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Virtual Grief Support for Widows and Widowers at Oakwood University Seventh-day Adventist Cburch
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The COVID-19 pandemic created a gap in grief support for church members, including widows and widowers at Oakwood University Seventh-day Adventist Church. This study addresses the lack of accessible, structured virtual grief support for these individuals during a time of emotional and spiritual need, isolation, and loneliness.
Method
Using a mixed-method qualitative case study design, the study collected quantitative information through participants’ demographic data, followed by qualitative interviews and focus groups. The intervention had 10 participants who attended six virtual grief support sessions which included video presentations and group discussions via Zoom.
Results
The virtual, six-week grief support program successfully reduced emotional distress and fostered a sense of community and spiritual connection among participants. Both quantitative and qualitative data showed improved coping mechanisms during the pandemic. At the conclusion of the six-week program, all participants showed improved coping mechanisms by demonstrating enhanced understanding of the grieving process, enabling effective integration of loss into their lives and fostering a sense of renewed hope and purpose. All 10 participants (100%) recommended the virtual grief support program, emphasizing its accessibility (40%), effectiveness during COVID-19 lockdowns (30%), and its educational value (70%). Additionally, participants highlighted the program\u27s contributions to healing and coping strategies (45%), inclusivity of diverse groups (70%), and the benefits derived from shared experiences within a supportive community (10%).
Conclusions
The study concluded that a virtual grief support program can be an effective alternative to in-person services in times of social isolation such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The mixed-method qualitative case study approach offered a comprehensive understanding of the widows\u27 and widowers\u27 grief experiences. It demonstrated the program\u27s ability to provide meaningful emotional and spiritual support. This research highlights the importance of integrating virtual platforms into the grief support ministry, offering a new model for future use when necessary
Estimating aloin concentration in aloe vera l. using approximation theory in mathematical modeling
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Global Monetary Responses to the 2008 Financial Crisis: An Analysis of Interest Rate Adjustments Across Fourteen Countries
No full textThis study examines the impact of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis on central bank interest rates across fourteen countries (C1 to C14), using data spanning from 1993 to 2022. Our analysis categorizes the timeline into three segments: pre-crisis (1993-2006), during the crisis (2007-2009), and post-crisis (2010-2022). Utilizing multivariate analysis techniques including Pillai’s Trace, Wilks’ Lambda, and Hotelling’s Trace, we assess the statistical significance of changes in interest rates over these periods. The results indicate a significant reduction in interest rates during the crisis, with this downward trend persisting into the post-crisis period. For instance, the Russian Federation (C10) saw a reduction from an average interest rate of 21.712% pre-crisis to 9.798% post-crisis, while Brazil (C11) observed a decrease from 65.052% to 35.982%. The study confirms that the 2008 crisis had a profound and lasting impact on global monetary policies, as central banks across the analyzed nations lowered rates significantly to counteract the recessionary effects and stimulate economic recovery. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into the dynamic responses of central banks during one of the most challenging periods in recent financial history
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on general government net lending/borrowing as a percentage of GDP across Asia Pacific countries from 2018 to 2027
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The Soft Power of the Shakespearean Cameo: National Identities and Political Utility
No full textThis seminar examines the ideological utility of Shakespearean cameos–citations, slant references, and quotations—within film and television, focusing attention on the ways such Shakespearean cameos define national identities and human belonging. In the charged contexts of New Nationalism’s rise in liberal democracies and a backlash against the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, this seminar situates Shakespearean cameos on film and/or television within these geopolitical power flows
Estratégia de Discipulado para Crescimento com Retanção de Membros: um Estudo de Caso na Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia de Vilas do Atlântico
No full textProblem
Since 2013, the Vilas do Atlântico Church has seen above–average growth compared to other churches in the Bahia Conference. However, at the same time, there has also been a significant attrition of members. This likely occurred because the local church lacked a discipleship strategy for growth and member retention. Although the evangelistic strategy produced significant results, it lacked a broader vision of discipleship as a process, both cognitively and relationally. Considering this, a discipleship strategy for growth and member retention was developed for this church, starting in 2022. This strategy sought to answer three questions. The first two refer to the strategy itself, and the third relates to the case study proposed in this research.
