This study is an investigation and description of ways in which the Apostolic Faith Mission churchwomen are succeeding in overcoming patriarchy. It also gives a critical evaluation of the extent to which these women are successful in their endeavour to overcome it. Fifteen women from the AFM Church were interviewed using the narrative methodology. This method was chosen to give women freedom to narrate their stories without interference. The data collected was analysed using a feminist theoretical framework on what it means to be human and to be a church. To avoid repetition and to give a room for a detailed analysis, the study was limited to four stories of the AFM churchwomen. Furthermore library research and fieldwork were also used to give a broader picture in analysing the field research work. The findings of this study indicated that women ministries are not taken seriously and are not fully supported by the church. They are still struggling with the issue of partnership because the church does not trust them to be good leaders. It has been noted in this study that patriarchy is the root cause of the marginalization of women of the AFM church. However, the study has demonstrated that women are resisting patriarchy despite the struggles that they are facing inside this church. The study went further to investigate some Biblical texts that advocate for gender equality and to find ways in which the Bible can be used as the source of liberation for both women and men of the AFM church. It has been suggested that the church should engage in the pursuit of Biblical directives for the Body of Christ. The scriptures prove that men and women are given equality by God and also some differences that clearly express the human diversity in general. So, the AFM women are challenging the church to recognise, affirm and celebrate them. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This dissertation is a study about the faith action called "care" and covers the area of premarital pastoral work and marital pastoral work (marriage enrichment). Much has been written about the issue that marriage pastoral care and counselling is more than just dealing with troubled marriages or marital problems. The fact can't be ignored that pastoral care and counselling when it comes to married life have an important role to play in the sense of prevention and equipping. Premarital pastoral work in the form of marriage preparation and marital pastoral work in die form of marriage enrichment, focus on the prevention and equipping approach. The focus of this dissertation is prevention and equipping. In an effort to achieve this, this study looks at how pastors are doing premarital pastoral work with prospective marital couples, and marriage enrichment with married couples. This is done according to a twofold process. The first step focuses on the content of the programmes that the pastors present to prospective marital couples when they do premarital pastoral work. The second step in the study focuses on the needs of prospective marital couples. In this regard the focus is on the themes for marriage preparation that prospective marriage couples would like to see the pastor address when doing premarital pastoral work with them. Further this research deals with the preferences of prospective couples as to the timing, duration and presentation process with regard to marriage preparation sessions. In this study empirical research was undertaken to determine how pastors of the Apostolic Faith Mission in the Western Cape are doing premarital pastoral work and marriage enrichment, and how this is related to the needs of prospective marriage couples. The research problem was to determine whether pastors are addressing the needs of prospective couples when they are doing premarital pastoral work. The purpose of this study is to provide some guidelines which pastors can utilize when they are doing premarital pastoral work and marriage enrichment. