A Critical Evaluation of the Evangelistic Preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones with Special Reference to his ‘Acts’ Series of Sermons and its Relevance for UK Pastors Today Abstract The ministry of David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), a leading British preacher within the Reformed tradition, has been a subject of research in the decades since his death. In spite of the importance he himself attached to evangelistic preaching, however, no significant study has been conducted of his own evangelistic preaching. This dissertation explores his weekly evangelistic ministry based on the Book of Acts in the 1960s, his closing years at Westminster Chapel, London. The purpose is to consider the ongoing usefulness, if any, of his practice and method for ministers who stand in the same theological tradition today. The work examines, first, the convictions that drove Lloyd-Jones’ practice, using his published addresses as primary source material. Beyond a summary of his career and his influence (Chapter One), consideration is given to the religious and social context at the time of the Acts sermons, and to its significance for the approach Lloyd-Jones successfully adopted (Chapter Two). Chapter Three presents a detailed analysis of his sermons on the Acts of the Apostles and identifies a number of their characteristics. Having established the historical groundwork, the dissertation goes on in Chapter Four to focus on my own preaching in the context of the church of which I am a minister, serving within the Reformed tradition and following the approach modeled by Lloyd-Jones. Using questionnaires derived from the analysis of his sermons, surveys were undertaken of first, the church leaders and secondly, the Young People’s group. Their goal was to provide feedback that would serve to identify strengths and weaknesses in my own evangelistic preaching at the same time as to evaluate the appropriateness of maintaining Lloyd-Jones’ approach in the changed context of the early 21st century. The conclusion reached is that while changes in society today require some adaptation in terms of presentation and style, the essential characteristics of Lloyd-Jones’ preaching continue to be meaningful, because they arise from fundamental theological convictions that are unaffected by changes in human behaviour or thinking. Finally, Chapter Five asks how this study may be developed further, applying it in a wider context as well as in local-church ministry.

Within Hispanic families there is a growing gap – a disconnection between Hispanic immigrants and their U.S. born and raised children. The cultural gap formed between these two groups has caused many U.S. Hispanic teens to disconnect from “Catholic” as a marker of identity. In order to help Hispanic teens establish a Catholic identity, the local church community needs to help families bridge the gap between teens, parents, and the Church itself. Through the exploration of mestizaje and the incorporation of lo cotidiano and accompaniment in catequesis familiar, parents in conjunction with the Church community can help engage teens in Church life. By creating a space for parents and another for their teens, each will receive sound faith formation relevant to their respective realities. Parents will gather to learn about their teens’ Catholic identity and how to help their teens embrace it, while their teens meet separately to learn more about their faith in a space they feel comfortable created for them. Thus, a holistic approach that addresses each group’s needs may lead to genuine involvement and understanding.

Deaf people often have been outsiders in a hearing Church. Ninety-five percent of Deaf people are born to hearing parents. This is a Community that is doubly marginalized for they are Latino/as and Deaf. Therefore, I will present the needs of Deaf Latino/a Catholics in order for the Church to recognize them as a Community of faith. First, I present how language impacts the development of culture and identity. Second, how this community of Deaf Latino/as is trying to make sense of their identity as they are being raised in the United States. Finally, I present a plan to bridge the gap between Spanish speaking parents and their Deaf child.

The issue of education in the Roman Catholic Church of today, particularly amongst the Latino youth, presents an important opportunity. The Church can reach out to the youth of its largest minority group in the Church through the process of acompañamiento and show these youth the value of their education on their future. In addition, the Church can encourage the Latino youth in their faith formation education. Promoting values of education and creating well-rounded, educated Latino youth will foster a stronger Catholic community both in and out of the parish setting.

This thesis examines the steps which should be taken to foster a true conversion of heart and mind for those in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The area of focus is on the individual who is looking to join the faith and then be married in the Catholic Church. Attrition within this group is observed at an early stage which leads to the pastoral issue of whether there is a true conversion to the Catholic faith, or whether this journey is seen by the convert as a means to be married in the church. Understanding the importance of adult faith formation and its impact on a person’s journey, is of great importance to the future of the Catholic Church. The journey should help the individual establish a base for further growth in the areas of prayer, scripture, and the emphasis of community.

