A Model for Reaching African American Males in Southeast Atlanta with Seventh-Day Adventism

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A Model for Reaching African American Males in Southeast Atlanta with Seventh-Day Adventism Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 2005 A Model For Reaching African American Males In Southeast Atlanta With Seventh-day Adventism Ralph P. Peay Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Peay, Ralph P., "A Model For Reaching African American Males In Southeast Atlanta With Seventh-day Adventism" (2005). Dissertation Projects DMin. 415. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/415 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT A MODEL FOR REACHING AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES IN SOUTHEAST ATLANTA WITH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM by Ralph P. Peay Adviser: Clifford Jones ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: A MODEL FOR REACHING AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES IN SOUTHEAST ATLANTA WITH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM Name of researcher: Ralph P. Peay Name and degrees of faculty adviser: Clifford Jones, D.Min., PhD. Date completed: August 2005 Problem Churches in America are on average 60-70 percent female. Attracting and integrating African American males into church life is a grave challenge. This study focuses on African American males in Southeast Atlanta and seeks to design a model for addressing their sociological and spiritual needs in anticipation of their accession into church membership. Method The setting for this study is the Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southeast Atlanta. The method employed in this project is an exploratory research approach that is designed to identify the social, economic, and other needs of African American males. In order to ascertain basic information for this study, I pursued a number of steps. I designed an African American Male SDA Membership Questionnaire. I administered the questionnaire to all the males (115) in the Atlanta Boulevard Church. I collected and analyzed the questionnaires before developing the African American Male Study Guides. Members shared the study guides with relatives and friends and reported on responses to the study guide prospects. The research method facilitated the development, implementation, and evaluation of a model mandated by both the African American Male SDA Membership Questionnaire data and my overall findings. Results Forty-nine members received study guides to share with relatives and friends. A total of seven students completed the series of twenty lessons. Five of the seven indicated an interest in Seventh-day Adventist membership. Two persons have been baptized. This ratio of baptisms to study guide completion is 28 percent. It appears that African American males will respond positively to the Gospel when approached by friendly, affirming persons with culturally sensitive materials addressing the Black man’s needs for physical survival. Conclusions This document describes and records the development, implementation, and evaluation of a model for reaching African American males in Southeast Atlanta with Adventism. It has been evaluated as to its practicality and potential for successful evangelism among Black males. The result is the conclusion that the African American Male Study Guides achieved their intended purpose. This model is an approach that complements rather than competes with other methods to draw males into the congregation. The experience of the Atlanta Boulevard Church is one that may be adapted to the needs of other congregations with customized revisions. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary A MODEL FOR REACHING AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES IN SOUTHEAST ATLANTA WITH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Ralph P. Peay August 2005 A MODEL FOR REACHING AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES IN SOUTHEAST ATLANTA WITH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Ralph P. Peay Skip Bell Dean, SDA Theological Seminary John McVay <3. CHOPS' Date approved This work is lovingly dedicated to the members and friends of the Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church, who have taught me more than they will ever know, and to my loving wife, Juanita; daughter, Ralita; and grandchildren, Vinita, Marianna, and April; who also believed, trusted, and encouraged me in the ministry. m TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES..............................................................................................................viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS....................................................................................................ix Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 1 The Problem and Its Historical Background.................................................. 1 Purpose of the Dissertation...................................................... 2 Justification for the Dissertation................................................................... 3 Limitations of the Dissertation...................................................................... 4 Description of the Dissertation Process........................................................5 Definition of Terms.............................. 7 Expectations from the Dissertation............................................................... 8 2. LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................................................................11 Introduction.................................................................................................11 Background to the Problem.........................................................................12 A Climate of Racism and Negative Stereotyping..............................13 Focus on a Vibrant Cultural Past for African Americans.................15 Ellen White’s Outreach to African Americans..................................17 The Black Power Movement............................................................. 20 Psychological and Cultural Effects Today.........................................22 Responding to the Problem......................................................................... 24 Fostering Social Justice and Cultivating Dignity and Self-Worth....24 Affirming and Strengthening the Black Family ................................ 26 Addressing the Needs and Concerns of Black Men Today .............27 Paying Attention to Language........................................................... 30 A Focus on Academia........................................................................ 32 Summary................................................................................. 35 Bringing African American Men Back to Church..................................... 35 The Need for More Outreach by Christian Churches....................... 36 The Muslim Model.............................................................................37 Why Black Men Do Not Attend Christian Churches........................40 Recruiting Black Men to Church: Contemporary Approaches........ 42 Conclusion...................................................................................................47 IV 3. THE BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR REACHING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE..........................................49 The Book of Mark.......................................................................................49 Jesus Reaches Out to Those Rejected by Society............................. 51 Reaching Out to the Descendants of Ham.........................................53 The Importance of Labels and Names...............................................58 The Local People Reject Jesus........................................................... 61 Lessons on Evangelism...................................................................... 65 Implications for the Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church...........................................................................................69 The Book of Nehemiah............................................................................... 72 Biblical Principles from Nehemiah....................................................73 Applications to the Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church...........................................................................................79 4. SOCIOLOGICAL FACTORS AND CHALLENGES FACING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE IN SOUTHEAST ATLANTA....................... 82 Introduction.................................................................................................. 82 Sociological Factors Concerning African Americans................................ 83 Population and Race/Ethnic Statistics...............................................84 A History of Racism and Discrimination...........................................86 Pejorative Terms and Slurs................................................................ 89 Income and Education........................................................................ 91 Home Ownership................................................................................94 Poverty...............................................................................................
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