Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Seminary, 2006. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes project in ministry report. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-155, 97-104).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Erskine Theological Seminary, 2005. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-120).

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / PhD / unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans / Skrywers oar die gesin kom al hoe meer tot die slotsom dat die gesin onvervangbaar is in die sosialiseringsproses van die mens. Die gesin is noodsaaklik vir die modeme mens se soeke na vastigheid, geborgenheid en identiteit. Die oorspronklike verhouding tussen ouer en kind binne die kerngesin is onvervangbaar. Die vraag wat in die studie aan die orde kom is of die modeme gesin wel so 'n belangrike plek inneem in die huidige samelewing. Is die gevolg van al die probleme waarmee die moderne gesin le kampe het en die wisselvallige wereld waarin ons lewe nie juis dat die gesin se plek as veilige hawe al hoe meer bedreig word nie? Daar moet altyd in die bediening aan die gesin onthou word dat die gesin 'n ontwikkelende sisteem is. Daar moet veral by die behoeftes in die verskillende lewensfases aangesluit word. ln God se handeling met. die mens vind ons dat daar 'n baie noue verband is tussen die gesin en die verbond. Soos tewens die hele gemeente, is die gesin ook "'n koninklike priesterdom . .. . . . die eiendomsvolk van God". (1 Pet. 2:9) Die kerk staan voor die wonderlike uitdaging om in die tyd waar daar 'n besondere behoefte aan sosiale verhoudings bestaan, die behoefte te vul met iets wat God self gee, iets wat veel grater as sosiale vriendskap is... . . . koinonia! Des te meer die kerk se invloedsfeer in die samelewing krimp en mense nie meer aktief by die instituut inskakel nie, des te belangriker word die gesin. In die gesekulariseerde samelewing word die gesin die konkrete kontakpunt waarmee die kerk op die plaaslike vlak sy invloedsfeer binne mense se daaglikse leefmilieu kan laat geld. Die studie vra vir 'n andersoortige bediening waarin die behoeftes van die gesin aangespreek word en waar die gesin primer die fokus is. Dit moet 'n bediening aan die gesin en 'n bediening deur die gesin wees. Die gemeente moet gesinne leer en aan hulle demonstreer wat God se doe! met die gesin is. Die kerk is by uitstek in die posisie om die wye verskeidenheid van gesinstipes in die samelewing te kan bedien. Die kerk kan ook gesinne help om aanpassings te maak in 'n veranderende samelewing. 'n Gesinsbediening kan 'n uitstekende nuwe fokus word vir die missie van die kerk. / Researches on the family came to the conclusion that the family is irreplaceable in the socialising process of a person. The family is necessary for the modern persons need for stability, security and identity. The original relationship between a parent and child in the family is irreplaceable. The question which arises in this study is whether the modern family is so important in the current society. Is the result of all the problems which the family faces and the changeable world not that the family as secure harbour is in danger? In the ministry it must always be borne in mind that the family is a developing system. Special attention must be paid so that all the different phases of life are included. In God's involvement with man, we find that there is a very close relationship between the family and the sacrament. As is the entire church, so is the family " ...... priests of the King, ..... God's own people" (1 Pet. 2:19). In a time where there is an exceptional need for social relationships, the church is faced with a great challenge to fill this need with something that is from God, something far more fulfilling than social friendships .... Kononia. The further the churche's influence declines in a society and people withdraw from involvement within the institution, the more important the family becomes. In a secularized society the family becomes the concrete point of contact through which the church can, at local level, use its influence within peoples daily life environment. This study calls for another type of ministry in wt)ich the needs of the family can be addressed and where the family becomes the primary focus.· It must b~ a ministry to the family and through the family. The congregation must educate families as well as demonstrate God's purpose with the family. The church is pre-eminently in a position to serve the various types of families in society. The church is also able to help families to make adjustments in a changing society. A family ministry can become an excellent new point of focus for the mission of the church. / Practical Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theolgy)

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)

