Byron Dulan

Abstract

Black young adults in urban Seventh-day Adventist churches are not only leaving the fellowship of the church in alarming numbers, but those who continue with the church do not seem to be growing in spiritual maturity as might be expected. Written from the historical, sociological, and theological perspective, the thesis endeavors to analyze the dynamics at work in the Black church and among urban Black young adults, with a view toward developing a viable program of religious nurture at the local church level.

Since the 1940's, little has been written regarding religious nurture in Black churches of any Christian denomination in America. Almost nothing has been written concerning the religious nurture of adults in Seventh-day Adventist churches. Nothing has been written on the specific topic chosen. This is the first attempt to enunciate the problems facing the Adventist church in developing a plan for the religious nurture of Black young adults. Much of what is written can be applied to other Christian churches. The suggestive model proposed in chapter VII, is one of the first attempts, if not the only one, to outline a comprehensive plan for the religious nurture of urban Black young adults.

The thesis indirectly defines the problems hindering the religious nurture of Black young adults in urban Seventh-day Adventist churches, by showing the historical, theological, sociological, developmental, and educational aspects of this complex task. It concludes with a simple, yet comprehensive philosophy and format, which can be used as a suggestive model for the nurture of Black young adults in the targeted milieu.

Two major conclusions may be made from this study. First, a viable program for the religious nurture of Black young adults in urban Seventh-day Adventist churches must take into consideration the history and nature of the Black church in America, and its urban socio-economic milieu, the organizational configuration of the Adventist Church, the developmental needs of young adults, and the theological and educational considerations regarding the nurture of adults in local congregations. Second, a viable program of nurture would do well to include intentional adult learning experiences that address specific and relevant issues, small group fellowships that facilitate genuine Christian relationships, and meaningful congregational worship services that affirm the unity and direction of the entire church body under God.

LLU Discipline

Religion

Department

Religion

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

V. Bailey Gillespie

Second Advisor

T. Richard Rice

Third Advisor

Charles Teel, Jr.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

1981

Date (Title Page)

9-1981

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Blacks -- Religious life; Race relations -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Seventh-day Adventists.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

v; 132

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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