Summaries in German and English. / Gegenstand der vorliegenden Forschungsarbeit ist die Dokumantarische Evaluation der missional ausgerichteten Gemeindeberatung des Gemeindeberatungsinstituts Trafo. Dabei soll die transformatorische Wirkung der Kombination von Gemeindeberatung und dem aus der Gemeinwesenarbeit adaptierten und für Gemeindearbeit modifizierten Transformationszyklus auf der Basis von dokumentarischer Sozialforschung und dem Empirisch Theologischen Praxiszyklus intradisziplinär erforscht werden. Die Dokumentarische, qualitative Forschungsmethode generiert ihre Ergebnisse nicht in den Aussagen des Common Sense, sondern durch das atheoretische konjunktive Wissen der Beteiligten. Zugang zu diesem impliziten Wissen verschafft sich die Forschung durch Rekonstruktion kollektiver Handlungslogiken, die auf der Ebene des „modus operandi“ angesiedelt sind. Diese Herangehensweise ermöglicht es der Forschung unbewusste Alltagserfahrungen, wie in diesem Fall die Teilnahme an einem Trafo-Gemeindeberatungsprozess und damit einhergehenden transformatorischen Veränderungen prozesshaft zu reproduzieren und die unbewussten Handlungsmuster für die Auswertung fruchtbar werden zu lassen. Die aus dieser Vorgehensweise gewonnenen Ergebnisse speisen die Erkenntnisfunktionen von Evaluationen, die in Erkenntnis-, Kontroll-, Dialog- und Lernfunktion (Stockmann 2007:25) zu unterteilen sind, und die vor allem zur Verbesserung der Beratungsqualität dient und damit gleichzeitig eine Auswirkung auf die Gemeindetransformation an sich hat. / Subject-matter of the following MTh dissertation is a documentary evaluation of missional church-counsel in the setting of Trafo-Church-Counsel Institute. Aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of transformation within the Trafo-Church-Counsel Program which is conducted of a combination of church-counsel and a transformation cycle of community organizing adapted for churches. Based on documentary social science and the empirical-theological praxis cycle this study will be performed in an intradisciplinary manner. Documentary research doesn’t generate its results based on common sense but on collective tacid knowledge of the participants. Further access will be gained through reconstructing collective implicit logic of action. This specific methodical approach provides insights on missional transformation in general and in the specific case of Trafo-Church-Counsel Institute. The results of this study will provide on one hand answers for the quest of evaluations which include learn functions as: awareness, control, increased insights for dialogue with stakeholders and learn function for quality improvement (Stockmann 2007:25) and will enhance on the other hand church counsel and church transformation. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

Thesis (D. Min.)--Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, OH, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 249-252).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Erskine Theological Seminary, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-132).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2001. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 219-221).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2001. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 219-221).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Aberdeen, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 457-556).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Abstract and vita. Includes final project proposal. Description based on Print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-165).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Aberdeen, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 457-556).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Erskine Theological Seminary, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-132).

Individuals and organisations follow a general developmental cycle, that begins with birth, and progresses through growth, maturity, decline and death. While individuals necessarily die after a period of years, organisations may continue through many generations, though they too may die. Once an organisation reaches maturity, it tends toward decline, for sin has corrupted not only men, but all creation (Rms. 8:21-22). Though all things tend toward decay and death, they can be revitalised, for such is the power of God's grace. Like all organisations, the church can become ineffective. Many prefer abandoning the old organisation and starting a new work. Revitalisation may be the better solution, though it is certainly the greater challenge. This project considers the organisational life cycle biblically, historically and contemporarily. It considers how the church grows, and what keeps it from growing. It also considers the merits of creating `new wineskins,' versus revitalising old ones. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)