Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In ‘n sosio-ekonomies minder bevoorregte bruin gemeenskap is misdaad, alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik, werkloosheid, en armoede alledaagse verskynsels. Hoe begelei ‘n mens ‘n gemeente om ‘n missionale gemeente binne so ‘n gemeenskap te word? Kan ‘n gemeente wie se lidmate in die greep van armoede en verwante verskynsels vasgevang is, omvorm word tot ‘n gemeente wat nie net bakhand staan om te ontvang nie? Kan so ‘n gemeente se lidmate bemagtig word om self betrokke te word by hul uitdagings in die gemeenskap? Wellington is ‘n besonderse dorp met besonderse mense en ‘n unieke, historiesekarakter en geskiedenis wat wêreldwyd bekend is op kulturele, musikale, opvoedkundige, landbou- en Christelike gebied. Die inwoners van die dorp is oorwegend bruin Afrikaanssprekendes met baie blanke en swart inwoners - oorwegend Christene met ‘n baie klein Moslem komponent. Wellington is wel ‘n klein dorpie, maar die wyse waarop globale tendense soos globalisasie, godsdiens, taal, bendes, misdaad, alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik, armoede, en werkloosheid ‘n rol speel, is onrusbarend. Oral in dié gemeenskappe is probleme en uitdagings en ons as die kerk mag nie langer stilbly oor dinge wat in die gemeenskap gebeur nie. Met die uitdagings en behoeftes wat in ons konteks beskryf word en die feit dat die meeste probleme sosiaal-maatskaplik en sosio-ekonomies is, staan die kerk sentraal as ‘n agent van verandering. Die Breakthru Restoration Community Church (BRCC) is ‘n geordende gemeente wat, te midde van ‘n see vol probleme, ‘n eiland van hoop is. As ‘n gemeente wat omgee deur God se liefde in aksie te wees binne ‘n sosio-ekonomies, onderontwikkelde gemeenskap, is ons die sout en die lig van die wêreld. Breakthru het binne ‘n bestek van vyf jaar die landskap van Wellington en omgewing onherroeplik verander deurdat ons Bybels, aanpasbaar, ekumenies, relevant en effektief is. Ons leuse is, every member a minister, wat al ‘n refrein in ons gemeente geword het. Ons streef daarna om die “sout” en die “lig” te wees en ons doen dit deur ons grootste bate, ons lidmate, te bemagtig en te mobiliseer om eienaarskap van die gemeente se visie te neem. As kerk spreek ons die geestelike, maatskaplike en sosio-ekonomiese probleme holisties aan deur die Woord van God sowel as in vennootskap met ander organisasies. Ons wil as draers van hoop in ons gemeenskap leef. ‘n Beskrywende studie van die gemeente is gedoen deur ‘n prakties-teologiese metodiek te gebruik. Dit word in hoofstuk een as die inleiding beskryf. In hoofstuk twee word ‘n kontekstuele analise van die gemeenskap gedoen. Hoofstuk drie verskaf ‘n profiel van BRCC en stippel die werksaamhede, visie, missie en doelwitte van die gemeente uit. Hoofstuk vier fokus op die identiteit en kultuur van die gemeente. In hoofstuk vyf het die navorser ‘n strategie vir ‘n missionale identiteit vir die Breakthru Restoration Community Church uitgestippel. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In a socio-economic disadvantaged coloured community where poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, unemployment and crime are everyday realities, how do you guide a congregation to be a missional congregation amidst these challenges? Can a congregation, whose members are caught in the grip of poverty and related challenges, as described above, be transformed into a missional congregation, with members who are actively involved in tackling these issues? Wellington is a unique town with unique people and a unique historical character and history, which is widely known. The population comprises predominantly Afrikaans speaking coloured people together with many white and African people who are predominantly Christian, with a small Muslim population. Wellington is a small town but the way that global tendencies, such as globalization, religion, language, gangs, crime, alcohol and drug abuse, unemployment, and poverty have plagued our community is a matter of concern. Every community has its own challenges and problems, but the church can no longer keep silent about issues in this community. The church should break its silence on issues. Among the challenges and needs that are described in the context, and the fact that most of these challenges are social and socio-economic by nature, the church stands central as an agent of change. The Breakthru Restoration Community Church (BRCC) is an ordained congregation that, amidst a sea of challenges, is prominent as an island of hope. As a congregation that cares by demonstrating God’s love by means of various activities in this sosio-economically disadvantaged community, we are indeed the salt and light of the world. Within a space of five years, Breakthru has changed the landscape of Wellington completely by means of our vision for this community. Our vision includes: being Biblical, ecumenical, relevant and effective. Our slogan is: every member a minister, which means motivating the members of the church to be actively involve in the missio Dei. We do this by empowering and mobilizing our greatest asset, i.e. our members, to take ownership of the congregation’s vision. Furthermore, we believe in the concept: “Together we can do more.” As a church, we addresses the spiritual, social and socio-economic challenges holistically through the Word of God and also by partnering with other organizations. Our vision is to live as bearers of hope in our community. The descriptive study of the congregation was done by using a practicaltheological methodology, which chapter one, as the introduction, describes. Chapter two contains a contextual analysis of the community. Chapter three provides a profile of the BRCC that focuses on our vision, mission, functions and goals. Chapter four emphasizes the identity and culture of the congregation and in chapter five the researcher has mapped out a strategy for a missional identity for the Breakthru Restoration Community Church.