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / 'n Onderskeidende kenmerk van die Pinksterbeweging (waarvan die AGS deel is) wat aan die begin van hierdie eeu tot stand gekom het, was die funksionering van die pneumatika (die geestelike gawes in 1 Korintiers 12:7-11 genoem) in die lewens van lidmate en in die liturgie van die erediens. Die opkoms van die Charismatiese beweging vanaf die sestigerjare het hierdie fenomeen opnuut onder die aandag van die kerk gebring. Histories blyk dit dat die funksionering van die pneumatika 'n integrale deel van die bemoeienis van God met die mens was. Sommige van die pneumatika was reeds in die Ou Testament teenwoordig, is prominent in die bediening van Jesus gesien tydens sy vleeslike bestaan, en was kenmerkend van die kerklike lewe in apostoliese tye. In die na-apostoliese tye was daar 'n merkbare afuame hiervan, maar het selfs in die middeleeue nooit heeltemal van die toneel verdwyn het nie. Vanaf die twaalfde eeu was daar weer 'n gestadigde toename in die voorkoms van die pneumatika wat sy klimaks bereik in die wereldwye Pinksterherlewing aan die begin van die twintigste eeu. Die teoretiese teologiese teorie binne die AGS hou die ideaal voor dat die pneumatika steeds op Nuwe Testamentiese wyse (soos deur die AGS geinterpreteer) in die erediens sal funksioneer. 'n Empiriese ondersoek met behulp van 'n situasie-analise (Wallace se model van deduktiewe en induktiewe redenering) toon aan dat daar 'n beduidende verskil tussen ideaal en praktyk is - die pneumatika funksioneer slegs sporadies in die eredienste, terwyl lidmate se betrokkenheid daarby en kennis daarvan dienooreenkomstig van beperkte aard is. n V erstelde praktykteorie word voorgestel. Dit behels 'n model wat die interathanklikheid en relasie aandui tussen Christus as Hoof van die gemeente en Bron van die pneumatika, lidmate en pastore se houding en kennis in verband hiermee, en die ruimte vir en implementering van die pneumatika in die erediens. Fasiliterend tot hierdie interaktiewe proses is die doping in die Heilige Gees, opleidingsprogramme, en kleingroepe. Hierdie praktykteorie is oop vir toekomstige toetsing en verstelling - alles moet lei na die herstel van die funksionering van die pneumatika tot opbou van die gemeente en meerdere verheerliking van God. / A distinctive characteristic of the Pentecostal Movement (of which the AFM is a part), formed at the beginning of this century, was the functioning of the pneumatics (the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11) in the lives of members and in the liturgy of their worship service. The Charismatic Movement arising in the sixties brought this phenomenon under the attention of the church anew. Historically it seems that the pneumatics were a integral part of the activities of God with his people. Some of the pneumatics were already present in the Old Testament, were seen in the earthly ministry ofJesus, and were distinctive of the apostolic period. In the after-apostolic period there was a marked decline in the appearance thereof From the twelfth century onwards there was an increase in the appearance of the pneumatics that climaxed in the worldwide Pentecostal revival at the beginning of this century. The theoretical theological theory in the AFM presents the ideal that the pneumatics would still be operating, as in New Testament times (i.e. as interpreted by the AFM), in their worship services. An empirical survey with the aid of a situation analysis (yv allace' s model of deductive and inductive reasoning was used), shows that there is a marked difference between ideal and practice - the pneumatics are operating sporadically and on a limited scale in the worship services, whilst the participation of the members and their knowledge in this regard are accordingly limited. An improved practice theory is suggested. It entails an interactive model that shows the interdependency and relation between Christ as head of the church and source of the pneumatics, church members and pastors whose attitude and knowledge in connection with this are of utmost importance, and the place for and implementing of the pneumatics in the worship service. Facilitating this interactive process is the baptism in the Holy Spirit, teaching programmes, and small groups. This practice theory is open for future testing and improvement - this must all lead to the restoring of the functioning of the pneumatics for the edification of the church and the greater glorifying of God. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / Th. D. (Practical Theology)

