Text in Afrikaans / Die samelewing heleef tans groot veranderinge. Die kerk en gesinslewe word heide daardeur geraak. Al meer druk word op gesinslewe geplaas en daardeur verander gesinne se hehoeftes. Een van die grootste hehoeftes van gesinne is 'n hehoefte aan diepteverhoudings, medemenslike erkenning, emosionele sekuriteit en interpersoonlike intimiteit. Die kerk moet hierdie hehoeftes kan raaksien en aanspreek. Vir 'n hediening aan gesinne en deur gesinne, is dit noodsaaklik dat die gemeente opnuut weer God se plan met die gesin herontdek; die gemeente moet die gesin as 'n ekosistemiese eenheid verstaan en die ontwikkelingsfases en emosionele prosesse binne 'n gesinsisteem moet in ag geneem word. In hierdie studie word die selgemeente gehruik om moontlike antwoorde te hied vir die hehoeftes van gesinne. Die hevinding van hierdie studie is dat die selgemeente oor die potensiaal heskik om vir die gesin 'n ware tuiste te hied waar gelowige gesinne toegerus en opgehou kan word vir hulle roeping in die gemeente, die samelewing en die wereld. Die selgemeente kan 'n moontlike model vir 'n gesinshediening wees. / The church and family are both affected by the immense changes in society. Family needs change under the pressure of these changes. Among the greatest family needs are a relationship with depth, acknowledgement from fellow-man, emotional security and interpersonal intimacy. The church must recognise these needs and address them. A ministry to families must firstly rediscover God's plan for the family; secondly the family must be seen as an ecosystemic unity; thirdly development and emotional phases in the family must be understood and managed. I used the cell church model as a basis to develop a structure for family ministry. I found the cell church model to be essentially a relationship model. I came to the conclusion that the cell church model has the potential to be a genuine home for family; to be a basis from which the family can be built up and from which the family can be equipped for their calling. Thus, I found the cell church model to be a possible model for family ministry. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

The author strongly holds- in the thesis- that the Theology of liberation can inspi re the poor of South Africa to uproot the post-1994 socio-economic and political evil structures which continue unabated to impoverish them. The introductory chapter studies the reasons which motivated the author to write the thesis. It further discusses the method, the format and the limitations of the thesis. Chapter one focuses on the author's understanding of the Theology of liberation, and its historical background. Chapter two discusses the relationship between the Theology of Liberation and black theology, while chapter three contemplates on the possibility of the creation of what the author calls, An African Theology of Liberation. Chapter four studies the relationship between the Theology of liberation and the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church as taught by the pope and his council. The study of this relationship is extremely difficult because of the on-going, and seemingly insurmountable ideological differences between the two parties. The author suggests, as a solutio n, that each party seriously considers and recognizes the contextual limitations of its theology. Chapter five focuses on the implementation of the Theology of Liberat ion into the South African situation. The author highly recommends the inclusion of the veneration of the ancestors of Africa, as a perfect instrument by means of which the Theology of Liberation can succeed in achieving one of its major aims, which is to convert the poor to be leaders of their own liberation. The concluding chapter suggests concrete ways through which the Theology of Liberation can be kept alive and relevant within the South African situation. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Theological Ethics)

