Drew University Library : University Archives : Theses and Dissertations
    
authorJessica Taylor
title Developing a Testimony Training Program for Women that will Provide Instruction for Participants to Give Biblical and Effective Testimony at St. Luke Baptist Church in Harlem, NY
abstractThe purpose of this project is to strengthen the ability of its participants to share their testimony by developing a testimony training program that will explain the biblical and theological justification, and the historical and social implications of testimony all the while exploring the similarities and differences between testimony and story sharing.

The basic contention of this project is that women are suffering in silence because we are unaware of the commonality of our struggles and unable to share our testimonies. The Holy Bible says, "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." (Rev. 12:11 New King James Version) When women testify about what Christ has done for us, we become overcomers and God uses our testimony to bring others into the realization of His grace.

This project was conducted in five stages. Stage one was recruiting the participants based on their availability and willingness to participate, and a completion of an entrance questionnaire in order to ascertain the participant's level of knowledge and comfort regarding testimony sharing. Stage two was three testimony trainings/workshops to instruct the participants on the biblical and theological rationale of testimony, the historical and social ramifications of testimony, the methodologies of testifying, and overcoming obstacles to effective witnessing. The third stage was a testimony preparation session to assist the participants with writing their testimonies. Stage four was an intense drafting process to help the participants develop and memorialize their testimonies in order to present them in the most truthful and effective manner. Stage five was a testimony service where the participants shared their testimonies before a congregation of women and a service evaluation session where the congregation and participants completed questionnaires regarding the effectiveness of the service and the impact of hearing other women's experiences.

schoolThe Theological School, Drew University
degreeD.Min. (2017)
advisors William Presnell
Donna Ciangio
committee Stephanie Johnson
Teresa Wade
Aundrey Thomas
Tenee Hall
Hannah Cofield
Charleen Griffen
Niesha Wells
Sonia Quick
Christinia Bonne-Annee
full textJTaylor.pdf