Abstract

The purpose of this thesis-project was the implementation of holistic ministry in The Alloway Church of the Nazarene in Alloway, New Jersey. In this project holistic ministry focuses on evangelism, disciplining ministries and a variety of ministries designed to meet physical needs. ;The research method of this project was literary, involving an in-depth exegesis of the Aland/Wikgren Greek text of the great commission, and an examination of relevant Old Testament passages that support holistic ministry, as well as an examination of two New Testament church examples of such ministry. ;A further area of literary research was to probe both the Wesleyan heritage and the evangelical antecedents in the United States, to provide a historical rationale for holistic mission within the Wesleyan tradition. The expectation of the author was that the biblical teaching and historical research would provide a foundation on which to build the kinds of ministry that are the focus of this thesis-project. ;The ministries which comprise the practical focus of the project were selected during a long process of evaluation by the ministry of the Alloway Church of the Nazarene both by the pastor and local church leadership. Specific ministries were selected on the basis of perceived need by the local church leadership and by the nature and resources of this local small town church. ;The results of the process of evaluation of the ministry of the church and the selection of the projects indicated a definite need to deepen the bonds of fellowship within the local congregation and to help the church become more effective in meeting physical as well as spiritual needs