German text / Die Alkoholabhängigkeit ist die am stärksten verbreitete Abhängigkeitserkrankung in Deutschland. Unbekannt ist die Zahl der betroffenen Angehörigen. Nach Erarbeitung not-wendiger theoretischer Grundlagen und Vorstellung aktueller Forschungsergebnisse stan-den narrative Interviews mit Frauen von alkoholabhängigen Partnern im Mittelpunkt der Forschungsarbeit. Durch Datenanalyse und Dateninterpretation mit Methoden der rekon-struktiven Sozialforschung wurde ein tieferes Verständnis für die Lebensgeschichte der beiden ausgewählten Biografinnen gewonnen. Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren konnten diffe-renziert erfasst und resilienzfördernde Maßnahmen für Seelsorge und Beratung abgeleitet werden. Besondere Beachtung fand die Bedeutung des christlichen Glaubens als Resilienz-faktor. Weitere Beobachtungen durch Einbeziehung aller Interviews als Datenmaterial wurden als Hilfen für das Verständnis der Gesamtproblematik ausgewertet. Aus der Dis-kussion der Ergebnisse ergaben sich Handlungsempfehlungen für die christliche Gemeinde und richtungsweisende Impulse für Seelsorge und Beratung. Schlüsselbegriffe: / Alcohol dependence is the most widespread addictive disease in Germany, the number of affected relatives unkown. After acquiring theoretical foundations and current research results, my research focused on narrative interviews with wives of alcohol dependent part-ners. By the use of reconstructive social research methods, data analysis and interpretation a deeper understanding of the life history of the two selected biographers was obtained. After detecting risk and protective factors, resilience promoting factors for pastoral care and counselling could be derived. Special attention was paid to the importance of Christian faith. For an understanding of the overall problem, all interviews were included as data material and evaluated. From the discussion of the results, recommendations for the Chris-tian Church and impulses giving direction for pastoral care and counselling were derived. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

An evaluation of the spiritual experience of South African expatriates living in or migrating to other African countries, as a process of practical theology, established that expatriates do not isolate themselves from their churches in South Africa (SA). SA churches only make provision for traditional missionary outreaches and do not make provision for the SA expatriates, black or white, living in these African metropolitan areas. The subjects studied included SA expatriates, the relationships between SA churches, local African churches and expatriates, the act of migration, repatriation and its challenges together with the spiritual and social impact on individuals, marriages and families. A topical view implicates a direct relationship between fieldworkers, missionaries and chaplains deployment into African countries from SA. Furthermore, from research it is implied that the church in SA remains the spiritual home and resource centre of the migrant. The practical theological call for a realignment of mission praxis is vital and is linked to Christ’s parable of the ninety nine sheep, whilst one is lost (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7). This analogy produces the direct requirement of the Church to reconstruct missions to encompass combined support for their congregants in SA, the ninety nine, and those expatriates living in other African countries, the one. The missions to Africa should no longer be missions that only seek to convert African tribes to Christianity, but rather to serve Africans and others immigrating to countries on the continent. Church resources for SA expatriates would be made available when a visionary change occurs at the planning stages of strategies for African missions. Proposed mission strategies should include cell church, care group and discipleship models geared for missions and the African expatriate terrain. A realistic strategy that harmonises resources within the church to serve those abroad shall ensure positive impact on the spirituality, family and marriage of the expatriate. Finally two challenges are laid before the SA church, one, to continue with missions in Africa according to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, Matthew 28:19-20, with the second, to combine the expatriate discipleship models into its mission strategies. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Die kirchliche Verkündigung steht heute vor mannigfachen Herausforderungen. Das dynamische Beziehungsgeflecht von Prediger und Hörer, Text und Situation lässt sich nur schwer im Gleichgewicht halten. Prüft man die homiletischen Publikationen der Gegenwart und der jüngeren Vergangenheit, so wird deutlich, dass die Predigt sehr gründlich im Kontext der Hörersituation reflektiert wird. In diesem Zusammenhang ist auf einen möglichen Konflikt aufmerksam zu machen: die auf die Hörersituation bedachte Predigt kann versucht sein, den Anspruch des biblischen Textes zu vernachlässigen. Meine Dissertation will zur Frage der Hörerorientierung der Predigt einen klärenden Beitrag leisten, und zwar mithilfe eines homiletischen Vergleichs, der Epoche Johann Michaels Sailers mit der Gegenwart und jüngeren Vergangenheit. Bei aller kritischen Distanz zur geistesgeschichtlichen Bewegung der Aufklärung dürfen wir nicht übersehen, dass fruchtbare Impulse von ihr ausgegangen sind und zum Beispiel viele Anliegen der „katholischen Aufklärung“ im Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil (1962-1965) wieder aufgegriffen wurden. Die weithin von anthropologischen Interessen geleiteten homiletischen Bemühungen während der Aufklärungsphase im 18. Jahrhundert stehen in einer erkennbaren Analogie zur gegenwärtigen Situation. In besonderer Weise wird die homiletische Konzeption des Pastoraltheologen und späteren Bischofs von Regensburg Johann Michael Sailer (1751-1832) dargestellt. Sein Entwurf einer christlichen Lebenslehre auf biblischem Fundament ist von bleibender Aktualität. Zum Vergleich, insbesondere im Blick auf die Hörererwartungen Situationsklärung, Solidarität und Zukunft, werden exemplarisch die homiletischen Entwürfe von Ernst Lange, Rudolf Bohren, Wilfried Engemann und Rolf Zerfaß herangezogen. / Preaching in the church today faces manifold challenges. The dynamic web of relationships between preacher and audience, text and situation is difficult to keep in balance. When analysing the homiletic publications of the present and recent past, it becomes apparent that the sermon is very thoroughly reflected with the context of the situation of the audience. In this connection, one has to draw attention to a possible conflict: a sermon designed with regard to the situation of the audience may be tempted to neglect the biblical text and its demands. Therefore, this thesis aims to make a clarifying contribution to the question of the audience orientation of sermons, namely by means of a homiletic comparison of the epoch of Johann Michael Sailer with the present and recent past. In spite of all critical distance to the history of thought of the Enlightenment Movement, we should not overlook the fact that fruitful impulses emanated from this time, and that, for example, many concerns of the “Catholic Enlightenment” were addressed again at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). The homiletic efforts of the Enlightenment period in the 18th century, which were widely led by anthropological interests, can be recognized as analogous to the current situation. The homiletic conception of the pastoral theologian and later Bishop of Regensburg, Johann Michael Sailer (1751-1832), will be described in particular. His conception of Christian ethical teaching on a biblical foundation is of timeless relevance. As comparison, the homiletic drafts of Ernst Lange, Rudolf Bohren, Wilfried Engemann and Rolf Zerfaß will be exemplarily analysed, particularly with regard to the expectation of the audience. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Across the United States, an overwhelming majority of the population claim that religion and spirituality beliefs shape their worldview and assist in coping with life stressors. Yet, the literature has shown that mental health practitioners reported discomfort integrating religion and spiritually in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore whether license-holding mental health professionals in Southern California develop reluctance toward addressing religion/spirituality with their clients. Through snowball sampling, 52 clinicians composed of social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, nurses, psychologists, and psychiatrists were recruited across Southern California (N =52). The participants were measured descriptively based on (a) confidence in their ability to integrate client beliefs into treatment and (b) their comfort discussing topics related to RS with their clients. Results revealed an overall level of reluctance ranging from 15 percent (for comfortability) to 25 percent (for ability) among the study participants. Licensed clinical social workers reported slightly lower reluctance level than other licensed professionals. Implications of the findings were discussed.

