Summaries in Afrikaans and English / This research has shown that young people of different cultural groups have had and still have limited contact due to the history of our country. This contributed to the fact that there were, and still are, very few opportunities to build relationships. An introductory chapter in which the research methodology is explained, is followed by a discussion utilizing recent literature, of the question how the building of relationships can take place within the context of a diverse youth ministry (chapter 2). It became clear that the church, in its ministry to diverse youth groups, should create opportunities where the quality of relationships can be enhanced. In the research it was found that experiential learning activities, such as initiative activities, could have a positive influence on interpersonal skills in intercultural relationships (chapters 3 and 4). In chapter 5, firstly, certain conclusions were drawn. Secondly, recommendations were made and guidelines formulated regarding the building of relationships in the ministry to diverse youth groups. / Die navorsing vir hierdie studie het getoon dat jeugdiges van verskillende kultuurgroepe vanwee ons land se geskiedenis beperkte kontak gehad het en nog steeds het. Dit het meegebring dat geleenthede om verhoudinge te bou min was en steeds is. Na 'n inleidende hoofstuk waarin die navorsingsmetodologie uiteengesit word, volg 'n bespreking, aan die hand van resente literatuur oor die vraag hoe verhoudingsbou kan plaasvind in 'n diverse jeugbedieningkonteks (hoofstuk 2). Daaruit het dit duidelik geword dat die kerk in sy bediening aan diverse jeuggroepe geleenthede behoort te skep waartydens die kwaliteit van verhoudinge verbeter kan word. Die navorsing het bevind dat ervaringsleeraktiwiteite, byvoorbeeld inisiatiefaktiwiteite, 'n positiewe invloed kan he op interpersoonlike vaardighede in interkulturele verhoudinge (hoofstukke 3 en 4). In hoofstuk 5 is eerstens bepaalde gevolgtrekkings gemaak. Tweedens is aanbevelings gedoen en riglyne geformuleer met die oog op verhoudingsbou in die bediening aan diverse jeuggroepe. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Youth Work)

Thesis (MA (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The rise in social disorder in South Africa over the last decade and a half has contributed to the increase of non-government organizations moving to the forefront of social problem prevention. Encounter, a new Pentecostal church in the Dwars River Valley served as a beacon of hope to many people. With the developments in the valley that resulted in vast social changes it can be described as an anchor in a sea of instability and uncertainty. At the same time, however, Encounter served as a wave that rocked the boat of the traditional and church-centered village of Pniel. Encounter presented alternative methods of social problem prevention and alleviation for its members. For the purpose of this study, I placed specific emphasis on the intangible, faith-based actions and strategies of Encounter. These intangible methods characteristic of spiritual organizations had a unique influence on the community regarding their perceptions of- and meanings attached to- social problems, social cooperation and social identity. At the same time, conversion and the alternative „access‟ to spirituality (prophecies, healing, demonology etc.) affected individual identities and in many ways led to their social empowerment. Finally, in this study, intangible spiritual interpretations were not only receptive and re-active phenomena, but could also take on the form of intervention and pro-action. Through the use of ritual, intangible beliefs were turned into weapons of warfare. Encounter created a space for the training and use of these „weapons‟. People gathered there to be trained, to observe and to use these weapons with the belief that it would result in immediate change in their lives and in their communities.

