This research presents a systematic and iterative procedure, as well as theoretical study, on expository sermon construction. The basic approach to sermon design involves the treatment of this subject matter as a design problem, utilizing advanced methodology in engineering design. This includes the modeling technique, the flow-chart method, and the optimization theory. In addition, we use heuristics as the search engine for seeking intelligent and efficient optimum design solutions. The heuristics can best be compared to the "artificial intelligence" or the "wisdom bank," involving six sources of wisdom; these include: talents, gifts, creativity, knowledge, experience and spiritual insights. The results represented in this thesis are believed to have demonstrated original findings in the following areas. First, the subject matter is found to be of a design nature, sharing the common characteristics of a general class of the design discipline, namely, having a 3-stage iterative procedure of the ABA' model. Secondly, a mathematical as well as physical model of the sermon design problem is developed in this study, using both homiletic and hermeneutic principles. The human body is used as the physical model, making it possible for simple visualization of the sermon structure and for performance evaluation. A mathematical model is found to be the "Heuristic Combinatorial Optimization Problem" and consists of eight design variables. Although it is not yet possible to develop a computer-aided protocol to seek solutions, an alternative approach called the "Web-Chart Method" can potentially be adaptable to an interactive computer system in the future. It serves as a two-dimensional "design chart" on paper, in which iterative procedures can be performed manually. The advantage is that the designer can direct his or her heuristic search for optimum solutions with the help of a number of design tools, including the "Insight-Recording Sheet" and the "Analogical Analysis Chart." With these tools, the designer has, at his or her disposal, the ability to search for solutions in sermon design, while still maintaining a global view with all the design variables controlled for. In this research, the principles of combinatorial heuristics applicable to the field of optimum design of expository sermons have been described. They are based on heuristic combinatorial optimization methods in the engineering design field with refinements geared to the homiletic as well as hermeneutic nature of the problem. The approaches represented here would allow a designer to utilize resources that are not otherwise available and/or are not easily manageable. With these research results, one would be able to design sermons innovatively and optimally in a systematic and heuristic-guided manner. Further extension of this work would lead to a new field of research and development in the computer-aided design of expository sermons. Key words: preaching; homiletics; expository preaching; design for preaching; sermon construction; computer-aided sermon design; sermon design optimization; heuristic sermon design; heuristic sermon optimization; heuristic combinatorial optimization. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th.(Practical Theology)

This study deals with creative preaching through exploring pneumatology and creativity as prime ingredients for creative preaching. The researcher sees the problem of preaching in terms of the limited resources for proclaiming the very old message of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a fast changing world. Preaching in the reformed tradition is based primarily upon the Bible and the tradition of the church. The researcher suspects that, given the limitations of the age of the source, the preacher runs the risk of boring the congregation, who regularly attends sermons, by becoming irrelevant to their living conditions through having to repeat the same basic message. The researcher suspects that the preacher may run out of ideas and ways of bringing a relevant message in a fresh way, week after week, and begin to employ all kinds of tricks and gimmicks in order to stay relevant. Creative preaching is suggested as answer to this dilemma. Creative preaching is studied within the frame of creativity in service of the Holy Spirit. The study strives to explore the field of creativity from a homiletical perspective and bring the results into a pneumatological context by means of a hermeneutical method, with the aim of designing a basic theory for creative