Empirical Analysis of the Application of Matthew 25:1430 in the South West Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus

4.1. INTRODUCTION

As is indicated in the background discussion (chapter one), the main goal of this book is to find out how the Parable of the Talents is appropriately understood exegetically and how it is applied and practiced in the congregations of the South West Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. Based on this frame, the interpretation and the exegesis were presented in chapter two and chapter three in order to make clear what the Parable of the Talents is according to Matthew and what biblical message it can communicate.

In this fourth chapter, the empirical analysis of the application of Matthew 25:1430 in the SWS is described. As explained earlier, the purpose of this task is to find out how the parable is understood and applied practically on the grassroot level. For the empirical research, three groups of people were selected. The groups were: (1) the SWS management (including both ordained and lay people with different professions), (2) the congregation pastors and Arba Minch Theological Seminary teachers and, (3) leaders of the Mafo congregation as a special group.