This study explores the challenges posed by the HIV-AIDS epidemic on the Holiness Union Church leadership in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal: towards a holistic Pastoral care model. South Africa has the highest prevalence rate of HIV infection in Sub-Sahara Africa and the province of KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre of the epidemic. This motivated the researcher to investigate the role of the HUC-PMB leadership in the struggle against the HIV-AIDS epidemic within and outside the Church. The Church leaders in this context of the HIV-AIDS are expected to play a significant role, so that the campaigns of HIV prevention, intervention, care and support for those living with the HIV-AIDS should have positive impact in the Church and the community. The literature review argues that this can be achieved when church leaders are well trained and equipped with all necessary skills and acquire comprehension information about the HIV-AIDS. The study adopted an empirical research using qualitative using interview schedule, focus group discussion and church archives for data collection. Five Church leaders and four church members participated in the study. The investigations were led by the following research question: What are the challenges posed by the HIV-AIDS epidemic on the HUC leadership in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal? In order to address the main question of this study, the following questions were formulated. What is the current situation of the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the HUC-PMB? How is the HUC-PMB leadership response to the HIV-AIDS epidemic? What kind of Pastoral care model that would enhance the HUC leadership holistic response to the HIV-AIDS epidemic? The study findings show that the Church leaders at HUC-PMB do not officially engaged in the struggle against the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the church and in the local community. This implies that the HUC-PMB has limited spiritual and support work for those who are HIV infected and affected within and without the church. The study thus recommends that knowledge on the HIV-AIDS epidemic is vital to all people especially the church leaders; and the church must use its pastoral approach to pursue this goal; the leaders must be thoroughly educated and equipped on the HIV-AIDS related issues, so that to be able to minister (w)holistically in the light of the HIV-AIDS epidemic; the Church and its leaders is also recommended and called to be HIV-competent in terms of their belief approach in dealing with epidemic and stigma within and outside the church context. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

This dissertation examines the participation of the church and Christians in the lives of women who are infected and affected by HIV/Aids in South Africa. To this end two Christian facilities; Sparrow Village and St Francis Care Centre, were examined in order to gain insight into the ethical issues of knowledge of patients and caregivers, the prevention measures being taught and the care facilities available to women in the plight in which they find themselves. A partial survey was conducted into the current policies and contributions by the church in an attempt to assess new ways to combat the disease. Medical information was examined as to what the virus is and how it is transmitted and reasons why women are particularly vulnerable to the virus. The dissertation seeks to understand practical ministerial ways in which the church should participate in women’s lives while being sensitive to the cultural, social and political and economic elements involved. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Theological Ethics)

This study examined the role of the Anglican Church in the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, using a random sample of 51 members of the Zoutpansberg parish. The study found that the Church currently contributes to the prevention of the spread of HIV among its congregation through HIV-related activities to reduce stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). At the same time, however, much still needs to be done in the areas of cultural perception, sexual practices, and myths surrounding HIV and AIDS. Most of the respondents indicated that they would like to see the Church play an active role in voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), marital counselling, and encouraging openness with regard to HIV and AIDS. It is recommended that the Church should extend its activities to include members of the community outside the congregation in the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Evil and suffering are a constant reality of this world and major catastrophes and issues such as swine flu and bird flu gain enormous relief funding, media coverage and frantic government action, yet HIV/AIDS, a cause of immeasurable suffering after years of being in the public spotlight receded into the background. This study grapples with evil and suffering in the light of creation, reconciliation, renewal and consummation from the viewpoint of a diversity of cultures and religions, with a particular focus on HIV/AIDS. The cluster of sin, evil and suffering are reflected upon and this revolves around five angles: firstly, multicultural and multi-religious sense making God-human-world approaches; secondly, the mystery of the simultaneity of the close connection and radical otherness of: God, being human and the natural world; thirdly, the full Gospel of God’s grand acts of creation, reconciliation, renewal and consummation; fourthly, different approaches towards texts, theories, natural processes and human doings; and fifthly, the multidimensionality of God, human beings and the natural world. In the thesis the origin of evil and suffering is discussed, which leads to a discussion of dualist views, amongst others, Zoroastrianism and its influence on modern monotheistic religions. Moreover, the response of the major faith groups towards evil and suffering are discussed and consensibly negotiated with the purpose of achieving better co-operation between faith groups in their tackling of HIV/AIDS. An attempt at establishing the outlines of a theology of HIV/AIDS is considered as well as the role, value and enhancement of faith counseling. Modern and postmodern views of evil and suffering are touched upon especially regarding the close proximity of God, humanity and the natural world to the sufferer. Despite significant differences in the various faith systems, sufficient commonality around respect for human beings is found to exist. Finally, in terms of consensible negotiation of portions of the various scriptures a way forward is envisaged that undergirds the notion of solidarity in support of HIV/AIDS sufferers in various faith systems. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

