Text in English / This thesis is an attempt to investigate how local churches (re)define their international orientation in response to the shockwaves of globalisation and their interpretation of the signs of the times. The analysis is guided by the key dimensions of interdependence, responsibility, and partnership. The local church is expected to have reached an increasing awareness of interdependence in her international relationships by the emergence of the postmodern systemic paradigm as never before in the history of the ecumenical movement. Consequently, this results in a sense of responsibility developing directly from a prophetic reading and an interpretation of the signs of the times as well as in a receptivity to be fertilised by international impulses. The local church is perceived by both individual Christians and pastors as direct platform for international responsibility. The wounds of the world, the needy and the suffering are suggested as inviting primary responses of local churches in the North. International church partnerships are investigated as practical attempts to live out interdependent relationships, to translate the sense of responsibility into action, and to receive fertilisation from the partner churches. Qualitative case studies from Reformed, United (Lutheran/Reformed) and Free churches present a status analysis of churches regarding the points under discussion. The tendency is observed that pastors inc~easingly look for ways alternative to the old ecumenical structures, which are characterised by rich/poor and donor/recipient relationships, thus operating their churches with free initiative and association. Studies regularly narrow down topics to interdependence, postmodernism, development, development politics, church development services, international partnerships, ecumenical learning, etc. Often recommendations for action are made based on the one single area of research presented. In this study, however, it is argued that pastors and churches do not derive their decisions and programmes from considerations of one single area, but they consider all these areas together. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Thesis (DTh) -- Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study falls within the area of Missional theology, which is a functional thoology. As such, it deals with the function (praxis) and mission of the Church in society. It seeks a better understanding of the functionality of the Church fundamental to the Missio Dei. Since Missional Theology is about the Church's serving function to the community, these functions, viz. mission, proclamation, fellowship, education, growth, habitual change and transformation, are brought to bear on the image of the Moravian Church. Because this study concerns the being and public witness of the Church, it adopted a qualitative approach linked to participatory action research. The research was done diachronically and phenomena were analysed over three periods in the formation of the MCSA: (a) The Missionary era (1737 - 1960), (b) the autonomous Church under apartheid (1960- 1994) and (c) challenges of the democratic dispensation for the United MCSA and its future role in the RSA (1994 and further). Drawing upon these resources, Chapters 3 - 5 examine (based on the epistemological framework designed in Chapter 2) the values, symbols and conceptions of the Moravian Ecclesiastical community in relation to its internal and external environment. It also examines its structures and polity in order to come to a critical understanding of its disposition as a faith community in its interaction with public life. Four presuppositions are established as core principles: The first core principle is that the Moravian Church in SA (MCSA), in its quest for being a public Church, had to act true to its calling as the divine proponent of the reconciled, transformed humanity. The MCSA also had to serve (prophetically and sacrificially) a "broken" society with a view to its transformation, which is essentially its missional quality. The second core principle is that the MCSA in its tendency towards being a public Church had to conform to the theological principles of a public Church. In Chapter 2, based on the three identified publics in which the Church (theology) operates, four relations are applied, i.e. the Church in relation to the State; the Church in relation to market economy; the Church and people's empowerment; and the Church and public values - the quality of human life. Subsequently these configurations of the Church are used to design an epistemological framework according to which the public role of the MCSA throughout its history was established. The third core principle is that the Church, given its context, had to act according to the challenges and needs of that context. The historical analysis of the MCSA helped to establish how it-contributed to the public discourse within those contexts. However, in order to establish how it could contribute in future, the MCSA was evaluated according to a reasonable, contemporary social contextual analysis . (in chapter 7), which was imperative. In