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2005 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa and the rest of the world research is being conducted on the growth and decline of the Christian church and specific denominations. Most congregations keep record of their membership. These data are very useful. However national census data on religion, when available, bring a neutral dimension to the statistics. Census data in most cases provide the only reliable means of establishing religious affiliations of the population at a certain point in time or over a certain period. Since the 1911 national census respondents are being asked to state their religious affiliation. It is essential that the data of these censuses are available in a database. This basic data can then be used to make different combinations and do certain calculations. Different denominations can be combined into families to compare their percentage markets hare of the total population and of the Christian church. If all census data are made compatible with each other it is possible to establish trends over a longer period. When the Census '96 data was made available by Stats SA it was important to prepare the data so that it could be studied en compared with previous census data. This study attempts to do this. It seems that the biggest determining factor in the religious topography of South Africa is the religious shifts that happen amongst the Black population. The biggest percentage Christians belong to the mainline denominations while the Africa Independent Churches have the second most. To compare different denominations with one another over a longer period of time is a difficult task. Inconsistencies with which data are treated as well as the political instability in South Africa are two important factors that hamper the research. The fact that the question regarding religious affiliation was made optional since 1991 complicates the issue even further. The Christian church in South Africa grew from 1911 to 1980 and then started to decline. Membership of both the African Independent Churches and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches are growing. Since 1991 respondents who indicate that they have no religion are growing amongst all population groups. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wereldwyd en spesifiek in Suid-Afrika word navorsing gedoen oor die groei- en kwyntendense van die kerk in die algemeen asook van verskillende denominasies. Meeste denominasies hou rekord van hulle eie lidmaatskap. Hierdie data is baie waardevol. Nasionale sensus data ten opsigte van geloof, aan die ander kant, bring 'n neutrale dimensie aan die statistiek. Sensus data verskaf dikwels die enigste betroubare inligting oor 'n bevolking se geloofsorientasie op 'n spesifieke stadium of oor 'n langer periode. In Suid-Afrika word sedert die 1911 sensus aan respondente gevra om, as deel van die vraelys, hulle geloofsaffiliasie te verskaf. Dit is dus essensieel dat hierdie data van die nasionale sensusse in 'n databasis beskikbaar sal wees. Die basiese data kan gebruik word om verskillende groeperings en berekenings te maak. Verskillende denominasies kan saam gegroepeer word en hulle persentasie markaandeel van die totale bevolking sowel as van die Christelike kerk kan met mekaar vergelyk word. Indien al die vorige sensusse se data op dieselfde manier verwerk word, kan vergelykings oor 'n langer termyn gemaak word ten einde tendense vas te stel. Toe die data van Sensus '96 beskikbaar word, moes dit verwerk word sodat dit enersyds opsigself bestudeer kan word en andersyds met vorige sensusse se data vergelyk kon word. Dit is wat hierdie studie poog om te doen: Om Sensus '96 se data ten opsigte van geloof te verwerk en te vergelyk met vorige nasionale sensusse se data. Dit blyk dat die grootste bepalende faktor in die godsdienstige topografie van Suid-Afrika die godsdienstige verskuiwinge van die Swart bevolking is. Die grootste persentasie Christene behoort aan die Gevestigde Kerke terwyl die Onafhanklike Afrika Kerke die tweede grootste aanhang geniet. Om verskillende denominasies met mekaar oor 'n langer peri ode te vergelyk, is geen rnaklike taak nie. Data wat nie konsekwent hanteer word nie en politieke onstabiliteit sedert die 1960's in Suid-Afrika is maar twee van die problerne. Die feit dat die vraag sedert 1991 opsioneel is, kornpliseer navorsing verder. Die Christelike Kerk het 'n periode van groei van 1911 tot 1980 beleef en daarna begin kwyn. Die lidmate van die Onafhanklike Afrika Kerke sowel as van die Pinkster/Charismatiese Kerke toon 'n stygende tendens. Sedert 1991 styg die respondente wat aangedui het dat hulle aan geen geloof behoort nie, onder al die bevolkingsgroepe.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The small rural congregations, of which the Dutch Reformed Congregation ofHofmeyr is part, strive to keep the status quo with their congregational structure and leadership. However the times we live in is characterised with a lot of changes. The rural areas cannot escape al these changes. It brings these congregations at a T-junction in the road, where they must decide which way to go. The problem is that these congregations do not always have a good understanding of who, what en how the church must be. With this self-initiated study the researcher tries to put in place a practicaltheological process for the Dutch Reformed Congregation of Hofmeyr with the aim to work out her nature and character, her ministry practise and structures. The researcher tries to discus in practicaltheological terms the future of the Dutch Reformed Congregation ofHofmeyr with spesific focus on the development of new structures for the faith-leaders of the congregation. With this study the researcher wants to render an account of the history, the statistics of the previous 17 years and an analysis of the context of the congregation with the aim to discern the current understanding of the congregation about the church. Through interaction with Scripture and other disciplines the researcher wants to develop a possible base and practical theory for the congregation. Following from this the researcher wants to set guidelines for the process of developing a new ministry practise. In this process the development and rol of the faith leaders is a keyfactor. The study is arranged in the following chapters: In the introduction the researcher places the study in the proper framework. The different dimensions of the study are explained. The purpose is to orientate the reader about the congregation, the community and the specific area of this research. The purpose of the second chapter is to give the reader a picture of the congregation and the context in which the congregation functions. It becomes clear that the members of the congregation grow older and hardly any young people join the congregation. The younger members and children of the congregation grow-up in an altogether different world than the older members did and very few of them make sense of the traditional way of being a congregation. The changes in the world have the result that the current way of being a congregation is just not exceptable to anybody. In the third chapter the researcher explains the paradigm shifts and megatrends observed in the world and their influence