Assessing the Elements of Worship from the Experience of Seventh-day Adventist Believers Participating in Local Multi-Generational Churches Located on the Campus of an Educational Institution

This dissertation assesses the elements of worship from the experience of Seventh-day Adventist believers participating in local multi-generational churches located on the campus of an educational institution. The research aims to understand which elements of corporate worship are meaningful and practiced by participants of diverse ages and what makes these elements significant in their opinion. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to examine how church participants prioritize different elements of worship and whether these preferences vary by age group and campus context. This survey also sought to identify specific worship elements that might be perceived as irrelevant or inappropriate. Preliminary findings suggest that the elements that are considered essential are (1) Sermon/Preaching 90.5%; (2) Congregational Singing 87.3%; (3) Offerings 82.3%; (4) Children’s Story 80.1%; (5) Benediction/Closing Prayer 78.9%. The elements that more than 50% of the participants considered shouldn’t be part of the regular worship gathering are (1) Speaking in tongues 69.4%; (2) Dancing 64.7%; and (3) Games 56.5%. The study further enabled cross-campus comparisons and allowed for an analysis of generational differences, examining how worship preferences differ across age groups. Additionally, it showed that the most prevalent themes in explaining the meaningfulness of the elements are (a) Relationships, (b) Intentionality, (c) Balanced Worship Service, (d) Other Activities, and (e) Regulations. This research contributes to the field of worship studies by providing insights into how congregational members perceive and value worship elements. It has implications for church leaders seeking to design relevant and meaningful worship experiences that resonate with diverse congregations.