The core of this thesis is to investigate the role of the church in the community districted by divorce. More especially the role of the Catholic Church as it is one of the mainline churches in Lesotho. The process is to research how care of the people of God is undertaken, and to heal those who are affected by divorce because the Basotho men are separated from their wives while in the mines. How do we care for people especially those who walk alone and suffer quietly because no one cares. Never before in the history of Lesotho were we faced with such a problem of couples divorcing. Divorce has touched the Basotho lives badly, especially those who were known to be having a profound love in the marriage. My investigation throughout this thesis will be based on a question; what has gone wrong in our marriages especially to those people who were known to be loving people? They are now divorcing. Several questions come to mind. What has gone wrong? What is the church doing in order to rescue the situation? Why so many divorces among Basotho people? I will examine the role of the Catholic Church in Lesotho, which has more members in the country. I will also finally propose some of the tentative solution to the problem of divorce, which seems to be escalating. / Dissertation (MA (Theology) : Practical Theology)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

While there is a plethora of research on the church, healing and reconciliation, there is none that has taken cognisance of the need to find solutions to deal with tribalism between Ndebele and Shona clergy in the Pentecostal church of Zimbabwe. Clergy are deployed according to the language they speak, instead of the passion and call of Elohim upon their lives. Many Researches have been done on centuries of tribal conflict; however, they centred on socio-political influences instead of socio-religious influences and consequences of the tribal conflict between Ndebele and Shona clergy. Tribal conflict has transcended generations and crossed all social settings that it has found its expression even among the clergy and laity within churches across Zimbabwe. The main focus of this research is the conflict between Ndebele and Shona Clergy in the Pentecostal church in Zimbabwe and has sought to “lift the carpet” and remove all the hidden social and unspoken debris, that continues to split the church along tribal lines. The Researcher writes from the perspective of being a female clergy who is also born by a Shona father and a Ndebele mother hence she relates to both sets of people outside the church. However, within the conservative Pentecostal church setting, the researcher was made to feel like an outsider by both groups which was even aggravated by the fact that her denominational organisation doesn't ordain and recognise female ministers let alone those of mixed ethnicity. The research established a participatory action research process so as to promote both education (creating curricula that deals with tribalism) and action (speaking against tribalism from the pulpit). The Research Methodology that was initially proposed was a Mixed Methods Action Research (Ivankova, 2015: 45), however during the course of the study it was changed to a qualitative method of enquiry as it thoroughly investigated and interrogated the tribal status quo among the Pentecostal clergy (Ndebele & Shona) in Zimbabwe. The research demography was two of Zimbabwe's largest cities (namely; Bulawayo and Harare), and the reason for choosing these two cities, was because they are predominantly Ndebele and Shona concentrations, respectively. Zimbabwe is composed of these two as the major tribes and many other small tribes, however these small tribes seem to be insignificant to the social fabric of Zimbabwe compared to the two major tribes (namely the Ndebele and Shona). The effects of tribal differences between the Ndebele and Shona people was assessed, in order to ascertain their effect on pastoral care. An exploration of the history between the Ndebele and Shona tribes formulated part of this research, thereby creating an understanding of the underlying causes of the existing Tribal Conflicts. Most of the literature that deals with the Zimbabwean conflicts has not tried to bring to light the tribal conflict between the Ndebele and Shona clergy. An investigation on how this conflict began and what has been its contemporary influence among the Clergy of Zimbabwe was conducted via interviews, questionnaires, folk tales, books and journals. The power of the church as the custodian of reconciliation was discussed in order to harness and promote a visible pastoral care drive that will promote real Truth and Reconciliation while bringing healing to the church of Zimbabwe, in particular. An interrogation of the effectiveness of previous truth and reconciliation efforts assisted to lay the foundation for engaging of the Clergy. This research sought to understand whether the 1983 to 1987 Gukurahundi incidents were clarion indicators of existing tribal tensions between the Ndebele and Shona people, in particular the clergy. / Dissertation (MTh)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Practical Theology / MTh / Unrestricted

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the experiences of single mothers raising rebellious adolescent boys. A qualitative methodological design was followed. Thirteen single mothers were interviewed, as well as five clergies and six social workers. An in-depth qualitative analysis was undertaken, in order to investigate the subject of single mothers raising adolescent boys. The study results are presented in an integrated and descriptive tabula format. The participant’s stories were re-encountered through the researcher’s own frame of reference in which common themes of the single motherhood and adolescence were constructed. They were elaborated on and a comparative active analysis was undertaken to link them with the available literature. This information gained from the research could contribute to the existing body of knowledge; on the impact of the rebellious behaviour of the adolescent boys on the single mother, by offering a new perspective. The project was done within The Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality under the Gert Sibande District of Mpumalanga Province. It was found that most single mothers were suffering silently as there is no adequate support either from the community or the church. The study found that the behaviour of girls reflected better on their mothers compared to their counterparts who are boys. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Practical Theology / PhD / Unrestricted

