Thesis (MDiv (Theology. Divinity))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / There is a possible connection between congregation-members’ participation in church ministries and the level of their spiritual experience in their specific congregations. Youth ministry should be able to increase the ongoing participation of adolescents by creating a more ‘fertile space’ for experiencing a connection with God. This assignment investigates the nature of such a ‘fertile space’ by analyzing the concept of Spirituality Types, which in this case refer to the different attitudes and activities which is characteristic of a person’s attempting to connect with God.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology. Divinity))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / In Ecclesiastes 4 the author writes that two people are better than one and that a cord of three strands is not quickly broken (NIV). The Bible is full of examples how godly men and women such as Moses, David, Ruth, Paul, Mark and many others understood this concept and surrounded them with people that could mentor them through life. It important to notice that they were not only mentored in “spiritual matters,” but in life matters. In Jesus’ ministry on earth he often taught about finances (e.g. Matt 25:14-30), marriage (e.g. Matt 5:31), relationships (e.g. Matt 5:44), anxiety (e.g. Matt 6:27) etc. These ‘everyday life issues’ were never separated from spiritual issues such as the Kingdom, forgiveness, holiness etc in Jesus’ teaching. And it would not have been, for in the Jewish culture, as well as the Hellenistic culture of the time, one’s faith was interwoven with all dynamics of life (food, clothing, trade etc). To teach someone about taxes or food, was just as ‘spiritual’ as teaching someone about the attributes of God. Unfortunately the Enlightment era brought a ‘split’ between ‘spiritual’ and ‘life’ matters, which left us with a legacy of Christians who knew their religion, yet were unequipped to live life. In this research paper I believe that it is shown that the local congregation has all the gifts, expertise, wisdom and people from different walks of life that are needed to return to a ‘system’ of life mentoring. It is one of the calls and purposes of the church and is the definition of pastoral care. With the correct informal, yet managed approach, the local congregation can serve as an incubator and network of trans-generational mentoring relationships which will mentor its members as well as non-members to live life in full.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This study is about an investigation in the role of the prophetic voice of the church in a post-apartheid South Africa. In the first chapter I have given a brief description of the history of apartheid as well as a detailed description of the role the church played during these years in South Africa. I also looked at the impact that the Belhar Confession played during this time. In chapter two I have tried to deal with the difficult challenges that faced the church now after democracy and how the voice of the church can be heard in society. I have looked at the different ways that ministers made use of prophetic preaching during the apartheid era. Due to the apartheid system, many people suffered tremendously in this country. During these years of oppression people were leaning heavily on guidance from the church. This was not just for spiritual guidance but people were dependent on the church leaders for emotional support during their hours of need. I have tried to look at the different prophetic voices in the church during these difficult times. In chapter three I have tried to give possible recommendations to assist the church in regaining its prophetic voice in our society. I have looked at several ways in which our congregants could be challenged in terms of prophetic preaching. I have also looked at our understanding of the language of hope and lament. Finally, I have tried to give guidelines in terms of prophetic preaching in our context today.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The church today, and esspecially the Reformed tradistion find itself in a situation where there is a lot of tension regarding his identity, as a Reformed Church. The post-modern world we live in set a lot of challenges regarding our faith and how we as christains should deal with our embodyment as reformed christians The church and specificaly the Dutch Reformed family are facing daily the lost of a lot off members to the fundamentalistic movements. Members whom are seekers in their fath and whom were in some way or another been challenged by a desire to take their faith to a higher level of experience, which in their lives cannot get satisfaction any more in the reformed tradition. In this thesis I will try to destinquist the balance between Reformed tradistion and Pentecostalism. The thesis will try to embodied the identity of the Reformed tradision by give an overview , look into the questions regarding reformed tradition, what does it mean to be Reformed and proud and also what Reformed use of scripture entails. Allthough it is not the first time that questions like this has been raised, because reformed in the tradition means , to change contantaniously. Pentecostalism on the other side does have a long history regarding orgin and was not just an "appearnce" in the church. The apostle Paul in the early days of the church was in a certain sence very specific obout the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the space for exploration as set out in "1 Korinthians 12." Over the years many enthusiastic movements appeared which led to a total misunderstanding of what Pauls understanding was regarding pentecotalism. Regarding Pentacostalism, and the judging of the movement , the church will have to view their concerns very strongly in terms of the following, appreciation, make accesment regarding their weakness, thoughtfullness and their plan of action. Then the paradigm shifts, ecclesiasticly and liturgical deepening are essential factors in the whole enlightenment towards a more adopting mode. To change does not necesarilly mean to throw all the norms and vallues over board, but to do so in a responsible way. The worship service become in that matter the focal point of attention, including all the elements within the service , searching for ways to improve , ad or adapt. What the worship service is and are suppose to be , a trully place where God allone are been worship and where the Holy Spirittransformes people into living witnesses. The thesis conclude with a usefull set off guidelines according to Thomas Long in his book Beyond the worship wars where he challenge the church to a more transforming way of being church of God.