preaching. The first part of the study comprises a literature study of the fields of pneumatology and creativity. Pneumatology is explored in terms of the biblical roots of the use and meaning of the terms rûah, pneuma and paracletos, as well as a brief theological exploration. A pneumatology for preaching includes the Spirit as carrier of the Word and inspirer of the preacher and listener, within the context of the congregation as dedicated space for the working of the Spirit. The second part of the literature study deals with creativity as a human capacity that can be learnt and developed. Creativity is a deliberate dynamic activity that produces new, unexpected and meaningful results through creative observation, creative thinking and creative insight. Empirical research was conducted amongst preachers in the Dutch Reformed Church to ascertain their understanding of creative preaching and their experience of the workings of the Holy Spirit and creativity, in the process of producing a sermon. The research found that preachers understood the Holy Spirit as a vital part of the preaching process. Preachers experience the activity of the Spirit in their normal daily routines as ministers. Preachers do not regard themselves as creative people although they apply principles of creativity primarily in producing visual material for sermons as an additive. The Research found a need for the concept of creative preaching. Creative preaching is developed and described as a process in which the preacher, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, employs creative methods like observation, association, imagination and creative thinking in the whole process of sermon creation, from choice of Scripture to the presentation of the sermon. The sermon is structured in such a way as not only to be creative but also stimulating the creativity of the listeners. Creative preaching is stimulating preaching based on scripture, imagination and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

This thesis expresses a thorough conceptual and theoretical investigation of the liturgical challenges a liturgist (preacher) faces to address worshippers of all MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®) personality types effectively in public sermons. The investigation is focused on the conceptualizing of psychological factors and the effects thereof that need to be taken into account by liturgists in a public worship service. The scientific aim of the thesis is to give liturgists a theoretical grasp on the hermeneutical factors, liturgical demands and homiletical challenges that any preacher should calculate in addressing worshippers with different and often ‘conflicting’ personality types and needs in a public sermon. I have chosen the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® as psychometric instrument which consists out of sixteen unique and different personality types that are described in a four letter combination. This combination describes a person’s preferred orientation to the world (extroversion or introversion), his/her preferred way of gathering information (sensing or intuition), his/her preferred way of decision making (thinking or feeling) and the preferred lifestyle he/she adopts (judging or perceiving). The MBTI® builds on the insights of the well-known Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, the father of analytical psychology as well as the efforts of the formidable mother and daughter combination, Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs. The reason for this choice is because the MBTI® proofs to be the most distinctive and effective instrument for comprehensively addressing spirituality and type. On the one hand the MBTI® is ‘friendly’ and intelligible enough to be taken into account by any congregation and liturgist while on the other hand it is a thorough and comprehensive psychometric instrument with sound subjacent psychological and scientific principles. Jung distinguished two opposite energizing orientations to the world, extraversion and introversion and four mental functions, the two opposite ways of taking in information (sensing and intuition) and the two opposite ways of ordering (organizing) the information that’s been taken in (thinking and feeling). In addition, Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs added two preferred opposite lifestyles, an organized planned lifestyle (judging) and an adaptive spontaneous lifestyle (perceiving). Out of these combined distinctions