on the church as a whole, also the influence there-of on the local community and congregation. It becomes obvious that the small rural congregation cannot side-step these shifts and trends - with one part of the congregation routed firmly in the Christendom-era paradigm and another part of the congregation on its way to a different but still undefined paradigm. This whole process brings uncertainty and stress in the congregation. Following from this knowledge of the world and the congregation the researcher tries to develop a more Scripture-based understanding of who, what and how the congregation is supposed to be. The focus is to develop an improved base theory for the congregation. In the forth chapter this base theory for the congregation must be put into practice. The researcher tries to show what does this base theory means in practice. The following comes into play: the congregation must be an open family of God. We must not only say that we believe. We must have a faith that we live in practice. Each member must participate with his/her gifts in the different ministries of the congregation. The congregation must reach-out to the community to help the poor develop different skills with the focus to break the cycle of poverty. We must have good communication between all the different generations. We must be a congregation that loves nature and preserve it for posterity. Lastly we must have leaders that inspire and motivate the congregation through their service. In the fiveth chapter the researcher tries to develop a strategy to implement the practical theory of the previous chapter. The focus is on the development and equipping of faith leaders. The researcher presents some guidelines for doing this. He demonstrates that a new structure for the congregation is needed to be faithful in the development of these faith leaders. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die klein plattelandse gemeentes, waarvan die Ned. Geref. Gemeente Hofmeyr, deel is, strewe om die status quo rondom hul gemeentelike struktuur en leierskap te handhaaf. Die tye waarin ons lewe word egter gekenmerk deur baie veranderinge. Die platteland kan ook nie ontkom aan al hierdie veranderinge nie. Dit bring die gemeentes by 'n T-aansluiting in die pad waar hulle keuses moet uitoefen. Die probleem is egter dat diesulke gemeentes nie altyd 'n goeie verstaan het van wie, wat en hoe die kerk moet wees nie. Met hierdie selfgemisieerde studie poog die navorser om vir die Ned. Geref. Gemeente Hofmeyr 'n prakties-teologiese proses daar te stel, met die doel om sy aard en wese, sy bedieningspraktyk en 'n bedieningstruktuur uit te werk. Die navorser poog om in prakties-teologiese terme die toekoms van die Ned. Geref. Gemeente Hofmeyr, te beredeneer, met spesifieke toespitsing op die ontwikkeling van nuwe strukture vir die geloofsleiers van die gemeente. Met hierdie ondersoek wil die navorser deur middel van 'n oorsigtelike geskiedenis, die statistiese gegewens van die afgelope 17 jaar en die ontleding van die konteks van die gemeente, bepaal wat die huidige kerkbegrip van die gemeente is. Dan, in wisselwerking met die Skrif en ander wetenskappe, 'n moontlike basis- en praktykteorie vir die gemeente daarstel. Hieruit voortvloeiend, poog die navorser om riglyne vir die proses na die ontwikkeling van 'n nuwe bedieningspraktyk daar te stel. Die ontwikkeling en rol van geloofsleiers staan in die proses sentraal. Die studie word in vyf hoofstukke verdeel: Met die eerste hoofstuk poog die navorser om inleidende opmerkinge oor die verskillende dimensies van die navorsing daar te stel. Die doel is om die leser te orienteer ten opsigte van die gemeente, gemeenskap en vakgebied van die navorsing. Die tweede hoofstuk poog om 'n beeld van die gemeente en die konteks waarbinne die gemeente homself bevind, daar te stel. Dit is duidelik dat ons met 'n al ouerwordende gemeente te doen het. Die jonger lidmate en kinders van die gemeente word in 'n heel ander wereld groot en min vind enige sin in die tradisionele manier van gerneente-wees. Die verandering in die wereld rondom almal maak dat die huidige manier van gerneente-wees vir niemand meer aanvaarbaar is nie. In die derde hoofstuk kom die paradigma-skuiwe en hul invloed op die kerk as geheel, en die uitwerking daarvan op die plaaslike gemeenskap en gemeente, aan die orde. Dit word duidelik dat daar 'n groot paradigma skuif in die wereld aan die gebeur is en dat selfs ons, in die klein plattelandse gemeente, die invloed van die verskuiwing ervaar. Die een dee! van die gemeente is volledig in die vorige paradigma en die ander deeIis op weg na iets anders. Dit bring baie onsekerheid en spanning in die gemeente na Yore. Vanuit hierdie verstaan, poog die navorser om die bestaande verstaan van die gemeente-wees te plaas op In meer Skrifgefundeerde grond van wie, wat en hoe die gemeente moet wees. Die strewe is om In meer gesonde basisteorie vir die gemeente te ontwikkel. Met die vierde hoofstuk word hierdie basisteorie vir die gemeente in die praktyk omskep. Daar word gepoog om aan te dui wat dit prakties vir die gemeente beteken. Die volgende sake word aangeraak: Die gemeente moet In oop familie van God wees. Ons moenie net se ons glo nie, maar In geleefde geloofbesit. Elke lidmaat moet volgens sy/haar gawes betrokke wees in die vele bedieninge wat daar in die gemeente is. Die gemeente moet uitreik na buite deur onder andere In verskeidenheid vaardigheidsklasse te begin om mense te help om uit die siklus van armoede te breek. Ons moet In gemeente wees waar daar goeie kommunikasie tussen al die generasies is. Ons moet In gemeente van die aarde wees wat omgee vir die natuur en dit bewaar vir die nageslag. Ons moet ook In gemeente wees met In leiersgroep wat inspirerend en motiverend in die gemeente dien. Met die vyfde hoofstuk poog die navorser om In strategie te ontwikkel om hierdie praktykteorie wat in die vorige hoofstuk na yore gekom het, te implementeer. Die daarstelling en ontwikkeling van geloofsleiers word duidelik as die hoof-fokus uitgewys. Daar word gepoog om riglyne vir geloofsleiers-ontwikkeling uit te stip en dit te plaas binne In nuwe bedieningspraktyk vir die gemeente.