Text in Afrikaans / Skrywers oar die gesin kom al hoe meer tot die slotsom dat die gesin onvervangbaar is in die sosialiseringsproses van die mens. Die gesin is noodsaaklik vir die modeme mens se soeke na vastigheid, geborgenheid en identiteit. Die oorspronklike verhouding tussen ouer en kind binne die kerngesin is onvervangbaar. Die vraag wat in die studie aan die orde kom is of die modeme gesin wel so 'n belangrike plek inneem in die huidige samelewing. Is die gevolg van al die probleme waarmee die moderne gesin le kampe het en die wisselvallige wereld waarin ons lewe nie juis dat die gesin se plek as veilige hawe al hoe meer bedreig word nie? Daar moet altyd in die bediening aan die gesin onthou word dat die gesin 'n ontwikkelende sisteem is. Daar moet veral by die behoeftes in die verskillende lewensfases aangesluit word. ln God se handeling met. die mens vind ons dat daar 'n baie noue verband is tussen die gesin en die verbond. Soos tewens die hele gemeente, is die gesin ook "'n koninklike priesterdom . .. . . . die eiendomsvolk van God". (1 Pet. 2:9) Die kerk staan voor die wonderlike uitdaging om in die tyd waar daar 'n besondere behoefte aan sosiale verhoudings bestaan, die behoefte te vul met iets wat God self gee, iets wat veel grater as sosiale vriendskap is... . . . koinonia! Des te meer die kerk se invloedsfeer in die samelewing krimp en mense nie meer aktief by die instituut inskakel nie, des te belangriker word die gesin. In die gesekulariseerde samelewing word die gesin die konkrete kontakpunt waarmee die kerk op die plaaslike vlak sy invloedsfeer binne mense se daaglikse leefmilieu kan laat geld. Die studie vra vir 'n andersoortige bediening waarin die behoeftes van die gesin aangespreek word en waar die gesin primer die fokus is. Dit moet 'n bediening aan die gesin en 'n bediening deur die gesin wees. Die gemeente moet gesinne leer en aan hulle demonstreer wat God se doe! met die gesin is. Die kerk is by uitstek in die posisie om die wye verskeidenheid van gesinstipes in die samelewing te kan bedien. Die kerk kan ook gesinne help om aanpassings te maak in 'n veranderende samelewing. 'n Gesinsbediening kan 'n uitstekende nuwe fokus word vir die missie van die kerk. / Researches on the family came to the conclusion that the family is irreplaceable in the socialising process of a person. The family is necessary for the modern persons need for stability, security and identity. The original relationship between a parent and child in the family is irreplaceable. The question which arises in this study is whether the modern family is so important in the current society. Is the result of all the problems which the family faces and the changeable world not that the family as secure harbour is in danger? In the ministry it must always be borne in mind that the family is a developing system. Special attention must be paid so that all the different phases of life are included. In God's involvement with man, we find that there is a very close relationship between the family and the sacrament. As is the entire church, so is the family " ...... priests of the King, ..... God's own people" (1 Pet. 2:19). In a time where there is an exceptional need for social relationships, the church is faced with a great challenge to fill this need with something that is from God, something far more fulfilling than social friendships .... Kononia. The further the churche's influence declines in a society and people withdraw from involvement within the institution, the more important the family becomes. In a secularized society the family becomes the concrete point of contact through which the church can, at local level, use its influence within peoples daily life environment. This study calls for another type of ministry in wt)ich the needs of the family can be addressed and where the family becomes the primary focus.· It must b~ a ministry to the family and through the family. The congregation must educate families as well as demonstrate God's purpose with the family. The church is pre-eminently in a position to serve the various types of families in society. The church is also able to help families to make adjustments in a changing society. A family ministry can become an excellent new point of focus for the mission of the church. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theolgy)

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)

This study looks at the construction of white identity within postcolonial conflict in Zimbabwe. Is it possible to be white and African? And how will the white African look when his identity as 'privileged' is stripped from his/her? This study also challenges the church to respond to the endemic violence by finding ways of bringing hope and healing. The role that trauma plays in our ongoing narratives is explored along with ways to exit these cycles without re-traumatizing large sectors of the community who are considered 'outsiders'. It ends with questioning the usefulness of 'white' and 'race', except as a political construction that benefits those in power to be able to tap into past historic pain and injustice. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology (Pastoral Therapy))

