No description available.

The purpose of this study was to investigate what view of humans that emerges when priests/reverends talk about man in relation to baptism. The study consists of qualitative interviews with four priests/reverends. There were two representatives from the church of Sweden, and two from the Pentecostal church. The aim and questions in the study focus on what view of humans that emerges. Will there be similarities and differences in the view of humans, and is it possible to refer the result to the respective church. The theory that is being used focusses on so called components of how humans are viewed and these components can be seen as building blocks in how a view of humans is formed. The background comes from the varying view of the baptism tradition that exists in Christianity. The church of Sweden mainly baptizes children, whereas the Pentecostal church practices believer´s baptism. The result demonstrates that the reflected view of humans in different ways can prove what each church of the interviewee represents.

Applied research project (D. Min.)--School of Theology and Missions, Oral Roberts University, 2005. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 309-321).

[No Abstract]

This thesis investigates Yonggi Cho's conception of Seongnyeong Undong (the Holy Spirit Movement: HSM) in his pastoral ministry activity at the Yoido Full Gospel Church (YFGC) in Korea. First of all, it examines how Cho's HSM developed at the YFGC from an historical perspective. Secondly, it discusses Cho's main theology and investigates this theology from a systematic theological perspective. Thirdly, it focuses on Cho's belief and practice from a practical, theological perspective. Some scholars say that Cho's theology, belief and practice, particularly of material blessings and Sinyu (divine healing) in his ministry, are similar to those in Korean shamanism. However, other scholars argue that his theological ideas came from the Bible and western theological doctrines and Westerners. The present study assesses these different arguments and concludes that Cho tried to base his theological ideas and his ministry activity on biblical foundations rather than on shamanistic and other Korean traditional cultures, even if he used Korean terms to describe them. The study is mainly based on literary research and is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the overall focus of the study. Chapter 2 examines the life and ministry of Yonggi Cho, and the development of Yonggi Cho's understanding of the HSM in his pastoral care since 1958. Using a historical theological method this chapter also shows how Yonggi Cho developed the HSM at the YFGC in his ministry through his written work. Chapter 3 deals with Yonggi Cho's theological background and his core theology — how he understands the HSM, and the root of HSM from systematic theological perspectives. It shows where his main theology came from on the basis of evidence provided in his numerous writings. Chapter 4 emphasises Yonggi Cho's understanding of the Holy Spirit (HS) in his belief and practice. It shows where his belief and practice came from, and discusses what his main belief and practices are from practical theological views. Chapter 5 concludes the study. Three main conclusions are drawn with regard to the 1) historical theological, 2) systematic theological, and 3) practical theological perspectives on Yonggi Cho's understanding of the HS. The thesis concludes that Cho was much more influenced by biblical and western understandings than he was by shamanism or by other Korean traditions, even though he borrowed words from their language.

Applied research project (D. Min.)--School of Theology and Missions, Oral Roberts University, 2005. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 370-380).

Masters of Art / Knowledge Management (KM) has developed over the years into a mainstream organisational necessity to achieve success and organisational effectiveness. The goal of this study is to assess KM and organisational learning within religious organisations especially Pentecostal Churches. This study is based on both qualitative and quantitative research design, employing a case study research method. The study population was the 120 congregational members of Christian Faith Revival Ministries of South Africa, located in Tafelsig, Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected using questionnaire and Interview. Analysis was done using SPSS and Atlas.ti.

The challenge of building relationships of authentic mutuality across lines of difference is an increasingly critical concern in the Christian church and the larger society. Despite decades of work to overcome racism and the legacy of colonialism, cross-cultural relationships are still marred by misunderstanding, an imbalance of resources, and the risks of paternalism and dependence. In the church, these issues often come into focus in mission work, both domestic and international. This research explores the potential and the obstacles to the formation of just relationships through the careful examination of a case—the mission partnership between the Pentecostal Church of Chile and the United Church of Christ. These two denominations, from different branches of the global church but with a shared commitment to ecumenism, undertook multiple shared programmatic activities that facilitated encounters that made possible enduring friendships, despite the obstacles created by differences in language, culture, religious practice, and economic development. The study employs a mixed methodology located within practical theology, including the construction of a history of this partnership through the use of archival materials, a discussion of the history of ecumenical conversation about partnership in the global church, analysis of the similarities and differences between Pentecostal and Reformed Christians, a review of research on short-term mission trips, and an ethnographic presentation of a cross-cultural immersion program for youth from the two churches. It concludes with a discussion of friendship as a theological and sociological term, based in part on semi-structured interviews with partnership participants in both churches. The study finds that despite multiple challenges, this partnership endured because of institutional commitments made by denominational leaders and the willingness of individual members of both churches to participate in partnership activities. In addition, participants demonstrated diverse expressions of friendships with each other, despite the many barriers and impediments to relationship building. The study has implications for other kinds of international partnership and cross-cultural work in both Christian mission and nongovernmental organizations. It reveals some of the characteristics that allow international partner relationships to form and endure. It also identifies the practices of encounter, intentionality, mutual respect, patience, and attentiveness that help to build cultural competencies.

This study aims to investigate how the nature, structure and experience of religious life has changed in two Pentecostal churches during Covid-19 and how digital supplements were used and interpreted. A further aim is to investigate the consequences of the usage of digital media and how digital media is being used today, after the Public Health restrictions have been eased. Heidi Campbell, who is a prominent researcher in the subject of digital religion, has developed the theory Religious-social shaping of technology or RSST. The theory claims that communities' digital use is based on the community's historical background and tradition; these create common precedents that either have an innovative, accepting or deviant attitude towards new media. The material created in this study discusses through Campbell’s theory of digital usages that the impact digitalization has had on the organization, authority and community has been dominant. The result is that the churches after the easing of restrictions is resistant against digital media, since it removes the feeling of solidarity.

Similar to other countries in southern Africa, the relationship between African Spiritual Churches and New Pentecostal Churches in Botswana has been characterized by considerable tension and mutual distrust. Although both movements highlight the third person of the Trinity, the Spirit of God, their followers view the world around them very differently. This study has investigated the relationship between these two types of churches by focusing on their efforts to produce unique ideologies of spiritual power in relation to the two major ideologies in the Botswana context, namely the reified Setswana worldview and the globalizing forces of Western modernity. In order to provide a careful analysis of the relationship between these movements, two churches from each group were chosen as representatives. The Hermon Church and Revelation Blessed Peace Church served as examples for the African Spiritual Churches, while Goodnews Ministries and Bible Life Ministries were the New Pentecostal subjects. Primary research methods included interviews with church leadership, questionnaires for members of each church and participant observation. Church origins, biblical hermeneutics, healing and deliverance rituals, and approaches to cultures and covenants formed the key areas of study. Creating unique “worlds of the Spirit” by means of innovative tactics, both types of churches seek to enable their followers to live well as they produce their contextualized ideologies of power. However, even though both movements lay claim to the Spirit of God as their source of power, the distinctive ideologies emerging from their sermons, technologies, rituals and symbols have brought them into conflict with one another. For African Spiritual Churches, the Spirit of God meets people in the midst of life’s struggles, providing healing and wholeness in all relationships. Their willingness to adopt certain elements of the reified Setswana worldview is a major issue in the conflict with New Pentecostal Churches. For New Pentecostals, the Spirit breaks all covenants made in the past, and empowers “born again” believers to succeed in a modern environment filled with opportunities and challenges. The key missiological concern of this study is to explore the unique efforts of these movements to contextualize the gospel message for Botswana. / Church Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)