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Violent crime in South Africa in general and on the Cape Flats in particular, is a very complex phenomenon. This phenomenon has various historical, sociopolitical and economic roots. Furthermore, violent crime has a direct as well as indirect impact on the functioning of faith communities within societies. Congregations and churches do not function in isolation from the rest of society. Theology, and more specifically pastoral care, must be seriously concerned with the problems experienced by the community at large. A pastoral strategy should therefore move away from a spirituality that only focus on the impact of violence on individuals and families. Because violent crime is a systemic phenomenon, a socio-systemic approach should be followed, in which the impact of violent crime on faith communities should be analyzed in order to create a holistic model. In Chapter 1 we look at the reasons for violence. We focus on the appearance of crime, the relationship between aggression and crime. Different types of aggression as well as some underlying causes of aggression are discussed. In Chapter 2 we focus on crime as a national phenomenon. Certain historical roots of the current "culture of violence" are discussed. We also look at the impact of the political transition since 1990 on the socio-economic and moral situation in the country. In Chapter 3 we take a closer look at the situation on the Cape Flats. Particular attention is given to the issue of gangsterism, which in a certain sense has become synonymous with the Cape Peninsula. In Chapter 4 the trauma of violent crime on communities is the focus of discussion. Results of a victim survey in Cape Town are utilized. Violence against women and children enjoy special attention. The effect of violent crime on faith communities is highlighted. In the last chapter we try to put forward some guidelines for a theory of practice for the pastoral care of people living on the Cape Flats, using traditional-historic and current resources. We propose a holistic model with a systemic approach. We choose a theory of practice based upon an eco-hermeneutic model, which implies the following: The interpretation of the salvation of God to people (hermeneutic) within the reality (existence) of their daily lives (systemic). We indicate a few areas for long term, preventative building up and healing intervention and conclude with the results of this research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geweldsmisdaad in Suid-Afrika in die algemeen en op die Kaapse Vlakte in besonder, is 'n uiters komplekse fenomeen, waarvan die wortels gesoek moet word in verskeie historiese, sosio-politieke en ekonomiese oorsake. Hierdie geweldsmisdaad het In direkte en indirekte impak op die funksionering van geloofsgemeenskappe binne die samelewing. Gemeentes en kerke funksioneer nie in isolasie van die res van die samelewing nie en daarom behoort teologie en die pastoraat in besonder, erns te maak met die probleme waarmee die breer gemeenskap worstel. In Pastorale strategie behoort dus weg te beweeg van In spiritualiteit wat fokus bloot op die impak van geweld op individue en gesinne. Omdat geweldsmisaad In sistemiese verskynsel is, behoort In sosio-sistemiese benadering gevolg te word waarbinne die impak van geweldsmisdaad op geloofsgemeenskappe kontekstueel ontleed word ten einde In holistiese model te ontwerp. In Hoofstuk 1 word daar gekyk na oorsake van geweld. Ons kyk na die voorkoms van misdaad, die verband tussen aggressie en geweld. Verskillende tipes aggressie sowel as onderliggende oorsake vir aggressie word bespreek. In Hoofstuk 2 word daar gefokus op geweld as nasionale fenomeen. 8epaalde historiese wortels van die huidige "kultuur van geweld" word bespreek. Daar word veral gekyk na die impak van die politieke transisie sedert 1990 op die sosioekonomiese en morele toestand in die land. In Hoofstuk 3 word die situasie op die Kaapse Vlakte van nader beskou. Die verskynsel van bendegeweld wat in 'n sekere sin al so sinoniem met die Kaapse Skiereiland geword het, kry besondere aandag. In Hoofstuk 4 word die trauma van geweldsmisdaad op gemeenskappe bespreek. Resultate van 'n opname onder slagoffers van misdaad in Kaapstad word as uitgangspunt gebruik. Geweld teen vroue en kinders geniet spesiale aandag. Die effek hiervan op die funksionering van geloofsgemeenskappe word uitgelig. In die laaste hoofstuk word gepoog om vanuit die tradisioneel-historiese sowel as hedendaagse bronne tot ons beskikking riglyne vir 'n moontlike praktykteorie vir die pastorale begeleiding van lidmate binne hierdie gemeenskappe op die Kaapse Vlakte daar te stel. 'n Holistiese model wat sistemies te werk gaan, word voorgestel. Die keuse vir In praktykteorie gebou op In eko-hermeneutiese model word gemaak, wat neerkom op: Die vertolking van God se heil aan mense (hermeneuties) binne die totale werklikheid van hule daaglikse bestaan (ekosistemies). In Paar areas vir langtermyn, preventatiewe opbou en ehelende intervensie word voorgestel en die navorsingsbevindinge van hierdie studie word aangedui.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Dialogue between Christians of different sexual orientations is not taking place in the church. From a missiological perspective this lack of dialogue damages the unity of the church and therefore its credibility to the outside world. There is a diversity of opinions and experiences in terms of sexual orientation in the church. Dialogue with each other from an arrived and positioned attitude, where judgement and rejection dominates, does not model reconciliation and the experience of unity. This research aims to further the intra-faith dialogue regarding sexual orientation ecclesiologically in such a way that the unity of the body of Christ be embodied and the credibility of the church heightened. The interreligious experience of the dialogue process and the skills that have been learned from it, are researched via an extensive literature study to establish if it can serve as an source of experience from which a dialogue-skills model can be developed that furthers the intra-faith dialogue regarding sexual orientation, with specific mentioning of homosexuality, ecclesiologically. A historical overview of the interreligious dialogue development in the ecumenical movement is given. This overview highlights the tension that has developed between the church's understanding and use of witnessing and dialogue in its contact with and reflection on other faiths. Historically, priority has been given to witnessing, because it is understood as being part of the essence of the Christian faith. The role of witnessing in dialogue, however, is small, because dialogue does not have a missiological intention, but a missiological dimension. In this research the tension between dialogue and witnessing is handled via this distinction, without separating the two. This missiological dimension is understood to be concerned with the relevant, adequate, intelligible and credible communication of the triune God's communication with the Christian and the other of another faith. The research