Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 329-338).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1995. / Includes abstract and vita. "March 1995." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-179).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1994. / This is an electronic reproduction of TREN, #090-0178. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 329-338).

This qualitatively oriented Practical Theology research journey, informed by postmodernism and social constructionism, was based on a narrative enquiry into the healing and renegotiation of identity of five "faithful spouses" post infidelity and divorce. These conversations occurred within a small group context, where narratives were spoken and witnessed (pastoral therapeutic gatherings), and were aimed at enabling the participants to remember and re-author preferred identities and new ways of being. This dissertation attempts to bring together the narratives of the participants, the literature, narrative therapy and pastoral care. My research curiosity was prompted by my mother's experience of divorce, and by the myriad number of conversations I have had with both "infidels" and "faithful spouses" in my pastoral practice. This research journey examines the process of co-creating, along with my fellow travellers (research participants), a viable model of divorce recovery in the face of infidelity and divorce. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Theology)

This qualitatively oriented Practical Theology research journey, informed by postmodernism and social constructionism, was based on a narrative enquiry into the healing and renegotiation of identity of five "faithful spouses" post infidelity and divorce. These conversations occurred within a small group context, where narratives were spoken and witnessed (pastoral therapeutic gatherings), and were aimed at enabling the participants to remember and re-author preferred identities and new ways of being. This dissertation attempts to bring together the narratives of the participants, the literature, narrative therapy and pastoral care. My research curiosity was prompted by my mother's experience of divorce, and by the myriad number of conversations I have had with both "infidels" and "faithful spouses" in my pastoral practice. This research journey examines the process of co-creating, along with my fellow travellers (research participants), a viable model of divorce recovery in the face of infidelity and divorce. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Theology)

PHD (African Studies) / Center for African Studies / The challenges facing divorcees when it comes to pastoral care and counselling are among the toughest to face members of the Reformed Churches South Africa (RCSA) in the Vhembe District today. There are many people in South Africa who are experiencing the pain of being divorced. The RCSA in the Vhembe District are also faced with this challenge and it affects their doctrines and their practical ministries. These challenges also affect the pastors of the RCSA. The aim of this research is to investigate the challenges that divorcees face regarding pastoral care and counselling in the RCSA in the Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa in order to develop an approach to pastoral care and counselling to support divorcees so that they may learn to cope with their challenges. Caring and counselling for the divorcees is the primary mission of the church. The study utilised a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design to obtain data from the participants within the RCSA in the Vhembe District. A sample of 30 participants (divorcees) from the RCSA in the Vhembe District was used. Data were collected on an individual basis by means of unstructured interviews. The qualitative data were collected and analysed using the six steps of open coding proposed by Tesch in an effort to understand personal experiences of divorcees. The research used Graham Redding’s approach to establish trustworthiness. The study adhered to four criteria to assess the value of the findings of qualitative research, namely credibility, applicability, consistency, and conformability. The ethical considerations were taken into account. The findings of this study show that divorcees experience many challenges, and that Reformed pastors are not equipped and not doing enough to address those challenges. This research helps to enhance the quality of pastoral care and counselling to the divorcees within the RCSA in the Vhembe District. The findings and recommendations of the study are useful in guiding all Reformed pastors in providing pastoral care and counselling to divorcees.