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  A Study of the implementation of major recommendations of evaluation teams in selected higher educational institutions of the Asia-Pacific Division

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 1995-07) Dio, Selmon H.

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  The problemn addressed in this study was, To what extent does the external evaluation process of the Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists fulfill the goal of improving colleges, as judged by the degree and timing of implementing the major recommendations? The purpose guiding the study was to define ways to improve the results of the external evaluation process. A sample of 102 persons from a population of 784 administrators and faculty/staff in seven selected senior colleges responded to a written instrument, unique for each coIlege. The major variables studied were the 148 major recommendations from the last two evaluation visits, the extent and timing of implementations, economic stability of the institutions, and reasons given for not implementing. Eleven questions, and six associated hypotheses, had to do with cost, views of administrators and faculty/staff, and influence of economic stabirity of the school on the time frame for and extent of implementing major recommendation. Statistical analyses used t test for independent groups and Pearson's r. There were no significant associations between the three economic variables (average working capital, average liquidity ratio, and average gain/loss) and the extent of implementation of the major recommendations. No significant differences were observed between the perceptions of administrators and the faculty/staff members regarding time frame and the extent of implementation of the major recommendations. High or low cost did not affect the extent of implementation, however, there was a highly significant correlation between working capital and liquidity ratio with the time frame for implementation. The most frequently cited reasons for not implementing recommendations were hiqh cost, not being aware of the recommendations, and lack of expertise. However, there was no association between economic stability and extent of implementation. The study identified critical problems (those with major adverse impact on a colege) in the areas of budget and finance, services, recruitment of students, and government recognition. Common problems (occurring in two or more colleges) were faculty and library upgrading. Recurring problems (an adverse condition uncorrected from the prior evaluation visit) were in the areas of mission, master p1an, faculty, recruitment of students, library, fund-raising, and government recognition. Responses to open-ended questions indicated that more time should be given for the evaluation visit and schools should be helped to plan and implement major recommendations.

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  A Critical study of hierarchical paradigm of ecclesiastical authority as implemented within Roman Catholicism

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 1995-10) Choi, Jeongkwan

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  The current period in history may be seen in a social sense as an era of profound crisis of authority. Similar to the secular society, authority in the Christian community has been challenged in various ways, even though the twentieth century marks the period when the doctrine of the church (ecclesiology) received its prominence in Christian theology. Two clear reasons for the challenge to ecclesiastical authority are (1) a misunderstanding of the nature of the church, and a (2) misuse or abuse of authority in the church. The purpose of this study is to evaluate critically the hierarchical paradigm of ecclesiastical authority in the Roman catholic church in order to clearly understand the church, its nature, and its authority. Ecclesiastical authority in the Roman Catholic Church is designated as the authority of the hierarchy. The core of authority in the Roman Catholic Church centers around the popes and priests who comprise the College of Bishops. The church authorities insist that these bishops are historical successors of the apostles. The pope, who is the head of the College of Bishops and considered the vicar of Christ, is reckoned as the final authority in the hierarchy. The Roman Catholic Church also claims the infallibility of the hierarchical authority to teach, sanctify, and govern the believers. The Roman Catholic Church furthermore tends to elevate the sacerdotalistic concept which is based on hierarchy. The hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church has syncretlcal elements which were effected by paganism. This hierarchical concept is contrary to the biblical concept of the priesthood of all believers. The emphasis on ritual provides evidence that the Roman Catholic Church maintains her authority through ritualism. This hierarchical paradigm overlooks the concept of charismatic diaconia as the real meaning of ministerial authority and the organic aspect of the church. It cannot be denied that hierarchical authority in the Roman Catholic Church depends upon sacerdotalism and clericalism. The emphasis on a church institution or hierarchical organization could lead to institutionalism and bureaucratization of the church, so that the essence of the church becomes the institution and not the people of God themselves. Ecclesiastical authority, from a biblical standpoint, is bestowed not through the autocratic and kingly exercise of hierarchical power in the institution, but through the spiritual and servantly exercise of all believers who are the organic body of Christ.

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