Chapter 7, the fourth core principle is developed as the outcome of the investigation in the preceding chapters. In order to be an adequate public Church, the MCSA had to harness the potential of its members by training them, equipping them for justice ministl)', which would provide the Church with the much-neglected public ministry. Based on the historical findings, guidelines were designed to assist the church in training its minista-s and congregations for public witness. There is no simple shortcut formula for developing an effective congregational-based public (advocacy) ministry. It requires the congregation to be bold in its vision, committed to its mission, willing to give significant time, energy and resources, to be a risk taker, and to work in partnership with its larger community (macro environment). Most of all, it requires faith in the knowledge that God's righteousness and justice will prevail. The most practical advice is spiritual - to live the belief that justice is central to our calling as Christ's witness in the world - even in the public arena! / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie val binne die area van Missionere Teologie wat 'n funksionele teologie is. As sulks het dit te do en met die funksie (praxis) en missie van die kerk in die samelewing. Dit poog om die kerk se funksionaliteit fundamenteel tot die Missio Dei te verstaan. Terwyl Missionere Teologie gaan oor die kerk se dienaarsrol in die samelewing, is die volgende funksies, t.w. sending, getuienis en proklamasie, gemeenskap, opvoeding, groei, gewoontes verandering en transformasie toegepas op die beeld van die Morawiese Kerk in Suid-Afrika. Weens die feit dat hierdie studie te make het met die wese en publieke getuienis van die kerk, het dit 'n kwalitatiewe benadering aangeneem wat noodsaaklikerwys gekoppel is aan deelnememde aksie navorsing. Die navorsing is diakronies gedoen en fenomene is oor drie periodes in die formasie van die Morawiese Kerk geanaliseer: (a) Die sendingperiode (1737-1960), (b) die outonome Kerk onder apartheid (1960-1994) en (c) die uitdagings van die demokratiese bedeling vir die Morawiese Kerk in SuidAfrika en die vereistes vir sy Publieke rol (1994-). Met die informasie wat hieruit voortgevloei het, het die projek in Hoofstukke 3-5 (gebaseer op die epistemologiese raamwerk ontwerp in hoofstuk 2) die waardes, simbole en opvattings van die kerklike gemeenskap ondersoek in verhouding tot haar interne en eksterne omgewings. Ook haar strukture en beleid is ondersoek met die doel om tot 'n kritiese verstaan te kom van haar gesitueerdheid in haar interaksie as geloofsgemeenskap met die publieke eksterne omgewing. Vier voorveronderstellings is vasgestel as uitvloeisel van die navorsmg en dien as kernbeginsels: Die eerste kernbeginsel is dat die MKSA in sy strewe na 'n openbare kerk, getrou moes optree aan haar roeping as die goddelike proponent van die versoende, getransformeerde mensheid en profeties en opofferend 'n "gebroke" samelewing dien met die oog op sy transformasie, wat wesenlik die kerk se sendingsaard is. Die tweede kernbeginsel is dat die NrKSA in haar geneigdheid na 'n openbare kerk, haar moes skik (konformeer) volgens die teologiese beginsels van 'n openbare kerk. In hoofstuk 2, gebaseer op die drie ge'indentifiseerde publieke waarbinne die kerk (teologie) haarself manifesteer, is 4 verhoudings waarin die openbare kerk staan ge'identi:fiseer, naamlik die kerk se verhouding tot die Staat, die mark-ekonomie, menslike bemagtiging en tot openbare waardes - die gehalte van menslike lewe. Vervolgens is hierdie gestaltes van die kerk benut om 'n epistemologiese raamwerk te ontwerp waarvolgens die openbare rol van die MKSA in haar geskiedenis blootgele is. Die derde kernbeginsel was dat die kerk moes optree volgens die uitdagings en behoeftes van die konteks. Die historiese analise van die MKSA het gehelp om vas te stel hoe die kerk bygedra het tot die openbare dis~oers, al dan nie, in daardie kontekste. Die navorser is egter genoodsaak om die MKSA te projekteer teen 'n verantwoordelike sosiaal-kontekstuele analise in hoofstuk 7 om te kon vasstel hoe die kerk verder haar hydrae kan maak in die openbare arena. In hoofstuk 7 was die vierde kernbeginsel ontwikkel as uitkoms van die navorsingsprojek in die voorafgaande hoofstukke. Dit behels dat die MKSA, om 'n genoegsame openbare kerk te wees, die potensiaal van haar lidmate moet benut deur hulle op te lei I toe te rus vir openbare bediening. Daar is geen eenvoudige, kortpad formule vir die ontwikkeling van 'n effektiewe, gemeente-gebaseerde, openbare geregtigheidsbediening nie. Dit vereis dat die gemeente dapper moet wees in haar visie, toegewyd aan haar missie (sending), gewillig om beduidende tyd, energie, en bronne te verskaf, bereid moet wees om risiko 's te neem en om in verbondsvennootskappe te werk met sy makro omgewing. Ten diepste vereis dit geloof in die wete dat God se geregtigheid en regverdigheid sal stand hou. Die mees praktiese aanbeveling is geestelik - om in die geloof te lewe sodat regverdigheid sentraal staan tot ons roeping as Christus se getuies in die wereld- selfs in die openbare arena!

