Abilene Christian University Digital Commons @ ACU Doctor of Ministry Project/Theses Doctor of Ministry 5-1990 Inspiring a Church to Dream Jerry Austin Jenkins Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/dmin_theses Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Organizational Communication Commons, Practical Theology Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, Rhetoric Commons, and the Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons Recommended Citation Jenkins, Jerry Austin, "Inspiring a Church to Dream" (1990). Doctor of Ministry Project/Theses. 23. https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/dmin_theses/23 This Project is brought to you for free and open access by the Doctor of Ministry at Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry Project/Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ACU. INSPIRING A CHURCH TO DREAM An Abstract of a Project/Thesis Presented To The Faculty of the Graduate School Abilene Christian University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Jerry Austin Jenkins May 1990 L1CRARY ABILENE CH!"/!STl/1.l'iIJN!VERSITV ABil..ENI~. -\'[X/'"'S ABSTRACT Robert Dale theorizes that persons and organizations are largely explained by their dreams. A historical examination revealed that the Roebuck Parkway Church of Christ, Birmingham, Alabama, was born out of a dream of evangelism. In the fall of 1988 a survey was conducted that showed a decline of concern for the founding dream. The purpose of this study was to determine if there would be a significant difference in attitude toward evangelism as a result of a series of sermons designed to change direction positively. The sample group for the study consisted of 105 subjects who were members of the Roebuck Parkway congregation. The study was carried out in four phases. The first phase was the development of the Evangelistic Organization Questionnaire, which included meeting with elders and a selected group of people to administer the pilot questionnaire to check for clarity. Phase two involved the administering of the pretest on a Sunday morning in mid­ September, 1989. Phase three was the preparation and delivery of the ten sermons designed to inspire the members to redream the original dream. Phase four was the ii administration of the post-test three weeks after the completion of the sermon series. Several conclusions were derived from the analysis of the data gathered during the pre- and post-evaluation phases of this research project. They include the following. 1. The treatment program was effective in the area of members' attitudes concerning the work of the congregation in the area of evangelism. 2. The treatment program was effective in the area of evangelistic behavior. 3. The treatment program was less effective in the area of members' attitudes concerning personal responsibility. Whereas the formal analysis does reflect significant changes in attitude, the observational data reflected this positive change even more significantly. Members are bringing their friends; attendance and contributions are at an all time high; evangelistic classes are being taught; and conversions are occurring. Abstract approved: (!)11<a-v~ Prim~ Advisor A£Y Secondaryl~tt~ Advisor Da ~ L21 l110 iii INSPIRING A CHURCH TO DREAM A Project/Thesis Presented To The Faculty of the Graduate School Abilene Christian University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Jerry Austin Jenkins May 1990 This project\thesis, directed and approved by the candidate's committee has been accepted by the Graduate Council of Abilene Christian University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY Dean~~ of the Graduat~ool~ Pro1e~t/~hesis C~mmiJ?tf~r A ·. -~-Prim~ Adviserw~- --- -=--c_!.~~ ~I ---er-Seconda~,Adv~ ' ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Sincere appreciation is extended to the members of my committee who have so graciously given of their time, encouragement, patience, and knowledge to the development of this project/thesis. My deepest gratitude is extended to Dr. Charles Siburt, my chairman, and Dr. Carley Dodd, whose instruction and counsel proved invaluable. My sincere thanks, also, to Dr. Royce Money, who personally encouraged me to enter the program, for his contribution in initiating the program. I am deeply indebted to my friends and colleagues who have been so caring and who rejoiced with me throughout the phases of this project. These men have been more than fellow students; they are my brothers and friends. Each of us is indebted to our faculty, who without exception, has evidenced concern for scholarship, initiative, and a commitment to excellence. I am profoundly indebted to the Roebuck Parkway Church of Christ for their understanding and completion of the seemingly endless questionnaires. I will always feel appreciation for Sol Godwin, Clyde Hall, Ancel Norris, Leroy Owens, Darnell Self, C. C. Taggart, and Charles Whittington vi -- seven Christian men who serve the congregation as elders. From the first day of learning of the program and throughout the years, they have encouraged me to be a participant. A special note of thanks is also extended to Jean Owens, my secretary for 20 years, who has sacrificed time to assist with typing and has regularly gone the second mile to make time available for me to work on this project. Without her, this effort would never have been completed. Thanks go also to Dr. Mona Eason for valuable editorial suggestions, encouragement and graciously serving as my monitor for Abilene Christian University. Finally, a special acknowledgment is due to the members of my family, especially my wife, Mamie, who allowed me to rob her of my time already scarce so that I might accomplish this goal. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES. X LIST OF FIGURES xi CHAPTER I• INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY 1 Rationale .... 8 Assumptions ... 9 Definition of Terms 9 Limitations of the Study. 11 II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKAND THEOLOGICAL UNDERPINNING .....• 12 Theoretical Framework 12 Conceptional Model .. 17 Attitude Change ... 19 Theological Underpinnings 28 III. ROEBUCK CHURCH OF CHRIST 41 Context. 51 Identity. 56 Program 71 Process 75 IV. METHODS.. 78 Setting 78 Description of the Sample 79 Instrument Development .. 80 Questionnaire-Development Study 82 Sermons ..... 83 Data Analysis .. 87 Observational Data. 87 viii CHAPTER Page v. RESULTS. • . 89 Research Question ........• 89 Attitudes Concerning Congregational Involvement ..... 90 Qualitative Findings ....•. 149 VI. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, DISCUSSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 153 Summary . 153 Conclusions .. 155 Discussion. 155 Recommendations 160 REFERENCES, 162 APPENDIX A ROEBUCK PROFILE INVENTORY. 168 B POETIC TRIBUTES TO PARKWAY CHURCH OF CHRIST . 191 C EVANGELICAL OPINION QUESTIONNAIRE. 195 D SERMONS. • 205 ix LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Need for an Organized Program by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services • • • • • 0 91 2. Preaching to Those Not Members by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services 93 3. Leaders Sharing the Gospel by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ..... 94 4. Greatest Responsibility of Sharing the Gospel by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . 95 s. Important Works of the Church by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services 98 6. Supporting Foreign Evangelism by Groups, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . 101 7. Training Classes by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services .......... 103 8. Sharing the Good News of the Gospel by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ... 104 9. Talking to One's Neighbor by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ..... 105 10. Talking with Others by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . .. 106 X Table Page 11. Teaching the Bible in Private Situations by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . • . 108 12. Teaching the Bible on a Personal Basis by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ... 110 13. Motivation for Evangelism by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ......• 113 14. Who Will Be Lost by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . • 115 15. Personal Accountability for Those Lost by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . 117 16. Reward for Evangelism by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ..•. 118 17. Praying for the Lost by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services .... 120 18. Class of Evangelism by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . 123 19. Involved in Talking with Others by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services 126 20. Involved in Teaching by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . 127 21. Inviting Others to Attend by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services . 128 22. Frequency of Sharing by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ..... 131 xi Table Page 23. Methodology of Concern by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ... 133 24. Favorite Way of Sharing the Gospel by Group, Gender, Age, Educational Level, Income, and Services ...