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Conectados Para Crescer: um Modelo de Capacitação de Discipulado em Rede Para Aspirantes ao Ministério Pastoral da Associação Pernambucana Central
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The Central Pernambuco Conference (APeC), the regional headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) based in inland Pernambuco, Brazil, develops discipleship as one of its work programs through an organic network of leaders in small groups. -- However, pastoral ministry interns who join this region annually do not receive adequate training contextualized to the specific demands of the APeC discipleship network, which compromises the effectiveness of the initiative. -- Given this scenario, this study focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating a proposal for ministerial training that is contextualized to prepare pastoral ministry interns in the context of the discipleship model adopted.
Method
This research falls within the field of applied theology, focusing on the study of church growth. It adopted a qualitative approach, based on a contemporary biblical and literary review of discipleship and pastoral formation. The study was conducted through intervention research, considering the context of the pastoral ministry interns of APeC. -- The researcher acted as a facilitator of the meetings, promoting active listening and collaborative participation. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews in two phases with a focus group, and part of the intervention consisted of the application of a study plan with 13 lessons organized into three modules, focused on the practical and theological development of the interns in the implementation of a discipleship network model.
Results
The implementation of the “Connected to Grow” program, carried out with the pastoral ministry interns of APeC, resulted in significant changes in the understanding, practice, and vision of a discipleship network model. The data obtained indicate progress among the participants in developing a disciple-making culture. -- There was a significant change in the perception of the role of discipleship in the ministry for the interns. Before the program, 71% of them associated their ministerial satisfaction only with winning people as church members. After the program, 86% expanded their response by associating ministerial satisfaction with personal growth and that of their leaders, demonstrating a deeper and more strategic understanding of discipleship as an ongoing process of formation and development of people. -- Regarding the training previously received in theological seminary, 100% of the interns stated that they did not feel prepared to develop a discipleship process safely. Conversely, all of them positively evaluated the training provided by the program, highlighting the importance of mentoring, weekly monitoring, and the practical application of the content. -- The understanding of the concept of a discipleship network also showed significant growth. At the beginning, only 29% of the participants demonstrated familiarity with the topic. At the end, 100% were able to practice and describe the concept clearly, including the elements that characterize this discipleship model. -- Finally, the participants in the intervention recommended the continuation of the “Connected to Grow” training program, with the aim of continuing to prepare future interns for a better ministerial experience through a discipleship network with leaders who will be developed in their churches.
Conclusions
The implementation of the “Connected to Grow” program for nine months revealed significant changes in the understanding and practice of discipleship among the pastoral ministry interns at APeC. The improvement in the perception of discipleship as a relational and strategic process, combined with the appreciation of mentoring and practical training, revealed the positive impact of the intervention on the ministerial formation of the participants. -- The shift in the interns\u27 focus from merely winning new members to developing people and fostering personal growth demonstrated theological and relational maturity. Additionally, the integration of the concept of a discipleship network and the unanimous endorsement for the continuation of the program reinforce the relevance of the proposal as an effective model for pastoral formation in the current context
Perceived Social Support and Religious Attitudes as Correlates of Spiritual Well-Being Among Senior Undergraduate Students at Northeast Brazil Adventist University
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Even though the study of spirituality has been a recurrent theme in academia, in Brazil there has been little emphasis on the analysis of spiritual well-being in the context of university students. Few studies have examined the correlation of spiritual well-being with perceived social support or religious attitudes among university students, and most of these have been in the fields of health care or health recovery. Some research has indicated that religious attitudes may be partially disconnected from improvements in the level of spirituality. -- This study aimed to verify whether this disconnection is real or relevant, and assumed that religious attitudes in the university church, the office of chaplaincy, and the academic courses at Northeast Brazil Adventist University (NeBAU) would result in better spiritual well-being among its students. This study also examined whether there was a connection between the perception of social support and spiritual well-being. This correlation might present a problem because students’ perception of social support may not always relate to positively increasing their spiritual well-being. Furthermore, a lack of adequate social support for students can negatively relate to spirituality. Overall, this study sought to analyze the relationship between religious attitudes, social support, and spiritual well-being in NeBAU students.