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is about the missional challenge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic to the leadership of the Kwazakhele congregation in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. This undertaking should be dealt with from the premise of a practical theological point of view. In this context, the HIV/AIDS pandemic aggravates the plight of those in the community with the least resources, i.e. orphans and the destitute. Very limited resources, for example financial, psychological and spiritual, are available to them. This has severely impacted on the lives of South Africans across the country. And, this impact of HIV/AIDS is being felt at all levels of the society with its ever-increasing cases of infections, deaths, rejections, stigmatization, number of orphans and households headed by children. This social reality poses a burden on ministerial health budgets, thus a dilemma for health resources. Through her leadership, the Church, as an instrument and field for the Triune God‟s missional praxis, is called to respond and act upon this plight. In that sense, a clear understanding of the missional Church is central in this theological and practical undertaking. The Kwazakhele leadership's empowerment will enable them to lead the congregation in a faithful response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic while taking cognizance of appropriate theological reflections that relate to the Triune God's salvific work. In essence, the researcher intends to investigate how the congregation of the Kwazakhele Uniting Reformed Church of South Africa (URCSA) can combat and deal with HIV/AIDS in a compassionate Christian manner while taking cognizance of biblical imperatives. In that respect, the researcher has been engaged with interviews of families in the Kwazakhele congregation, members of whom had died of AIDS. The objective was to shed light on their experiences and to determine whether the Church is doing enough to support their members regarding this pandemic. Furthermore, this research also challenges the Kwazakhele congregation, in particular, whether she fulfills her calling, that is, crosses the boundaries to take care of the plight that the community faces regarding HIV/AIDS. In actual fact, the discernment of God's will is possible by a critical and sensitive leadership who should determine whether the congregation whom they serve is competent enough to deal with this HIV/AIDS pandemic, or not. This, indeed, challenges their Christian consciences. The researcher believes that the information and the resource material, as well as the institution to which he referred, will be of assistance to the Christian leadership of the Kwazakhele congregation and also the entire URCSA congregation at large. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van hierdie studie is die missionêre uitdaging van die MIV/VIGS pandemie aan die leierskap van die Kwazakhele gemeente in Port Elizabeth. Die studie word onderneem vanuit die gesigspunt van die Praktiese Teologie. Binne hierdie konteks, vererger die MIV/VIGS pandemie die lot van diegene in die gemeenskap met die minste bronne, naamlik die weeskinders en hulpbehoewendes. Baie min bronne (sielkundig, finansieel en spiritueel) is beskikbaar vir hulle. Die impak op die lewens van Suid-Afrikaners landswyd is drasties. Daar is toenemende sterftes, verwerping, stigmatisering en weeskinders, asook kinders aan die hoof van huishoudings. Hierdie maatskaplike werklikheid plaas groot druk op die nasionale gesondheidsbegroting. Die kerk, as instrument en lokus vir die missionêre praksis van die drieënige God, is geroepe om op te tree en hierdie haglike toedrag van sake aan te spreek deur haar leiers. 'n Duidelike verstaan van wat 'n missionêre kerk is, staan sentraal in hierdie teologiese en praktiese onderneming. Bemagtiging van die leierskap in die Kwazakhele gemeente sal hulle in staat stel om die gemeente te lei om getrou te wees aan hulle roeping om die MIV/VIGS pandemie aan te spreek. Terselfdertyd moet hulle ook bewus wees van toepaslike teologiese nadenke oor die drieënige God se ingrype om Sy reddened genade te laat realiseer. Die navorser poog dus om te ondersoek hoe die Kwazakhele Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk (VGK) die MIV/VIGS pandemie kan teëwerk en daarmee op 'n barmhartige Christelike wyse kan handel, en voortdurend bewus wees van Bybelse imperatiewe in hierdie verband. Die navorser het ook onderhoude gevoer met familielede van persone wat as gevolg van VIGS gesterf het ten einde, aan die hand van hulle ondervindinge, vas te stel of die Kerk genoeg doen om lidmate te ondersteun ten tyde van hierdie pandemie. Hierdie navorsing is ook 'n uitdaging aan die Kwazakhele gemeente om te bepaal of sy haar roeping vervul, grense oorsteek, en omgee vir 'n gemeenskap in nood. Onderskeiding van God se wil is moontlik deur kritiese en sensitiewe leierskap wat moet bepaal of die gemeente, waarin hulle dien, in staat is om genoegsaam aandag aan die MIV/VIGS pandemie te skenk. Hierdie oefening daag hul Christelike gewete uit. Die navorser is van mening dat die inligting en navorsingsmateriaal, asook die instelling waarna verwys word, die Christelike leierskap van die Kwazakhele gemeente, sowel as hele VGKSA, van hulp kan wees.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Mission is probably one of the most visual acts which the church took upon herself and can even be seen as the factor which brought the church to being. Mission was through the ages very positive for the church but also very negative. Especially in the early twentieth century the church has undergone heavy confrontations. Throughout the twentieth century a massive paradigm shift took place. Mission took on a strong pastoral character, which again let to a change in character for pastoral care. Africa is seen as one of the most diverse continents regarding faiths, traditions and cultures. This diversity put a strong challenge on Mission and Pastoral care.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The second half of the 20th century marks a paradigm shift from Christendom to missional theology with implications for missional ecclesiology. The being of a triune, missional God urges the church towards a critical-hermeneutical self reflection on it’s identity and calling in terms of evangelization and active involvement in an all-inclusive witnessing in the world. Missional ecclesiology emphasizes diaconial involvement in the world. The reflection of the Dutch Reformed Church on diaconia can be learnt in its conceptualization of missional diaconial work and how it is being implemented in the practice of the church. This ecclesiological development is being studied using the ministry of compassion of the Dutch Reformed Congregation, Onrusriver as case study.