Young people in South Africa are increasingly turning to crime. The majority of those who fall into this trap are between the ages of twelve and eighteen years. According to the Human Rights Watch World Report on Children' Rights, 'in South Africa despite a November 1997 national program intended to keep children out of prisons, the Minister of Welfare reported in May 1998, that approximately 1,000 children were still detained in prisons with adults', (HRW 2005:3). This idea is even more disturbing if one considers the impact of rehabilitation in prison and how young people will be equipped to become hardened criminals through institutionalization. The focus of the paper will be on the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents in the Heidedal community. Therefore it is important to find out what causes the child to become deviant and to help the child to deal with it. The National Institute of Crime Rehabilitation of Offenders (NICRO), have very good programs for the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents. Unfortunately, these programs do not reach everyone in need, due to the fact that Heidedal does not fall into the geographical area that is being covered by NICRO. Therefore, if we want to help the children in the Heidedal community, the church and society need to get involved in the implementation of rehabilitation programs. The research project will therefore focus on proposing an adapted model, which may be used by the church in an effort to help in the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents within the Heidedal community. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Today’s world in the new Millennium is a far cry from church and home life for young people (18-30) fifty years ago, where quantum change on top of change, and disconnectedness in family structures, have all contributed in various ways to an exodus of young people from mainline churches throughout the world. To counteract this ongoing trend, significant effort has been applied by mainline churches throughout the world, and South Africa in particular, to grow young people in the “Faith”, all of which has resulted in young people continuing to exodus the church after confirmation or graduating from high school. However, the bottom line challenge being faced is not simply one sided with young people exiting the church - for so called ‘better’ activities, but that the church has also not found an effective strategy for engaging with non-churched young people (those who have never been to a church) and those who used to actively participate, but have now abandoned the church and its ministry. Parents of today’s young people to a great extent have failed to understand and recognize that it is impossible for their children to accept the ‘faith and truth’ if they don’t role model and practice it in their homes. Similarly, if they don’t help their children to see and understand how faith is applied and has meaning in their everyday lives, then the current status quo between children, family and church will continue to grow exponentially. The church, and more particularly parents, need to understand and listen to the young people’s postmodern views and how it has reshaped their lives, in comparison to the preceding generations. By adopting the conclusions and broad practical recommendations from this research, churches may be able to reach out more effectively to parents, children and young people, to help them discover a life changing relationship – in their walk with Jesus Christ / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Church history)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / This research has shown that young people of different cultural groups have had and still have limited contact due to the history of our country. This contributed to the fact that there were, and still are, very few opportunities to build relationships. An introductory chapter in which the research methodology is explained, is followed by a discussion utilizing recent literature, of the question how the building of relationships can take place within the context of a diverse youth ministry (chapter 2). It became clear that the church, in its ministry to diverse youth groups, should create opportunities where the quality of relationships can be enhanced. In the research it was found that experiential learning activities, such as initiative activities, could have a positive influence on interpersonal skills in intercultural relationships (chapters 3 and 4). In chapter 5, firstly, certain conclusions were drawn. Secondly, recommendations were made and guidelines formulated regarding the building of relationships in the ministry to diverse youth groups. / Die navorsing vir hierdie studie het getoon dat jeugdiges van verskillende kultuurgroepe vanwee ons land se geskiedenis beperkte kontak gehad het en nog steeds het. Dit het meegebring dat geleenthede om verhoudinge te bou min was en steeds is. Na 'n inleidende hoofstuk waarin die navorsingsmetodologie uiteengesit word, volg 'n bespreking, aan die hand van resente literatuur oor die vraag hoe verhoudingsbou kan plaasvind in 'n diverse jeugbedieningkonteks (hoofstuk 2). Daaruit het dit duidelik geword dat die kerk in sy bediening aan diverse jeuggroepe geleenthede behoort te skep waartydens die kwaliteit van verhoudinge verbeter kan word. Die navorsing het bevind dat ervaringsleeraktiwiteite, byvoorbeeld inisiatiefaktiwiteite, 'n positiewe invloed kan he op interpersoonlike vaardighede in interkulturele verhoudinge (hoofstukke 3 en 4). In hoofstuk 5 is eerstens bepaalde gevolgtrekkings gemaak. Tweedens is aanbevelings gedoen en riglyne geformuleer met die oog op verhoudingsbou in die bediening aan diverse jeuggroepe. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Youth Work)

