Several studies have already reported that ministers are experiencing high levels of stress due to career demands, role conflict and personal situations (Roux, 1992:227; Scholtz, 1996:134; Kellerman, 2000:28). Stress is detrimental to general health and is the primary reason why ministers leave the ministry (Andrew, 1997:15, Virginia, 1998:50; Swart et al., 2000:339; Bisschoff & Schoeman, 2003:52). Research showed that regular physical activity and maintaining a good level of physical fitness has positive effects on physical and psycho-emotional health (Paffenbarger, 1994:860; Margetts et al., 1999:97; Botha, 200237; Fourie, 2002:7). In this respect, it became clear that participation in physical activity may decrease the risk of developing coronary heart disease and other illness through it's likely buffering effect against the negative effects of stress (Barlow et al., 1990:392; Bouchard & Despres, 1995:270; Stofan et al., 1998: 1808; Le Roux, 2000:59; Schlebusch, 2000:50). The objective of this study was firstly to determine interaction of physical activity on the relationship between coronary risk index and happiness and quality of life of South African Dutch Reformed ministers. Secondly, to determine the interaction of physical activity with coronary risk index in respect of years of service, congregation size, co ministership and congregation type, and thirdly, to study the interaction of physical activity with happiness and quality of life in respect of the last mentioned demographic parameters. The subjects were 340 male ministers of the Dutch reformed church, who volunteered to participate in the study. The quality of participation in physical activity was determined with Sharkey's (1997:432) physical activity index. The risk of developing coronary heart disease was determined by Bjurnstrom and Alexiou's (1978:524-525) coronary risk index assessment, while happiness or quality of life was measured by using the Affectometer 2 of Kammann and Flett (1983:259). The mean index of physical activity participation was 33.81 ± 32.30 which could be classified as fair, although 32.2% of the subjects fell in the low activity group. The coronary risk index showed that 19.9% of the population indicated a high risk of developing coronary artery disease, while 48.9% indicated a low level of happiness and quality of life. Significant (p10.05) relationships between physical activity, coronary risk index, happiness and quality of life were found among the high activity and low activity groups. Physical activity indicated a positive effect on the coronary risk index, independent of happiness and quality of life, as well as years of service, congregation size, co-ministership and congregation type. Physical activity also indicated a positive effect on happiness and quality of life, independent of years of service, congregation size, co-ministership and congregation type. In most cases physical activity also showed a significant interaction on the relationships between coronary risk index and years of service, congregation size, co-ministership and congregation type, as well as on the relationships between happiness and quality of life and the last mentioned demographic parameters. This study indicated that the ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church who participated in this study operated in a danger zone regarding their happiness and quality of life. Physical activity can be regarded as a salutogenic and preventative modality on the interaction of physical activity among the relationships between demographic factors, coronary risk index, happiness and quality of life of Dutch Reformed ministers. It was also concluded that physical activity can be regarded as a salutogenic modality in the physical and psychological wellness of South African ministers of religion. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Literature generally acknowledges that ministers have a demanding job with unique requirements and unclear boundaries between their personal and professional lives. Since 1980, studies have been describing an alarming spread of burnout in the ministry, with three out of four ministers reporting severe stress, causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear and alienation. South African literature indicates ministry as a high-risk occupation with regard to burnout. As providers of help, ministers are exposed to demanding work situations, with unique job and client-related stressors that show high correlation with burnout. Burnout, according to Levert (et al, 2000) is a syndrome consisting of three dimensions: these are Exhaustion, Cynicism and lack of Professional Efficacy. Exhaustion refers to the depletion and draining of emotional resources and feelings of being overextended. Cynicism reflects a negative, cynical and callous attitude towards recipients of service, andlor extreme detached responses to aspects pertaining to the job. A lack of professional efficacy refers to the tendency to evaluate aspects negatively with regard to personal accomplishments and competence at work. Burnout in the human service industry is a growing phenomenon. The objectives of this study were to determine the reliability and validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) in the context of ministry, The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), and the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced questionnaire (COPE), and to develop a measuring instrument to describe occupational stress of Pentecostal pastors in the North West Region of South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Availability samples (n = 100) were taken of qualified and ordained Pentecostal Pastors in the ministry. The Ministry Demands Survey was developed as measuring instrument, indicating internal demands/emotional input and relationship demands/demands with regard to calling, as reliable factors. Coping was described as being either Problem or Emotion-focused. Health of Pentecostal pastors was predicted by Internal Demands/Emotional Input, Exhaustion and Problem and Emotion-focused Coping. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

This thesis is the first indepth analysis of the jian, or advisory speeches, within a relatively unknown text, the Yanzi Chunqiu. It examines the way the Chunqiu period advisor Yanzi employs rhetorical techniques within the jian to change the conduct of his ruler Duke Jing according to Yanzi's three key political views: that the welfare of the common people is essential for the well-being of the state, that li 礼 (or ritual propriety) is of central importance in administering the state, and that the correct relationship between the minister and the ruler is he 和 (a complementary one). This study situates jian, ministerial responsibilities and Yanzi's own political views within the political and intellectual context of the Chunqiu period. It also disagrees with several scholars who claim that the text is unlikely to be a true record of this period. The rhetorical techniques within the jian (the majority of which are translated for the first time into English in this thesis), categorised according to whether they are typical (analogy, citation and chain reasoning) or atypical (provocation, song, lying and threatening resignation), are then analysed. The thesis finds that Yanzi's use of citations, analogies and chain reasoning confirms much existing research on Chinese rhetoric about the application of such techniques. However, the discoveries of Yanzi's atypical use of jian, as well as his frequent reference to Duke Huan as a historical model and his use of possible negative consequences to instill fear in his ruler, indicate that the present understanding of jian by several Western scholars largely based on the Zuozhuan and the Guoyu presents only a partial understanding of jian. The thesis suggests that more attention should be paid to lesser-known texts such as the Yanzi Chunqiu for a clearer picture of the rhetoric of this period.