The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa was established in 1908 and is regarded as the source from which Zionist and Apostolic Churches sprang. A study of archival records and secondary sources leads to a conclusion that the black Section of the AFM was, for many decades since its inception, almost indistinguishable from these churches in their beliefs, practices and appearance. The processes to rid the AFM of Zionism, which began in 1929, and were intensified from the 1940s, led to black Pentecostalism shedding most of its Zionist-like beliefs and practices to become an evangelical Pentecostal movement oddly aligned to white interests and expectations. These changes took place at the expense of black agency which Zionist-like Pentecostalism represented and was a testimony thereof. Central to the idea of agency is possession of an interest or idea and power to pursue this interest or realise one's idea. The loss of agency by black Pentecostals is lamentable; this study calls for a reawakening that will mobilise among others, black Pentecostals' cultural resources in theologising and expressing the gospel mandate in a reawakening Africa. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Church History)

This dissertation is a challenge to the Pentecostal churches, particularly, the Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Tumahole, to take an action in meeting the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. This disease, HIV/AIDS, is the latest enemy to human life that the nations are faced with. In the newspapers like Sowetan, there is an article almost daily about HIV and AIDS. In this dissertation, I have tried to show shocking figures of how this disease is spreading in Africa. The seriousness of the disease, unlike other diseases, is its in curability. The secular organisations are far ahead of the churches in as far as the relevant programmes on combating HIV/AIDS are concerned. Despite these massive programmes, the disease is spreading like the wild fire. Deducing from this background, it is no longer the question of whether the Pentecostal churches have any role to play, but what specific role should the church play in this challenge. In this challenging times, many people look at the church as one of the most important institute that would play a positive role in bringing hope to the hopeless. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology (Urban Ministry))

This dissertation is a challenge to the Pentecostal churches, particularly, the Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Tumahole, to take an action in meeting the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. This disease, HIV/AIDS, is the latest enemy to human life that the nations are faced with. In the newspapers like Sowetan, there is an article almost daily about HIV and AIDS. In this dissertation, I have tried to show shocking figures of how this disease is spreading in Africa. The seriousness of the disease, unlike other diseases, is its in curability. The secular organisations are far ahead of the churches in as far as the relevant programmes on combating HIV/AIDS are concerned. Despite these massive programmes, the disease is spreading like the wild fire. Deducing from this background, it is no longer the question of whether the Pentecostal churches have any role to play, but what specific role should the church play in this challenge. In this challenging times, many people look at the church as one of the most important institute that would play a positive role in bringing hope to the hopeless. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology (Urban Ministry))

Text in Afrikaans / I wanted to investigate the way people experienced confessional pastoral therapy by conducting a qualitative research study. The role of the pastor were examined as well as the effect of discourses of power and ethics in pastoral counseling. I interviewed clients who were counseled by pastors of the AFM Church (Apostolic Faith Mission). The research supposes that knowledge and power discourses have a major influence in pastoral counseling which is often not accounted for. I wanted to see how clients experienced the effects of these discourses of power and ethics. I furthermore wanted to see how these power discourses could result in clients feeling subordinate to the pastor and his knowledge and the effect that these feelings might have on them. The purpose of this study was not to generalize the experiences of the participants, but rather to set a contextual background of the experiences of power in confessional pastoral counseling. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Pastorale Terapie)

陳明麗. / "2013年8月". / "2013 nian 8 yue". / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 196-220). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in Chinese and English. / Chen Mingli.

Text in Afrikaans / I wanted to investigate the way people experienced confessional pastoral therapy by conducting a qualitative research study. The role of the pastor were examined as well as the effect of discourses of power and ethics in pastoral counseling. I interviewed clients who were counseled by pastors of the AFM Church (Apostolic Faith Mission). The research supposes that knowledge and power discourses have a major influence in pastoral counseling which is often not accounted for. I wanted to see how clients experienced the effects of these discourses of power and ethics. I furthermore wanted to see how these power discourses could result in clients feeling subordinate to the pastor and his knowledge and the effect that these feelings might have on them. The purpose of this study was not to generalize the experiences of the participants, but rather to set a contextual background of the experiences of power in confessional pastoral counseling. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Pastorale Terapie)

The thesis of this study is that both Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal churches can grow at a time when only the Pentecostal churches have grown. The stagnation that has occurred in many ''mainline" churches.need not be allowed to increase or continue. In Venda (Northern Province) both the Lutherans and the Pentecostals have enjoyed visible growth. Chapter 1 introduces the thesis, the choice of the study area, the objectives of the study, and the typology, methodology and relevance of the study. Chapter 2 looks at the history and socio-economic backgrowtd of the Vhavenda. Chapter 3 describes traditional Vhavenda beliefs and rituals. The Vhavenda world-view is different from that of the West but closer to that of the East and the Bible. Chapter 4 concentrates on missionary Christianity in Venda and briefly discusses the missionary methods adopted by the Berlin Missionary Society. Chapter 5 discusses the coming of Pentecostalism to South Africa and Venda. Chapter 6 examines how the Lutherans and the Apostolic Faith Mission church conducted their mission during the "maturation of Apartheid'' in Venda. Major events in the collision between apartheid and the Vhavenda are highlighted. Chapter 7 discusses the unfinished work of the church in Venda. Chapter 8 examines the challenge for Christian mission in the twenty-first century. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th (Missiology)