Thesis (MPA (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 1999. / 130 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages i-x and numbered pages 1-75 includes bibliography and digitized at 300 dpi (OCR), used Bizhub 250. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The basic premise of this study is that a curriculum for Theology and Community Development would provide theological institutions with a social purpose in their theological education program. This is necessary for the Church's involvement in social transformation, particularly in the South African context with its alarmingly ever-increasing proportions of unemployment, poverty, violence and crime. The research attempts to provide, as an outcome, theological institutions with a social development purpose by means of curriculum design. The reason for this is based on the conviction that the Church as a community-based organisation, particularly amongst the marginalised poor, can be an effective vehicle for community development. This is due to the Church's Biblical commission and commitment to the poor, its capacity, in terms of resourcefulness, viz. its members and capital, its understanding and experience of social realities and the holistic nature of its activities. The design of the curriculum is aimed at unlocking the Church's resources and building its capacity to become an agent or catalyst for substantial people and societal development. It is presupposed in the study that the Church, although it has a long history of mission and diaconic work, is more and more lacking in capacity to meet the challenges and need of the post-modern society and subsequently cannot effect social transformation - yet it undoubtedly has the potential. The reason for this incapacity can be ascribed to the nature of theological training, which has as a ministerial-formation model a managerial approach to organisation and maintenance of congregational ministry from inside the institutional structure. As the Church finds itself confronted with enormous community needs, the leaders feel inadequate to deal with the "demo-crisis" of society for there is little in their seminary background that could have prepared them to equip the members for ministries incorporating community development. It is argued in this study, based on an analysis of the Church as a community called by God, the essence of community development and the people-centred participatory development process, that the Church as a community-based organisation is essentially best served in effecting social change by orientating itself according to the people-centred participatory development approach. This approach is embedded in the theoretical assumptions of the Humanitarian school of thought combined with the Social Development school. In theological education a new theological paradigm in which theory re-orientates itself to a "new paradigm of humanity" is inevitable. According to this paradigm, the Church should align itself with the humanitarian focus of development because development is ultimately about a new vision for society, about a new humanity, empowerment of the people to experience full life as given by God in full respect of creation. Only in developing a theological understanding of development and in assisting to equip people for development, will it be able to answer to its calling - will it continue the process which was started by God in creating the Church as the "first fruits" of the new humanity. A curriculum for Theology and Community Development, based on the challenges of development, the sources of theology in the teaching tradition of the Church, the realities of the South African context and the principles of the People-centred Participatory Development Approach is designed to empower the Church to be an effective agent and/or catalyst for social transformation, particularly in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die basiese uitgangspunt van hierdie studie is dat 'n kurrikulum vir Teologie en Gemeenskapsontwikkeling teologiese instellings sal voorsien met 'n sosiale doelwit in hul teologiese opvoedingsprogram: Dit is noodsaaklik vir die Kerk se betrokkenheid by sosiale transformasie, veral wat die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks aanbetref met sy ontstellende, steeds toenemende, mate van werkloosheid en die daarmee gepaardgaande spiraal van armoede, geweld en misdaad. Die navorsing voorsien as uitkoms, aan teologiese instansies 'n sosiale ontwikkeling doel deur middel van kurrikulumontwerp. Dit is gebaseer op die oortuiging dat die Kerk as 'n gemeenskaps-gebaseerde organisasie, in besonder onder die gemarginaliseerde armes, 'n effektiewe instrument kan wees vir gemeenskapsontwikkeling, gebasseer op die Kerk se Bybelse opdrag en toewyding aan die opheffing van die arme, sy verstaan en ondervinding van sosiale werklikhede en die holistiese natuur van sy aktiwiteite. Die kurrikulum is gemik op die ontsluiting van die Kerk se bronne en die bou van sy kapasitiet sodat die Kerk 'n effektiewe agent of katalisator van substantiewe mense- en sosiale ontwikkeling kan wees. Dit word in hierdie studie op grond van onderhoude en verslae voorveronderstel dat die Kerk, alhoewel hy 'n lang geskiedenis van Sending en Diakonie het, nie paraat is en nie die kapasiteit het om die uitdagings en nood van die post-moderne samelewing volgens die vereistes van sosiale transformasie die hoof te bied nie en gevolglik nie sosiale transformasie kan bewerkstellig nie. Dit terwyl die Kerk ongetwyfeld die potensiaal het. Die rede vir hierdie onvermoë kan herlei word na die Kerk se teologiese opleiding, wat as opleidings model 'n bestuursbenadering tot organisasie en instandhouding van gemeente bediening van binne die institusionele strukture het. Terwyl die Kerk gekonfontreer word met enorme gemeenskapsbehoeftes, voel die leiers onbevoeg om die demo-krisis te hanteer omdat daar baie min in hul teologiese opleiding was wat hulle kon voorberei om die lidmate vir bediening toe te rus wat gemeenskapsontwikkeling insluit. Dit word in hierdie studie geargumenteer, gebaseer op 'n analise van die Kerk as 'n alternatiewe gemeenskap geroep deur God en die wesenlikheid van gemeenskapsontwikkeling binne die verskillende benaderings in die ontwikkelingsproses, dat dit die Kerk as 'n gemeenskaps-gebaseerde organisasie wesenlik die beste sal baat indien dit sosiale verandering wil bewerkstellig om sigself volgens die mens-gesentreerde deelnemende,ontwikkelingsbenadering te orienteer. Hierdie benadering is ingebed in die teoretiese beginsels van die Humanitere Skool gekombineer met die Sosiale Ontwikkelingskool. 'n Nuwe teologies paradigma vir teologiese opvoeding waarin die teorie sigself herorienteer word tot 'n "nuwe paradigma van humaniteit" is onvermydelik. Dit word volgens hierdie paradigma op grond van eksegetiese studie voorveronderstel dat die Kerk erns maak met ontwikkeling omdat ontwikkeling uiteindelik gaan om 'n nuwe visie ten opsigte van die samelewing, 'n nuwe humaniteit - omdat dit gaan oor die bemagtiging van mense om die volle lewe met volle verantwoordelikheid teenoor die skepping te beleef wat deur God gegee is. Slegs deur 'n teologiese begrip van ontwikkeling te ontwikkel en deur saam te werk met ander instansies om mense toe te rus vir ontwikkeling, sal die Kerk in staat wees om waarlik te beantwoord aan sy roeping - sal dit die proses voortdryf wat deur God begin is toe Hy die Kerk as die "eerste vrugte" van die nuwe humaniteit in die lewe geroep het. Vir hierdie doel word die kurrikulum vir Teologie en Gemeenskapsontwikkeling ontwerp, gebaseer op die uitdagings van ontwikkeling, die bronne van teologie in die onderwys-tradisie van die Kerk, die realiteite van die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks en die beginsels van die Mens-gesentreerde Deelnemende Ontwikkelings benadering - om die Kerk te bemagtig om 'n effektiewe agent en/of katalisator vir sosiale transformasie, besonders in Suid-Afrika te wees.

Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology ))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study and dissertation examines the “Impact of ethnicity on the missional strategies within the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.” A historical study of the mission methods and an empirical study of current missionary practices in the church point to the need for a new missional identity of the church. This missional identity requires a reversal of and a change to missionary strategies that should result into reconciliatory missiology. In the process of making this assessment of the Presbyterian mission in Nigeria, it was necessary to re-visit the missionary ecclesiologies that shaped and contributed to the present identity. Thus, the research focused on the missionary impact of the Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church in Canada, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Netherlands Reformed Church (NRC). Insights from these historical excursions helped in determining not only the blessings that these ecclesiologies brought to bear on Nigerian Presbyterianism but also in discovering the burdens they brought on their trails, especially, regarding the seed of racism which was a precursor to the present ethnocentrism in the PCN. The second segment of this research was the empirical study of the current mission and work of the PCN. Using a focus group approach, sixteen leaders (8 Nigerians, 7 Canadians and 1 American) were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. The responses from these leaders were analysed in this paper and details of the analysis applied in chapter 4. The assumption in the hypothesis that the bane of contemporary PCN mission is ethnocentrism was affirmed. This problem as the research showed, was compounded by lack of adequate theological response both in the educational training and the liturgical activities of the church. Combining the historical data and the empirical research carried out, it was determined that the PCN needs a new theological orientation that can move it from the present institutionalized mode to a missonal frame. It was shown that this process would require a new definition of mission and a rediscovery of missional biblical metaphors that suit a conflict-ridden context of the Church as we have it in Nigeria. Three important metaphors were selected: community, servant and messenger. These metaphors formed the theological foundation for subsequent discussions on a missional frame which is the focus of chapter five. Chapter six outlines the meaning of conflicts and the causes of conflicts in Nigeria arguing for a reconciliatory missiology with a theologically-driven dialogue as its strategy. A theologically –driven dialogue is a strategy that, as is presented, enables the church to be God’s counter-cultural agent in the world, holding in tension the four cardinal points of obedience, critical contextualization, discernment and the anticipation of Christ’s return. It is argued that dialogue is a credible theological option through which the PCN can engage in the process of true reconciliation in the Nigerian society – a reconciliation which is based on the biblical cornerstones of truth, justice, peace and mercy. It is a task and a challenge for reconciliatory missiology - a momentous task the PCN is called upon to pursue in the 21st century. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek die “Impak van etnisiteit op die missionale strategieë van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk in Nigerië”. ʼn Historiese blik op die sending metodes en ʼn studie van huidige missionêre praktyke binne die kerk dui daarop dat die kerk ʼn nuwe missionale identiteit benodig. ’n Nuwe missionale identiteit vereis ʼn transformasieproses in die huidige benadering van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië sodat die weg tot ʼn versoenende benadering gevind kan word. Om die huidige situasie te kan evalueer moes die missionêre ekklesiologie wat vorm gegee en bygedra het tot die huidige identiteit geëvalueer word. Gevolglik is die missionêre impak van die Kerk van Skotland, die Presbiteriaanse Kerke van Kanada en Amerika en die Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerk nagegaan. Hulle het in baie opsigte help vorm aan die huidige identiteit van die Presbiteriaanse kerk in Nigerië. Die positiewe maar ook negatiewe gevolge van hulle werk is beskryf. Een aspek van hul werk was die invloed van die stille rassisme wat destyds geheers het en wat die voorloper was van die huidige etnosentrisme in die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Die tweede deel van die navorsing ondersoek die huidige missionêre bediening en ingesteldheid van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Deur middel van ʼn fokus groep benadering en ’n vraelys, is onderhoude gevoer met 16 kerkleiers (8 Nigeriërs, 7 Kanadese en 1 Amerikaner). Die antwoorde van hierdie kerkleiers is geanaliseer en in hoofstuk 4 bespreek. Die voorveronderstelling in die hipotese dat die PKN etnosentrisme openbaar, is bevestig. Hierdie probleem, soos aangetoon in die navorsing, is versterk deur ʼn gebrek aan voldoende teologiese refleksie in die teologiese onderrig en in die liturgiese aktiwiteite van die kerk. Die historiese data en die empiriese navorsing toon aan dat die PKN ʼn nuwe teologiese oriëntasie benodig en dat dit slegs kan geskied as daar wegbeweeg word vanaf die huidige geïnstitusionaliseerde bedieningspraktyk na ʼn missionale raamwerk. Verder het dit duidelik geword dat