the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® was born. The investigation is conveyed in two distinct phases namely a theoretical- and a conclusive phase. The thesis consists out of four parts. Part 1 (Chapters 1 and 2) covers the introduction, an explanation of the methodology and the preliminary description of the concepts in the title of the thesis and other relevant concepts for example ‘liturgy’. The title of the thesis is: Personality types in worshippers: A practical-theological investigation of the challenges a preacher faces to address worshippers of all MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®) personality types effectively in sermons. A bilingual list of keywords is included at the beginning of the thesis to enhance continuous research and investigation. Part 2 encompasses the rest of the theoretical phase of the investigation. It consists out of a theoretical exposition of practical-theological principles like hermeneutics and homiletics (Chapter 3), an explanation of three important hermeneutical exponents Gadamer, Habermas and Ricoeur (Chapter 4), other distinctive factors that should be taken into account by the liturgist in the construction and presentation of a worship service (Chapter 5), the discussion of personality and personality types (Chapter 6), the evaluation of several psychological and psychometric instruments that could contribute to the investigation (Chapter 7), the exposition of Jung’s psychological model subjacent to the MBTI® (Chapter 8), an explanation of the theoretical foundation of the MBTI® (Chapter 9) and a comprehensive and extensive exposition of the sixteen distinctive MBTI® personality types (Chapter 10). Part 3 of the thesis consists out of Chapters 11 and 12 and encompasses the conclusive phase of the investigation. The aim of the investigation was to foster appreciation and insight in the dynamics, interaction and co-operation of the MBTI® factors, -combinations and sixteen -personality types in worshippers, so that liturgists and congregations can plan the composition and presentation of worship services accordingly. It will help to lessen the communication hindrances in the presenting and accepting of the Gospel in a worship service. The following practical question is answered in Part 3: What knowledge and insight needs to be fostered within preachers, church councils and congregations in order to accommodate and utilize the needs and strengths of the different personality types so that effective communication of the Gospel can take place in die worship service, where all personality types are potentially included? Preachers and congregations are helped to practically and liturgically address worshippers of all 16 MBTI® personality types. In Chapter 11 general challenges and demands that a liturgist (preacher) faces to address worshippers of all the MBTI® personality types effectively in a public sermon, are addressed. Other determining factors like needs, expectations, theological-anthropological perspectives, spirituality, conflicting timeframes, different generations, stages of psychological- and faith development, selective moments, politics, relationships, social contexts, clothing, moods, language, culture, sexuality, gender roles and defence meganisms are also calculated. The determining and role of personality types (in liturgist and worshippers) and the practical implications and challenges of distinct MBTI® factors and -combinations are addressed. The hermeneutical-, liturgical- and homiletical challenges and demands of the various factors are calculated. The chapter ends by calculating other practical demands and suggestions like different types of worship sermons, alternating worship services, the alternating of liturgical elements in one sermon and the developing of a specific and deliberate style and identity in a worship service. In Chapter 12 the specific demands and challenges that the liturgist faces to effectively address worshippers of all sixteen MBTI® personality types in sermons, are addressed. Hermeneutical-, liturgical- and homiletical challenges and demands with regard to each of the sixteen MBTI® personality types are taken practically into account in a communicative theory of practice. Hermeneutical challenges helps liturgists to spiritually understand each personality type better. With regard to liturgical presentation and construction, the liturgical suggestions enhance the accommodation and involvement of every personality type in the public sermon. Homiletical proposals contribute to the effective preaching, heralding and receiving of the Gospel in the public worship service, so that worshippers of every personality style can be addressed in the public worship service. Other liturgists are invited to freely add their experience and insight in the practical application of the hermeneutical-, liturgical- and homiletical suggestions and proposals. Part 4 concludes the thesis with a short summary and an extensive exposition of literature references in a Bibliography according to an adapted Harvard method. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Die Arbeit beginnt mit einer kritischen Rekonstruktion des Gedenk- und Forschungsdiskurses über ,Herder in Riga‘. Dabei werden drei Schwerpunkte gesetzt: Erstens werden ,Denkmäler‘ seit der Einweihung des Herder-Denkmals in Riga 1864 auf ihre kulturpolitischen Implikationen hin befragt. Zweitens werden ,Werkausgaben, Briefwechsel und Lebensbilder‘ seit der ersten postumen Gesamtwerkausgabe untersucht. Drittens werden ,Neuere Ansätze zur Edition und Interpretation‘ seit der Neuerschließung des handschriftlichen Nachlasses betrachtet. Im Zusammenspiel dieser drei Betrachtungsebenen wird die rückblickender Verfertigung verschiedener Bilder von ,Herder in Riga‘ metareflexiv nachvollzogen. Der Schwerpunkt der Arbeit liegt dann auf einer konzentrierten Relektüre der Schriften der Rigaer Jahre 1765 bis 1769. Blickleitend ist dabei die These, dass Herder in diesen Texten ein zentrales Problem bearbeitet, das Problem der Volksbildung. Dieses wird erstmals im philosophischen Diskurs der sogenannten ,Philosophieschrift‘ identifiziert, um in angrenzenden Diskursfeldern weiter bearbeitet zu werden. Ein besonderes Augenmerk gilt dabei den Feldern der praktischen Bildungsarbeit von Homiletik (,Der Redner Gottes‘), Pädagogik (,Von der Gratie‘) und Politik (,Publikumsabhandlung‘). Darüber hinaus wird das Projekt einer ,Revitalisierung der Poesie‘ nachgezeichnet, wie es in den poetologischen und literaturkritischen Reflexionen der Rigaer Jahre skizziert wird (,Dithyrambische Rhapsodie‘, ,Odenfragmente‘, ,Literaturfragmente‘). Analog dazu werden die Ansätze zu einer ,Reform der Prosakultur‘ rekonstruiert, wie sie im literaturkritischen und ästhetischen Diskurs entwickelt werden (,Literaturfragmente‘, ,Torso von einem Denkmal‘, ,Viertes Kritisches Wäldchen‘). Den Fluchtpunkt der Studie bildet das Volksliedprojekt: Im Ausgang der Rigaer Konstellation wird das Volkslied als privilegiertes Medium der Volksbildung entdeckt (,Briefwechsel über Ossian‘, ,Alte Volkslieder‘, ,Volkslieder‘). / The study begins with a critical reconstruction of the memorial and research discourse on 'Herder in Riga'. Three focal points are set: First, the monument culture, beginning with the Herder monument in Riga 1864, is examined with regard to its political implications. Secondly, the philological disourse on Herders life and letters since the first posthumous edition of his complete works is considered. Thirdly, new approaches on edition and interpretation since the new catalogization of Herder’s ,Nachlass‘ are evaluated. In the interplay of these three levels of observation, the retrospective production of various images of 'Herder in Riga' is retraced. Departing from these observation, the study develops a series of close-readings of the writings of the Riga years 1765 to 1769. The guiding thesis is that Herder continuously works on a central problem in these texts, the problem of popular education (,Volksbildung‘). The study argues that this topic is discovered in the so-called ,Philosophieschrift‘ and subsequently processed in adjacent fields of discourse. A focus lies on the practical fields of popular education in homiletics ('Der Redner Gottes'), pedagogics ('Von der Gratie') and politics ('Publikumsabhandlung'). In addition, the project of a 'revitalization of poetry' is retraced, as outlined in the poetological and literary-critical reflections of the Riga years ('Dithyrambische Rhapsodie', 'Odenfragmente', 'Literaturfragmente'). Analogously, Herder’s approaches to a 'reform of the prose culture' are reconstructed, as developed in literary criticism and aesthetic discourse ('Literaturfragmente', 'Torso von einem Denkmal', 'Viertes Kritisches Wäldchen'). The last chapter is dedicated to the folk song project: The study argues that folk songs are finally discovered as the ideal medium of popular education and can thus be considered as the ,telos‘ of the Riga project of ,Volksbildung‘ ('Briefwechsel über Ossian', 'Alte Volkslieder', 'Volkslieder').