The special focus ofthe thesis is the ministry of healing and caring during the present HN/AIDS pandemic in Kwazulu-Natal. Hence the purpose of this thesis is to investigate Isaiah Shembe's Nazareth Church's healing and caring ministry to people living with HIV/AIDS and the affected members of their families in greater Pietermaritzburg area in Kwazulu-Natal. Healing and caring for the sick is the primary mission of this church. It is therefore important to investigate this church's healing and caring ministry to HIV/AIDS patients. This is important especially because it is generally believed that this disease is incurable. Does this church really heal or just care for these patients? In general this Church utilizes the healing and caring methods of both Jesus and African healing systems. Hence this study is a theological reflection on the effectiveness of the healing method that combines Jesus and African healing systems with special reference to HIV/AIDS. The study is therefore inspired by the assumption that the congregants of Shembe's Nazareth Church play an important role in fighting this killer disease in greater Pietermaritzburg area. Further the study reflected on both the successes and failures of this Church's ministry .The healing and caring ministry of iBandla lamaNazaretha makes a substantial contribution to the war against HIV/AIDS by the church and society. This exercise will hopefully help us to learn more as we strive to be relevant and true to the gospel even now in the time ofHIV/AIDS. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

This study examined the role of the Anglican Church in the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, using a random sample of 51 members of the Zoutpansberg parish. The study found that the Church currently contributes to the prevention of the spread of HIV among its congregation through HIV-related activities to reduce stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). At the same time, however, much still needs to be done in the areas of cultural perception, sexual practices, and myths surrounding HIV and AIDS. Most of the respondents indicated that they would like to see the Church play an active role in voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), marital counselling, and encouraging openness with regard to HIV and AIDS. It is recommended that the Church should extend its activities to include members of the community outside the congregation in the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Evil and suffering are a constant reality of this world and major catastrophes and issues such as swine flu and bird flu gain enormous relief funding, media coverage and frantic government action, yet HIV/AIDS, a cause of immeasurable suffering after years of being in the public spotlight receded into the background. This study grapples with evil and suffering in the light of creation, reconciliation, renewal and consummation from the viewpoint of a diversity of cultures and religions, with a particular focus on HIV/AIDS. The cluster of sin, evil and suffering are reflected upon and this revolves around five angles: firstly, multicultural and multi-religious sense making God-human-world approaches; secondly, the mystery of the simultaneity of the close connection and radical otherness of: God, being human and the natural world; thirdly, the full Gospel of God’s grand acts of creation, reconciliation, renewal and consummation; fourthly, different approaches towards texts, theories, natural processes and human doings; and fifthly, the multidimensionality of God, human beings and the natural world. In the thesis the origin of evil and suffering is discussed, which leads to a discussion of dualist views, amongst others, Zoroastrianism and its influence on modern monotheistic religions. Moreover, the response of the major faith groups towards evil and suffering are discussed and consensibly negotiated with the purpose of achieving better co-operation between faith groups in their tackling of HIV/AIDS. An attempt at establishing the outlines of a theology of HIV/AIDS is considered as well as the role, value and enhancement of faith counseling. Modern and postmodern views of evil and suffering are touched upon especially regarding the close proximity of God, humanity and the natural world to the sufferer. Despite significant differences in the various faith systems, sufficient commonality around respect for human beings is found to exist. Finally, in terms of consensible negotiation of portions of the various scriptures a way forward is envisaged that undergirds the notion of solidarity in support of HIV/AIDS sufferers in various faith systems. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

