Development and Empowerment of Women for Ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in

165 Pages·2017·2.25 MB·English

by  Leabaneng Providence Simankane

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Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research
2010
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Leabaneng Providence Simankane
Andrews University
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Simankane, Leabaneng Providence, "Development and Empowerment of Women for Ministry in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Francistown, Botswana" (2010). Dissertation Projects DMin. 121.
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ABSTRACT
DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN FOR
MINISTRY IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
CHURCH IN FRANCISTOWN, BOTSWANA

by
Leabaneng Providence Simankane

Advisor: Walton A. Williams
ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE RESEARCH
Project Dissertation
Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Title: DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN FOR MINISTRY
IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
IN FRANCISTOWN, BOTSWANA
Name of researcher: Leabaneng Providence Simankane
Name and degree of faculty adviser: Walton A. Williams, DMin
Date completed: August 2010
Problem
The proclamation of the Gospel message in the community of Francistown,
located on the northeastern part of Botswana, requires church members (both men and
women) who are dedicated and trained for evangelism. However, women are not given
opportunity to participate fully in the Gospel ministry. The leadership of the church
continues to rest upon men leaving out the God-given potentials of women.
Method
This study used the qualitative descriptive research method and intended to find
out the extent to which members are favorable to the development and empowerment of
women for ministry in Francistown churches in Botswana. The questionnaire of 37
statements on certain variables were formulated and stipulated to streamline research
focus, conceptual framework, and findings. There were 265 number of instruments
randomly distributed and 240 were retrieved, a 90.6% retrieval rate. An averaged
summary of responses was used to determine whether or not respondents (church
members) were in favor of the development and empowerment of women for ministry.
Findings
A total of 5,865 (66.3%) responses reflected in the 37 research statements portray
that members of the Francistown churches including pastors and non-Adventists have
positive perceptions and attitudes toward the development and empowerment of women
for ministry. However, responses to statements relating to church governance, especially
the dissemination of General Conference authorization for the ordination of women as
local church elders, was not favorable.
Conclusions
Members of Francistown Seventh-day Adventist Church are in favor of the
development and empowerment of women for ministry. Apparently, there is no
significant demographic difference on their perception and attitude towards women in
ministry.
Andrews University

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN FOR
MINISTRY IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
CHURCH IN FRANCISTOWN, BOTSWANA
A Project Dissertation
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirement for the Degree
Doctor of Ministry

by
Leabaneng Providence Simankane
August 2010
© Copyright Leabaneng Providence Simankane 2010
All rights are reserved.
DEDICATION
To my loved husband Othibetse and our precious children—Tapologo and his
dear wife Lesang, Reletile, Oetla, and Gaokgakala.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................... xi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... xii
Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1
Biographical Background ....................................................................... 1
The Purpose of the Study ....................................................................... 2
Statement of the Problem ....................................................................... 3
Justification for the Study ...................................................................... 3
Research Questions ................................................................................ 4
Conceptual Framework .......................................................................... 4
The Significance of the Study ................................................................ 5
Assumptions ........................................................................................... 5
Limitations ............................................................................................. 6
Delimitations .......................................................................................... 6
Definition of Terms ................................................................................ 6
Organization of the Study ...................................................................... 7
Methodology .......................................................................................... 8
Type of Research............................................................................. 8
Population ....................................................................................... 8
Sample and Sampling Technique .................................................... 8
Research Design .............................................................................. 8
Research Instrument ........................................................................ 9
Content Validation and Pilot Study ................................................ 9
Data Analysis .................................................................................. 10
2. A THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN IN MINISTRY ......... 11
Introduction ............................................................................................ 11
Equality in Creation ............................................................................... 12
Equality in Membership and Ministry ................................................... 14
Gospel Commission: Gender Inclusiveness ........................................... 16
Women and God’s Mission in the Bible ................................................ 17
Women and God’s Mission in the Old Testament ................................. 17
Women and God’s Mission in the New Testament ................................ 19
iv
Women Endowed With Spiritual Gifts .................................................. 19
Priesthood of All Believers .................................................................... 20
Theological Training of Women ............................................................ 21
Paradigm Shift: Acceptance, Mentoring, and Motivation ...................... 22
Acceptance ...................................................................................... 22
Acceptance into the Jewish Nation Through Circumcision ..... 22
Gospel for Gentiles .................................................................. 23
Mentoring ........................................................................................ 24
Motivation ....................................................................................... 27
Proper Interpretation and Application of Scriptures .............................. 28
Covering of the Head: 1 Corinthians 11:4-7 ................................... 29
Silence in the Church: 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 ............................... 29
Learn in Silence: 1 Timothy 2:11-15 .............................................. 31
Submission: Ephesians 5:22-24 ...................................................... 32
Headship: Ephesians 5:23 ............................................................... 34
Ordination ............................................................................................... 34
Categories of Ordination ................................................................. 35
Ordination and Gender ............................................................. 35
Ordination and Culture ............................................................ 35
Ordination and Church Authority ............................................ 37
Church Governance (Policy) .................................................................. 37
Women and Botswana Culture ............................................................... 38
Conclusion .............................................................................................. 39
3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON DEVELOPING AND
EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR MINISTRY .............................................. 40
Introduction ............................................................................................ 40
Equality in Creation ............................................................................... 41
Equality in Membership and Ministry ................................................... 42
Gospel Commission: Gender Inclusiveness ........................................... 42
Proper Interpretation and Application of Scriptures .............................. 43
Women and God’s Mission in the Bible ................................................ 45
Theological Training of Women ............................................................ 45
Mentoring, Acceptance, and Motivation ................................................ 46
Mentoring ........................................................................................ 46
Acceptance ...................................................................................... 49
Motivation ....................................................................................... 50
Women Endowed With Spiritual Gifts .................................................. 51
Women in Ministry Support Groups ...................................................... 53
Colleague Advocacy .............................................................................. 55
A Call to Ordination of Women ............................................................. 56
History of the Seventh-Day Adventist Women in Leadership ............... 57
Roles of Men and Women ...................................................................... 60
History of the Seventh-Day Adventist Women in Leadership ............... 61
Decline of Women in Seventh-Day Adventist Leadership .................... 63
Growth of Adventist Women in Leadership .......................................... 63
v