develops a model of interreligious dialogue-skills to make clear the procedure and polyhedral of this kind of dialogue in conjuction with the big challenge and demand for skills required. The research then gives a working definition for the concept "intra-faith dialogue", whereafter the intra-faith dialogue regarding sexual orientation, with specific mentioning of homosexuality is described and researched in two casestudies. The first casestudy is the World Council of Churches's "Padare" occasion at their Harare Assembly in December I998 and it serves as an example of an ecumenical intra-faith dialogue on macrolevel. The second casestudy is the Dutch Reformed Church's Western Cape Sinodical Commission for Doctrinal and Actuality's Adhoc Studycommission which, via a denominational intra-faith dialogue, developed guidelines for a Biblical founded pastoral care for the homosexual neighbour. This casestudy serves as an example of an intra-faith dialogue on microlevel. Both casestudies are then evaluated via the use of the developed dialogue-skills model. The results prove that the hipotheses that there is a lack of dialogue-skills and guidelines in these intra-faith dialogues, is correct. The research offers the dialogue-skills model as a praxismodel to further the intra-faith dialogue regarding sexual orientation ecclesiologically. The importance of a pastoral aptitude and attitude in this dialogueprocess and how pastoral care for a homosexual person ought to be, are described as an example. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dialoog tussen Christene van verskillende seksuele orientasies vind nie plaas in die kerk nie. Vanuit 'n missiologiese perspektief, skaad hierdie gebrek aan dialoog die eenheid van die kerk en daardeur haar geloofwaardigheid na buite. Daar is 'n verskeidenheid van menings en belewenisse rakende hierdie saak en om vanuit 'n gearriveerde, geposisioneerde houding met mekaar te praat, bewerk nie versoening en die belewenis van eenheid nie. In hierdie navorsing word gepoog om die intra-geloofsgesprek rondom seksuele orientasie kerklik op so 'n wyse te bevorder dat die eenheid van die liggaam van Christus vergestalt word en die geloofwaardigheid van die kerk na buite verhoog word. Die ervaring van die interreligieuse dialoogproses en die vaardighede wat daaruit aangeleer is, word ondersoek deur middel van 'n uitgebreide literatuurstudie. Die literatuurstudie het ten doel om vas te stel of die interreligieuse dialoogproses kan dien as ervaringsbron waaruit n dialoogvaardigheidsmodel ontwikkel kan word. So n model sou dan die intra-geloofsgesprek rondom seksuele orientasie, met spesifieke verwysing na homoseksualiteit, kerklik kon bevorder. 'n Geskiedkundige oorsig oor die ontwikkeling van interreligieuse dialoog in die ekumeniese beweging word gegee. Hierdie oorsig toon aan dat daar 'n spanning ontwikkel het tussen die kerk se verstaan en gebruik van getuienis en dialoog in die kontak met en nadenke oor ander gelowe. In die geskiedenis is prioriteit gegee aan getuienis, omdat dit deel is van die wese van die Christel ike geloof. Die rol van getuienis in dialoog is egter klein, omdat dialoog nie 'n missionere intensie het nie, maar wei 'n missionere dimensie. Die navorsing hanteer die spanning tussen dialoog en getuienis kreatief deur bogenoemde onderskeiding, sonder om die begrippe van mekaar te skei. Hierdie missionere dimensie word dan verstaan as die relevante, verstaanbare en geloofwaardige kommunikasie van God Drie-enig met die self en die ander van 'n ander geloof. Die navorsing ontwikkel dan 'n interreligieuse dialoogvaardigheidsmodel om die multidimensionele aard van die soort dialoog, tesame met die groot uitdaging en eise aan vaardighede, aan te toon. Vervolgens word 'n werksdefinisie van die begrip intra-geloofsgesprek gegee, waarna die intra-geloofsgesprek rondom seksuele orientasie, met spesifieke verwysing na homoseksualiteit in twee gevallestudies ondersoek en beskryf word. Die eerste gevallestudie is die Wereldraad van Kerke se "Padare" geleenthede by hul Harare byeenkoms in Desember 1998 en dien as voorbeeld van 'n ekumeniese intrageloofsgesprek op makrovlak. Die tweede gevallestudie is die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk se Wes-Kaapse Sinodale Kommissie vir Leer en Aktuele Sake se Adhoc Studiekommissie wat via 'n denominasionele intra-geloofsgesprek, riglyne vir 'n Bybelsgefundeerde pastoraat aan die homoseksuele naaste ontwikkel het. Hierdie gevallestudie dien as voorbeeld van 'n intra-geloofsgesprek op mikrovlak. Beide gevallestudies word dan aan die hand van die ontwikkelde dialoogvaardigheidsmodel, krities geevalueer. Die resultaat bevestig die hipotese dat daar 'n gebrek aan dialoogvaardighede en riglyne in hierdie intra-geloofsgesprekke bestaan. Die dialoogvaardigheidsmodel word as praktykmodel aangebied om die intra-geloofsgesprek rondom seksuele orientasie kerklik te bevorder. Die belang van 'n pastorale ingesteldheid en houding in hierdie dialoogproses en hoe die pastoraat teenoor die homoseksuele persoon behoort te Iyk, word as voorbeeld beskryf.

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In 1990 het H.S. Spies navorsing gedoen oor die praktyk en toekoms van die NG kerk in Parow. Sy bevinding was dat die NG kerk in Parow se lidmaattalle teen ʼn baie vinnige tempo daal en dat heelwat van die gemeentes nie finansieël sal oorleef nie. Hy het voorgestel dat daar ʼn paradigma skuif moet kom in die wyse waarop gemeentes funksioneer in die Ring. Hierdie studie som Spies se studie-bevindinge op en bespreek die reaksie van die geestelike leiers in Parow daarop. Dit vra die vraag waarom die Ring van Parow nie daarin kon slaag om die uitdagings van demografiese veranderinge in Parow aan te spreek oor die periode van twintig jaar nie. Die Ring van Parow het groot erns gemaak met die bevindinge van Spies se studie en het beplanning gedoen om die uitdaging van demografiese verandering in Parow aan te spreek. Hulle het voorstelle ontwikkel wat daarop neerkom dat die gemeentes in die Parow Ring moet saamsmelt in een groot makro-gemeente. Dit het nooit gebeur nie en die situasie het bly versleg. Slegs ses gemeentes uit die twaalf wat in 1990 bestaan het, is nog onafhanklik. Ses gemeentes het vanweë finansiële druk met ander gemeentes saamgesmelt in die periode tussen 1990 en 2002. Die omgewing het demografies baie verander en daar woon meer mense as ooit tevore in Parow, maar dit is nie tradisionele wit, Afrikaans sprekende, NG kerkmense nie. Die studie bespreek ook die wyer konteks van verandering waarin die gebeure in Parow Ring afspeel, naamlik, globalisasie, post modernisme en post Christendom. Dit