In dieser Forschungsarbeit werden Lebensgemeinschaften (LGs) untersucht, die als Lebensgemeinschaft Jugendarbeit betreiben. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, Chancen und Grenzen dieser LG Jugendarbeit aufzuzeigen, missionale Jugendarbeit zu sein, um sie für die klassische Jugendarbeit fruchtbar zu machen. Hierfür werden anhand des aktuellen Forschungsstands zunächst entscheidende Begrifflichkeiten je nach Fachgebiet theologisch oder pädagogisch beleuchtet. Danach werden die zu untersuchenden LGs und deren Arbeit konzeptionell vorgestellt. Anschließend erfolgt die Darstellung der Planung und Durchführung des Forschungsprozesses anhand des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus (ETP). Dem folgend werden die Ergebnisse der auf neun qualitativen Interviews basierenden Analyse nach dem Prinzip der Grounded Theory dargestellt. Diese Ergebnisse werden anschließend mit den theologischen und pädagogischen Erkenntnissen der aktuellen Forschung zum Thema zusammengeführt, um Thesen für eine missionale Jugendarbeit zu formulieren. Diese Thesen sollen einen Beitrag zur missionalen Diskussion im besonderen Hinblick auf gesellschaftsrelevante Jugendarbeit leisten. / This research study examines Christian communities which are, as community, involved in youth ministry. It is the objective of this investigation to reveal the potential and limits of these youth ministries as they attempt to be missional, and to utilise the results to make more traditional forms of youth ministry more effective. For this purpose, essential terms will first be theologically or pedagogically analysed, depending on the subject area examined and according to the current state of research. Then, the studied communities and their ministry will be conceptually presented. Subsequently, the planning and implementation of the research process, according to the Empirical-Theological Praxis Cycle (ETP), will be described. Following this, the results of the analysis, based on nine qualitative interviews conducted according to the principles of Grounded Theory, will be portrayed. These results will then be brought together with the theological and pedagogical insights of current research on the topic, in order to produce propositions for a missional youth ministry. These propositions aims to offer a contribution to the missional debate with particular reference to socially relevant forms of youth ministry. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

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Il percorso di ricerca si propone di studiare la Transgiordania, le sue tribù arabe, cristiane e musulmane, e le sue unità spazio-ecologiche in cui presero forma ambienti socio-politici differenti. La tesi si propone lo studio delle differenti fasi di transizione – dalla tribù allo stato e dalla tribù alla comunità – in cui gli spazi politici e sociali vennero riconfigurandosi secondo logiche di potere antiche e nuove al tempo stesso. L’obiettivo è individuare un itinerario storico che, attraversando i differenti distretti della Transgiordania durante il XIX secolo, la Grande guerra e il Mandato britannico, racconti la realtà del cristianesimo locale, le caratteristiche dei suoi micro-cosmi politici e la nascita dell’Emirato Hashemita di Transgiordania. / The thesis aims at studying Transjordan, its Arab Christian and Muslim tribes, and its spatial-ecological units in which different socio-political dynamics took place. The thesis analyzes different transition stages, from tribes to state and from tribe to community, in which political and social spaces have been reconfigured according to power logics, which were old and new at the same time. The objective is to identify a historical journey that deals with the reality of local Christianity, the characteristics of its political micro-cosmos and the birth of the Hashemite Emirate of Transjordan. This would be done by looking at the micro-history of the Transjordanian districts during the nineteenth century, the Great War and the British Mandate.

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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. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic 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)

In dieser Forschungsarbeit werden Lebensgemeinschaften (LGs) untersucht, die als Lebensgemeinschaft Jugendarbeit betreiben. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, Chancen und Grenzen dieser LG Jugendarbeit aufzuzeigen, missionale Jugendarbeit zu sein, um sie für die klassische Jugendarbeit fruchtbar zu machen. Hierfür werden anhand des aktuellen Forschungsstands zunächst entscheidende Begrifflichkeiten je nach Fachgebiet theologisch oder pädagogisch beleuchtet. Danach werden die zu untersuchenden LGs und deren Arbeit konzeptionell vorgestellt. Anschließend erfolgt die Darstellung der Planung und Durchführung des Forschungsprozesses anhand des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus (ETP). Dem folgend werden die Ergebnisse der auf neun qualitativen Interviews basierenden Analyse nach dem Prinzip der Grounded Theory dargestellt. Diese Ergebnisse werden anschließend mit den theologischen und pädagogischen Erkenntnissen der aktuellen Forschung zum Thema zusammengeführt, um Thesen für eine missionale Jugendarbeit zu formulieren. Diese Thesen sollen einen Beitrag zur missionalen Diskussion im besonderen Hinblick auf gesellschaftsrelevante Jugendarbeit leisten. / This research study examines Christian communities which are, as community, involved in youth ministry. It is the objective of this investigation to reveal the potential and limits of these youth ministries as they attempt to be missional, and to utilise the results to make more traditional forms of youth ministry more effective. For this purpose, essential terms will first be theologically or pedagogically analysed, depending on the subject area examined and according to the current state of research. Then, the studied communities and their ministry will be conceptually presented. Subsequently, the planning and implementation of the research process, according to the Empirical-Theological Praxis Cycle (ETP), will be described. Following this, the results of the analysis, based on nine qualitative interviews conducted according to the principles of Grounded Theory, will be portrayed. These results will then be brought together with the theological and pedagogical insights of current research on the topic, in order to produce propositions for a missional youth ministry. These propositions aims to offer a contribution to the missional debate with particular reference to socially relevant forms of youth ministry. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

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