Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 2004. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 305-308, 310-322).

Applied research project (D. Min.)--School of Theology and Missions, Oral Roberts University, 2003. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-126).

Thesis (D.Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 2004. / Typescript. Includes vita. Bibliography: leaves 310-322.

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003. / Includes abstract and vita. "May 2003." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-120).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity International University, Deerfield, Ill., 1999. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 293-299).

Thesis (D.Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 2004. / Typescript. Includes vita. Bibliography: leaves 310-322.

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003. / Includes abstract and vita. "May 2003." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-120).

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1993. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 355-365).

A presente dissertação de mestrado profissional trata da seguinte temática: a doutrina social na Igreja Metodista brasileira a partir da Segunda Região Eclesiástica. O tema de pesquisa foi circunscrito dentro de um recorte bibliográfico e histórico sobre os relatórios episcopais aos Concílios da Segunda Região Eclesiástica, no período de 1990 a 2011. Procurou-se analisar estes documentos à luz da teologia metodista de John Wesley, que acentua que o Evangelho não se comunica somente através de palavras - escritos, sermões e estudos. A palavra (escrita ou falada) deve ser acompanhada por ações (agir). Aliar palavra com ação é o desafio que está diante do povo metodista. Tendo em vista os pressupostos teóricos da doutrina social no metodismo, procurou-se intentar algumas conclusões, dentre as quais destacamos: o surgimento de manifestações de inconformidade com a acomodação da Igreja e com a incoerência de lideranças em relação aos ensinamentos de Wesley no período da ditadura militar (1964-1985). Este movimento conduziu à formulação de documentos de orientação à Igreja como o Credo Social, os Planos Quadrienais e o Plano para a Vida e a Missão da Igreja. A partir dos anos 1990 é visível um gradativo descuido por este aspecto essencial do metodismo que é o compromisso com o social. A posição dos bispos se manifesta tanto na parte teórica de seus relatórios quanto nas ênfases de ações missionárias que não revelam incluir o compromisso com as questões sociais. Por fim, e não menos importante, apontamos para o desafio de recuperar a teologia metodista que alia ação evangelística com ação social, além da vivência prática e comunitária do lema que orienta o metodismo brasileiro: Igreja comunidade missionária a serviço do povo. / This professional Masters dissertation deals with the following theme: the social doctrine in the Brazilian Methodist Church based in the Second Ecclesiastical Region. The research theme was confined within a bibliographic and historical cropping of the episcopal reports to the Councils of the Second Ecclesiastical Region, in the period of 1990 to 2011. An attempt was made to analyze these documents in the light of the Methodist theology of John Wesley, which focuses on the fact that the Gospel does not communicate itself only through words writings, sermons and studies. The word (written and spoken) must be accompanied by actions (to act). To ally word with action is the challenge before the Methodist people. Keeping the theoretical presuppositions of the social doctrine in Methodism in mind, one tried to offer some conclusions, within which we highlight: the emerging of manifestations of inconformity with the churchs accommodation and with the incoherence of the leaders with regard to the teachings of Wesley during the period of the military dictatorship (1964-1985). This movement led to the formulation of orientation documents for the church such as the Social Creed, the Quadrennial Plans and the Plan for the Life and the Mission of the Church. As of the 1990s one is able to see the gradual neglect of this essential aspect of Methodism which is the commitment to the social. The bishops position is manifested in the theoretical part of their reports as well as in the emphases on missionary actions which do not reveal the inclusion of the commitment to the social issues. In the end, but not the least, we point out the challenge of recovering the Methodist theology which allies evangelistic action with social action, besides the practical and congregational experience of the theme which orients Brazilian Methodism: Church missionary congregation at the service of the people.

The growth of the Church in Africa, namely at numerical level 1 is tremendous. However, we notice that her impact on society and public life is not so visible as the growth is, since Christian values are embodied by Christians. Yet, the Church has huge human resources1 pastors, missionaries, lay leaders and theologians. The challenge for the Church in Africa is to incarnate and inculturate these values and the living message of the Gospel. In this thesis we question the co-operation between the Church and mission agencies, between native pastors and western missionaries. We notice that since 150 years, there has been a huge gap between these two entities. This is due to the fact that Theology and Missiology look like two lines that never meet. This situation leads us to revisit not only the current paradigm Church-Mission but also the current link between Theology and Missiology. We propose the following theses: 1. Theology is mission-centered. The goal of Theology is to extend the Kingdom of God by the prodamatlon of the Gospel so that every nation (ethne) may be represented in the Kingdom, and by the communication of Christian values so that a new society or a new civilisation may emerge and may take over the current and corrupted society. 2. To explore the Biblical data on Church and Mission, the only ontological approach appears to be limited, therefore the functional approach must be added. The right question is not only “What the Church Is" but also "For what the Church Is" 3. The local Church is the representation of the Universal Church in a given location. This local church is culturally rooted. Cultural plurality is a sine qua non condition for the Universal Church. 4. The local Church is the basis of mission. The basic reflections on mission must take place within the local Church, at the grass root level. All human resources, from mission agencies and para-church organisation are accountable to the local Church. 5. The major themes of healing, liberation and identity are at the core of the Gospel. Theologians must articulate these themes in their discourse. 6. Co-operation between local Churches, or within a duster of local Churches, gives opportunities to succeed in term of mission since no local Church can do mission alone.