Text in Afrikaans / Preaching is the proclamation of God's Word. This proclamation has an aim - the listeners of the Word. There was a dynamic change in the study field of the homilectics in the sense of a shifting from an one-sided kerugmatic approach to a dialogical approach. According to this approach the preacher no longer preaches without studying the recipients of the message. This model puts the emphasis on the preacher trying his utmost to get to know the contexts of his listeners. In the case of this thesis the contexts of the youth have been studied through the empirical research. During 1991 Prof. J.A. van den Ven and Prof H.J.C. Pieterse expected that there would be new problems awaiting the church in the new dispensation. They believed that, with the change in state and politics, the religious and moral values of the youth would be under pressure. Because, from now on, our children would be in the centre of values regarding ethnically and culturally integrated schools, they decided to launch a scientific study to determine whether their expectations were justified or not. In October 1991 they became partners in a project called: "Moral and Religious Values of the Youth of South Africa". The empirical study is a longitudinal study with a first data collection in 1995/1996, a second in 2000 and a third in 2005. The first collection of data was incorporated into this thesis. When preaching to the youth it is of utmost importance to take listeners (the youth) as strating point in the exegetical work, without neglecting the Biblical text. Practically speaking it is then necessary to pay attention to the following topics: (1) For the understanding and formulating of the message of the Scripture, modern critical hermeneutics are of the greatest importance. (2) A new practical theory for preaching to the youth is essential. In such a theory the following are important: generational differentiation, visual presentations, musical identification and relationship based preaching. (3) The dialogical communication theory is also of great importance and has dialogue before, during and after the preaching in mind. (4) The researcher proposes that the communication theory of Habermas should be dealt with as a means to help dispose of any generational conflict. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Die kirchliche Verkündigung steht heute vor mannigfachen Herausforderungen. Das dynamische Beziehungsgeflecht von Prediger und Hörer, Text und Situation lässt sich nur schwer im Gleichgewicht halten. Prüft man die homiletischen Publikationen der Gegenwart und der jüngeren Vergangenheit, so wird deutlich, dass die Predigt sehr gründlich im Kontext der Hörersituation reflektiert wird. In diesem Zusammenhang ist auf einen möglichen Konflikt aufmerksam zu machen: die auf die Hörersituation bedachte Predigt kann versucht sein, den Anspruch des biblischen Textes zu vernachlässigen. Meine Dissertation will zur Frage der Hörerorientierung der Predigt einen klärenden Beitrag leisten, und zwar mithilfe eines homiletischen Vergleichs, der Epoche Johann Michaels Sailers mit der Gegenwart und jüngeren Vergangenheit. Bei aller kritischen Distanz zur geistesgeschichtlichen Bewegung der Aufklärung dürfen wir nicht übersehen, dass fruchtbare Impulse von ihr ausgegangen sind und zum Beispiel viele Anliegen der „katholischen Aufklärung“ im Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil (1962-1965) wieder aufgegriffen wurden. Die weithin von anthropologischen Interessen geleiteten homiletischen Bemühungen während der Aufklärungsphase im 18. Jahrhundert stehen in einer erkennbaren Analogie zur gegenwärtigen Situation. In besonderer Weise wird die homiletische Konzeption des Pastoraltheologen und späteren Bischofs von Regensburg Johann Michael Sailer (1751-1832) dargestellt. Sein Entwurf einer christlichen Lebenslehre auf biblischem Fundament ist von bleibender Aktualität. Zum Vergleich, insbesondere im Blick auf die Hörererwartungen Situationsklärung, Solidarität und Zukunft, werden exemplarisch die homiletischen Entwürfe von Ernst Lange, Rudolf Bohren, Wilfried Engemann und Rolf Zerfaß herangezogen. / Preaching in the church today faces manifold challenges. The dynamic web of relationships between preacher and audience, text and situation is difficult to keep in balance. When analysing the homiletic publications of the present and recent past, it becomes apparent that the sermon is very thoroughly reflected with the context of the situation of the audience. In this connection, one has to draw attention to a possible conflict: a sermon designed with regard to the situation of the audience may be tempted to neglect the biblical text and its demands. Therefore, this thesis aims to make a clarifying contribution to the question of the audience orientation of sermons, namely by means of a homiletic comparison of the epoch of Johann Michael Sailer