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The researcher is a minister in a rural congregation in the town of Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape. A growing diversity among congregants became obvious. It led to conflict and challenged the leadership of the congregation to deal with it in a constructive way in order to be a missional congregation that strives to focus on the missio Dei. In order to help the congregation to better understand where it comes from and how it can be used to participate in God’s work in the Sundays River Valley, the researcher described the identity and culture of the congregation as well as the transformation processes that are having such an influence on everybody. The research question is: How can the diversity between congregants be understood, described en used? In Chapter 2 the identity of the congregation is described. Attention is given to Louw’s identity 1996 analysis of the congregation. Afterwards the influence of globalization on the identity of the congregation is described and how it increased the diversity of the congregation. Ethnographic research described the culture of the congregation (Chapter 3). The researcher discussed Armour and Browning’s (2000) Systems theory in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 described the results of empirical research that depicted five of the reigning systems in the congregatation. The data is interpreted and discussed. At the end of each chapter the researcher outlined conclusions. In Chapter 6 these conclusions and the findings of the empirical research are brought to a point on the basis of which a strategy with practical and theological points of departure for the ministry are suggested. The purpose is to guide the congregation to use their diversity in order to fulfill their missional vocation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorser is ʼn dominee in ʼn plattelandse gemeente in Kirkwood in die Oos-Kaap. Hy merk ʼn groeiende diversiteit tussen lidmate van die gemeente ten opsigte van hul lewens- en wêreldbeskouings op. Hierdie diversiteit lei tot konflik en stel die leierskap van die gemeente voor ‘n uitdaging om die diversiteit so te bestuur en te benut. Sodoende kan die gemeente haar roeping om binne hul konteks deel te neem aan die missio Dei bereik. Die studie beskryf die diversiteit. Die navorsingsvraag lui soos volg: Hoe kan die diversiteit tussen lidmate verstaan word, omskryf word en benut word? Die doel van die studie is om die verskillende lewens- en wêreldbeskouings van die lidmate van die NG gemeente Sondagsrivier (Kirkwood) vas te stel. Hiervoor gebruik die navorser die sisteemteorie van dr. Graves soos deur Armour en Browning toegepas op gemeentewees. In Hoofstuk 2 is die identiteit van die gemeente beskryf. Daar is eerstens gelet op Louw se identiteitsanalise wat hy in 1996 onderneem het. Daarna is die invloed wat globalisasie op die identiteit van die gemeente gehad het, beskryf en hoe dit ‘n toename in diversiteit tot gevolg gehad het. Met behulp van etnografiese navorsing is die kultuur van die gemeente in Hoofstuk 3 beskryf. Die navorser bespreek die Sisteemteorie soos uiteengesit in die boek van Armour en Browning (2002) in Hoofstuk 4. Die doel van hierdie hoofstuk is om die sisteemteorie aan die leser bekend te stel en die nut daarvan vir hierdie studie te verduidelik. Hoofstuk 5 verhaal hoe die Sisteemteorie meetinstrument gebruik is. Die data wat verkry is, word geanaliseer en bespreek. Aan die einde van elke hoofstuk is daar gevolgtrekkings gemaak ten opsigte van die diversiteit in die gemeente. In Hoofstuk 6 kry hierdie gevolgtrekkings en die bevindinge van die empiriese navorsing aandag. Op grond hiervan word ‘n strategie met praktiese en teologiese vertrekpunte vir die bedieningspraktyk voorgestel. Dit het ten doel om die gemeente te begelei om hul diversiteit te benut in die uitleef van hulle missionale roeping.

Most recent studies of Cassian and his writings have examined the monk’s historical contexts, the theology expressed in his texts or his role in the development of monasticism. This dissertation examines the spirituality of Cassian and assesses its value to contemporary Christian communities. By applying a hermeneutical approach to the study of Cassian’s texts, the investigation distinguishes between the spirituality of Cassian, the historical person; the spirituality Cassian conveys in his writings; and Cassian’s spirituality as lived experience. The dissertation argues that Cassian’s spirituality as lived experience, as elicited by Gadamer’s hermeneutical model of conversation between text and interpreter, is valuable to contemporary Christian communities. It offers a spiritual ‘route map’ that can inspire, encourage and guide members of such communities on a spiritual journey that leads to greater intimacy with, and faithfulness to, Christ. The hermeneutical process necessary to appropriate the spirituality of Cassian as lived experience has the potential to dismantle prejudgements and attitudes of superiority and triumphalism often displayed by Christian communities and encourage fresh engagement with the history, traditions and Scriptures of the Church. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