Thesis (MDiv (Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The statement of the thesis focus on the relationship decrease of the authority of the leader, the expectation of the leadership and the theological training offered in student preparation. The researcher will attempt to answer the problems posed by the thesis statement through discourse with the 20th century theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I used Bonhoeffer as an example for the problems he encountered in Germany strokes with the problem in my problem statement. This is a problem regarding the authority of the leader, the expectations of the leader and the relationship that exist between the spirituality of the leader and his/her own leadership. The manner in which Bonhoeffer incorporated the spirituality in the theological training at the seminary at Finkenwalde, posits new ideas regarding the incorporation of spirituality into today’s theological training. The figure of Bonhoeffer is chosen because of his authoritarian position and also because he exemplified the ideology of the leader’s authority. The thesis will discuss four aspects regarding Bonhoeffer’s life and work. These aspects are discussed from a historical theological perspective. This will highlight the contribution made by Bonhoeffer with regards to the relationship that exists between leadership, spirituality and theological training. The thesis includes an article by Bonhoeffer regarding the leadership principle and the authority of the leader. The purpose is to acknowledge the need for leadership and influence that the social-political circumstances have on the leadership expectation. Secondly I will discuss the responsibilities that the leader has to his community as well as the limitations of the office. Lastly I will discuss the authority of the leader with regards to the authority of God Secondly I will discuss the political and congregational circumstances in Germany between 1933 and 1935 that led to the establishment of the seminary at Finkenwalde. I will also focus on the numerous challenges posed by the establishment of the seminary as a result of the limitations imposed by the German state and church. The purpose here will be to give an historical overview of the circumstances in 1930’s Germany. I will also focus on the manner in which Bonhoeffer lived out his leadership in the public debate and at the seminary at times when tremendous pressure was exerted by the state and German Evangelical Church. Thirdly I will focus on the theological manner in witch Bonhoeffer ordered his day at the Finkenwalde seminary. The purpose is to highlight the interaction that should occur between Christians within the Christian community. Here Bonhoeffer focus on what Christian community is about, and how the day together should be spent. Thereafter Bonhoeffer discuss how a day alone should be spent. Further on he discusses the service within Christian relationships and the role that repentance and communion played within a Christian community. The purpose is to communicate the manner in which Bonhoeffer understood spirituality and its function within the community. Thereafter it also shows how Bonhoeffer was involved in the presentation of spiritual activities at the seminary. Bonhoeffer suggested that spirituality should be the foundation on which theological training is based. Lastly I will focus on the manner in which Bonhoeffer was received by the Christian community as a theological educator. The purpose thereof is to focus on the impressions and perceptions regarding Bonhoeffer himself and the successes of his training, friendship and be-ing. This should not be regarded as critical in nature but rather as an ode to the man himself.