Aim. To describe and compare parishioners’ and minister’s 1) existential, spiritual and religious experiences, 2) expectations and conceptions regard-ing the Church and the ecclesial activities and 3) in theological terms reflect over these experiences and conceptions. Method. A random, stratified, sample was constructed relating to parishion-ers and ministers in 24 parishes in the Stockholm bishopric, concerning men and women in the ages 25-65. The educational level of parishioners, was comparable to the average of Stockholm residents. Results. Both parishioners and ministers described several existential and spiritual/religious experiences. It was not clear if there were any differences between the two groups concerning spiritual/religious experiences. Yet, their experiences were interpreted in different ways, inasmuch that ministers more often interpreted their experiences in confessional terms. Parishioners thought that religion could be expressed in many different ways. They considered the divine services to be too rigid and distant and wished that ministers should be on their own level and not set themselves above ordinary people. The ministers could be placed on an continuum from sender orientation to receiver orientation due to their expectations and con-ceptions regarding the Church and the ecclesial activities. Sender orientation means to primarily start with the Church statement of faith. Receiver orienta-tion means, to primarily start with the parishioners from their own world-view where religion can be expressed in many different ways. The ministers presented in total 48% sender orientation descriptions and 52% receiver ori-entation. Comparable figures for the parishioners were 5% sender orientation and 95% receiver orientation. Conclusions. There seems to be a tension between, on one hand the view of a Church with an aim to meet the existential and spiritual needs of the pa-rishioners, and on the other hand a Church with a primary mission to com-municate the Christian articles of faith. If half of the ministers have a direc-tion in which parishioners have no interest and do not ask for, this might be a problem for the Church.

Research among ministers showed that they are experiencing high levels of stress due to career demands and having to cope with problems on their own (Grosch & Olsen, 2000:260). This has a detrimental effect on their health (Andrew, 1997:SO). Participation in physical activity have positive effects on the physical and psychological well being. Physical activity decrease work stress and increase work satisfaction and -stamina (Dreyer & Strydom, 1992:28). The objectives of this study was to determine the profiles of physical activity participation and the incidence of stress symptoms in relation to congregation type and congregation size in ministers, as well as the influence of physical activity on the relationship between stress symptoms and congregation demography (type and size). Congregation demography was divided into congregation type (location) as well as congregation size (number of church members). In this study a single cross sectional design that has been based on an availability profile has been used. The subjects were 340 ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church, who volunteered to participate in the study. The quality of participation in physical activity was determined with Sharkey's (1997:432) physical activity index The incidence of stress symptoms was determined with Burn's (1988) stress index and the congregation demography was determined by a self-reported questionnaire. The data was analysed by means of a one-way analysis of variance. From the data it is clear that the majority of the respondents were physically inactive and have a low incidence of stress symptoms in relation to congregation demography. The results of the stress symptoms may be attributed to the fact that religion and belief in God may play a vital role in the management of stress. Physical activity participation indicated a statistical significant (p≤0.05) influence on the relationship between stress symptoms and congregation demography. A highly practical significant difference (ES≥0.8) existed between high active and low active ministers working in congregations in rural areas. Physical activity participation also showed a moderate practical significant influence (ES≥0.5) on the relationship between stress symptoms and congregation demography (type and size). It was concluded that physical activity presented a salutogenic effect on psychological well-being among ministers and that congregation demography can influence physical and psycho-emotional health threats of Dutch Reformed ministers. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Several studies have already reported that ministers are experiencing high levels of stress due to career demands, role conflict and personal situations (Roux, 1992:227; Scholtz, 1996:134; Kellerman, 2000:28). Stress is detrimental to general health and is the primary reason why ministers leave the ministry (Andrew, 1997:15, Virginia, 1998:50; Swart et al., 2000:339; Bisschoff & Schoeman, 2003:52). Research showed that regular physical activity and maintaining a good level of physical fitness has positive effects on physical and psycho-emotional health (Paffenbarger, 1994:860; Margetts et al., 1999:97; Botha, 200237; Fourie, 2002:7). In this respect, it became clear that participation in physical activity may decrease the risk of developing coronary heart disease and other illness through it's likely buffering effect against the negative effects of stress (Barlow et al., 1990:392; Bouchard & Despres, 1995:270; Stofan et al., 1998: 1808; Le Roux, 2000:59; Schlebusch, 2000:50). The objective of this study was firstly to determine interaction of physical activity on the relationship between coronary risk index and happiness and quality of life of South African Dutch Reformed ministers. Secondly, to determine the interaction of physical activity with coronary risk index in respect of years of service, congregation size, co ministership and congregation type, and thirdly, to study the interaction of physical activity with happiness and quality of life in respect of the last mentioned demographic