Text in Afrikaans / Die samelewing heleef tans groot veranderinge. Die kerk en gesinslewe word heide daardeur geraak. Al meer druk word op gesinslewe geplaas en daardeur verander gesinne se hehoeftes. Een van die grootste hehoeftes van gesinne is 'n hehoefte aan diepteverhoudings, medemenslike erkenning, emosionele sekuriteit en interpersoonlike intimiteit. Die kerk moet hierdie hehoeftes kan raaksien en aanspreek. Vir 'n hediening aan gesinne en deur gesinne, is dit noodsaaklik dat die gemeente opnuut weer God se plan met die gesin herontdek; die gemeente moet die gesin as 'n ekosistemiese eenheid verstaan en die ontwikkelingsfases en emosionele prosesse binne 'n gesinsisteem moet in ag geneem word. In hierdie studie word die selgemeente gehruik om moontlike antwoorde te hied vir die hehoeftes van gesinne. Die hevinding van hierdie studie is dat die selgemeente oor die potensiaal heskik om vir die gesin 'n ware tuiste te hied waar gelowige gesinne toegerus en opgehou kan word vir hulle roeping in die gemeente, die samelewing en die wereld. Die selgemeente kan 'n moontlike model vir 'n gesinshediening wees. / The church and family are both affected by the immense changes in society. Family needs change under the pressure of these changes. Among the greatest family needs are a relationship with depth, acknowledgement from fellow-man, emotional security and interpersonal intimacy. The church must recognise these needs and address them. A ministry to families must firstly rediscover God's plan for the family; secondly the family must be seen as an ecosystemic unity; thirdly development and emotional phases in the family must be understood and managed. I used the cell church model as a basis to develop a structure for family ministry. I found the cell church model to be essentially a relationship model. I came to the conclusion that the cell church model has the potential to be a genuine home for family; to be a basis from which the family can be built up and from which the family can be equipped for their calling. Thus, I found the cell church model to be a possible model for family ministry. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

The author strongly holds- in the thesis- that the Theology of liberation can inspi re the poor of South Africa to uproot the post-1994 socio-economic and political evil structures which continue unabated to impoverish them. The introductory chapter studies the reasons which motivated the author to write the thesis. It further discusses the method, the format and the limitations of the thesis. Chapter one focuses on the author's understanding of the Theology of liberation, and its historical background. Chapter two discusses the relationship between the Theology of Liberation and black theology, while chapter three contemplates on the possibility of the creation of what the author calls, An African Theology of Liberation. Chapter four studies the relationship between the Theology of liberation and the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church as taught by the pope and his council. The study of this relationship is extremely difficult because of the on-going, and seemingly insurmountable ideological differences between the two parties. The author suggests, as a solutio n, that each party seriously considers and recognizes the contextual limitations of its theology. Chapter five focuses on the implementation of the Theology of Liberat ion into the South African situation. The author highly recommends the inclusion of the veneration of the ancestors of Africa, as a perfect instrument by means of which the Theology of Liberation can succeed in achieving one of its major aims, which is to convert the poor to be leaders of their own liberation. The concluding chapter suggests concrete ways through which the Theology of Liberation can be kept alive and relevant within the South African situation. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Theological Ethics)

