No abstract available / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Biblical and Religious Studies / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Psychology / unrestricted

It has been established that there is a deficit of research on the pastoral care of couples struggling with GRC (gender-role conflict). The focus of the study was to provide guidelines for the pastoral counsellor, so that he/she can apply effective marriage counselling to couples struggling with GRC. This is achieved by using Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology, namely: * The descriptive-empirical task – What is going on? * The interpretive task – Why is this going on? * The normative task – What ought to be going on? * The pragmatic task – How might we respond? The first task has been approached through empirical research with the aim to get an understanding of the participants’ experience regarding GRC in their marriages as well as their view of GRC. The empirical research was conducted by a qualitative research method using questionnaires (containing short and long questions) given to participants to answer. With the execution of this research, several aspects were identified that deserve further attention for the implementation of this study, namely: GRC result from a person’s involvement (or lack thereof) in a particular case, people’s reasons for the same GRC differ because of their experience of it, men and women experience GRC differently, people’s careers can be a determining factor of GRC, finance is the biggest GRC that people struggle with, people’s age and age differences may be linked to their experience of GRC and people are influenced by their parents. The second task has been approached through research especially in psychology, sociology and anthropology with the objective to further understand the issues that were raised in the previous chapter. Each of these issues are identified as a possible cause of GRC and discussed through various theories and research. The third task has been approached through exegesis of four pericopes with the aim to gain insight in connection with the Scripture’s perspective regarding the marriage relationship. A selection of 16 steps of Janse van Rensburg’s steps in conceiving a sermon is used to carry out the exegesis. The pericopes used for exegesis is the following: Genesis 1:26-31, 1 Corinthians 11:8-12, Galatians 3:26-29 and Ephesians 5:21-33. The fourth task has been approached by referring to certain counselling skills and guidelines with the aim to provide guidance in the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. All research done eventually leads to the point where certain strategies can be suggested for the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. The central theoretical argument of this study is partly met by acquiring an understanding of GRC, focusing on spiritual growth and ultimately making recommendations for effective pastoral counselling to couples, so that they can be guided to a better Christ-centered marriage. / MA (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Marriages in South Africa in today’s times were found to be in a critical situation. Statistics have proven that most marriages end in divorce within the first five years of marriage. Although marital preparation and enrichment courses are available in South Africa, no specific course exists that is specifically designed for the needs of young married Afrikaans speaking couples. On the grounds of available information it was decided to determine the needs of young Afrikaans speaking married couples whom are married for 1-5 years. By doing this it will enable us to design a marital enrichment programme that will focus on their specific needs. Young married couples will be encouraged to attend marital enrichment programmes. It will assist the couple not to be overwhelmed by the difficult adjustments married life brings and will provide for positive growth within their relationship. It is encouraging to note that all couples who participated in the research previously attended marital enrichment and/or preparation courses and they all acknowledged that it made a positive contribution to their marriage life. The greatest need that is currently not addressed by marital courses is “The different phases within the marital relationship”. Most couples indicated that they had difficult times during the adjustment phase and specifically after the birth of their first child. Most couples indicated that they are still interested in continuous enrichment to ensure growth and development within their relationship. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

It has been established that there is a deficit of research on the pastoral care of couples struggling with GRC (gender-role conflict). The focus of the study was to provide guidelines for the pastoral counsellor, so that he/she can apply effective marriage counselling to couples struggling with GRC. This is achieved by using Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology, namely: * The descriptive-empirical task – What is going on? * The interpretive task – Why is this going on? * The normative task – What ought to be going on? * The pragmatic task – How might we respond? The first task has been approached through empirical research with the aim to get an understanding of the participants’ experience regarding GRC in their marriages as well as their view of GRC. The empirical research was conducted by a qualitative research method using questionnaires (containing short and long questions) given to participants to answer. With the execution of this research, several aspects were identified that deserve further attention for the implementation of this study, namely: GRC result from a person’s involvement (or lack thereof) in a particular case, people’s reasons for the same GRC differ because of their experience of it, men and women experience GRC differently, people’s careers can be a determining factor of GRC, finance is the biggest GRC that people struggle with, people’s age and age differences may be linked to their experience of GRC and people are influenced by their parents. The second task has been approached through research especially in psychology, sociology and anthropology with the objective to further understand the issues that were raised in the previous chapter. Each of these issues are identified as a possible cause of GRC and discussed through various theories and research. The third task has been approached through exegesis of four pericopes with the aim to gain insight in connection with the Scripture’s perspective regarding the marriage relationship. A selection of 16 steps of Janse van Rensburg’s steps in conceiving a sermon is used to