The purpose of this portfolio and thesis is to demonstrate the importance of theological reflection upon church planting practice, and by so doing, to resource and equip church planters to think in creative new ways in order to become more effective in missional engagement in forming new communities of faith. This motivation and exploration lies at the heart of each component and individual chapter. The portfolio is comprised of three self contained and coherent pieces of work: a literature review which advocates that theological reflection is a developing concern for church planting, a publishable article that reflects on the nature of the gospel that underpins missional practice, and a research project which aimed to discover how different church planting tribes were engaging in theological reflection, and what issues and lessons were still needing to be learned and further explored. The thesis, building on the work of the portfolio, gives an extended Trinitarian theological reflection upon church planting practice in relation to the themes of creation, context and community. It has attempted to intentionally reflect upon the missional practice of church planting through Trinitarian perspectives, in order that it may be more robust, enriched and rooted in God's own life and story. Trinitarian perspectives on church planting are at best embryonic, and the renewal of interest in the doctrine of the Trinity has stimulated me to write a Trinitarian missiology for church planting that offers fresh theological insights and practical missional applications. Through dialoguing extensively with the Trinitarian creation theology of Jürgen Moltmann, the Trinitarian contextual missiology of Lesslie Newbigin and Timothy Tennent, and the Trinitarian ecclesiologies of Miroslav Volf, Leonardo Boff and Catherine Mowry LaCugna, I believe their collective contributions have much to offer church planting today.

No description available.

This thesis considers the apse murals in the sixteenth-century Augustinian mission church of San Agusti­n de Acolman. These murals feature three horizontal rows of enthroned popes, bishops, cardinals, and friars. I connect these murals to contemporary conflicts between the regular and secular clergy in the New Spanish church, arguing that the Augustinians at Acolman used their apse to hierarchically position themselves within the New Spanish church.The figures in these murals will be identified as an allegory of the Roman Church. Comparisons will be drawn between the murals and the Sistine Chapel, suggesting that Acolman's allegorical image of the Church connoted papal power. I also highlight the position of the friars in the lowest level of the murals. Through a comparison with retablos, I demonstrate that these friars are the foundation of the Church. Finally, I reflect upon the implications of allegorizing the Church as a collection of Augustinians.

Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / This thesis investigated the factors contributing to the tense relationship between the congregations of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in Piketberg during 1903-1972. It investigated the reasons why two congregations of colour in a small town as Piketberg were established. The problem that was investigated was a social, historical and religious one of determining which factors contributed to such tension. / South Africa

This thesis investigated the factors contributing to the tense relationship between the congregations of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in Piketberg during 1903-1972. It investigated the reasons why two congregations of colour in a small town as Piketberg were established. The problem that was investigated was a social, historical and religious one of determining which factors contributed to such tension.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Boston University, 2002. / Abstract. Date on title page differs from degree date. Degree awarded, 2002. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-[152].

This thesis investigated the factors contributing to the tense relationship between the congregations of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in Piketberg during 1903-1972. It investigated the reasons why two congregations of colour in a small town as Piketberg were established. The problem that was investigated was a social, historical and religious one of determining which factors contributed to such tension.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Boston University, 2002. / Abstract. Date on title page differs from degree date. Degree awarded, 2002. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-[152].

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University, Dept. of Graduate Studies in Religious Instruction. / Electronic thesis. Also available in print ed.

Text in German / This dissertation describes and interprets the history of Presbyterian Youth Ministry from the beginning up to today. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana originated from the work of the Basel Mission, Switzerland and the United Free Church of Scotland. The emphasis on education, laid by the Basel Mission has had a major impact for the Church and especially for Youth Ministry. This emphasis was seen through the building of Schools, Training Institutions and through practical training of young people. Andrew Atkinson, a Scottish accountant at the then Gold Coast, laid the foundation for youth work within the Church. Very soon this ministry developed throughout the country. With the formation of a Youth Constitution as the basis for youth work, a good framework was established that still guides the Youth today. Today, Youth work has been broadened. Through different projects it is envisaged to give answers to the manifold problems of young people in a fast changing African society. Social projects, HIV/AIDS work, but at first the training of young people is a major part of youth work today. Conferences are held on different levels, training materials have been developed and youth workers have been trained to take up future responsibilities as leaders. One emphasis has remained and has its roots in the Basel Mission history: a Bible based youth ministry that equips young people to follow Christ as disciples in their day-to-day lives. Within this success story there has of course also been some failure and weakness. Both, success and struggle is evident within this dissertation. / Missiology / M. Th (Missiology)