Recent years have seen a plethora of research accomplished with respect to OT poetic prayers, predominantly in relation to the Psalter, with a least one ramification being a lack of engagement with the full spectrum of expressions especially within OT prosaic prayers. In addition to this, contemporary pastoral literature continues to exhibit an underdevelopment with respect to the full anthropological spectrum of expressions amidst grief especially within intercultural contexts. Observing both lacunas in scholarship, this dissertation operationalizes a Revisionist Method of Mutual Critical Correlation as its metamethod while incorporating Renewed Form Criticism, Hermeneutical Phenomenology, annd a Liberative Intercultural Praxis as it pursues a twofold objective: 1) an examination of the multivalent expressions (i.e., verbal, physical, and emotional) that leading Israelites pray-ers within the ancient context of OT prosaic prayers communicated to/before God while in the crux of disorientation, and 2) an investigation into the multivalent expressions (i.e., verbal, physical, and emotional) that leading Christian pray-ers wtihin an intercultural context (i.e., among Canadian immigrants from Guyana and Vietnam) communicated to/before God amidst the phenomenon of grief. At the heart of attending to this twofold mission is the configuration of an expressive domain of anthropological expressive modalities of disorientation communicated to/before God, along with their essence or meaning. Sensitized to such an expressive domain with its multivalent significance, contemporary pastoral caregivers would thus be better equipped to foster compassionate, liberative intercultural pastoral care for intercultural Christian communities coping with grief.

The purpose of this research is to explore possible ways of making the Eucharistic celebration more meaningful to Catholics in Mutare diocese, Zimbabwe. The reason for this concern is that the Eucharist is the `source and summit' of the Christian life. Since inculturation is a possible means of achieving this aim of a meaningful celebration, it was found necessary in this study to examine how the Eucharist has been taught and inculturated in the Catholic Church over the years. From this It was discovered that inculturation was absent in the writings and catechesis of early Church authors and Fathers during the periods reviewed. Although an observation was made that it was indirectly implied in the Eucharistic prayers of the early Christians, it was only after a new `understanding of culture' emerged, following Vatican II, that permission was given by Rome to use local languages at Eucharistic celebrations. In the course of this study, efforts were made to determine the elements that constitute Eucharistic inculturation in Mutare diocese. These include: symbolic gestures, local languages, proverbs, enthronement, local staple food, invocation of ancestors, and others. In an empirical study to find out the extent of inculturation that has taken place in Mutare diocese, questionnaires were sent to sixteen out of twenty-four parishes in the diocese. Oral interviews were also conducted for this purpose. After analyzing the responses from respondents and those interviewed, it was discovered that some areas of inculturation have been realized, though not fully. Two outstanding areas which have not yet been realized were found to be the use of local staple food and the invocation of ancestors. The conclusion was that inculturation is not fully implemented in Mutare diocese and this impacts negatively on the celebration of the Eucharist. Eucharistic inculturation is an achievable goal in Mutare diocese, however, provided there is intensive catechesis which takes into account Shona-rich cultural values, aided by active involvement of small Christian Communities and the support of the hierarchy. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

The focus of this practical theological study is the analysis of the life and worship of the Perth Asian Christian Community in the New Life City Church, where we note fast maturation of Christians with a desire to complete the Great Commission. As participant observer using the qualitative method, I was able to identify how the NLCC is wall-less by interviewing different groups within the church and two Western sample groups. To accomplish this, Chapter two analyses the Western and Asian churches’ understanding of the concepts ‘church’ and ‘church growth’. The evaluations showed a difference in understanding. This prompted an inquiry in chapter three into their understanding of the Great Commission from the Western and Asian viewpoint against the Biblical understanding thereof. The intention of NLCC groups interviewed in Chapters four to eight was to detect what they perceived as helping them mature as Christians, considering many are first-generation Christians. The groups interviewed included founder members, first-generation Christians, youth group leaders, returned NLCC missionaries and the pastor. By Chapter nine it was established that the Asian Christian understood worship in a broader context. Chapter ten summarises the interpreted data of the groups interviewed and identifies stimulants for maturation of individual Christians in a post-Christian environment. The broader understanding of worship is discussed. These guidelines form the building blocks for a practical theological theory of church growth. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