This study was undertaken in order to investigate mentoring as a dynamic factor in leadership development. Although the subject matter is broad, - this particular study focuses on mentoring in ”Living Word Ministries” as part of leadership development. Methodology consisted of a theoretical and qualitative interviewing process. During the informal interviews, ”Living Word Ministries” was used as target group to investigate mentoring, discipleship, development time line, succession and development of leaders. In conclusion this study unanimously identified the lack of mentoring as crucial factor in ”Living Word Ministries”. Mentoring and discipleship as two related concepts in leadership development need to be incorporated into ”Living Word Ministries” and the body of Christ. Discipleship can therefore be used as a conduit for the mentor to develop leadership abilities of the prospective leader. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / (M. Ed.(Practical Theology))

Practical theology has society as its horizon and should not be limited to a clerical paradigm because Christianity is not limited to a church but its horizon is the whole of society. In line with this understanding of practical theology, this study is a contribution to Christian education for a culture of peace in the Great Lakes region (the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi). Millions of people have been slaughtered in this region where Christianity is the main religion. The Church in this region has lost its credibility and is seen as contributing to a culture of violence through its church leaders and parishioners. This study focuses on the research question: Can teaching twofold love contribute to a culture of peace in the Great Lakes region? The thesis has empirically argued that the cause of turmoil in the Great Lakes region is the lack of twofold love, which has disguised itself in all evils known in the region, such as corruption, hegemony, predation, indirect rule, divide and rule, tribalism, fetishism, mass killings, prostitution, over-trust in modernism and breaking God's Ten Commandments, more than anything else. Humankind finds it difficult to love the neighbour like oneself and this lack of neighbourly love causes unrest in this region. The discussion in chapter three has empirically demonstrated through educational psychology that teaching is love of the learner. Therefore, an effective teacher should be able to give loving care to the learner's spiritual, physical and social needs, in a specific context. This is what Jesus did through verbal and behavioural media (Byrskog, 1994: 321). Such a liberationist teaching that should avoid pouring socially irrelevant knowledge on the learner is still an urgent need in the Great Lakes region. Christian education in this region has been learnt in a rote manner without educating Christians to be problem solvers. The fourth chapter makes practical suggestions on how to deal with the dilemmas of teaching Christian education in the region. Thus the study has empirically confirmed the research hypothesis that an effective teaching of twofold love can contribute to a culture of peace in the Great Lakes region. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

