Thesis (doctoral)--Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universtät, Bonn. / Description based on print version record.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Tübingen, 2002.

Habilitation-Augustana-Hochschule, Neuendettelsau, 2001/02. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [377]-396) and index.

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.

As people have currently a longer life expectation than was previously experienced, it means that many could face a prolonged retirement period of 30 years or even longer. Life changes as an unavoidable element of life may create rather drastic challenges. The approach towards retirement may cause stress and uncertainty for some people, as well as the realisation that necessary changes need to occur. This study focuses on research regarding the life transition to retirement and the challenges each person faces during this phase of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences and perceptions that retired people had of their life in retirement, with the purpose of formulating guidelines for the development and implementation of a coaching model for retirement. For the purpose of this study, the following four tasks of practical theological interpretation, as explained by Osmer, were followed:  Descriptive-empirical task – “What is going on?”  Interpretative task – “Why is this happening?”  Normative task – “What ought to be happening?”  Pragmatic task – “How might we respond?” An empirical qualitative study was done with retired people by way of focus groups. What transpired was that the reality of a longer life expectancy, the continuation of an active lifestyle and the turbulent economic climate could all have an influence on the quality of retirement. The results from the empirical study suggested that it is essential to follow a holistic approach in the preparation, planning and adaptation process regarding retirement. From the interpretative task regarding life coaching, it transpired that coaching is one of the fastest growing disciplines with worldwide recognition. Life coaching is being used as a method to facilitate purpose-driven change on personal, spiritual and professional levels. From the interpretative task regarding retirement it was established that retirement is a concept that is undergoing vast changes, while various perceptions regarding retirement are being upheld. On account of the longer life expectancy that is currently observed, retirement is nowadays being perceived more as a transition from full-time employment to a lesser work-orientated existence. The normative task focused on the aspects of life coaching by showing examples of prominent leaders in the Bible and how their behaviour can possibly enrich and form the life of the life coach, and can be applied as an example to imitate. Although no logical concept for retirement is detailed in the Bible, the elderly are highly regarded and they can live with an unfailing, hopeful future expectation of eternal life and the second coming of Jesus Christ. The conclusion of the study is that, through good planning and preparation for the life phase of retirement, retirement coaching can be instrumental in a more positive attitude towards retirement and good emotional, intellectual, spiritual, physical, social and financial adjustment in retirement. With reference to the results of the descriptive-empirical task, the interpretative tasks and the normative task, practical-theoretical guidelines were formulated in the pragmatic task of a life coaching model with a view to retirement. / MA (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

As people have currently a longer life expectation than was previously experienced, it means that many could face a prolonged retirement period of 30 years or even longer. Life changes as an unavoidable element of life may create rather drastic challenges. The approach towards retirement may cause stress and uncertainty for some people, as well as the realisation that necessary changes need to occur. This study focuses on research regarding the life transition to retirement and the challenges each person faces during this phase of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences and perceptions that retired people had of their life in retirement, with the purpose of formulating guidelines for the development and implementation of a coaching model for retirement. For the purpose of this study, the following four tasks of practical theological interpretation, as explained by Osmer, were followed:  Descriptive-empirical task – “What is going on?”  Interpretative task – “Why is this happening?”  Normative task – “What ought to be happening?”  Pragmatic task – “How might we respond?” An empirical qualitative study was done with retired people by way of focus groups. What transpired was that the reality of a longer life expectancy, the continuation of an active lifestyle and the turbulent economic climate could all have an influence on the quality of retirement. The results from the empirical study suggested that it is essential to follow a holistic approach in the preparation, planning and adaptation process regarding retirement. From the interpretative task regarding life coaching, it transpired that coaching is one of the fastest growing disciplines with worldwide recognition. Life coaching is being used as a method to facilitate purpose-driven change on personal, spiritual and professional levels. From the interpretative task regarding retirement it was established that retirement is a concept that is undergoing vast changes, while various perceptions regarding retirement are being upheld. On account of the longer life expectancy that is currently observed, retirement is nowadays being perceived more as a transition from full-time employment to a lesser work-orientated existence. The normative task focused on the aspects of life coaching by showing examples of prominent leaders in the Bible and how their behaviour can possibly enrich and form the life of the life coach, and can be applied as an example to imitate. Although no logical concept for retirement is detailed in the Bible, the elderly are highly regarded and they can live with an unfailing, hopeful future expectation of eternal life and the second coming of Jesus Christ. The conclusion of the study is that, through good planning and preparation for the life phase of retirement, retirement coaching can be instrumental in a more positive attitude towards retirement and good emotional, intellectual, spiritual, physical, social and financial adjustment in retirement. With reference to the results of the descriptive-empirical task, the interpretative tasks and the normative task, practical-theoretical guidelines were formulated in the pragmatic task of a life coaching model with a view to retirement. / MA (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Bonn, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-268).

Habilitation--Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Freiburg/Schweiz, 2005.