A lack of understanding and praxis of mission among middle-class Catholics serving on various advisory boards and councils is a pastoral issue in the local Church. These Catholics make important decisions affecting others without enough consideration for the human and faith aspects of matters. In response to this issue, I argue that re-envisioning the praxis of mission calls us to encounter Christ in others. This study presents the surrounding social contexts including: demographics, gentrification, privilege, and tolerance. By examining key theological thoughts, I provide a framework for realizing the praxis of mission in our daily lives. Reflecting on the Catholic understandings of the common good and imago Dei helps lead to the practice of solidarity and the preferential option for the poor. All of which is required for building and proclaiming the Kingdom of God today. By “going out” to encounter others we model mission in movement as Christ exemplified and Pope Francis reminds us. The study concludes with the proposal of a mission formation program to address this pastoral issue with the hope that the praxis of mission will continually transform the decisions and lives of all humanity.

Christianity was founded without a major distinction between “clergy” and “lay” members. As the church grew the need for structure, organization and administration advanced and elevated the position of the clergy and diminished the role of the laity. Recalling practices of the earliest church the Second Vatican Council sought to promote the laity to their proper place as “priest, prophet and king” and reasserted that the sensus fidelium of all the faithful continues to be rooted in their sense of faith as revealed by God and in their baptism. This concept establishes the magisterial competence of all the church, including the laity. The current priest crisis provides the opportunity for the laity, including lay ecclesial ministers, to become, as Pope Benedict says, “’co-responsible’, for the Church’s being and action.” What can be done to tighten the bond between clergy and laity and help to prepare for shared leadership? How can we embrace the visions of ALL the baptized and be open to the fulfillment of each person’s calling? In this paper I offer three proposals for diocesan consideration to advance lay/clergy relations and develop greater acknowledgement and appreciation for each other’s gifts and charisms.

In my work in a diocesan marriage tribunal I have observed that many couples who are planning their weddings are influenced greatly by the superficial focus of our culture. In fact, there is statistical and sociological evidence that culture is highly influential in much Catholic wedding planning. Presented in this paper is evidence of how little Catholics know about the sacramental nature of marriage and how their married life affects themselves and others around them. This paper presents a theological reflection on the sacrament of marriage; an analysis of how the Rite of Marriage is usually perceived and carried out; a study of how the attitude of brides and grooms at the time of their wedding effects their life thereafter and, by association, the greater family and community; and it offers an explanation of how instructing couples on the theology behind the Rite of Marriage as prima theologia can better prepare them to live their marriage sacramentally. The pre-marital classes in the Diocese of Orange are currently comprised of mostly practical information on how to live successfully as a married couple, but they neglect to also consider the most important issue for them as Catholics: how to live out a sacramental marriage. It is proposed in this document that a diocesan-wide premarital handbook be designed and employed which provides greater emphasis on the ecclesial aspect of marriage as well as the practical advice of seasoned mentors.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pastors and congregations need to communicate the faithfulness and care of God within the real life contexts of the communities that they are a part of. The problem is that pastoral theology has been predominantly linked to individual psychology rather than to theory that facilitates a specifically Christian care for whole communities. This study asks how pastors can engage with the concrete realities of their communities, caring for real and practical needs, within the context of the specifically Christian focus of the Gospel. The chief goal is to make a clear contribution to the way in which Community Pastoral Care is thought about and carried out. This is a contribution that encourages engagement with the needs of the communities together with the Gospel. This requires a methodology that involves interdisciplinary understanding, calling for a hermeneutical study. The study engages firstly with Systems Theory, gaining an understanding of the way in which communities and groups function and change. Linked to this is the study of Communicative Action and Social Constructionism, these contribute understanding of the way in which communication functions within the community system. Thirdly, a study of Community Psychology, including Social Capital, emphasises the