toon aan dat die kennis, gedrag en gewoontes wat die leiers in 'n vorige periode aangeleer het, nie genoegsaam is vir die uitdagings van die veranderinge. Die studie beskryf twee paradigmaskuiwe wat kan help om 'n nuwe ekklesiologiese praktyk in Parow te bevorder. Die eerste paradigmaskuif hang saam met nuwe teologiese insigte wat die afgelope sestig jaar ontwikkel het rondom die begrip missio Dei. Die tweede paradigmaskuif wat in die studie uitgelig word, het te doen met vaardighede van geestelike leiers in die hantering van verandering. Die studie se uitgangspunt is dat die veld en wêreld waarin geestelike leiers moet optree sodanig verander het, dat daar net een manier is om dit te hanteer en dit is die transformasie van die geestelike leiers se eie voorveronderstellings, kennis, idees en praktyke. Die ontluikende leierskapsvaardigheid waardeur ons leer om transformerend aan te pas by die veranderinge deur in pas te kom met missio Dei, is geloofsonderskeiding. Geestelike leiers moet geloofsonderskeiding as leierskapvaardigheid aanleer en gemeentepraktyk maak, omdat dit die wyse is waarop die geloofsgemeenskap vanuit luister en doen-spasies, na die wêreld gelei word om daar saam met missio Dei te werk. Dit is in luisterende, gehoorsame doen-spasies, en in groeiende bewussyn van die teenwoordigheid van Triniteit, waar transformasie van die geloofsgemeenskap plaasvind. Die fenomenologiese beskrywing deur Otto Scharmer van wat hy noem die ontluikende leierskapsvaardigheid van 'presencing' help om die proses van geloofsonderskeiding beter te begryp. Die studie eindig met drie nuwe hipoteses. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 1990 H.S. Spies did research on the praxis and future of the DRC churches in Parow. He found that the membership of the DRC in Parow was declining at a very fast rate and that many congregations would not survive financially. He proposed that a new paradigm was needed for the ministry in Parow. This study makes a summary of his thesis and discusses the reaction of the leaders in Parow on his study. It asks the question why the Circuit of Parow could not in their context address the challenge of changing demographics over a period of twenty years. The Circuit of Parow took the findings of Spies very serious and planned to address the challenge of changing demographics in Parow. Their proposal founds its culmination in the idea that all the Parow congregations must become one big mega-church. It never became a reality and the situation worsened. In fact, only six of the twelve congregations that exist in 1990 are still independent and alive. The other six congregations dissolved and became part of stronger congregations between 1990 and 2002. The area of Parow has changed demographically. There are more people living in the area, but it is not traditional white, Afrikaner, DRC, people. The congregations in the circuit could not cross the borders of race, colour, language and culture to include others. This study also discusses the wider context in which the story of Parow is playing out, namely the three storms of change, globalisation, post modernism and post Christianity. The knowledge, habits and actions that the leaders employed in the past are not helpful in the changing world. The study describes two paradigm shifts that are taking place in the church that could help to develop a new ecclesiological practice in Parow. The first paradigm shift relates closely with the theological insights that developed in the past sixty years around the concept of missio Dei. The second paradigm shift that is brought forward in this study relates with the skills of spiritual leaders in managing change. The study maintain, that in light of the changes in the world and the field in which spiritual leaders operate, the only way to handle the new challenges is by the transformation of the spiritual leader‘s own pre-conceptions, knowledge, ideas and practices. The leadership ability, by which we learn to understand how God is already present in the world according to the insights of missio Dei, is faith discernment. Discernment is the process whereby Christians step into listening and doing spaces as a faith community. Spiritual leaders will have to learn discernment and how to make it an ecclesiological practice. It is in the listening and doing spaces and in growing consciousness of the presence of Trinity, where transformation of the faith community takes place. The phenomenological description by Otto Scharmer of what he calls the new leadership skill of 'presencing' helps to understand the process of faith discernment better. The study ends with three new hipotheses.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: AIDS is stigma, disgrace, hatred, hardship, abandonment, isolation, exclusion, prohibition, persecution, poverty, privation. AIDS is a metaphor. It is a threat, a tragedy, a blight, a blot, a scar, a stain, a plague, a scourge, a pestilence, a demon, killer, rampant, rampaging, murderer. It is made moral. It is condemnation, deterrence, retribution, punishment, a sin, a lesson, a curse, rebuke, judgement (Pillay, 2008:21). The above quotation represents societal perceptions, discourses and responses to the AIDS pandemic. Sadly, in the early days of this pandemic, some theologians and churches held the above-mentioned perception, creating the fear in sufferers of the disease that they might be judged. Communities, families and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) also still hold this view. The aim of this study is to investigate the judgemental attitudes in pastoral care and spiritual counselling for women living with HIV/AIDS. One of the aspects that contribute to the spread of the HIV pandemic is the stigma attached to it as it is the stigma that causes the silence. This study aims to explore the definition of stigma and investigate its causes and results as well as looking into the judgemental attitudes of the community, church, society, family and counselling of the HIV/AIDS sufferer, their identity crisis and their question of meaning. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate the theological reflection on the notion of God, through the doctrine of judge ment (how God is presented as a judge in both the Old and the New Testaments), as well as Old and New Testaments’ views on illness. Using these sources, this study investigates whether or not HIV is a punishment from God. Using case studies, the resurrection of hope and the role of hope in a person was explored. This study also investigates how pastoral care and spiritual counselling can empower and bring hope and healing to PLWHA. This was done through the use of Louw’s five-phase model of counselling PLWHA, an externalising method from a narrative approach. This study seeks to determine the judgemental attitudes in pastoral care and counselling towards women living with the HI virus in the local township of Lwandle. It is said that the people most vulnerable to the HI virus and most infected are women and especially those living in the poor townships of South Africa. Their lack of education and poverty put these women in a more dangerous situation than their counterparts. In the township churches, women are in the majority. This study speculates about the role of pastoral care and counselling in empowering these women, in particular those living with HIV and AIDS and seeks to explore how the faith community, society and their families judge these women. It also investigates how pastoral care can dispute irrational and unrealistic constructs applied to the interpreta tion of the pandemic and how the Christian community can contribute to constructive pro cesses of de-stigmatisation. In the early days of the pandemic, the church regarded intercourse as intended solely for procreation (Van Dyk 2008:318). Therefore, since it is well established that HIV and AIDS is a desease that is mostly contracted through sexual activity, those who contracted the disease were regarded as being not morally sound or upright members of society. This resulted in pastoral counsellors finding it difficult to counsel without discussing the causes of this disease as when they did so, they often appeared to be condemning the infected persons by judging them. This study focuses on the judgemental attitudes and stigmatisation, a theological reflection on the notion of God, as well as on women living with the HI virus in a specific context. In order to determine the attitudes of pastoral care and counselling, an empirical study was done to assess the attitudes in the above-mentioned location to PLWHA in that community. The aim of the empirical research was not to create statistical evidence, but rather to reflect the stories of the women living with the virus in this community. For the study, a certain group of women was selected from the support group of women who are living with HIV/AIDS. The co-ordinator of the support group helped the researcher to access the people from the Ikhwezi clinic. A questionnaire was used for the findings. The study showed the pain, vulnerability as well as the bravery of these women. Through the case study, the researcher was able to demonstrate how hope can change the lives of PLWHA. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vigs is stigma, haat, swaarkry, verlating, isolasie, uitsluiting, verbod, vervolging, armoede, ontbering. VIGS is 'n metafoor. Dit is 'n bedreiging, 'n tragedie, 'n vloek, 'n klad, 'n letsel, 'n vlek, 'n plaag, 'n kastyding, 'n pestilensie, 'n demoon, 'n doodmaker, wild, vervloek, 'n moordenaar. Dit is sedelikheid gemaak. Dit is veroordeling, afskrikking, vergelding, straf, 'n sonde, 'n les, 'n vloek, teregwysing veroordeling (Pillay, 2008:21). Bostaande aanhaling verteenwoordig sosiale persepsies, gesprekke en reaksies betreffende die VIGS pandemie. Tragies om te sê, in die begin van die pandemie was bostaande persepsie die standpunt van sommige teoloë en kerke, wat die vrees by lyers van die siekte geskep het dat hulle veroordeel sou word. Gemeenskappe, gesinne en mense wat lewe met MIV/VIGS (MWLMV) huldig nog steeds hierdie seining. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die veroordelende houdings by pastorale sorg en berading van vroue wat lewe met MIV/VIGS, te ondersoek. Een van die kwessies wat bydrae tot die toename van die MIV- pandemie is die stigma wat daaraan kleef, omdat dat die stigma is wat die verswyging daarvan veroorsaak. Hierdie studie beoog om die definisie van sigma te verken, en om die oorsaak en die gevolg daarvan te ondersoek, asook as om ’n kykie te kry in die veroordelende houdings van die gemeenskap, die kerk, die samelewing, die familie en die berading van die MIV/VIGS-lyer, hulle identiteitskrisis en hulle soeke na betekenis. Verder beoog die studie om die teologiese besinning oor die idee van God n.a.v., die leerstelling van oordeel (hoe God voorgestel word as Regter in sowel die Ou en Nuwe Testament), sowel as die Ou Testamentiese en Nuwe Testamentiese sienings oor siekte, te ondersoek. Deur die gebruik van hierdie bronne will hierdie studie ondersoek of MIV ’n straf deur God is. Hierdie studie ondersoek ook hoe pastorale sorg en berading kan bemagtig en hoop kan bring vir MWLMV. Dit is gedoen deur die gebruik van Louw se vyf fase beradingsmodel vir MWLMW-’n eksternaliseringsmetode vanuit ’n narratiewe benadering. Deur gebruik te maak van gevallestudies is die opwekking van hoop en die rol van hoop in ’n persoon verken. Hierdie studie poog om die veroordelende houdings by pastorale sorg en beranding van vroue wat leef met die MI-virus in die plaaslike dorpie Lwandle, vas te stel. Daar word gesê dat die kwesbaarste vir die MI-virus en die mees geïnfekteerde persone die vroue is, en by uitstek die wat in die arm dorpies van Suid-Afrika woon. Hulle gebrek aan geletterdheid en hulle armoede bedreig hierdie vroue meer as hulle mans. In die dorpskerke is vrouens in die meerderheid. Hierdie studie besin oor die rol van pastorale sorg en berading in die bemagtiging van hierdie vroue, in besonder hulle wat met MIV/VIGS lewe in die studie poog om te verken hoe die geloofsgemeenskap, die samelewing en hulle gene hierdie vroue beoordeel. Dit ondersoek ook hoe pastorale sorg irrasionele en onrealistiese opvattings rakende die interpretasie van die pandemie kan betwis, en hoe die Christengemeenskap kan bydrae tot ’n opbouende proses van destigmatisering. In die vroeë dae van die pandemie het die kerk gemeenskap gesien as uitsluitlik bedoel vir voorplanting (Van Dyk 2008:318). Aangesien dit algemeen aanvaar word dat MIV en VIGS ’n siekte is wat meestal opgedoen word deur seksuele aktiwiteite, is hulle wat hierdie siekte opgedoen het, nie gesien as moreel, of as onkreukbare lede van die gemeenskap nie. Dit het daartoe gelei dat pastorale beraders dit moeilik gevind het om te beraad sonder om die oorsaak van die siektetoestand te bespreek indien hulle dit wel gedoen het, en het dit dikwels gelyk asof die geïnfekteerde persoon veroordeel is deurdat hulle geoordeel is. Hierdie studie fokus op die veroordelende houdings en stigmatisasie-op ’n teologiese besinning oor die idee van God, sowel as op die vroue wat met die MI-virus binne ’n bepaalde raamwerke leef. Ten einde die houdings van pastorale sorg en berading teenoor MWLMV te bepaal, is ’n empiriese studie in daardie gemeenskap gedoen. Die doel met die empiriese navorsing was nie om statistiese bewyse te skep nie, maar eerder om te besin oor die verhale van die vroue wat met die virus leef in hierdie gemeenskap. Vir die studie is ’n bepaalde groep vroue geselekteer uit die ondersteuningsgroep vroue wat met MIV/VIGS leef. Die koördineerder van die ondersteuningsgroep het die navorser gehelp om die mense van die Ikhwezi kliniek te bereik. ’n Vraelys is gebruik vir die bevindinge. Die studie het die pyn, verwondbaarheid, sowel as die moed van hierdie vroue getoon. Deur die gevallestudie het die navorser aangetoon hoe hoop die lewens van MWLMV kan verander.