parameters. The subjects were 340 male ministers of the Dutch reformed church, who volunteered to participate in the study. The quality of participation in physical activity was determined with Sharkey's (1997:432) physical activity index. The risk of developing coronary heart disease was determined by Bjurnstrom and Alexiou's (1978:524-525) coronary risk index assessment, while happiness or quality of life was measured by using the Affectometer 2 of Kammann and Flett (1983:259). The mean index of physical activity participation was 33.81 ± 32.30 which could be classified as fair, although 32.2% of the subjects fell in the low activity group. The coronary risk index showed that 19.9% of the population indicated a high risk of developing coronary artery disease, while 48.9% indicated a low level of happiness and quality of life. Significant (p10.05) relationships between physical activity, coronary risk index, happiness and quality of life were found among the high activity and low activity groups. Physical activity indicated a positive effect on the coronary risk index, independent of happiness and quality of life, as well as years of service, congregation size, co-ministership and congregation type. Physical activity also indicated a positive effect on happiness and quality of life, independent of years of service, congregation size, co-ministership and congregation type. In most cases physical activity also showed a significant interaction on the relationships between coronary risk index and years of service, congregation size, co-ministership and congregation type, as well as on the relationships between happiness and quality of life and the last mentioned demographic parameters. This study indicated that the ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church who participated in this study operated in a danger zone regarding their happiness and quality of life. Physical activity can be regarded as a salutogenic and preventative modality on the interaction of physical activity among the relationships between demographic factors, coronary risk index, happiness and quality of life of Dutch Reformed ministers. It was also concluded that physical activity can be regarded as a salutogenic modality in the physical and psychological wellness of South African ministers of religion. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Literature generally acknowledges that ministers have a demanding job with unique requirements and unclear boundaries between their personal and professional lives. Since 1980, studies have been describing an alarming spread of burnout in the ministry, with three out of four ministers reporting severe stress, causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear and alienation. South African literature indicates ministry as a high-risk occupation with regard to burnout. As providers of help, ministers are exposed to demanding work situations, with unique job and client-related stressors that show high correlation with burnout. Burnout, according to Levert (et al, 2000) is a syndrome consisting of three dimensions: these are Exhaustion, Cynicism and lack of Professional Efficacy. Exhaustion refers to the depletion and draining of emotional resources and feelings of being overextended. Cynicism reflects a negative, cynical and callous attitude towards recipients of service, andlor extreme detached responses to aspects pertaining to the job. A lack of professional efficacy refers to the tendency to evaluate aspects negatively with regard to personal accomplishments and competence at work. Burnout in the human service industry is a growing phenomenon. The objectives of this study were to determine the reliability and validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) in the context of ministry, The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), and the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced questionnaire (COPE), and to develop a measuring instrument to describe occupational stress of Pentecostal pastors in the North West Region of South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Availability samples (n = 100) were taken of qualified and ordained Pentecostal Pastors in the ministry. The Ministry Demands Survey was developed as measuring instrument, indicating internal demands/emotional input and relationship demands/demands with regard to calling, as reliable factors. Coping was described as being either Problem or Emotion-focused. Health of Pentecostal pastors was predicted by Internal Demands/Emotional Input, Exhaustion and Problem and Emotion-focused Coping. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The objectives of this research were to investigate ministers' job demands and job resources, to study the relationship between the different job demands and job resources that ministers experience, to investigate the effects of job demands and job resources on minister's burnout and engagement, to investigate the factors impacting on the health and congregational commitment of ministers, to analyse the effects of job demands and job resources on ministers' psychological conditions of meaningfulness, safety and availability, to determine whether engagement can mediate the impact that psychological conditions have on levels of congregational commitment and to investigate the effects of religious coping on ministers' psychological conditions. The research method for each of the three articles consisted of a brief literature review and an empirical study. A non-probability purposive voluntary sample of 115 ministers was used. A qualitative design was used in article one to determine the relevant job demands and job resources of ministers. A cross-sectional design, with a survey as the data collection technique was used. The Job Demands-Resources Questionnaire (JD-RQ), 14 items of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), eight items of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), the Work Engagement Scale (WES), 26 items of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Congregational Commitment Questionnaire (CCQ), the Psychological Conditions Questionnaire (PCQ), the Religious Coping Questionnaire (RCQ) and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The