1. What has the discipleship strategy for growth and member retention at the Vilas do Atlântico Church consisted of since 2022?
2. What has been the numerical result of the Vilas do Atlântico Church\u27s discipleship strategy for growth and member retention since 2022?
3. What has been the perception of local leaders and other members regarding the Vilas do Atlântico Church\u27s discipleship strategy for growth and member retention since 2022?
Method
A discipleship strategy for growth and member retention was implemented and developed beginning in January 2022. This strategy was developed in harmony with the principles and practices of biblical discipleship, found in the New Testament and described in academic literature. Four dimensions were considered: spiritual nourishment, evangelistic awareness, leadership development, and spiritual growth with faithfulness. Sabbath School (SS) and Small Groups (SG) were the two structures specifically considered and analyzed. However, some complementary and more frequent activities in the life of the local church were also considered, such as public worship, Bible classes, mentoring, Pathfinder and Adventurer ministries, missionary companionships, and others.
The research is based on the phenomenological–interpretative paradigm, which seeks to understand reality from the perspective of participants. From this perspective, this research work is a case study, which is a mixed quantitative and qualitative methodology, that is, a mixed methodology that focuses on a single object of study, allowing for an in–depth and detailed analysis.
To this end, a questionnaire with different sections was developed, focusing on the SS and SG, covering the four dimensions of the research: spiritual nourishment, evangelistic awareness, leadership development, and spiritual growth with fidelity. This questionnaire was administered to leaders and members to assess their perception of the implemented discipleship strategy. Considering the questionnaire and document analysis techniques used in this work, content analysis was chosen. Thus, after collecting the data through the questionnaire, the data were described and compiled into the document. This was then used for data analysis. The responses were analyzed using various parametric and nonparametric analysis techniques.
Results
Considering the results of the technical analyses of leaders\u27 and non–leaders\u27 perceptions of the discipleship strategy for growth and member retention at the Vilas do Atlântico Church, as well as the results recorded in the ACMS (Adventist Church Management System), both in tithes, offerings, donors, and baptisms, the following conclusions can be drawn:
1. Over the past three years, the Vilas do Atlântico Church has experienced significant growth in baptisms and tithes, offerings, and donors.
2. At the Vilas do Atlântico Church, all demographic data demonstrates homogeneity of perception between those in leadership roles and the other active members who responded.
3. Based on the homogeneity of perception, there is no difference between the benefits that the SS and the SG promote in the lives of leaders and members.
4. The SS and the SG are structures that complement each other to promote healthy church growth and member retention.
5. The perception of the contribution of the SG and SS alone does not vary significantly in any of the four suggested discipleship dimensions (spiritual nourishment, evangelistic awareness, leadership development, and faithful growth in Christ).
6. In the perception of most respondents, a SS and SG promote growth and member retention, but they are not the ones that contribute most to individual discipleship.
7. In the perception of most respondents, personal devotion, regular church service attendance, and member participation in some ministry contribute more to individual discipleship than SS and SG.
8. In the perception of the respondents, SG contributes more to individual discipleship than SS.
9. In the perception of the respondents, SG\u27s greatest contribution to discipleship comes through interpersonal relationships and practical experience.
10. SS, in the perception of the respondents, contributes more through cognitive Bible study.
Conclusions
This case study of the discipleship strategy for growth and member retention in Vilas do Atlântico demonstrated that the SS and the SG are important structures for the biblical discipleship process. Both complement each other, as while the SS contributes to the cognitive aspect of discipleship, the SG contributes to the relational and missional aspects of this process. However, in the perception of leaders and members, personal devotion, worship attendance, and participation in some church ministries are factors that contribute more to individual discipleship than the SS and the SG. It is understood that this church perception does not underestimate the importance of structures, but neither does it consider them more important than other individual or collective actions