| dc.description.abstract | The case study addresses the issue of how to reach
the Ethiopian Orthodox people in suburban/urban areas with
the Seventh-day Adventist message. The main purpose of this
study is to develop a workable strategy to reach these
people with the gospel message. The study is based on the
following two questions: (1) How will the Orthodox people be
reached with the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) message?, and
(2) what is the most workable strategy to open the heart
doors of these people? Amenech's case has been chosen for
this study to illustrate the situations of both the
Ethiopian Orthodox believers and the Adventist work in
Ethiopia. The study involves the following four procedures:
(1) description, (2) analysis, (3) bibtical theological
interpretation, and (4) action plan.
Part I: Description
The case in chapter 1 revolves around Amenech whose
background was strongly Orthodox and bound to the
traditional understanding of Orthodox Christianity.
Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity is perceived by the members
as the original, oldest, and only true Christian religion on
earth. The case reveals two major problems: (t) The
negative attitude of the Ethiopian Orthodox people toward
other Christians, and (2) the lack of new approaches and the
misunderstanding of varied approaches by the pastoral office
in the SDA church in Ethiopia.
Part II: Analysis
This part of the study examines the problems by
reviewing the historical literature and analyzing the
economical, sociocultural, and religious dynamics of the
Ethiopian Orthodox people. The analysis indicates that
these dynamics have strongly influenced the Ethiopian
Orthodox people who are bound to their "old religion" and
maintain their unfavorable attitude toward other Christians.
The study also indicates that there are a number of
hindering factors to the Ethiopian Orthodox people becoming
SDA. The understanding of the Orthodox background motivates
Pastor A to work out a practical solution to evangelize the
Ethiopian Orthodox people.
Part III: Interpretation
The biblical/theological interpretation based on
both scriptures and the writings of Ellen G. White reveals a
wholistic ministry as a practicar and workable way to
address the problem included in the case. The wholistic
ministry is shown and illustrated in the Old and New
Testaments. The wholistic aspect of man as an indivisible
entity has been explained in the word study. The original
words translated as "body," "soul" "spirit," and "heart"
express the wholeness of man. Jesus' ministry on earth
teaches the essence of a whole ministry to the whole man.
This wholistic ministry concept has been inherited and used
by the Seventh-day Adventist church since its inception.
Various missiological views also encouraqe a wholistic
approach for a competent evangelism.
Part IV: Pastoral Action Plan
Pastoral strategies are reached through both
biblical and theological interpretation and the survey
analysis of the probrems revealed by the case. The end
result of this study reveals a wholistic approach is the
best and workable method to win the orthodox people. Six
strategic entry events are suggested and orqanized in the
form of seminars and workshops for the pastoral action. The
study concludes underlining the conception of the church
members as God's chosen instruments to do the work of
evangelism. Equipping them and delegating responsibilities
to them are duties the pastor needs to fulfill. | en_US |