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / The problem of this study was to define a model of marriage around the concept of covenant for use in pastoral care which would be rooted in the Protestant Christian tradition and highly relevant to the needs and aspirations with which young people in American society approach marriage, empirically sound, and sufficiently differentiated and comprehensive to provide young people with realistic and practical guidance. This task involved: (1) constructing a model rooted in the Protestant Christian tradition and relevant to the needs of young Americans who approach marriage; (2) discovering in an exploration of values a basis for the husband-wife relationship conceptualized in the model; (3) describing processes by which this relationship might be attained; and (4) suggesting ways that pastors might use the model effectively in pastoral care. [TRUNCATED] / 2031-01-01

The culture of the twenty-first century can be characterized by discontentment and hopelessness, especially among emerging adults or Millennials. They are generally lost in their orientation in life and are in search of who they are. There are many challenges to identity. Relativism has caused the loss of anchors in life; and individualism in neoliberalism promises freedom but does not deliver. Postmodernism also entails a paradigm shift in the demarcation of the human life cycle. This phenomenon prolongs the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Furthermore, people are suffering under the power of a neoliberal economic system. Men and women are stressed and exhausted by their everyday lived experience. For those who grew up in the immigrant Chinese church, the issue of identity is further complexified by culture and ethnicity. Many of them have chosen to leave the church where they grew up in search of a place of belonging, a home. How can the church be that home for young adults? This dissertation argues that the church can be the caring community where they belong. Caring is paramount to those who are transitioning into adulthood. However, caring is no longer the central narrative in many churches. Today pastoral care in the church has been displaced by institutional needs and a performance-driven mentality. Therefore, theological reflection on the praxis of care in generational ministry is necessary for the Canadian Chinese Church. The message of the holistic gospel speaks of life on earth as much as it does on life after death. Notwithstanding, salvation in Jesus Christ is still the grand-narrative. It is the bedrock of all that pastoral theology proposes. This research affirms that apart from the cross of Jesus, there can be no daily deliverance. The call to care for individual needs is not to preach another gospel but to fulfill it. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No / n/a

The thesis "Role of some religious orders in extraparochial evangelization and pastoral care", presents the theme evangelization and pastoral care as a part of the whole life course of man, which it plays an important role in. Evangelization is characterized as a whole life task and mission of each Christian. In connection with the concluding document of the Plenary session of Catholic Church in the Czech Republic, categorical attitude of pastoral care to various groups of people is accentuated as the optimal way of pastoral care. The thesis emphasizes an important role of religious communities in evangelization and pastoral care, including description of extraparochial activities and their contribution at some chosen religious communities. Keywords : Evangelization Pastoral care Categorical Religious Spiritual pastoral care orders exercise