The problem of African women's hospitality has not been well handled in most churches in Africa. Although many churches seem to attach great value to African women's hospitality, there are still a lot of situations related to African women's hospitality that have been dehumanising and oppressive to African women both in the church and in the society. Issues such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, economic hardship and sexuality have all affected African women's practice of hospitality. The fact that problems related with African women's hospitality surface within the church goes to show that this kind of hospitality needs to be re-examined by the Church if it has to be free and liberative to African women. Despite all these effects, African women themselves have valued and accepted hospitality as part of their calling in their service to God. The aim of this thesis is to discuss African women's hospitality from an African woman theologian's perspective. Writing as an African woman theologian, the researcher was able to bring out some of the effects of African hospitality to African women. Apart from hospitality being an African way of life and a virtue that needs to be embraced by both African culture and Christianity, hospitality is also viewed as a' command from God to all the Jews and Christians. On the other hand it is also important to mention that hospitality is a gift from God in that there are people who are gifted in extending their acts of hospitality to others. Hospitality as a concept, which has been practiced mainly by women in most African societies has impacted many dimensions of life especially in the Christian faith where African women's hospitality has been viewed as God's command to God's people. Although there is some literature produced on hospitality, the researcher noted with special interest that not much literature has been covered from the theological side on the issue of African women's hospitality and HIV/AIDS. The study was undertaken in the United Church of Zambia with the Mothers' Union group of St. Margaret Church of Kitwe. Among many others, the study reviewed the need for enculturation and contextualization of the African culture and the gospel. Chapter one is the introduction to the study. This includes the background to and motivation for the study, statement of the problem, the methodology used to collect data and the literature review. Chapter two brings out the historical background of hospitality both from the Biblical and African concept. The chapter shows African women's practice of hospitality in all these aspects and how their practises impacted the communities and people who lived at that time. Chapter three looks at different ways African women express their acts of hospitality. The effects of this expression of hospitality are also discussed. The other issues that have been covered are the response of African women theologians' to African women's practise of hospitality. Chapter four examines how HIV/AIDS has affected the practise of African women's hospitality and how these women who continue to offer hospitality under HIV/AIDS conditions cope with the risks involved in the practice. Chapter five analyses the research findings using cultural hermeneutics of Kanyoro 2000 as the frame of reference. Chapter six concludes African women's understanding of hospitality. This chapter states that African women's hospitality is a gift from God and women who are involved in this practice should be encouraged to do so. However, there is need for the church and community to re-examine the practice and look out for oppressive structures that are destructive to the African women's practice of hospitality. The chapter has also called on the church to be supportive to African women in their practise of hospitality. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Ministering in the face of HIV and AIDS has posed many challenges. The work of ministers before HIV and AIDS experienced many problems which resulted in ministry burnout. HIV and AIDS have increased the demand for ministers because of the sick, the dying and the grieving people. The increase number of funerals means that a minister conducts many funerals over the weekend and sometimes during the week. This is not the only task of the minister; there are other duties such as house visitation, administration matters, counseling, Sunday services, confirmations and teachings in the church. Furthermore, ministers are often most intensively involved with people in times of crisis and distress. This research deals with the ways ministers are coping or not coping with ministry burnout which may be a result of ministering to people suffering from HIV and those dying of AIDS. This study recognises that an understanding of the minister's problems, as well as helping them to cope, by all who are involved in the church as a vocational system is necessary in the face of HIV and AIDS. The major beneficiary of care and support to ministers will be pastoral ministry itself and the church. Interest in this study therefore stems from both academic and pastoral concerns. Academically, one would like to see the discipline of pastoral care making a scientific and academic contribution that is capable of helping ministers. As for the pastoral concern, one believes that this study and similar studies are ways by which ministry can be strengthened and supported. There is need to equip the church to observe, listen to and respond to ministers in pain more knowledgeably and sympathetically. The researcher endeavours to describe these phenomena accurately through narrative type descriptions, interviews and pastoral conversations. Furthermore, Rediger created a model for avoiding burnout called AIM, which has led to a creation of a model to cope with ministry burnout in the face of HIV and AIDS, which is AIMS: A-Awareness, 1- Impose, M-Management, S-Support. The model has been created in the face of the emotional involvement of ministers in HIV and AIDS / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

HIV and AIDS have historically been associated with homosexuality and promiscuity (especially among blacks), evoking blame and stigma. The implication of sex in the spread of HIV and AIDS complicates matters as traditional ideas of pollution and contamination are evoked. These attitudes translate into a lack of support for people infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Moreover, such attitudes result in the stigmatisation of those people, leaving them with a poor self-image. Stigmatisation also leads to secrecy and non-disclosure of the disease allowing it to spread rapidly. This thesis deals with the issue of stigmatisation due to HIV and AIDS, looking specifically at the two congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) in KwaZulu-Natal province. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.