importance of focusing on the relationships within the community. Community care in this context is predominantly care for relationships and communication within the community. This includes the understanding that problems form within the relationships that make up the community, rather than individuals within the community. It also places the focus of care on building strengths rather than fixing pathologies. The specif cally Christian character of Community Pastoral Care is given through a study on sin/evil, the gospel and revelation. Th is introduces the action and communication of a faithful God. Community Pastoral Care is seen to incorporate the revelation of the Kingdom of God and its blessings, as well as the possibility of a direct relationship with Him that transforms the life of the community and individuals. Semi-structured interviews, with a small selection of pastors, give an empirical aspect to the study. This helps to ground the study in the actual experiences of pastors, giving a chance for their experience to add to and engage the theory study. The first two theory chapters suggest that the key to community care is developing positive relationships between the parts of the system. With the introduction of a relationship with a faithful God, the understanding of care expands. Revelation of His Kingdom, and the changed relationships that it brings, transforms the earlier Communicative Action into both an expression of and a communication of a faithful God and the promise of His Kingdom. What is concluded is that Community Pastoral Care is primarily the revelation of God to the community. This is carried out through relationship with the congregation including, and guided by, the ministry of the pastor. This is a Pastoral Care that is less about technique and more about mutual relationships of trust and open, positive communication with God, the congregation and the community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Predikante en gemeentes moet die trou en sorg van God kommunikeer binne die werklike lewens kontekste van die gemeenskape waarvan hulle deel is. Die probleem is dat pastorale teologie grootendeels verbind is aan individuele sielkunde eerder as teorie wat ‘n spesifi eke Christelike sorg vir hele gemeenskape fasiliteer. Hierdie studie vra hoe predikante kan betrokke raak by die konkrete realiteite van hulle gemeenskape en soedoende werklike behoeft es praktiese kan aanspreek binne die raamwerk van die spesifi ek Christelike fokus van die evangelie. Die hoefdoel is om ‘n duidelike bydrae te maak aan die teorie en praktyk van Gemeenskapspastoraat. Dit vra ‘n metodologie wat interdisiplinêr en hermeneuties van aard is. Hierdie studie gebruik eers Sisteem Teorie om te analiseer hoe groepe funksioneer en verander. In verband hiermee word die studies van Kommunikatiewe Aksie en Sosiale Konstruksie gebruik om te verstaan hoe kommunikasie funksioneer binne die gemeenskapsisteem. Derdens, word die lens van Gemeenskapssielkunde, veral die konsep van Sosiale Kapitaal, gebruik om die belang van verhoudings binne die gemeenskap te beklemtoon. Gemeenskapsorg in hierdie konteks is hoofsaaklik die sorg van verhoudings en kommunikasie binne die gemeenskap. Daaruit word daar geargumenteer dat probleme in die verhoudings binne die gemeenskap ontstaan eerder as in die individuë wat die gemeenskap vorm. Dit plaas die fokus van sorg op die uitbou van dít wat werk eerder as op die herstel van patologieë. Die besonder Christelike karakter van Gemeenskapspastoraat word uitgelig deur ‘n studie van sonde/ kwaad, die evangelie en openbaring. Dit stel die aksie en kommunikasie van ‘n getroue God voor. Gemeenskapspastoraat sluit in die openbaring van die konninkryk van God en die seëninge daarvan, sowel as die moontlikheid van ‘n direkte verhouding met Hom wat die lewe van die gemeenskap en die individu transformeer. Gedeeltelik-gestruktureerde onderhoude, met ‘n klein steekproef van predikante, het ‘n empiriese komponent aan die studie verleën. Dit help om die studie in die werklike ervaring van predikante te fundeer sodat hulle ervaringe in verband met die teorie gebring kan word. Die eerste twee hoofstukke stel voor dat die sleutel tot gemeenskapssorg is om positiewe verhoudinge te bou tussen die verskillende dele van die sisteem. Met die introduksie van ‘n verhouding met ‘n getroue God, word die verstaan van sorg uitgebrei. Die openbaring van sy Konninkryk, en die veranderde verhoudinge wat dit bring, omskep die vroeër kommunikatiewe aksie na ‘n uitdrukking van en kommunikasie van ‘n getroue God en die beloft e van sy Konninkryk. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat Gemeenskapspastoraat primêr die openbaring van God tot die gemeenskap is. Dit word uitgedra deur die verhouding tussen God en die gemeente, insluitend en gelei deur die bediening van die predikant. Dit is dan ‘n soort pastoraat wat minder oor tegniek en meer oor getroue verhoudings en oop, positiewe kommunikasie met God, die gemeente en die gemeenskap gaan.