Doctorat en philosophie et lettres / Vol. 2 (Lexique Bisa-Français) = TH-000020 / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This study shows the importance of leading toward missional change within BUSA in post-1994 contexts incorporating global, afro-centric missional perspectives as South African Baptists. As my research will indicate, BUSA is at a crucial junction, and I contend that BUSA’s main problem is primarily a missiological problem, with ecclesiastical challenges that urgently need to be addressed by BUSA’s leaders. The importance of BUSA’s critical self- reflection and analysis is paramount. Does BUSA and her mission have a future, or will it fade into obscurity? Utilizing the South African Baptist faith heritage as an important interlocutor with a view to retrospective and prospective Baptist ecclesiology in post- 1994 South African society. Special recognition is given to the contribution of emerging Afro-centric missional voices within the current South African/African context. In doing so, this study seeks to be leadership-oriented, biblically-based and Afro-centric in its approach to missional change with South African Baptist Union churches. Toward missional leadership within BUSA churches this study: <ul> <li>1. Uncovers the importance of an Afro-centric missional ecclesiology, taking into consideration both local and global trends and conversations.</li> <li>2. Uncover a retrospective view of Baptist Ecclesiology within the Southern African context, with its relevance to the history and present-day context of ministry within BUSA.</li> <li>3. Analyses existing statistical data found within the Baptist Annual Handbook, to establish denominational trends since 1994, with a view to identifying significant ministry trends operable within BUSA.</li> 4. Collects, analyses and interprets data from a number of churches from within the Baptist Union of Southern Africa that stand out as significant in three or more ‘missional indicators’ in the first tier of research and analysis. In reading through the pages to follow, you will journey alongside the researcher in:</li> </ul> <ul> <li> Analysing and interpreting the history of Baptists in South Africa with reference to BUSA, BCSA, SABMS and the ABK through a ‘missional lens’</li>. <li> Critically examining current trends visible within BUSA churches since 1994 to the present-day.</li> <li> Undertaking qualitative research to identify phenomenology of people’s shared experience in BUSA</li> <li> Interpreting and objectifying statistical results drawn from qualitative research at local church level; making further recommendations towards an Afro-centric missional ecclesiology relevant to BUSA churches in post-1994 contexts.</li> </ul> / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

In this thesis, the Researcher argues that the Border Black Baptist Churches form two-thirds of the membership of the Border Baptist in the Association. The researcher is concerned that they are growing in numbers but declining in finances. This problem is affecting the body of Jesus Christ locally, nationally and globally. It does not end there but the Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20) has also been affected. My personal interest is to show that Border Black Baptist Churches are not necessarily poor but need some kind of profound teaching and motivation. It means that in the Border/Amathole region we need self-propagating, self-supporting, self-governing and self- theologizing within our own culture. We need to see that the tithing system is God’s plan for giving. It is instituted by God and encompasses His promises, only if we obey Him. In the Border Black Baptist Churches there is also a need to see that freewill offerings are part and parcel of God’s plan for financial giving and stewardship. It means that giving to God must be seen as Creation, Sowing and Reaping Principles. My research methodology includes interviews, questionnaires and study of the relevant literature. The reason for this research is to bring clarity about financial giving and stewardship in these Churches. The whole purpose is to see financially matured Border Black Baptist Churches in this region. / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

After highlighting the events that gave rise to the writing of this dissertation, the writer proceeds with a critical analysis of the structural and leadership dynamics of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa (BUSA) from 1960-2005. Beginning with the formation of BUSA in 1877, he shows how that the South African Baptist Missionary Society (SABMS - the Missions arm of BUSA), established in 1892, developed in a parallel manner alongside of BUSA and questions whether the two bodies were over one. Throughout the dissertation, he pointed out how, up to the late eighties, the structural and leadership dynamics of BUSA tended to favour one culture above the others who, in fact, were in the majority. The writer identifies the key trends within each decade from 1960-2005 with regard to BUSA's structural dynamics and views the following two events as causing a major turnaround resulting in great transformation during the 1990's. They were: <ul> <li> The withdrawal of the Black Baptist Convention from BUSA in 1987 and</li> <li> The turbulent 1989 National Assembly in Kimberley</li> </ul> He also asserts that the "affirmative" appointment of the first multi-cultural BUSA Executive in 1997 actually "saved the day" for BUSA and avoided future splits. The writer proceeds to evaluate BUSA's structural dynamics during the period under review in terms of the essential functions of the church, namely, Kerygma (proclamation), diakonia (diaconal service) and koinonia (fellowship). BUSA was strong in Kerygma but weak in Koinonia. He finally concludes that the "separate development mentality" prevalent within BUSA during its formation and the review period was not as a result of Apartheid but, as his research has revealed, namely (i) British colonialism certainly influenced the formation and initial development of BUSA. The cultural divide between "colonial whites" and "emerging blacks" who were accustomed to a social separation between the two groups was certainly a factor. Likewise, the manner in which Europeans perceived the Bantu in the 1870's (ii) The Mission philosophy prevalent in Europe and America round about 1877 was to form native, indigenous churches that would be "self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating". The motto of the SABMS was "the evangelisation of the Bantu by Bantu". It was felt the young churches arising out of mission work would be independent and not dependent upon or controlled by mother bodies that helped to establish them. It is thus not surprising that BUSA through the SABMS followed the same policy. (iii) The British Baptist ministers who came to South Africa prior to and following the arrival of the 1820 Settlers came with the express purpose to minister to the British immigrants in the Cape and British Kaffraria. Missions to the Bantu was not necessarily a part of their agenda. As indicated in this dissertation , it was the German Baptists and not the British who were key factors in the establishment of the SABMS. (iv) The new SABMS was based upon the British model which saw the Missions Society as an entirely separate entity from the Union, but in close association with it. The unjust policy of apartheid, which was implemented and enforced by the South African Nationalist Government from 1948 to the early nineties, cemented and added the "cherry on the top" of the separate development and ultimate separation between BUSA and the Baptist Convention. It provided the ideal context for continued British colonial thinking and practice with regard to the Bantu. Hence the exclusion of the latter from the main BUSA Leadership structures for most of the period under review. In the final chapter, the writer offers some guidelines which he trusts will prove helpful to future BUSA Leaders and Executives. / Dissertation (MA(Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Practical Theology / unrestricted