https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/493 2026-04-08T22:11:10Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/2206 The implications of the non-traditional worship style to the liturgical flow of worship as practiced by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Kapirig, Leonida Albutra This descriptive study was conducted to describe the traditional liturgical flow of the UCCP and the non-traditional worship style that has been adopted by some UCCP local churches using content analysis as a tool. Results of the study revealed that the rise and development of the non-traditional or contemporary worship style is indicative of the worshipers’ desire to make their encounter with God meaningful. The appeal to emotions in contemporary worship style is a realization that worship is a total response to God’s initiative and is expressed through all the senses. Worship cannot and must not be categorized: traditional, Contemporary/non-traditional, blended, etc. Worship is a collective act of the people that unifies the congregation. The non-traditional style of worship is not a menace in the traditional worship life of the UCCP, if only church members are well-informed and educated of its worship style, because some parts of the non-traditional worship actually enhanced the traditional worship style. Hence, there’s nothing wrong if it influences the youth in finding their true meaning of worship, which connotes much effort of the church through her leaders in leading them right, yet, it would not hamper and degrade the church worship tradition. The rift or conflict in some UCCP churches over worship styles, are caused by preferences of features and is not a theological issue on worship. Particularly, its evidences are shown in the transformed and wholesome atmosphere now of the worship life in one of the UCCP churches in the Western Mindanao area. Thereby, educating or re-educating church members to respect each others’ preferences in their way of worship through an enhanced worship flow. Abstract only 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1276 A theological reflection on Christ’s commission to teach in today’s context Franco, Mary Grace Alonsagay This study attempts to describe and analyze the biblical meaning of Christ’s Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to teach and its theological implications in today’s context. Specifically, this study has resolved the following questions: 1) What is the original meaning of the Great Commission and Great Commission to Teach? 2) What are the underlying principles of teachings on the basis of Great Commission? 3) What are the implications of Matthew 28:19-20 today? 4) What is the significance of Christ’s Commission to Teach to the Educational Ministry of the Church today? In this study, the process of interpretation takes into consideration the background and the analytical study of the biblical text itself using exegesis as a method. The findings of this study are the following: 1) The great commission as stated in Matthew 28:18 - 20 came from Jesus Christ. It contains the command of Jesus to His followers to go and teach people to become His disciples. 2) The principles of teachings based on the great commission of Jesus include the following: a) teaching with a clear vision in mind; b) helping persons to learn how to become good disciples of Christ; c) teaching others how to make disciples for Christ; and, d) sharing the message of Christ as a way of life. 3) Theologically, Matthew 28:18 - 20 today implies that Christians are called to teach others to become good disciples of Jesus. This teaching task is a mandate from Jesus to all His disciples to do. Second, to perpetuate the message of Jesus Christ and His mandate to make disciples, Christians today should be involved in the teaching ministry especially in the area of making disciples. It is expected that those disciples will share the message of Christ to others to insure the continuity of the Christian message. Finally, teaching is not only a task to be carried out but a lifestyle to be developed. Teaching to make disciples for Christ then is a way of life. 4) Christ’s Commission to Teach to the Educational Ministry of the Church today is significant. Christ’s commission to teach is and should be the basis in making educational curriculum and in planning for the educational ministry of the church. Based on the above findings, this study recommends the following: 1) The church should critically review Christ’s commission to teach in order that the real meaning of this commission cannot be neglected but instead incorporated in the curriculum for Christian education of the church. 2) The traditional understanding of the church that the task of teaching is only for pastors and teachers should be evaluated. Based on Christ’s commission, teaching is the task of every Christian not of the chosen few. Therefore, it is necessary that the church should create an environment wherein individual members can be given a chance to be trained as a Christian educator. Abstract only 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/773 An analysis of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines general assembly policy statement on lesbians, gays bisexuals and transgenders : Its implications and significance to the Western Visayas Conference Jaropillo, Alfred Candid M. This descriptive study was conducted to identify the implications of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) General Assembly Policy Statement on Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender to the Western Visayas Conference. Analysis of the Biblical Theological Reflection on LGBT and UCCP LGBT Policy Statement were largely used in this study. Biblical exegesis in the spirit of life-giving, life affirming, inclusive way of interpretation was employed. Results of the study revealed the attitude of the members of the Western Visayas Conference towards the LGBT’s and the Church Workers’ response to the mandate of the Policy Statement. The church “othering” attitude towards the LGBT’s is rooted in the heteronormative hegemonic views of the society and the toxic interpretations of the scripture that have been adapted by the church from the patristic period. However, in the post-colonial approach to biblical interpretation the result of the study presents the God as revealed in the scripture as welcoming and inclusive. The UCCP stands on a tradition of faith that has always been regarded as an affirming, welcoming, accepting and caring community of the followers of Christ. This Protestant, Reformed, Evangelical faith tradition is rooted primarily and solely on a theology of grace, not on a theology of law or pure legalism. This is the very nature of the God that we worship. Abstract only 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/772 Factors associated with Sunday School attendance among members of Presbyterian Churches lead by Korean Missions in Iloilo City Dangco, Mario P. This study, Factors Associated with Sunday School Attendance Among Members of Presbyterian Churches Led by Korean Missions in Iloilo City, describes and analyzes the state of the Sunday School program of Presbyterian churches led by Korean missions in the city of Iloilo and to ascertain the underlying factors responsible for such state. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following problems: 1) What is the state of the Sunday School program in the Presbyterian Churches led by Korean Missions in Iloilo City?2) What are the possible factors responsible for this state? To obtain a comprehensive picture of the Sunday School program in the local congregations, all three stakeholders of the said program were engaged in the study: the church pastors, the Sunday School teachers, and the church members. Drawn from a random sample, fifteen(15) pastors, twelve(12) Sunday School teachers, and one hundred sixty seven(167) church members were made the subjects of the study. The pastors were asked to state their working definition of Sunday School and its value for the local church under their watch. The Sunday School teachers were asked to respond to questions that unearthed their preparation for teaching, the pedagogical tools which they employ in their teaching, and class management. The church members were asked about their level of interest in Sunday School, their regularity of attendance, and the impact of the program on their growth as church members. While the pastor-respondents differ in their focus of the Christian Education content, all of them believe that Sunday School is a tool or instrument that helps in an understanding of the Bible, Christian values, Godly living. In other words, Sunday School is a reformatory channel. Of the fifteen (15) pastors interviewed, eight (8) were themselves Sunday School teachers who rated Sunday School with great importance which was why they took on the Sunday School leadership in their own congregations. Out of the twelve (12) Sunday School teachers, seven(7) had never undergone any formal training for Sunday School teachers. Neither did they use any form of Sunday School material as they had no access to these. Their Sunday School lessons were a repeat of what they had heard from the Korean missionaries and/or their mentors. It was found out that fifty four (54) of the one hundred sixty seven(167) church members did not feel a compelling need for Sunday School. On the basis of the given problem, the following assumptions were established: 1. The pastor’s theology of Christian Education significantly influences the Sunday School program of a local congregation. 2. The Biblical and pedagogical preparation of the Sunday School teacher significantly influences Sunday School attendance 3. There is a significant correlation between the member’s perception of church membership and his/her Sunday School attendance. Abstract only 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z