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation presents the conscientization of the people in the rural areas, on how the church in Malawi as a community-based organisation can be an effective vehicle in bringing change in their livelihoods. It is an endeavour to answer the question: How can the Church as a community-based organization respond to community challenges in order to be an effective vehicle for community development and sustainable rural living in the light of the problem of urbanization? The researcher argues that, if the Church can take a deliberate part, in helping people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives in responding to community challenges, livelihoods can be positively changed. Chapter one: The first chapter is an introduction of this dissertation and it presents the goals of undertaking this study. It emphasises the fact that urbanization has become a big challenge in developing countries such as Malawi, leading people to flock to the cities, hoping to find an easy life, where they instead find life very difficult. Many people, who have migrated to the cities, find it difficult to meet their daily basic needs, due to lack of access to income. The church as a community-based organisation has a role to play in helping to bring a positive impact, on the people for the betterment of their own life. If the church can play an active role in unlocking awareness in people in the rural areas to not migrate to squalid urban settings, the desire to move to the cities can be minimized. Chapter two: The second chapter briefly describes the context of this research. It presents a brief discussion of the historical background of the church of Nkhoma Synod CCAP. It also gives a brief explanation of the country of Malawi and its geographical location. Along with this general historical background, the chapter draws an exclusive attention to the major contributions of the church to the community, and the unique role that it played in bringing change in the developing countries like Malawi. Through its holistic approach the church reached many people in the communities, and also its emphasis on community development made a major contribution to civic life in the rural as well as urban areas. Chapter three: The third chapter discusses the poverty situation and the Malawian church existence in this context. It further presents the problems that are caused by poverty in the communities, including the challenges posed by the prevalence of HIV/AIDS which Malawi as one of the developing countries is facing due to urbanisation. The church has a huge role to play to the community in regards to community development. Chapter four: Chapter four deals with the specific role of the Church in sustainable development, and it explores the importance of rural sustainability in sustainable development. The church by nature is missional and has been called to serve the triune God, and it needs to participate in sustainable development which reflects God‟s reign in the world, for it has the nature of serving God. It has been given the task to take care of the community, and its role is to place itself with the poor in taking the responsibility of identifying and dealing with the forces that are destroying the communities, in order to bring change. The chapter also deals with how the church can sensitize people living in rural areas, and the importance of staying in the rural areas rather than migrating to urban areas. The terms like "Sustainable development", "Community development" have been defined in order to appreciate on how the church as a community-based organization can indeed be an effective vehicle in community development, and help to create a sustainable rural living. The church has a unique role to play in community development. Chapter five: This chapter gives a careful contextual analysis of rural-urban areas, the challenges that the people in those communities are facing and what should be done in a sustainable rural living. It also discusses and explores on how the church as a community-based organization can be an effective vehicle to Community Development and sustainable rural living. In order to help raise the level of awareness of rural sustainability in human beings, especially those living in rural areas, this chapter has also carefully investigated the factors which attract people to migrate to urban areas and find out the solutions to these challenges. Lastly in order to understand how the church in Malawi as a community-based organization can be an effective vehicle in community development, the chapter has developed a theory of the four steps. These four steps are: Conscientization, Empowerment, Participation and Sustainability. In this chapter it has been emphasized as to how the church could/should engage with the people in order to be an effective vehicle to a sustainable rural living and help people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives. Chapter six: The final chapter summarizes the whole discussion on this study. The study emphasizes the fact that, if the Church can take a deliberate part, in helping people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives, livelihoods can be positively changed. If the church in Malawi, Nkhoma Synod, can take part in conscientizing the people in the rural areas to the importance and advantages of living in the rural, the number of the people migrating to cities can be reduced. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie skripsie handel oor die bewusmaking van Malawiërs in die landelike gebiede en oor hoe die kerk in Malawi, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe voertuig van verandering in hulle lewensbestaan kan wees. Dit is 'n poging om die vraag te beantwoord: Hoe kan die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, reageer op die gemeenskapuitdagings om 'n effektiewe voertuig vir die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap te word en volhoubare landelike voortbestaan bevorder? Die navorser betoog dat indien die kerk doelbewus kan meewerk om mense te help met self-ontwikkeling wat 'n positiewe impak op hul lewens in landelike gebiede sal hê, dan sal lewensbestaan ten goede verander. Hoofstuk een: Die eerste hoofstuk is 'n inleiding tot hierdie betoog en bespreek die doelwitte van hierdie studie. Dit beklemtoon die feit dat verstedeliking 'n groot uitdaging is in die ontwikkelende lande soos Malawi. Mense stroom na die stede met die hoop op 'n makliker lewe, maar vind dan dat hulle nie in hul basiese behoeftes kan voorsien nie by gebrek aan toegang tot inkomste. Die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, kan 'n rol speel om te help om 'n positiewe impak te maak en verandering te bring in hierdie mense se bestaan. As die kerk 'n aktiewe rol kan speel in die bewusmaking en ontwikkeling van mense in die landelike gebiede kan die hunkering van mense om te migreer na die stede beperk word. Hoofstuk Twee: Die tweede hoofstuk beskryf die konteks van hierdie navorsing. Dit behels 'n kort bespreking van die historiese agtergrond van die kerk van Nkhoma Sinode CCAP, ook inligting oor Malawi en sy geografiese ligging. Klem word gelê op die groot invloed van die kerk op die gemeenskap en die unieke rol wat dit in die verlede gespeel het om verandering in die ontwikkelende lande soos Malawi te bring. Deur sy holistiese benadering en klem op ontwikkeling het die kerk baie mense bereik en 'n belangrike bydrae tot die burgerlike lewe in landelike sowel as stedelike gemeenskappe gemaak. Hoofstuk Drie: Die derde hoofstuk bespreek die armoede-situasie waarbinne die Malawiese kerk himself bevind, insluitende die voorkoms van MIV / Vigs wat Malawi in die gesig staar as gevolg van verstedeliking. Die kerk het 'n groot taak met betrekking tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Hoofstuk vier: Hoofstuk vier handel oor die spesifieke rol van die Kerk in volhoubare ontwikkeling en ondersoek die belangrikheid van landelike volhoubaarheid in volhoubare ontwikkeling. Die kerk behoort van nature missionêr op te tree, aangesien die kerk geroep is om die Drie-enige God te dien. Volhoubare ontwikkeling moet deel wees hiervan. Dit behoort die versorging van die gemeenskap en identifisering van die probleme van armoede in die gemeenskap in te sluit, ten einde die vernietiging van die gemeenskap teen te werk. Hierdie hoofstuk handel ook oor hoe die kerk mense wat in landelike gebiede woon kan sensitiseer en bewus maak van die belangrikheid daarvan om nie na stedelike gebiede te trek nie. Die terme "volhoubare ontwikkeling" en "gemeenskapsontwikkeling" is omskryf om te bevestig hoe die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe instrument in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap kan wees om volhoubare landelike bestaan te bevorder. Die kerk het 'n unieke rol te speel in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap. Hoofstuk vyf: Hierdie hoofstuk gee 'n versigtige kontekstuele analise van landelik-stedelike gebiede, die uitdagings wat die mense in daardie gemeenskappe in die gesig staar en wat gedoen moet word met die oog op volhoubare landelike lewe. Dit bespreek en ondersoek ook hoe die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe voertuig kan wees tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling en volhoubare landelike bestaan. Ten einde te help om die vlak van bewustheid van landelike volhoubaarheid in mense te verhoog, veral dié in landelike gebiede, is in hierdie hoofstuk noukeurig ondersoek gedoen na die faktore wat mense lok om te migreer na stedelike gebiede. So kan die oplossings vir hierdie uitdagings gevind word. Ten slotte, om te verstaan hoe die kerk in Malawi, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, kan 'n effektiewe voertuig in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap kan wees, word in hierdie hoofstuk 'n teorie van vier stappe ontwikkel, nl. Bewusmaking, Bemagtiging, Deelname en Volhoubaarheid. In hierdie hoofstuk word beklemtoon hoe die kerk kan / moet betrokke raak ten einde 'n effektiewe instrument van volhoubare landelike lewe te wees en mense te help in self-ontwikkeling. Hoofstuk ses: Die laaste hoofstuk bevat 'n opsomming van hierdie studie. Die studie beklemtoon die feit dat, indien die kerk doelbewus kan deelneem om mense te help in selfontwikkeling en 'n positiewe impak op hul lewens bring, lewens positief kan verander. As die kerk in Malawi, Nkhoma Sinode, kan deelneem aan die bewusmaking van mense in die landelike gebiede van die belangrikheid en voordele van die lewe daar, kan die getal mense wat na die stede migreer verminder word.