Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1996 Spiritual Nurture in the Local Seventh-day Adventist Congregation Through the Spiritual Gifts of Prophecy and Shepherding Francy Duran Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Education Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, and the Sociology Commons Recommended Citation Duran, Francy, "Spiritual Nurture in the Local Seventh-day Adventist Congregation Through the Spiritual Gifts of Prophecy and Shepherding" (1996). Dissertations. 342. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/342 This Dissertation 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 Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University School of Education SPIRITUAL NURTURE IN THE LOCAL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CONGREGATION THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS OF PROPHECY AND SHEPHERDING A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Francy Duran April 1996 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9630655 Copyright 1996 by Duran, Francy All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9630655 Copyright 1996, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 9 Copyright by Francy Duran 1996 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. SPIRITUAL NURTURE IN THE LOCAL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CONGREGATION THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS OF PROPHECY AND SHEPHERDING A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Francy Duran A External: John W. Young Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT SPIRITUAL NURTURE IN THE LOCAL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CONGREGATION THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS Or PROPHECY .AND SHEPHERDING oy Francy Duran Chair: Roy C. Naden Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University School of Education Title: SPIRITUAL NURTURE IN THE LOCAL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CONGREGATION THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS OF PROPHECY AND SHEPHERDING Name of researcher: Francy Duran Name of degree of faculty chair: Roy C. Naden, Ed.D. Date completed: April 19 96 The Purpose The purpose of this research was to analyze the church as a nurturing entity, and the spiritual gifts that enable the church to develop a ministry of spiritual nurture. Method This study followed the documentary methodology. The Scripture data, in both Old and New Testaments, regarding the purpose of the church and the gifts of prophecy and shepherding were analyzed in depth. Secondary sources, including books, journal articles, and research reports. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. were used where applicable. Conclusion The church was called to accomplish a specific ministry. This ministry is much more than the Gospel proclamation that leads to conversion and church membership; it includes the life-long process of spiritual nurture that fosters the growth of Christian character. The biblical model of "churching" indicates that baptism is not the end but the beginning of the process of the spiritual maturation of the believer. Believers are guided and nurtured through the life span of their spiritual journey by a well-established ministry of spiritual nurture facilitated by the gifts of the Spirit. The understanding and utilization of spiritual gifts were the keys to the New Testament church's success. According to the biblical record, the early church accomplished its mission through the Spirit's gifts; spiritual nurture was achieved in an important way through the gifts of prophecy and shepherding. The present spiritual situation within Adventism suggests the need of a work of nurturing that must begin by understanding the nature of the church and the purpose and ministry of the gifts of prophecy and shepherding. The acceptance and utilization of these gifts will foster spiritual growth, transforming believers into Christ- likeness in preparation for His return. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. To my wonderful wife, Esther, and my two lovely children, William and Daniel, for their understanding and willingness to make sacrifices so I could finish my studies Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................... vi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ................................... 1 Background ................................ 1 Spiritual Gifts ..................... 6 Definition of a Spiritual Gift ...... 7 Importance of Spiritual Gifts ....... 12 The Reception of Spiritual Gifts ..... 15 Preparation .................... 15 The process .................... 17 The purpose .................... 18 Statement of the Problem ................. 21 Purpose of This Study .................... 27 Significance of This Study ............... 27 Methodology ............................... 28 Delimitation .............................. 29 Basic Assumptions ......................... 29 Definition of Terms ....................... 29 II. BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR UNDERSTANDING THE CHURCH AS A NURTURING ENTITY .......................... 31 Introduction .............................. 31 The Need for Spiritual Nurture ......... 37 The Nature of the Church 4 0 The Origin of the Church: Old Testament ....................... 41 The Origin of the Church: New Testament 4 9 The Meaning of Church ............... 54 The Mission of the Church ................ 58 III. THE GIFT OF PROPHECY: A GIFT OF SPIRITUAL NURTURE ........................................ 67 Introduction .............................. 67 The Divine Origin of the Prophecy Gift 74 The Purpose of the Gift of Prophecy ...... 83 Its Communicative Purpose... ......... 83 Its Foretelling Purpose ............. 85 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Its Nurturing Purpose.... ............ 86 Spheres of Functioning .................... 90 Historic: Bible Universal Nurture .... 91 Church Periods ....................... 91 Ellen White: Church period nurture .................... 93 White's view of her gift of prophecy ........................ 96 The relationship between White's writings and the Bible ..... 97 White's sphere of functioning ... 99 Nurture: The essence of White's ministry ................... 100 Local Congregation Nurture........... 108 IV. THE GIFT OF SHEPHERDING: A GIFT OF SPIRITUAL NURTURE......................................... 113 Introduction .............................. 113 Shepherding Is a Gift ..................... 115 The Shepherd Motif ........................ 119 The Shepherd's Role ....................... 123 The Shepherd's Leading Ministry