carry out the exegesis. The pericopes used for exegesis is the following: Genesis 1:26-31, 1 Corinthians 11:8-12, Galatians 3:26-29 and Ephesians 5:21-33. The fourth task has been approached by referring to certain counselling skills and guidelines with the aim to provide guidance in the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. All research done eventually leads to the point where certain strategies can be suggested for the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. The central theoretical argument of this study is partly met by acquiring an understanding of GRC, focusing on spiritual growth and ultimately making recommendations for effective pastoral counselling to couples, so that they can be guided to a better Christ-centered marriage. / MA (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Marriages in South Africa in today’s times were found to be in a critical situation. Statistics have proven that most marriages end in divorce within the first five years of marriage. Although marital preparation and enrichment courses are available in South Africa, no specific course exists that is specifically designed for the needs of young married Afrikaans speaking couples. On the grounds of available information it was decided to determine the needs of young Afrikaans speaking married couples whom are married for 1-5 years. By doing this it will enable us to design a marital enrichment programme that will focus on their specific needs. Young married couples will be encouraged to attend marital enrichment programmes. It will assist the couple not to be overwhelmed by the difficult adjustments married life brings and will provide for positive growth within their relationship. It is encouraging to note that all couples who participated in the research previously attended marital enrichment and/or preparation courses and they all acknowledged that it made a positive contribution to their marriage life. The greatest need that is currently not addressed by marital courses is “The different phases within the marital relationship”. Most couples indicated that they had difficult times during the adjustment phase and specifically after the birth of their first child. Most couples indicated that they are still interested in continuous enrichment to ensure growth and development within their relationship. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Marriages and families are currently under tremendous pressure. Many marriages and families battle to adapt to changing life circumstances. They have become ignorant about the Divinely intended substance of relationships and are barely surviving. These marriages break up and end up in unhappiness and many times in the breaking up thereof. During the past 40 years there have been many attempts by state and church to stop the deterioration of marriages and family relationships and to put back the essential qualities of life. Many marriage enrichment programmes have been initiated and many couples and families have been encouraged to participate. Social programmes have been discussed and marriage and family initiatives have been launched during these programmes. This has brought hope in many communities. In this confused world of relativism and adaptation people have found some anchor points for their relationships and have found new meaning in their existence. However the question still remains: Do these programs just give a temporary surge of enthusiasm? To move from one program to another and to attend the one course after the other, does not bring a lasting solution. Courses and programs cannot function as crutches from which to get support for wavering marriages and family life. Couples and family members must be equipped in an integral way to revive their marriage and family life. They must be taught to become aware of the richness of happenings and memories that make relationships special and integrate these into their relationships. Rituals (for example: Baptism and Holy Communion) have helped church and humanity through the ages, to look past stale relationships and circumstances, to discover anchors in life and get through traumatic events. These rituals have been the reason for so many unique outcomes in stale relationships and have opened a new future for individuals and groups where none was evident. During this study these rituals have been seen as long–term assistance for marriages and families for the maintenance, extension and dynamics thereof. Rituals with the help of the development line of narrative research methodology, have been put in place to help couples and families to a better understanding and support of each other. They put new life into relationships, to build attainable future dreams and have given the opportunity for partners to move away from stale relationships to more hopeful relationships. The value of the local enrichment program as a safe environment for growth, adaptation and the integral implementation of meaningful rituals in marriage and family life, cannot be stressed enough. Within this enrichment program, with its relevant rituals, relationships are dynamically turned to the future. Believe in the existence of relationship has been found. Energy has been given to couples and families to live more purposefully. They are more creative and have a better understanding of each other. They can face the future together. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Marriages and families are currently under tremendous pressure. Many marriages and families battle to adapt to changing life circumstances. They have become ignorant about the Divinely intended substance of relationships and are barely surviving. These marriages break up and end up in unhappiness and many times in the breaking up thereof. During the past 40 years there have been many attempts by state and church to stop the deterioration of marriages and family relationships and to put back the essential qualities of life. Many marriage enrichment programmes have been initiated and many couples and families have been encouraged to participate. Social programmes have been discussed and marriage and family initiatives have been launched during these programmes. This has brought hope in many communities. In this confused world of relativism and adaptation people have found some anchor points for their relationships and have found new meaning in their existence. However the question still remains: Do these programs just give a temporary surge of enthusiasm? To move from one program to another and to attend the one course after the other, does not bring a lasting solution. Courses and programs cannot function as crutches from which to get support for wavering marriages and family life. Couples and family members must be