. The purpose statement also introduces a study on church revitalization’s incipit principles of returning to missional activities and discipleship fundamentals as a means of restoring congregational vitality. Researching the problem is inextricable to a Christian community’s mandate to bring glory to God by bearing fruit that lasts (John 15:16). The principles for promoting and nurturing a growing, thriving church are seen in the gatherings of first-century Christians through a display of diversity (e.g., males and females; young and old; husbands and wives; and multiple ethnicities). Christ calls people from every generation, gender, and race to collaborate in bringing the Father glory (Titus 2:1-10). A qualitative research approach is used in a methodology that includes five scheduled meetings whereby participants provide data through surveys and follow-up interviews as the researcher collects more data through field observations. The field project’s objective is to empower the ministry’s auxiliary leaders to use their influence in leading Victory Temple in a church revitalization, restoring church health and growth. Other ministry leaders might also be encouraged by the results and adopt similar practices in following the Holy Spirit during a church revitalization.

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