with the present and recent past. In spite of all critical distance to the history of thought of the Enlightenment Movement, we should not overlook the fact that fruitful impulses emanated from this time, and that, for example, many concerns of the “Catholic Enlightenment” were addressed again at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). The homiletic efforts of the Enlightenment period in the 18th century, which were widely led by anthropological interests, can be recognized as analogous to the current situation. The homiletic conception of the pastoral theologian and later Bishop of Regensburg, Johann Michael Sailer (1751-1832), will be described in particular. His conception of Christian ethical teaching on a biblical foundation is of timeless relevance. As comparison, the homiletic drafts of Ernst Lange, Rudolf Bohren, Wilfried Engemann and Rolf Zerfaß will be exemplarily analysed, particularly with regard to the expectation of the audience. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

German text / Diese Masterarbeit untersucht die mit der Predigtarbeit verbundene Stressbewältigung evangelischer Gemeindepfarrer der Region Karlsruhe (Deutschland). Zuerst werden an Hand der Literatur Möglichkeiten der Stressbewältigung in Forschung und Beratung sowie im Pfarrberuf reflektiert. Es folgt die Erfassung der empirischen Situation mit Hilfe teilstrukturierter Interviews und deren Bewertung in Anlehnung an Mayrings Qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Abschließend werden aus der theoretischen Reflexion und der empirischen Forschung konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen abgeleitet. Im Zentrum der Untersuchung steht die persönliche Praxis der Stressbewältigung im Rahmen der Predigtvorbereitung und des Predigtvortrages, wobei die Einbindung des geistlichen Lebens des Pfarrers interessiert. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung geben Anlass, insgesamt von einer stressreduzierenden Wirkung der Predigtarbeit auszugehen. Die berufsbedingt meditative Beschäftigung mit dem Predigttext fördert die Spiritualität. In Kombination mit autodidaktisch erworbenen Stressbewältigungskompetenzen ergibt sich daraus ein erstaunlich effektives Stressmanagement. Die Studie ist im Fachbereich der Praktischen Theologie verortet, steht aber interdisziplinär mit den Sozialwissenschaften in Verbindung und bedient sich deren Methodik. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Die kirchliche Verkündigung steht heute vor mannigfachen Herausforderungen. Das dynamische Beziehungsgeflecht von Prediger und Hörer, Text und Situation lässt sich nur schwer im Gleichgewicht halten. Prüft man die homiletischen Publikationen der Gegenwart und der jüngeren Vergangenheit, so wird deutlich, dass die Predigt sehr gründlich im Kontext der Hörersituation reflektiert wird. In diesem Zusammenhang ist auf einen möglichen Konflikt aufmerksam zu machen: die auf die Hörersituation bedachte Predigt kann versucht sein, den Anspruch des biblischen Textes zu vernachlässigen. Meine Dissertation will zur Frage der Hörerorientierung der Predigt einen klärenden Beitrag leisten, und zwar mithilfe eines homiletischen Vergleichs, der Epoche Johann Michaels Sailers mit der Gegenwart und jüngeren Vergangenheit. Bei aller kritischen Distanz zur geistesgeschichtlichen Bewegung der Aufklärung dürfen wir nicht übersehen, dass fruchtbare Impulse von ihr ausgegangen sind und zum Beispiel viele Anliegen der „katholischen Aufklärung“ im Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil (1962-1965) wieder aufgegriffen wurden. Die weithin von anthropologischen Interessen geleiteten homiletischen Bemühungen während der Aufklärungsphase im 18. Jahrhundert stehen in einer erkennbaren Analogie zur gegenwärtigen Situation. In besonderer Weise wird die homiletische Konzeption des Pastoraltheologen und späteren Bischofs von Regensburg Johann Michael Sailer (1751-1832) dargestellt. Sein Entwurf einer christlichen Lebenslehre auf biblischem Fundament ist von bleibender Aktualität. Zum Vergleich, insbesondere im Blick auf die Hörererwartungen Situationsklärung, Solidarität und Zukunft, werden exemplarisch die homiletischen Entwürfe von Ernst Lange, Rudolf Bohren, Wilfried Engemann und Rolf Zerfaß herangezogen. / Preaching in the church today faces manifold challenges. The dynamic web of relationships between preacher and audience, text and situation is difficult to keep in balance. When analysing the homiletic publications of the present and recent past, it becomes apparent that the sermon is very thoroughly reflected with the context of the situation of the audience. In this connection, one has to draw attention to a possible conflict: a sermon designed with regard to the situation of the audience may be tempted to neglect the biblical text and its demands. Therefore, this thesis aims to make a clarifying contribution to the question