Summaries in Afrikaans and English / What influences ministers to use specific illustrations in their sermons? Does previous secular job experience or hobbies/interests have an effect? A study was done amongst ministers in the Mosselbay area. The following conclusions were made: The longer the minister had been in the ministry, the more diverse the illustrations used. Previous secular job experience had more diverse illustrations at an earlier age. Personal interests featured strongly in illustrations but training institutions had no real influence. Lady ministers had more personal/family orientated illustrations. People are naturally inquisitive to hear the lifestory of others and compare this to their own. The Bible is a book of many life stories illustrating God's involvement therein. The preacher should give contemporary illustrations understandable to the relevant congregation to show even in this modern world God's human face and merciful heart as He is involved in our lives. / Wat beinvloed predikante om spesif ieke illustrasies te gebruik in hul preke? Het vorige werksondervinding (nie-teologies)/belangstelling 'n invloed? 'n Studie was gedoen ender predikante in die Mosselbaai area. Die volgende afleidings is gemaak: Hoe langer 'n predikant in die bediening, hoe meer uiteenlopend die aard van illustrasies. Vorige werksondervinding gee meer diverse illustrasies op 'n jonger ouderdom. Persoonlike belangstellings kom sterk na vore maar spesifieke leerskole het nie 'n groot invloed op illustrasies nie. Dames predikante maak meer gebruik van persoonlike/familie georienteerde illustrasies. Die mens is van nature nuuskierig en wil sy eie lewensondervinding altyd vergelyk met sy medemens. Die Bybel is 'n boek van vele lewenservarings en God se invloed daarin. In die prediking van die Evangelie meet die prediker hedendaagse, toepaslike illustrasies gebruik relevant en verstaanbaar vir sy gehoor. So leer ons dat God steeds vandag met 'n menslike natuur en Godelike liefde in elke mens se lewe teenwoordig is en werk. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to develop outlines for preaching which is serious about the reality of some people’s experiences of powerlessness within a success‐driven society in which the preaching occurs. These outlines were developed by means of a practical‐theological investigation which took into account some tendencies that were identified during the analyses of a number of sermons and daily devotions. These analyses were done by utilising a theory which was developed by taking into account the experiences of powerlessness of some people. Correlations between the relevant tendencies and the presuppositions and consequences of certain strategical approaches in the church were sought to establish whether possible causes for such tendencies in response to sermons may be found in the strategical approaches. The relevant strategic approaches can be traced back to the American context which is influenced by the success motive of the American dream and the corporate ideology. The presuppositions and consequences of the relevant strategical approaches which correlate with the tendencies that were identified during the analyses of sermons, concern images of God, conceptions about the congregation, ways of using Scripture and preachers’ understanding of their identity. A search was done, in the light of the gospel, to find alternatives for the relevant presuppositions and consequences in order to develop the desired outlines. These alternatives that the gospel offer are of such a nature that the outlines have preaching in mind which comfort, confront and invite to new perspectives in the light of God’s acts and his involvement with people, and are less concerned with controlling or establishing means of controlling, than is the case with the sermons and daily devotions that were analysed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ten doel om rigtingwysers te ontwikkel vir prediking wat die realiteit van sommige mense se ervarings van magteloosheid ernstig opneem te midde van ’n suksesgedrewe samelewing waarbinne die prediking plaasvind. Die rigtingwysers is ontwikkel deur middel van ’n prakties‐teologiese ondersoek waartydens rekening gehou is met sekere tendense wat geïdentifiseer is tydens die analise van ’n aantal preke en dagstukkies. Die analises is gedoen aan die hand van ’n teorie wat ontwikkel is met inagneming van sommige mense se ervarings van magteloosheid. Daar is verder gepoog om raakpunte te identifiseer tussen die betrokke tendense en die voorveronderstellings en konsekwensies van sekere strategiese benaderings binne die kerk om sodoende aan te dui dat die betrokke strategiese benaderings moontlike oorsake van sekere tendense by preke inhou. Die betrokke strategiese benaderings kan in ’n meerdere of mindere mate teruggevoer word na die Amerikaanse konteks waar hulle deur die sukses‐gedrewenheid van die Amerikaanse droom en die korporatiewe ideologie beïnvloed is. Die voorveronderstellings en konsekwensies van die betrokke strategiese benaderings wat raakpunte toon met die tendense wat by preke geïdentifiseer is, het te doen met Godsbeelde, opvattings oor die gemeente, maniere van Skrifgebruik en predikers se verstaan van hulle identiteit. Daar is verder, in die lig van die evangelie, gesoek na alternatiewe vir die betrokke voorveronderstellings en konsekwensies ten einde die verlangde rigtingwysers te ontwikkel. Die alternatiewe wat deur die evangelie gebied word, is sodanig dat die rigtingwysers prediking in gedagte het wat tot ’n groter mate troos, konfronteer en uitnooi tot nuwe perspektiewe in die lig van God se handelinge en sy betrokkenheid by mense en minder daarop ingestel is om beheer uit te oefen of om maniere te probeer bied waardeur beheer verkry kan word as wat die geval was by die preke en dagstukkies wat geanaliseer is.