equipped in an integral way to revive their marriage and family life. They must be taught to become aware of the richness of happenings and memories that make relationships special and integrate these into their relationships. Rituals (for example: Baptism and Holy Communion) have helped church and humanity through the ages, to look past stale relationships and circumstances, to discover anchors in life and get through traumatic events. These rituals have been the reason for so many unique outcomes in stale relationships and have opened a new future for individuals and groups where none was evident. During this study these rituals have been seen as long–term assistance for marriages and families for the maintenance, extension and dynamics thereof. Rituals with the help of the development line of narrative research methodology, have been put in place to help couples and families to a better understanding and support of each other. They put new life into relationships, to build attainable future dreams and have given the opportunity for partners to move away from stale relationships to more hopeful relationships. The value of the local enrichment program as a safe environment for growth, adaptation and the integral implementation of meaningful rituals in marriage and family life, cannot be stressed enough. Within this enrichment program, with its relevant rituals, relationships are dynamically turned to the future. Believe in the existence of relationship has been found. Energy has been given to couples and families to live more purposefully. They are more creative and have a better understanding of each other. They can face the future together. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this study is to reflect on biblical-theological perspectives on the relationship between the church and families. The study is undertaken against the backdrop of the challenges facing mainline churches, of which the decline in numbers, the lack of the support for programmes and initiatives on behalf of families, and the apparent inability to minister effectively to young people, are the most pressing. At the same time modernisation and globalisation have a negative impact on the well-being of families. This study aims to contribute to interplay between the church ministry and the ministry of families. Two research questions guide this study. The first is whether Reformed churches, and for the purposes of this investigation the Dutch Reformed Church and the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa, do enough to support and strengthen families in a postmodern context. The second question examines the underlying theories and family ministry programmes of existing family ministry initiatives. Four sub-movements within practical theology form the methodological framework of this study. The first movement describes the crisis within the church and families today (descriptive theology). The second movement explores some normative texts of the Christian tradition (historical theology) with regard to families. At different stages of the Old and New Testament, different theological perspectives and strategies can be identified. In the post-biblical period the biological family was central to the process of the institutionalisation of the church and the spiritual aspect of family was underplayed. The challenge of the church in a postmodern world is to engage in responsible biblical theological reflection on marriage and family, and specifically the relationship between the church and families from the perspective of the kingdom of God. The third movement within practical theology brings the findings of the previous two movements into dialogue with each other (systematic theology). In the love ethic of equal regard following this dialogue, marriage is seen as a non-hierarchical, post-patriarchal, life-long bond between two people. The family is iii described as the primary context for faith formation. Although several studies suggest that family form, and not only family function, plays an important role in the well-being of children and family members, the primary concern of the church should be to develop a spirituality of marriage and family. The fourth movement (strategic theology) within practical theology is made up of two separate, but related inquiries. Firstly, different models and methods for family ministry are investigated by means of a literature study. Secondly, a qualitative study done in five selected congregations is described in order to point out the underlying theories and resulting family ministry programmes. The findings suggest that only one of the five selected congregations has an integrated, coherent family ministry model. Although several different family ministry programmes were found in practice, a critical family ethic was lacking. This is the focus of the contribution of this study. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The treatment of life insurance policies in deceased estates and the effect thereof on marriages in community of property is the cause of various problems for executors. In terms of section 3(3) of the Estate Duty Act 45 of 1955 life insurance policies are deemed to be assets of the deceased. Consequently life insurance policies are reflected in the estate duty addendum of the deceased estate. Life insurance policies however are not always reflected in the liquidation account of the deceased estate as assets, notwithstanding the fact that life insurance policies are deemed to be assets for estate duty purposes. In this regard a distinction should be made between two situations: firstly where life insurance policies are reflected in the liquidation account of the insured estate and secondly where life insurance policies are not reflected in the liquidation account of the insured. For spouses married in community of property this creates a problem especially when you keep in mind that life insurance policies are in many instances a person's biggest monetary asset. When life insurance policies are reflected in the liquidation account of the insured, the surviving spouse has a claim on half of the policy proceeds. When life insurance policies are not reflected in the liquidation account of the insured, the surviving spouse has no claim on the policy proceeds. The problem that arises in this regard is that there is no certainty as to what extent life insurance policies should be included in the calculation of estate duty, and how these policies must be reflected in the estate of the deceased. This uncertainty has been perpetuated by courts. This research will illustrate how the courts came to different conclusions where the facts were more or less similar. / Thesis (LL.M. (Estate Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.