This dissertation describes efforts to facilitate participation in deconstructing gay discourse in the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). Gay discourse is challenged through the sharing of gay Christians' stories. While serving on the task team on homosexuality of the General Synod of the DRC a DVD on which gay people share their stories was produced and employed in order to facilitate participation. In reflecting on my research journey I have learnt that participation, prejudice, dogma and context as dimensions of gay discourse lie on a continuum. These dimensions, and the two extreme positions on the continuum: radical exclusion/antagonist and radical inclusion/protagonist, are represented in my model of deconstructing gay discourse. In the process of discourse change, various positions on the continuum become possible. Shifts happened in the task team and General Synod (DRC), resulting in a more gay inclusive decision on the position of gay people in the DRC. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

In this study a contextual training model for developing leaders in ministry to children is investigated. The training model offers a dynamic training process for the development of effective leadership for the African Church and other Christian organizations in the field of children's ministries. The aim of these children's ministries would be to see holistically developed God fearing children in Africa. This study provided an opportunity to ask deeper questions about one's assumptions on prevailing concepts about children, children ministries, leadership training, African philosophy and what is meant by contextual training models. The complexity of Africa, its people and the challenges for the future are evident from this study. It can be concluded that it is possible and necessary to train effective Christian leadership for children's ministries. To develop effective leadership in the field of children's ministries could prove to be one of the long term answers to the pressing needs of Africa and its people. The model serves the statement "equipped to impact the continent" / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

Options and application pastoral theology in posttraumatic team HZS CR. The thesis is divided into three sections. The first section dedicates to the process of developing psychological service in selected components of integrated rescue systém and the formation and other developing of teams who have to provide psychological assistance during some extraordinary events. It also pays attention to the theoretical cognition of stress problems, traumas and posttraumatic disorders. The significant chapter is the part that is concerned with communication which is the main resource while providing help. The second section dedicates to the practical theology, its origin and gradual development in Central Europe. They are listed two main concepts of developing the practical theology which are important for understanding next formation and the possibility of using practical theology in interdisciplinary activities. Analysis of the constitutive elements of the Church is the mainstay. Main attention is paid to diakonia and linking charitable service of the Church. The third and also closing part includes the practical verification findings via questionnaire. The results and comments gained thanks to questionnaire as well with theoretical knowledge and practice of professional life enable the final evaluation of the whole work. This file is supposted to help while seeking the answer on original question of possibility of cooperation and using already mentioned disciplines while providing help.

Text in German with English and German summaries / Viel Stress und mangelnde Stressbewältigung beeinflussen das gesamte Leben von interkulturellen Mitarbeitern, wie Gesundheit, geistliches Leben, Arbeitsleistung und Beziehungen. Langjährige und umfangreiche Information über Stress und Stressbewältigung zeigte nur wenig positive Veränderung. Diese Untersuchung beschreibt und reflektiert das Erleben und den Umgang mit Stress interkultureller Mitarbeiter, um eine Grundlage für bessere Möglichkeiten zum Stressmanagement im interkulturellen Kontext zu schaffen und damit authentisches geistliches Leben zu fördern. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, aufzuzeigen, wie die Pastoraltherapie interkulturelle Mitarbeiter in ihrem Stressmanagement unterstützen kann. Die Untersuchung über Stress und Stressmanagement von christlichen Mitarbeitern im interkulturellen Kontext soll interkulturelle Mitarbeiter, ihre sendenden Organisationen und Seelsorger informieren und eine Grundlage für Workshops und pastoral-therapeutische Gespräche über Stressmanagement werden. Diese Arbeit zeigt auf, dass Pastoraltherapie einen wichtigen Beitrag in der Verbesserung der Stressbewältigung von christlichen interkulturellen Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern leisten kann. / Cross-cultural workers often experience very stressful conditions yet often lack appropriate coping mechanisms. Too much stress over a long period of time influences every aspect of life, like health, spiritual life, work performance and relationships. Continuous and extensive information about stress and stress management have not brought the desired changes. This research analyses stressful conditions and stress management strategies of intercultural workers in order to show the reasons for this lack of stress management. The outcome of this research will be used as a foundation to help intercultural workers to find ways how to manage their stress more effectively and to foster authentic spiritual life.The goal of this study is to highlight how pastoral therapy can support intercultural workers in their stress management. This research will show that pastoral therapy can make a significant contribution to improve stress management for Christian cross-cultural workers. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology (Pastoral Therapy))