This research explores reasons why congregations in Paarl community are not involved, as faith based organizations (FBO's), with the support of female adolescent victims of sexual abuse. The researcher conducts a literature review concerning the developmental phase of adolescence and issues regarding sexuality that emerge from this phase. The researcher discusses the nature and effects of sexual abuse and statistics regarding this abuse. Different church leaderships' statements regarding the prevalence of sexual abuse are also viewed. Based on the literature study, empirical research is conducted to explore why congregations in Paarl are not involved as FBO's with the support of adolescent female victims of sexual abuse. The researcher uses basic individual interviews with several leaders of congregations in Paarl to gather the data needed. Lastly, the data is analyzed and discussed. Based on this discussion, the researcher offers some guidelines for congregations to become more involved as FBO's with adolescent female victims of sexual abuse. / Social Work / M.Diac.(Direction: Youth Work)

The central focus of this study is the role of the church as a faith-based organisation in dealing with unemployment. Following an introductory chapter in which the research methodology and modus operandi are being explained, Chapter 2 is devoted to a discussion, in the light of recent literature, of the concept of unemployment and the effect of unemployment on the individual, the family and society. In Chapter 3 the discussion focuses on the involvement of faith-based organisations in addressing unemployment as part of social development. In Chapter 4 the empirical survey, conducted by means of semi structured interviews with church leaders in the Paarl-Wellington-area, is described. The interpreted results are discussed in Chapter 5 according to main themes, sub themes and categories. A literature control is carried out simultaneously. Based upon the literature study and the findings of the empirical survey, certain conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made in chapter 6. These recommendations are specifically aimed at activating the church in the form of local congregations to get actively involved in dealing with unemployment in their environment and community. / Social Work / D.Diac. (Youth Work)

This research explores reasons why congregations in Paarl community are not involved, as faith based organizations (FBO's), with the support of female adolescent victims of sexual abuse. The researcher conducts a literature review concerning the developmental phase of adolescence and issues regarding sexuality that emerge from this phase. The researcher discusses the nature and effects of sexual abuse and statistics regarding this abuse. Different church leaderships' statements regarding the prevalence of sexual abuse are also viewed. Based on the literature study, empirical research is conducted to explore why congregations in Paarl are not involved as FBO's with the support of adolescent female victims of sexual abuse. The researcher uses basic individual interviews with several leaders of congregations in Paarl to gather the data needed. Lastly, the data is analyzed and discussed. Based on this discussion, the researcher offers some guidelines for congregations to become more involved as FBO's with adolescent female victims of sexual abuse. / Social Work / M.Diac.(Direction: Youth Work)

The central focus of this study is the role of the church as a faith-based organisation in dealing with unemployment. Following an introductory chapter in which the research methodology and modus operandi are being explained, Chapter 2 is devoted to a discussion, in the light of recent literature, of the concept of unemployment and the effect of unemployment on the individual, the family and society. In Chapter 3 the discussion focuses on the involvement of faith-based organisations in addressing unemployment as part of social development. In Chapter 4 the empirical survey, conducted by means of semi structured interviews with church leaders in the Paarl-Wellington-area, is described. The interpreted results are discussed in Chapter 5 according to main themes, sub themes and categories. A literature control is carried out simultaneously. Based upon the literature study and the findings of the empirical survey, certain conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made in chapter 6. These recommendations are specifically aimed at activating the church in the form of local congregations to get actively involved in dealing with unemployment in their environment and community. / Social Work / D.Diac. (Youth Work)

Multicultural youth ministry is increasingly becoming an important reality concerning ministering to adolescents within a Christian community. A holistic focus was used to analyse the practices concerning ministering to diverse adolescents within a local youth ministry context. The study was exploratory in nature and made use of a qualitative case study approach using semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews via Skype. The data was analysed within a descriptive-interpretive framework using content analysis. Findings mainly related to five themes that emerged during the research, namely: multicultural understanding, purposeful program, relationship centeredness, transforming spirituality, and the youth leader’s realm. The data also reflected underlining contextual ministry realities namely, authenticity, inclusiveness, intentionality and limited diversity. This research provides meaningful insight within the practical theological realm as the current South African literature regarding multicultural youth ministry is limited. Similarly, this study is focused on the theological conversation within a culturally diverse youth ministry context. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)