ʼn nuwe verstaan van sending en ʼn herontdekking van missionale bybelse metafore nodig is om te spreek tot die konflik geteisterde konteks van die kerk in Nigerië. Drie belangrike metafore is voorgestel: gemeenskap, dienaar en boodskapper. Hierdie metafore voorsien die teologiese fundering vir die bespreking van ’n missionale verwysingsraamwerk vir die kerk se bediening. Hoofstuk 6 lig die betekenis van konflik asook die oorsake van konflik in Nigerië uit en argumenteer vir ʼn versoenende missiologie met ʼn teologies-gemotiveerde dialoog as strategie. ʼn Teologies-gemotiveerde dialoog is ʼn strategie wat, soos voorgelê in die navorsing, die kerk bemagtig om te reageer op die heersende kultuur, waar die vier kardinale aspekte van gehoorsaamheid, kritiese kontekstualisasie, onderskeiding en die afwagting van Christus se wederkoms byeen gebring word. Daar word geargumenteer dat dialoog ʼn waardige teologiese opsie is waardeur die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië binne die Nigeriese samelewing kan opereer in ʼn proses van ware versoening – ʼn versoening wat gebaseer is op die bybelse hoekstene van waarheid, geregtigheid, vrede en genade. Die uitdaging van ʼn versoenende missiologie is die uitdaging waartoe die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië in die 21ste eeu geroepe is.

Thesis (D.Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study and dissertation examines “Ethnicity and missional strategies within the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.” A historical study of the mission methods and an empirical study of current missionary practices in the church point to the need for a new missional identity of the church. This missional identity requires a reversal of and a change to missionary strategies that should result into reconciliatory missiology. In the process of making this assessment of the Presbyterian mission in Nigeria, it was necessary to revisit the missionary ecclesiologies that shaped and contributed to the present identity. Thus, the research focused on the missionary impact of the Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church in Canada, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Netherlands Reformed Church (NRC). Insights from these historical excursions helped in determining not only the blessings that these ecclesiologies brought to bear on Nigerian Presbyterianism but also in discovering the burdens they brought on their trails, especially, regarding the seed of racism which was a precursor to the present ethnocentrism in the PCN. The second segment of this research was the empirical study of the current mission and work of the PCN. Using a focus group approach, sixteen leaders (8 Nigerians, 7 Canadians and 1 American) were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. The responses from these leaders were analysed in this paper and details of the analysis applied in chapter 4. The assumption in the hypothesis that the bane of contemporary PCN mission is ethnocentrism was affirmed. This problem as the research showed, was compounded by lack of adequate theological response both in the educational training and the liturgical activities of the church. Combining the historical data and the empirical research carried out, it was determined that the PCN needs a new theological orientation that can move it from the present institutionalized mode to a missonal frame. It was shown that this process would require a new definition of mission and a rediscovery of missional biblical metaphors that suit a conflict-ridden context of the Church as we have it in Nigeria. Three important metaphors were selected: community, servant and messenger. These metaphors formed the theological foundation for subsequent discussions on a missional frame which is the focus of chapter five. Chapter six outlines the meaning of conflicts and the causes of conflicts in Nigeria arguing for a reconciliatory missiology with a theologically-driven dialogue as its strategy. A theologically –driven dialogue is a strategy that, as is presented, enables the church to be God’s counter-cultural agent in the world, holding in tension the four cardinal points of obedience, critical contextualization, discernment and the anticipation of Christ’s return. It is argued that dialogue is a credible theological option through which the PCN can engage in the process of true reconciliation in the Nigerian society – a reconciliation which is based on the biblical cornerstones of truth, justice, peace and mercy. It is a task and a challenge for reconciliatory missiology - a momentous task the PCN is called upon to pursue in the 21st century. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek “Etnisiteit en missionale strategieë van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk in Nigerië”. ʼn Historiese blik op die sending metodes en ʼn studie van huidige missionêre praktyke binne die kerk dui daarop dat die kerk ʼn nuwe missionale identiteit benodig. ’n Nuwe missionale identiteit vereis ʼn transformasieproses in die huidige benadering van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië sodat die weg tot ʼn versoenende benadering gevind kan word. Om die huidige situasie te kan evalueer moes die missionêre ekklesiologie wat vorm gegee en bygedra het tot die huidige identiteit geëvalueer word. Gevolglik is die missionêre impak van die Kerk van Skotland, die Presbiteriaanse Kerke van Kanada en Amerika en die Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerk nagegaan. Hulle het in baie opsigte help vorm aan die huidige