Date of Award
10-1-2017
Document Type
Major Applied Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Department
Practical Theology
First Advisor
Bruce Hartung
Scripture References in this Resource
Acts 8:26-40; Acts 19:5-6; 1 Corinthians 14:2; 1 Corinthians 14:14; John 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28-30; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 14:1; John 2:23; Romans 1:16; Acts 11:27; Philippians 4:4-7; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Corinthians 1:2-7; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; 1 Corinthians 14:40; 1 Corinthians 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:18
Abstract
Bulaka, Hailu Yohannes “A Proposal for the Implementation of Workshops and Other Strategies That Will Advance Unity and Harmony Concerning Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2017. 122 pp.
The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) is the largest Lutheran Church in Africa with 8.35 million members, which proclaims the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church is experiencing what many see as the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. This sometimes causes conflict and division among members. For our unity and harmony in the church, we should avoid an attitude of spiritual superiority which makes the members of the congregation who are not charismatic feel they are inferior Christians. The church’s emphasis should be on the doctrine of justification by grace through faith. At the same time, the work of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit’s gifts need to be respected and utilized constructively in the church. My project deals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit by emphasizing the unity and harmony of the church. In the EECMY, the experience, use, and identification of the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit can and sometimes does affect the unity and harmony of the church.
In facing the issues raised by the charismatic movement within the EECMY, we should seek the edification and spiritual welfare of the whole body of Christ. All pastors and laymen should earnestly and prayerfully study Scripture and its exposition in the Lutheran Confessions. Through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, we will be able to discern between what is true and sound teaching and what is false; what is God's will and what is of man. Subjective experience and human emotions are never safe guides in spiritual matters. Our true guide is the Word of God. Where God's Word speaks, Christians will submit in all humility and in the fear of God and not follow personal experience.
My project, to “A proposal and strategy for the implementation of workshops that will advance unity and harmony concerning charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus,” is meant to contribute to teaching the church leaders to keep Biblical and confessional truth, and to enhance the church growth for the glory of God. By this research, I am attempting to clarify how the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be approached and used, and thus to describe how these gifts can bring unity and not be divisive. The MAP addresses these challenges: the role and function of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, how differing views about these gifts can cause divisions in the EECMY, and to develop the strategies and prepare workshops to create unity and harmony in the Church. Thus, my research lays a foundation about the use of charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit through the study of the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions.
Recommended Citation
Bulaka, Hailu, "Proposals for the Development of Strategies, Including Workshops, to Advance Unity and Harmony Concerning Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Ethiopian Evangelical Church" (2017). Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project. 117.
https://scholar.csl.edu/dmin/117
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