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The basic premise of this study is that a spiritual approach to care and support of people living with HIV, by means of a holistic pastoral model, would provide the Reformed Church of East Africa's Plateau Mission Hospital with an integrated dimension in their community-based care programme for people living with HIV/AIDS. This will go a long way in assisting the RCEA's diversification of the existing medical model, particularly in the Plateau Mission Hospital’s catchment area with its ever-increasing cases of infections, deaths, rejections, church-related stigma, orphans and vulnerable children. The researcher proposes the use of a spiritual model in dealing with PLWH in the Plateau Mission Hospital because this will help to address some of the unresolved theological issues that come to the fore when addressing matters concerning the health and illness of people living with HIV and AIDS. The researcher does this with acute awareness of the importance of integrating other approaches in the care and support of PLWH. For a holistic approach to be effected, the social development, medical, psychological and holistic systemic approaches to care must be considered. The holistic systemic approach used by the biomedical personnel and other caregivers should regard the person as a relational and social being acting within a cultural context. On the other hand, the biomedical model serves us with accurate diagnoses and sophisticated methods of treatment within which modern medicine is practiced. Similarly, the psychosocial model considers the influence of the social environment not only to the challenges that PLWH face, but also on the care they should receive. However, research has shown that there is an increasing need for holistic care in health care systems. This calls for the inclusion of spirituality within the developing bio-psycho-social approaches in addressing health and illness, particularly for people living with HIV and AIDS, in order for them to attain holistic healing. Plateau Mission Hospital, being a church-based institution within the jurisdiction of the RCEA’s southern presbytery, can be an effective vehicle for pastoral care of people living with HIV and AIDS. The organization is strategically placed and has the capacity (resource persons) to engage in a holistic ministry. The paper also aims at unlocking the RCEA’s resources to become more involved in all rounded existential issues of PLWH in the hospital’s catchment area. In this study, it is presupposed that, although the Hospital has a history of medical and social development work and chaplaincy office, it lacks emphasis on the spiritual dimension, and yet this focal point is important in terms of the immediate HIV/AIDS context at Plateau. The researcher established that the training that the personnel at the medical facility have undertaken promotes a clinical approach to all issues of health (prevention and treatment after prescription), even to people living with HIV/AIDS. Methodology. The first methodology for data collection that the research employed was literature review. In this case, library and church documents were reviewed to gather information on related matters. The areas reviewed were related to spirituality, care and healing in the context of HIV, pastoral care and theology in the context of HIV, and biomedical approaches in relation to the care of PLWH, and documentation (Plateau Hospital Reports, the RCEA’s constitution and Care Departmental Reports) on the RCEA’s approach to Hospital care to PLWH by means of the CBHC programme at the Plateau Mission Hospital in Eldoret. The websites were also consulted for purposes of data collection. The second method was conducting specific oral and written interviews with the Hospital’s CBHC staff, PLWH, congregational and church leadership on matters of the proposed spiritual care of PLWA. The areas interviewed were for the spiritual needs, those involved in the care and support of PLWH, improving existing interventions, the challenges encountered in the care for PLWH, the unfulfilled needs of PLWH and how spiritual care could improve the quality of the lives of PLWH. The third method of data collection was participant observation. The researcher was involved in the activities being studied. This method entailed participant observation during normal diaconal care activities in the RCEA’s Plateau parish congregations that the researcher implemented, for instance visiting people living with HIV/Aids, taking gifts to children affected by HIV. In meeting with volunteer caregivers during visits, while joining the CBHC team during follow-up meetings with PLWH in their homes, data was collected. The researcher had patient consultation during days for voluntary counseling and testing and informal meetings with volunteer caregivers. Presentation of the Thesis - Outline of Research This study is divided into five parts. Chapter 1 will examine the background to the study considering the problem statement, research questions, research objectives, hypothesis, justification, the scope of the research, the methodology used, limitations and delimitations. In Chapter 2 the paper will explore The Kenyan Scenario: Medical work and the involvement of the church within the community. This will cover the Kenyan national HIV updates, Uasin Gishu updates, Ainabkoi divisional statistics, the background to the Reformed Church of East Africa, Plateau Mission HIV ministry covering the psycho-social approach to community-based care of CBHC in the Reformed Church of East Africa in the Plateau Hospital catchment area. The paper will examine the medical care offered to people living with HIV/AIDS, such as the treatment of opportunistic diseases, administration of anti-retroviral drugs and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and voluntary counseling and testing. The paper will also examine the social and developmental activities and services rendered to PLWA and the orphans and vulnerable children by means of compassionate care. CBHC networking with congregations, and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital will also be highlighted. The paper will also highlight the gaps experienced as a result of the focus on medical and social developmental approaches to the care and support of PLWA and OVCs. Chapter 3 is largely the analysis of interview responses, and presents the findings of field research at the RCEA Plateau Mission Hospital’s selected area of study. This will indicate the seriousness of the unattended needs in this case the spiritual needs and the magnitude of the problem in the health facility but, by implication, affecting the church. This will need a change of stance, namely that of regarding HIV as a medical problem that the hospital needs to address, and view it as a collective need for all key players in church, hospital and community. Chapter 4 will look at the challenge HIV poses to the spiritual care of PLWH in Plateau Mission Hospital. The chapter will contain a literature review on the holistic approach in the care and support of people living with HIV. The section will look at understanding the needs of people living with HIV, pastoral care of people living with HIV, practical theology, biomedical and bio-psycho-social models in the care of PLWH. The study will also examine the relevance of God-images, systems approach, the role of the church and a spiritual care approach in the holistic healing for PLWH by means of pastoral care. Chapter 5 will conclude the paper and will shed light on the importance of the proposed approach to be integrated into the current strategy (pastoral care model with a spiritual-care approach). It is hoped that the recommendations that will be made at the end will strengthen the high demand for a holistic-care ministry to people living with HIV and the affected families in the RCEA Plateau Mission Hospital.

姚小青. / "2011年5月". / "2011 nian 5 yue". / Thesis (M.Div.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-37). / Abstract in Chinese and English. / Yao Xiaoqing. / Chapter (一） --- 引言 --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- 硏究範圍 --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- 硏究進路 --- p.3 / Chapter (二） --- 更生信徒之牧養需 要 --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- 更生信徒之處境 --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- 需要被接納 --- p.6 / Chapter 2.3 --- 需要信仰生命成長 --- p.8 / Chapter 2.4 --- 小結 --- p.9 / Chapter (三） --- 幫助更生信徒融入社群的牧 養 --- p.10 / Chapter 3.1 --- 「治療群體」之模式 --- p.11 / Chapter 3.2 --- 「治療群體」的發展 --- p.13 / Chapter 3.3 --- 以「治療群體」牧養 --- p.18 / Chapter 3.4 --- 小結 --- p.20 / Chapter (四） --- 硏究《更新會》之牧養模 式 --- p.22 / Chapter 4.1 --- 《更新會》之背景 --- p.23 / Chapter 4.2 --- 對更生信徒之牧養 --- p.26 / Chapter 4.3 --- 小結 --- p.33 / Chapter (五) --- 總結 --- p.34 / Chapter (六) --- 參考書目 --- p.36 / Chapter 6.1 --- 參考文章 --- p.36 / Chapter 6.2 --- 參考資料及網頁 --- p.37

Practical Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)