A Strategy for Participation of Members of Najjanankumbi SDA Church District, Uganda

Abstract

This research was carried out by this researcher in order to design a suitable strategy which could enable the members of the Najjanankumbi Seventh-day Adventist Church in Uganda to increase their participation in the life and mission of the church. It had been discovered that only 11% of the members were involved in most evangelism activities in the last ten years from 1996 - 2006. All the others supported the Great Commission through prayers, contributions of either money or other materials, and others were mere spectators. This research sought to increase the percentage of participation to at least 60% by the year 2008. In order to reach this goal, this researcher had to work very closely with the entire church through the evangelism committee. The researcher then designed a questionnaire to work as instrument of research to solicit answers and ideas from the members themselves. The respondents were church members from three organized churches especially church officers and influential members of the church.The findings revealed that many members claimed to have no time for evangelism and others just lacked knowledge, direction, seriousness, commitment and faith. However, the respondents raised a number of strategies which could make them become more involved in evangelism. Their suggestions started with the need to be equipped for evangelism. Then they suggested methods like: evangelism to neighbors, inviting visitors at their churches, social gatherings, departmental public evangelism and many others. When this strategy was implemented in three churches for only one year, the level of participation increased in these churches to at least 55% and 634 new members were baptized and a new church was started at Kabaawo in Wankulukuku area with 254 new baptized members. The achievement from this project has encouraged the leaders of these three churches to support and strengthen the evangelism committee for the continuity of this program. The church members are now eager to participate in the life and mission of the church.