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.

Thesis (DTh)--University of Stellenbosch, 1995. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: We live in an age characterised by constant and accelerating change. In the secular world the competition among businesses is so intense that change, adaptation and reorientation have become indispensable to the survival of any large organisation. Organisational management has developed into a science with professional advisors (known as consultants) who are employed on a full-time basis. The Church is an integral part of society and cannot distance itself from the latter. This calls for adaptation and reorientation within the Church as well. However, it has become increasingly evident that within the various denominational Churches no effective mechanisms exist by means of which parishes and synods can be supported in the process of transformation. Church consultants have begun to address this need. Consequently, a new discipline has emerged which employs the methods developed in the secular sciences of management and related, as well as supportive, fields of study. It is important to remember, though, that the Church is a unique kind of organisation with its own nature and identity. Any consultation which does not take this into consideration, is not reliable. For this reason, experts in the field of Practical Theology are studying the entire phenomenon of consultation from a theological point of view. In South Africa, the idea of consultation has also taken root as this kind of service has established itself spontaneously and in an unstructured manner. At present it is being done on an increasingly professional basis, and there are church members who have taken on this task as a full-time ministry. The time has, therefore, come for us to explore, describe and evaluate this issue. This study endeavours to analyse and give a critical account of consultation from a South African - and specifically the Dutch Reformed Church - standpoint. The ultimate aim is to attempt to lay down guidelines which should give theological and structural direction to the development of this kind of ministry within the Dutch Reformed Church. Consequently, this study strives to define the theological principles fundamental to consultation. It has established that the guidance of faith-communities towards change is a basic principle in Scripture. Hence, the Church is seen as an organisation, as well as an organism, and the study emphasises that consultation will have to take into account both these aspects. The development of consultational ministry is reviewed critically by tracing the history and activities of various leading consulting bodies in the U.S.A., Germany and the Netherlands. The course of the process of consultation - a dynamic and interactive process which moves through distinctive stages - has been carefully plotted. Parish involvement seems to be a basic prerequisite in this process. The critical analysis of all the available information is followed by carefully detailed guidelines for parish consultation in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tyd waarin ons lewe word gekenmerk deur versnelde verandering. In die sekulere wereld is die kompetisie tussen ondernemings so sterk dat verandering, aanpassing en herorientering deel van die bestaanswyse en agenda van groot organisasies geword het. Die organisasie wat nie hieraan aandag gee nie, verdwyn. Organisasiebestuur het 'n wetenskap geword met professionele raadgewers wat as konsultante bekend staan as 'n voltydse beroep. Die kerk kan hom nie van die samelewing waarin hy hom bevind, losmaak nie. Ook die kerk moet aanpassings maak en herorienteer in 'n veranderende wereld. Dit het algaande duidelik geword dot daar binne die kerkverband nie effektiewe meganismes bestaan wat gemeentes en groter kerkvergaderings kan help met die proses van aanpassing nie. Kerklike konsultante het algaande in hierdie behoefte begin voorsien.Dit is 'n nuwe dissipline wat met metodieke werk wat in die sekulere wereld in die bestuurswetenskappe en ander ondersteunende dissiplines ontwikkel is. Die kerk is egter 'n unieke tipe organisasie met 'n eie aard en identiteit. Konsultasie wat dit nie in ag neem nie, sal onbetroubaor wees. Daar word dus teologies en krities hieroor besin binne die vakgebied van die Praktiese Teologie. Ook in Suid-Afrika is konsultasie 'n term wat besig is om pos te vat omdat hierdie bediening algaande spontaan en ongestruktureerd sy voete begin vind het. Tans word dit op 'n al meer professionele wyse gedoen en is daar gelowiges wat dit as 'n voltydse bediening begin bedryf. Dit het tyd geword om die aangeleentheid te verken, te beskryf en standpunt daaroor in te neem. Die studie wil uit 'n Suid-Afrikaanse en, spesifiek gereformeerde gesigspunt die saak rondom konsultasie krities beskryf en analiseer. Die uiteindelike doelwit is om riglyne te probeer neerle wat teologies en struktureel rigting kan verskaf aan die ontwikkeling van die bediening binne die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk. Die studie poog gevolglik om 'n greep te kry op die teologiese beginsels waaroor dit in konsultasie gaan. Dit bevind dat die begeleiding van geloofsgemeenskappe tot verandering 'n wesentlike beginsel in die Skrif is. Voorts beskryf dit die kerk vanuit die hoek van organisasie en organisme en beklemtoon dit die feit dat konsultasie met albei hierdie perspektiewe sal moet rekening hou. Die ontwikkeling van die konsultasiebediening word krities bespreek deur die geskiedenis en funksionering van verskeie van die toonaangewende konsultasie-instansies in die VSA, Duitsland en Nederland na te gaan. Die verloop van die konsultasieproses as dinamiese en interaktiewe gebeure wat deur verskillende fases beweeg, word uiteengesit. Gemeentebetrokkenheid in die konsultasieproses blyk 'n basiese uitgangspunt te wees. Na 'n kritiese analise van al die gegewens word riglyne vir 'n Suid-Afrikaanse gemeentelike konsultasiebediening uiteengesit.