of the audience orientation of sermons, namely by means of a homiletic comparison of the epoch of Johann Michael Sailer with the present and recent past. In spite of all critical distance to the history of thought of the Enlightenment Movement, we should not overlook the fact that fruitful impulses emanated from this time, and that, for example, many concerns of the “Catholic Enlightenment” were addressed again at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). The homiletic efforts of the Enlightenment period in the 18th century, which were widely led by anthropological interests, can be recognized as analogous to the current situation. The homiletic conception of the pastoral theologian and later Bishop of Regensburg, Johann Michael Sailer (1751-1832), will be described in particular. His conception of Christian ethical teaching on a biblical foundation is of timeless relevance. As comparison, the homiletic drafts of Ernst Lange, Rudolf Bohren, Wilfried Engemann and Rolf Zerfaß will be exemplarily analysed, particularly with regard to the expectation of the audience. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Preaching is the proclamation of God's Word. This proclamation has an aim - the listeners of the Word. There was a dynamic change in the study field of the homilectics in the sense of a shifting from an one-sided kerugmatic approach to a dialogical approach. According to this approach the preacher no longer preaches without studying the recipients of the message. This model puts the emphasis on the preacher trying his utmost to get to know the contexts of his listeners. In the case of this thesis the contexts of the youth have been studied through the empirical research. During 1991 Prof. J.A. van den Ven and Prof H.J.C. Pieterse expected that there would be new problems awaiting the church in the new dispensation. They believed that, with the change in state and politics, the religious and moral values of the youth would be under pressure. Because, from now on, our children would be in the centre of values regarding ethnically and culturally integrated schools, they decided to launch a scientific study to determine whether their expectations were justified or not. In October 1991 they became partners in a project called: "Moral and Religious Values of the Youth of South Africa". The empirical study is a longitudinal study with a first data collection in 1995/1996, a second in 2000 and a third in 2005. The first collection of data was incorporated into this thesis. When preaching to the youth it is of utmost importance to take listeners (the youth) as strating point in the exegetical work, without neglecting the Biblical text. Practically speaking it is then necessary to pay attention to the following topics: (1) For the understanding and formulating of the message of the Scripture, modern critical hermeneutics are of the greatest importance. (2) A new practical theory for preaching to the youth is essential. In such a theory the following are important: generational differentiation, visual presentations, musical identification and relationship based preaching. (3) The dialogical communication theory is also of great importance and has dialogue before, during and after the preaching in mind. (4) The researcher proposes that the communication theory of Habermas should be dealt with as a means to help dispose of any generational conflict. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

German text / Diese Masterarbeit untersucht die mit der Predigtarbeit verbundene Stressbewältigung evangelischer Gemeindepfarrer der Region Karlsruhe (Deutschland). Zuerst werden an Hand der Literatur Möglichkeiten der Stressbewältigung in Forschung und Beratung sowie im Pfarrberuf reflektiert. Es folgt die Erfassung der empirischen Situation mit Hilfe teilstrukturierter Interviews und deren Bewertung in Anlehnung an Mayrings Qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Abschließend werden aus der theoretischen Reflexion und der empirischen Forschung konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen abgeleitet. Im Zentrum der Untersuchung steht die persönliche Praxis der Stressbewältigung im Rahmen der Predigtvorbereitung und des Predigtvortrages, wobei die Einbindung des geistlichen Lebens des Pfarrers interessiert. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung geben Anlass, insgesamt von einer stressreduzierenden Wirkung der Predigtarbeit auszugehen. Die berufsbedingt meditative Beschäftigung mit dem Predigttext fördert die Spiritualität. In Kombination mit autodidaktisch erworbenen Stressbewältigungskompetenzen ergibt sich daraus ein erstaunlich effektives Stressmanagement. Die Studie ist im Fachbereich der Praktischen Theologie verortet, steht aber interdisziplinär mit den Sozialwissenschaften in Verbindung und bedient sich deren Methodik. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)