Method
A quantitative, non-experimental survey design was used to examine the relationship between religious attitudes and perceived social support as correlates of spiritual well-being among senior college students at NeBAU. Descriptive analysis and correlation were employed along with factor analysis and reliability tests of the scales. The research sample consisted of 223 senior undergraduate students in the following programs: dentistry, psychology, physiotherapy, nursing, nutrition, business, accounting, information technology, education, and theology. -- The research design that defined how the research was conducted was correlational quantitative. A quantitative design collects numerical data and uses statistical analysis to test relationships between variables. A correlational design examines whether and how two or more variables are related, without manipulating them, identifying positive, negative, or null correlation. -- The instruments were the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) evaluating the support from family, friends, and significant others; the Religious Attitudes Scale (RAS) evaluating the dimensions of cognitive, affective, and behavioral; and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), assessing the religious and existential well-being of each student.
Results
There were statistically significant relationships between the variables Spiritual Well-Being, Perceived Social Support, and Religious Attitudes for the total sample. The relationship between Perceived Social Support and Religious Attitudes was 16%. The relationship for Spiritual Well-Being with Perceived Social Support and Religious Attitudes was 27% and 41%, respectively. Religious Attitudes are better correlated with Spiritual Well-Being. -- Religious Attitudes had a significant relationship with Spiritual Well-Being for all demographic groups. This was higher for men (50%) and almost the same for both age groups, while among college majors, nursing (51%) and psychology (45%) had higher percentages and physiotherapy lower (28%). -- Perceived Social Support had a significant relationship with Spiritual Well-Being for all demographic groups. It was higher for women (33%) and the 20-26 age group (30%). For college majors, psychology (45%) had the highest percentage, and the other majors were similar to the total sample (around 27%). -- Stronger correlations were found when Perceived Social Support and Religious Attitudes are considered together. The combination of the independent variables Religious Attitudes and Perceived Social Support had a significant relationship with the dependent variable Spiritual Well-Being for the total sample and explained 49% of the variance in Spiritual Well-Being. -- The combination of Religious Attitudes and Perceived Social Support had a significant relationship with Spiritual Well-Being for all demographic groups. This was higher for men (53%), the 20-26 age group (49%), and nursing (61%) and psychology (57%) majors. Results confirm that support networks and authentic faith practices strengthen spiritual well-being.
Conclusions
This study investigated the impact of Religious Attitudes and Perceived Social Support on the Spiritual Well-Being of college seniors at NeBAU. The results confirmed positive and significant relationships between the independent variables, Religious Attitudes and Perceived Social Support, and the dependent variable, Spiritual Well-Being. College seniors were shown to possess more spiritual/religious independence from their families than first and second-year students, as well as more personal experience and maturity gained over their years at the university. This research focused on understanding their responses and analyzing which factors were more closely related to the students’ spiritual well-being. -- The conclusions for this study were: (1) Religious Attitudes and Perceived Social Support are key correlates of Spiritual Well-Being among NeBAU students. (2) Spiritual Well-Being is strengthened when faith, community, and support networks work together. (3) This study highlights the importance of the Adventist educational context in promoting holistic student development. (4) NeBAU contributes positively to students’ holistic development. (5) This study advances the dialogue between psychology, theology, and education. Overall, (6) spirituality is not isolated but lived through relationships, faith practices, and supportive environments
The Student Movement Volume 109 Issue 13: Building Purpose During Week of Prayer
Full text linkHUMANS
Are We There Yet? Michigan\u27s Long-winded Winter, Ayanda Dewa
Ysa Dennis on Caribbean Club Goals and Events, Esther Martin
Andrews Black History: World Changing from Motown to Broadway, Andrew Francis
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Brutalist and AI in Hollywood (Part One), Audrey Lim
The King\u27s Singers at HPAC, Melanie Webb
When I Call an Orange Good, Nate Miller
NEWS
Beyond the Headlines: The Overlooked Reality of a Community\u27s Recovery, Natalie Mendonça
New President, New Changes, Lia Glass
Andrews University Week of Prayer Fosters Faith and Community, Amelia Stefanescu
IDEAS
DEI Initiatives: Where Do We Go From Here?, Katherine Pierre
PULSE
Educated Health: Effects of the U.S. Lunch Program, Anna Rybachek
Storytime with Aaron Moushon: A Winter\u27s Tale, Introduction by Anna Rybachek
LAST WORD
Everyone Has a Weekness, Andrew Francishttps://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sm-109/1012/thumbnail.jp
Washing Before Prayer
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Visiting Red-Cross Group
No full text#559https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/hiap-photos/3994/thumbnail.jp
Paul Bergsma at Work in New B Probe
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Area East of the Tell
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Strating Proper use of tool
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