identiteit van die Presbiteriaanse kerk in Nigerië. Die positiewe maar ook negatiewe gevolge van hulle werk is beskryf. Een aspek van hul werk was die invloed van die stille rassisme wat destyds geheers het en wat die voorloper was van die huidige etnosentrisme in die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Die tweede deel van die navorsing ondersoek die huidige missionêre bediening en ingesteldheid van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Deur middel van ʼn fokus groep benadering en ’n vraelys, is onderhoude gevoer met 16 kerkleiers (8 Nigeriërs, 7 Kanadese en 1 Amerikaner). Die antwoorde van hierdie kerkleiers is geanaliseer en in hoofstuk 4 bespreek. Die voorveronderstelling in die hipotese dat die PKN etnosentrisme openbaar, is bevestig. Hierdie probleem, soos aangetoon in die navorsing, is versterk deur ʼn gebrek aan voldoende teologiese refleksie in die teologiese onderrig en in die liturgiese aktiwiteite van die kerk. Die historiese data en die empiriese navorsing toon aan dat die PKN ʼn nuwe teologiese oriëntasie benodig en dat dit slegs kan geskied as daar wegbeweeg word vanaf die huidige geïnstitusionaliseerde bedieningspraktyk na ʼn missionale raamwerk. Verder het dit duidelik geword dat ʼn nuwe verstaan van sending en ʼn herontdekking van missionale bybelse metafore nodig is om te spreek tot die konflik geteisterde konteks van die kerk in Nigerië. Drie belangrike metafore is voorgestel: gemeenskap, dienaar en boodskapper. Hierdie metafore voorsien die teologiese fundering vir die bespreking van ’n missionale verwysingsraamwerk vir die kerk se bediening. Hoofstuk 6 lig die betekenis van konflik asook die oorsake van konflik in Nigerië uit en argumenteer vir ʼn versoenende missiologie met ʼn teologies-gemotiveerde dialoog as strategie. ʼn Teologiesgemotiveerde dialoog is ʼn strategie wat, soos voorgelê in die navorsing, die kerk bemagtig om te reageer op die heersende kultuur, waar die vier kardinale aspekte van gehoorsaamheid, kritiese kontekstualisasie, onderskeiding en die afwagting van Christus se wederkoms byeen gebring word. Daar word geargumenteer dat dialoog ʼn waardige teologiese opsie is waardeur die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië binne die Nigeriese samelewing kan opereer in ʼn proses van ware versoening – ʼn versoening wat gebaseer is op die bybelse hoekstene van waarheid, geregtigheid, vrede en genade. Die uitdaging van ʼn versoenende missiologie is die uitdaging waartoe die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië in die 21ste eeu geroepe is.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the relationship between koinonia and diakonia. Where koinonia and diakonia are in proximity, an opportunity arises to draw individuals from different context together. This leads to an inter-cultural space where individuals from different contexts are encouraged to welcome and support each other in a mutual way. Chapter 3 presents a hermeneutical Scriptural and a theological framework illustrating the important relationship between koinonia and diakonia. It is argued that such a “full koinonia” is embodied in the life of Jesus Christ. Not only did Christ came to live among human beings (koinonia ) but He also gave his life to us (diakonia). In chapter 4 the early Christian Church is evaluated as a community that exemplified a form of “full koinonia”. Within the cultural diverse community in the Roman Empire, the church was able to reach out to the so called “other” by their positive approach to the many crises and challenges of the day. Christian help and support presented itself as a unique support network. In chapter 5 “ full koinonia” is evaluated through an interdisciplinary approach by listening to sociology and community development. Both disciplines argue for a more personal or holistic approach in rendering service to communities. This calls for the addressing of greater societal issues over and above individual interests. In chapter 6 “full koinonia” is discussed from a missional perspective. A cross-cultural or intercultural framework for servanthood is explored. Six principles for a “full koinonia” is outlined: openness, acceptance, trust, learning, understanding and serving. With this hermeneutical framework as point of departure, the empirical component of the research is discussed in the following chapters. The research focuses on three Christian community projects, Shiloh Synergy, Sarfat Community Projects and the Elsiesrivier Care Centre exploring how they dealt with “full koinonia.” The design of the empirical study in chapter 7 is presented in the form of a comparative study for the discernment of: 1) The processes and structures within inter-cultural Christian community projects; and 2) an evaluation of the level of a transformation in relationships. The qualitative data is analysed and discussed in chapter 8. The study concludes in chapter 9 by establishing a meaningful interpretation of “full koinonia” in faith based involvement within a context full of societal challenges. The literature study as well as the empirical component of the research proved the hypothesis that stated that faith based personal involvement leads to holistic growth for all concerned and contributes to social transformation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die relasie tussen koinonia en diakonia. Waar koinonia en diakonia nader aan mekaar gebring word, ontstaan ʼn geleentheid om individue vanuit verskillende kontekste byeen te bring. Dit baan die weg tot ʼn inter-kulturele ontmoeting waarbinne individue