The commandment to honour one's father and mother is not limited to honouring parents while they are living. In Zulu culture, for both the traditionalist and Christian Zulu, honouring parents, whether alive or dead, is to relate to them with great respect. Unfortunately, this respect for the ancestors has been misunderstood by many and labeled as "worship" or, more recently, as "veneration". Affixing a religious connotation ("worship", etc.) to the relationship led to the expectation that Zulu Christians would reject their ancestors and all the rites and practices associated with them. In spite of injunctions from the Church, a marked shift is occurring among Zulu Christians as many reincorporate their ancestors into their family process. This dissertation, an exploratory study, addresses this process of reincorporation by offering a new, non-religious interpretation of the relationship. Historically, the Zulu have sought and welcomed the presence of the ancestors during stressful family transitions such as marriage, birth, puberty and death. If the Church focused on the increased anxiety and destabilization associated with these family transitions, new insights could be gained into the functional importance of the ancestors (as anxiety binders) in the family process. The application of Bowen theory, a new paradigm for practical theology, to the research data provides new perspectives and understanding into the functional importance of the ancestors for Zulu families. Central to Bowen theory is the concept of the family as an emotional unit that includes all generations, including the ancestors. This concept correlates closely with the Zulu understanding of kinship. The concepts of multigenerational transmission process and triangulation in Bowen theory offer effective theoretical bases for interpreting the ongoing relationship Zulu families have with their ancestors. This dissertation critiques certain Church practices and offers a practical theological response that can inform and enrich the Church's pastoral care. By developing a practical theology of relationships'one informed by Bowen theory, Scripture and the traditions of the Church'the Church can assist Zulu Christians pastorally as they reincorporate their ancestors into their family process. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Vatican II provided the Catholic Church with an opportunity for deep reflection and to align its theological teachings with modern times. This reflection resulted in a resurgence of the importance of Christian marriage and family living. Beyond Vatican II, the Christian family has been described as a ‘domestic’ church. This description defines the family founded on marriage as a cornerstone for the church and society. The Church has realised that if she has to succeed in her mission of evangelisation, she needs to strengthen the families founded on the sacrament of marriage and also to take care of broken families. The theme of a ‘domestic church’ was further explored and discussed in the 1994 Special Synod for the Bishops of Africa. This synod strongly used the image of the family as an effective tool for evangelisation in Africa. The rationale for this emphasis was that the institution of the family founded on marriage is held in high esteem in Africa and it is one of the most important custodians of cultural values. This institution, the bishops argued, can now be used as a custodian for Christian values. Hence, the family founded on marriage will become a school where these values are cherished and taught to offspring. The family founded on marriage is celebrated across the global cultural spectrum. It is through the family that the age old wisdom of ancestors is propagated. This ensures the survival and the development of the different communities. Communities develop because they are built upon strong ethical, religious and cultural values which are safeguarded by the institution of the family founded on marriage. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is the custodian of life. Marriage is about life. Hence, the respect of human life is safeguarded by the family. The collapse of such a pivotal institution has serious implications for the community. The institution of the family founded on marriage is presented in this thesis as a turn around strategy to the challenge of moral permissiveness in our country. It is a commonly accepted theory that development can only take place where there is stability. The lack of infrastructural development in most African countries is due to lack of political stability. Instability often results in chaos and anarchy. Marriage promises stability which is rooted in the self giving of the couples. Such an environment becomes conducive for human life to be propagated, nurtured and developed. It further creates a sense of being loved and belonging to the child. These qualities are essential for proper and integral human development. Furthermore, marriage ties together the goals of parenting, namely, procreation and parenthood and they are inseparable. They prepare children for social integration.The purpose of this research is to demonstrate how the institution of the family founded on marriage can help us develop a coherent moral vision in South Africa. This turn around strategy is proposed by systematically analysing the causes and consequences of family breakdown. The thesis establishes that the institution of the family founded on marriage is undergoing a crisis. This crisis manifests itself through single-parenthood, high rate of divorce, fatherlessness, etc. The consequences of this crisis are not favourable for individuals and the society. / Philosophy & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Theological ethics)