statistical analyses were carried out with the help of the SPSS program. The statistical methods utilised in the three articles consisted of descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, principal factor analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and regression analyses. The results indicated that the job demands experienced by ministers were: pace and amount of work and emotional demands and job resources were: growth opportunities, instrumental support, congregational support, autonomy, social support, and job significance. It was found that pace and amount of work correlated positively with emotional demands while, emotional demands correlated negatively with growth opportunities, autonomy, instrumental support, congregational support and social support. Furthermore, pace and amount of work and a lack of growth opportunities and to a lesser extent emotional demands and a lack of congregational support were indicators of exhaustion. Mental distance was best predicted by emotional demands. Growth opportunities, social support and job significance were predictors of engagement. As for health, somatic symptoms were best predicated by exhaustion while depression was found to be predicted by exhaustion and mental distance. Poor social functioning was found to be predicted by exhaustion, mental distance, and low engagement. Affective commitment was found to be best predicted by engagement and low mental distance. Furthermore, psychological meaningfulness was best predicted by less emotional demands and more growth opportunities whereas psychological availability was best predicted by a lower pace and amount of work and more social support. Engagement was found to mediate the relationship between psychological meaningfulness and affective commitment but not the relationship between psychological availability and affective commitment. It was also found that engagement was best predicted by psychological meaningfulness and psychological availability, but if engagement were not controlled, engagement and psychological meaningfulness predicted affective commitment. Furthermore, religious coping affected perceptions of pace and amount of work, social support and psychological availability. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Thesis (M.A. (Biokinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

The objectives of this research were to investigate ministers' job demands and job resources, to study the relationship between the different job demands and job resources that ministers experience, to investigate the effects of job demands and job resources on minister's burnout and engagement, to investigate the factors impacting on the health and congregational commitment of ministers, to analyse the effects of job demands and job resources on ministers' psychological conditions of meaningfulness, safety and availability, to determine whether engagement can mediate the impact that psychological conditions have on levels of congregational commitment and to investigate the effects of religious coping on ministers' psychological conditions. The research method for each of the three articles consisted of a brief literature review and an empirical study. A non-probability purposive voluntary sample of 115 ministers was used. A qualitative design was used in article one to determine the relevant job demands and job resources of ministers. A cross-sectional design, with a survey as the data collection technique was used. The Job Demands-Resources Questionnaire (JD-RQ), 14 items of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), eight items of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), the Work Engagement Scale (WES), 26 items of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Congregational Commitment Questionnaire (CCQ), the Psychological Conditions Questionnaire (PCQ), the Religious Coping Questionnaire (RCQ) and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The statistical analyses were carried out with the help of the SPSS program. The statistical methods utilised in the three articles consisted of descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, principal factor analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and regression analyses. The results indicated that the job demands experienced by ministers were: pace and amount of work and emotional demands and job resources were: growth opportunities, instrumental support, congregational support, autonomy, social support, and job significance. It was found that pace and amount of work correlated positively with emotional demands while, emotional demands correlated negatively with growth opportunities, autonomy, instrumental support, congregational support and social support. Furthermore, pace and amount of work and a lack of growth opportunities and to a lesser extent emotional demands and a lack of congregational support were indicators of exhaustion. Mental distance was best predicted by emotional demands. Growth opportunities, social support and job significance were predictors of engagement. As for health, somatic symptoms were best predicated by exhaustion while depression was found to be predicted by exhaustion and mental distance. Poor social functioning was found to be predicted by exhaustion, mental distance, and low engagement. Affective commitment was found to be best predicted by engagement and low mental distance. Furthermore, psychological meaningfulness was best predicted by less emotional demands and more growth opportunities whereas psychological availability was best predicted by a lower pace and amount of work and more social support. Engagement was found to mediate the relationship between psychological meaningfulness and affective commitment but not the relationship between psychological availability and affective commitment. It was also found that engagement was best predicted by psychological meaningfulness and psychological availability, but if engagement were not controlled, engagement and psychological meaningfulness predicted affective commitment. Furthermore, religious coping affected perceptions of pace and amount of work, social support and psychological availability. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.