vanuit verskillende kontekste mekaar wedersyds verwelkom en versorg. In hoofstuk 3 van hierdie studie is ʼn hermeneutiese raamwerk vir die noue relasie tussen koinonia en diakonia vanuit die Skrif en die teologie verskaf. Daar is geargumenteer vir “volle koinonia” wat beliggaam is deur Jesus Christus. Nie net het Christus onder die mensdom kom woon nie (koinonia), maar het Hy sy lewe vir ander afgelê (diakonia). In Hoofstuk 4 word die vroeë Christelike kerk bespreek as ʼn gemeenskap wat gestalte wou gee aan “volle koinonia”. In die kultureel diverse samelewing van die Romeinse Ryk, was die kerk in staat om die “ander” te verwelkom deur positief te reageer op bepaalde krisisse en uitdagings. Christelike hulp en ondersteuning het na vore getree as ʼn unieke ondersteunings-netwerk. In hoofstuk 5 is daar aan die hand van ʼn interdissiplinêre benadering vanuit die sosiologie en gemeenskapsontwikkeling ondersoek ingestel na die verstaan van “volle koinonia” binne samelewingsverband. Beide dissiplines argumenteer vir ʼn meer personalistiese of holistiese benadering, waar dit nie net gaan om individuele belange nie, maar die aanspreek van dieperliggende oorsake. In hoofstuk 6 is daar vanuit ʼn missionêre perspektief gesoek na ʼn teologiese raamwerk wat so ʼn “volle koinonia” bevorder. ʼn Kruis-kulturele of inter-kulturele raamwerk vir diens word voorgestel. Ses belangrike beginsels is in die bevordering van “volle koinonia” uitgelig, naamlik die bevordering van openheid, aanvaarding, vertroue, lering, verstaan en diens. Met hierdie hermeneutiese raamwerk as uitgangspunt, is die empiriese komponent van die studie in die volgende hoofstukke beskryf. Aan die hand van drie Christelike gemeenskaps-projekte, naamlik Shiloh Synergy, Sarfat Community Projects en die Elsiesrivier Care Centre is die ervaring van “volle koinonia” prakties getoets. Die ontwerp van die empiriese deel van die studie (hoofstuk 7), was in die vorm van ʼn vergelykende studie ter onderskeiding van: 1) Die prosesse en strukture van die inter-kulturele ontmoeting by Christelike gemeenskapsprojekte; en 2) ʼn evaluering van die vlak van transformasie in verhoudinge. Die kwalitatiewe data is in hoofstuk 8 geanaliseer en bespreek. Die gevolgtrekking van die studie, in hoofstuk 9, bied ʼn interpretasie van wat “volle koinonia” in geloofsgebaseerde betrokkenheid behels en bereik. Die literatuurstudie en die empiriese komponent van die navorsing het die hipotese bewys. Dit toon aan dat geloofsgebaseerde betrokkenheid op ʼn persoonlike vlak ruim geleentheid bied vir die holistiese groei van die betrokkenes en die weg baan tot sosiale transformasie.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-12-19T11:29:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Raimundo Carvalho Gordiano.pdf: 1325151 bytes, checksum: 6974f44a3653906fe1f2574090f48495 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-19T11:29:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Raimundo Carvalho Gordiano.pdf: 1325151 bytes, checksum: 6974f44a3653906fe1f2574090f48495 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-30 / Adveniat / The Church has its origin, source and fullness in Trinitarian pericorese. The inner movement of divine communion is overflowing with life. The Church is involved in the creative and saving mission of God. This ecclesiological perspective was deepened and assumed in the Second Vatican Council. This research portrays a reading of the missionary nature of the Church in the Diocese of Coari. It points out three facets taken over and built during its fifty years of evangelization: ecclesiology, sociopastoral action and missionary life as evangelizing and pastoral reflection. The primary sources are the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes and the Ad Gentes Decree. The bibliographical sources, the texts of the Magisterium and the Tradition are based and help to indicate the perspectives of the mission of the Local Church and its inspirations for the communion of the People of God. The diocese is missionary and continues its construction. You always need to update your evangelizing action. Installed in the ambience of the traditional Amazonian culture, the presence of urban culture has a strong presence. Diocesanism invites us to think and update our mission in order to renew ourselves permanently as a Missionary Church / A Igreja tem sua origem, fonte e plenitude na pericorese trinitária. O movimento interno da comunhão divina é transbordante de vida. O Povo de Deus é envolvido na missão criadora e salvadora de Deus. Essa perspectiva eclesiológica foi aprofundada e assumida no Concílio Vaticano II. Esta pesquisa retrata uma leitura da missionariedade da Igreja na Diocese de Coari. Aponta três facetas assumidas e construídas ao longo de seus cinquenta anos de evangelização: a eclesiologia, a ação sociopastoral e a missionariedade enquanto vivência evangelizadora e reflexão pastoral. As fontes primárias são a Constituição Dogmática Lumen Gentium, a Constituição Pastoral Gaudium et Spes e o Decreto Ad Gentes. As fontes bibliográficas, os textos do Magistério e da Tradição fundamentam e ajudam a indicar perspectivas da missão da Igreja Local e suas inspirações para a comunhão do Povo de Deus. A Diocese é missionária e continua sua construção. Necessita sempre atualizar sua ação evangelizadora. Instalada no ambiente da cultura tradicional amazônida, tem diante de si a forte presença da cultura urbana. A diocesaneidade convida a pensar e atualizar a missão a fim de renovar-se permanentemente como Igreja Missionária