The policy of Separate Development and its forceful implementation by the Nationalist Government from the !960's and into the 1980's resulted in the resettlement of thousands of Africans in the 'homeland' Ciskei in the Eastern Cape. All these changes had a profound and very often a disruptive influence on the lives of those involved. People's ability to survive amidst these circumstances, was tested to the limit. This study looks at the role of the local Christian faith community in supporting its members during these rapid and disruptive socioeconomic and political changes. The study is confined to two congregations of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa in Ilitha and Ndevana in the Eastern Cape. Following an introductory chapter, Chapter 2 gives a historical outline of developments in the broader Ciskei. Attention is also given to demographic, social and economic conditions. Chapter 3 describes the culture and feeling of despair, powerlessness and mistrust that is deeply entrenched in the minds of many people in the community due to depressive socio-economic situations. Chapter 4 gives an overview of the churches in the area and describes the supportive structures and actions of two churches in the Ilitha-Ndevana area. No instant solutions are offered to members but through mutual support they find a sense of belonging and encouragement in the midst of their hardship. In Chapter 5 a model for the mission of the local church in a context of social and economic change and disruption, is presented. It is shown how the image of Christianity and the Gospel have been distorted and misused in the past through the entanglement of mission and colonialism, a negative attitude towards African culture, and by contributing to the subordination of women in society. A vision that people in Africa can have peace and dignity and become self-reliant is proposed. Within the local faith community this vision is built on an understanding of God as the weak and suffering Lord, on fellowship and mutual support, a new reading of the Bible, a practical community based spirituality, and an emphasis on healing. / Die daarstelling en .kragdadige toepassing van die beleid van Afsonderlike Ontwikkeling vanaf die 1960's tot·die 1980's het tot gevolg_gehad dat duisende Swart Suid-AftilCaners hervestig is in die Ciskei-tuisland in die Oos-Kaap. Al hierdie veranderinge het verreikende en baie dikwels ontwrigtende gevolge op die betrokkenes gehad. Mense se vermoens om binne hierdie omstandighede te oorlee:t: is tot die uiterste beproef. Hierdie studie kyk na die rol van die plaaslike · Cbristelike. geloofsgemeenskap in die ondersteuning van sy lede tydens snelle en ontwrigtende sosiale, ekonomiese en politieke veranderinge. Die studie is beperk tot twee gemeentes van die Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suider-Aftika in Ilitha en Ndevana in die Oos-Kaap. Na 'n inleidende hoofstuk, gee hoofstuk 2 'n historiese oorsig van ontwikkelinge in die breere Ciskei-gebied. Aandag word ook gegee aan demografriese, sosiale en ekonomiese toestande. Hoofstuk 3 beskryf 'n kultuur en gevoel van moedeloosheid, magteloosheid en wantroue wat, as gevolg van neerdrukkende sosiaal-ekonomiese toestande, diep in menige mense se gemoedere vasgele is. Hoofstuk 4 gee 'n oorsig oor die kerke in die gebied en beskryf die ondersteunende strukture en optrede in twee gemeentes in die Ilitha-Ndevana area. Geen kitsoplossings word aan lede aangebied nie, maar deur onderlinge steun vind hulle geborgenheid en bemoediging te midde van swaarkry. In hoofstuk 5 word 'n model aangebied vir die missie van die plaaslike kerk te midde van sosiale en ekonomiese veranderinge en ontwrigting. Daar word aangetoon hoe die beeld van die Christendom in die verlede verwring en misbruik is deur: die verstrengeling van sending en kolonialisasie; 'n negatiewe houding teenoor kultuur in Afrika; en deur by te dra tot die ondergeskikte posisie van vroue in die samelewing. 'n Visie dat die mense van Afrika vrede en menswaardigheid kan geniet en self onderhoudend kan raak, word voorgestel. Binne die plaaslike geloofsgemeenskap word aan hierdie visie gebou deur 'n begrip van God as die magtelose en lydende Here, deur onderlinge gemeenskap en ondersteuning, 'n nuwe lees en begrip van die Bybel, 'n praktiese gemeenskaps-gerigte spiritualiteit en 'n beklemtoning van heling en herstel. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)