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / In the past, white men in South‐Africa benefited from the structures in society. These benefits led to certain stereotypical images of manhood, and raised specific expectations that men need to comply with. In the meantime, the situation in South‐Africa changed in such a way that white men do not benefit from the structures of society in the way they did in the past. All men are not affected in similar way by these changes. Certain men are affected in such a way that they experience crises, because they cannot comply with the expectations associated with earlier ways of thinking about what it is to be a man, and because they cannot compensate for their vulnerability. The issue about men’s vulnerability is aggravated by the fact that many white men were emotionally wounded during their compulsory national military service. The preaching event needs to place the crises that are experienced by many white men, in the light of the gospel. That will mean that preaching needs to make a contribution in order to help the men who are experiencing crises, to discover who they really are. They need to discover that they are vulnerable people through whom God is working in a particular way, not when they have power, but while they are experiencing their vulnerability. The destructive effects that certain structures in society and the desire for success have on people, need to be pointed out in the light of biblical witness. The important role that women fulfil with regard to emotional support to men, also need to be pointed out in the light of biblical witness. With regard to the last‐mentioned, it is not the intention to stereotype women by enforcing a certain role on them, but rather to focus the attention on an important reality. Preaching’s contribution concerning all the aspects mentioned so far, ought not to occur in a prescriptive manner. It should rather proclaim God’s work in such a way that hearers can come to a better understanding of what God wants to do through them, or is already doing through them, in order to have an effect on their way of doing and being. South‐African preaching, however, is full of moralisms. Moralistic preaching does not proclaim God’s work so that hearers can act by the virtue of that, but set requirements hearers must comply with in order to produce certain results. This type of preaching has the potential to aggravate the situation for men who are experiencing crises. To prevent the last‐mentioned possibility, preachers must have clarity about who and what the congregation is and what the function of the Biblical text ought to be.

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / What influences ministers to use specific illustrations in their sermons? Does previous secular job experience or hobbies/interests have an effect? A study was done amongst ministers in the Mosselbay area. The following conclusions were made: The longer the minister had been in the ministry, the more diverse the illustrations used. Previous secular job experience had more diverse illustrations at an earlier age. Personal interests featured strongly in illustrations but training institutions had no real influence. Lady ministers had more personal/family orientated illustrations. People are naturally inquisitive to hear the lifestory of others and compare this to their own. The Bible is a book of many life stories illustrating God's involvement therein. The preacher should give contemporary illustrations understandable to the relevant congregation to show even in this modern world God's human face and merciful heart as He is involved in our lives. / Wat beinvloed predikante om spesif ieke illustrasies te gebruik in hul preke? Het vorige werksondervinding (nie-teologies)/belangstelling 'n invloed? 'n Studie was gedoen ender predikante in die Mosselbaai area. Die volgende afleidings is gemaak: Hoe langer 'n predikant in die bediening, hoe meer uiteenlopend die aard van illustrasies. Vorige werksondervinding gee meer diverse illustrasies op 'n jonger ouderdom. Persoonlike belangstellings kom sterk na vore maar spesifieke leerskole het nie 'n groot invloed op illustrasies nie. Dames predikante maak meer gebruik van persoonlike/familie georienteerde illustrasies. Die mens is van nature nuuskierig en wil sy eie lewensondervinding altyd vergelyk met sy medemens. Die Bybel is 'n boek van vele lewenservarings en God se invloed daarin. In die prediking van die Evangelie meet die prediker hedendaagse, toepaslike illustrasies gebruik relevant en verstaanbaar vir sy gehoor. So leer ons dat God steeds vandag met 'n menslike natuur en Godelike liefde in elke mens se lewe teenwoordig is en werk. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The search for meaning, as a universal human quest, seeks to answer questions pertaining to the purpose in life. Preaching, as an ecclesiastical communicative tool, should be a platform from which to address such universal concerns. But how relevant are contemporary pulpit messages in light of this ongoing search and in light of the suffering experienced by many in our South African context with its unique history and ongoing challenges? Revisiting concepts such as meaning, hope and community are foundational components in our contemporary deliberations of the intention and practice of preaching today. If the homiletical intention is to instill hope, establish community and address humanities questions related to embracing the abundance in abundant life, then the praxis thereof should demonstrate a commitment to the relevance of people’s struggles. In the context of a post-apartheid South Africa, these questions are more pronounced as people experience the ongoing effects of poverty, prejudice, injustice and are confronted with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. For preaching to remain relevant it would need to extend its boundaries from the pulpit to the community. It will need to understand the plight of its people by addressing the questions that communities are asking, rather than providing messages far removed from humanities current experiences. In order to maintain this balance of hope, it will require an evaluation of the emphasis placed on representing both the social and spiritual aspects of the gospel. Social, with its focus on following the example of Christ on earth, and Spiritual, with its emphasis on both a realized and eschatological hope. Embracing this holistic message of the gospel should inherently contribute to personal and communal transformation as it is a message of good news for physical, emotional, socio-economic, psychological and spiritual realities. The language employed in this ongoing commitment requires constant renewal in order to synchronize the needs of the people with the message of hope. A message that is needed, longed for and inherently meaningful.

This doctoral thesis entails a research project to determine whether grass roots preachers in a southern Africa context can be instructed to prepare effective expository sermons. In order to make that determination it was necessary to first collect and analyze expository sermons from such preachers prior to any instruction. Then, on the basis of instruction in expository preaching in a seminar format, it was necessary to collect and analyze additional sermons from the same preachers. To that end we conducted two five-day seminars in Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively. The content of those seminars included two major elements. The first was a theology of preaching that is detailed in Chapter 1. Within a theology of preaching we have given treatment to various topics including the need for a theology of preaching, the Old Testament basis for preaching, the New Testament mandate for preaching, a definition and defense of expository preaching, and a discussion of the necessary qualities of effective expository preaching. The second element of the seminars involved a method of preaching detailed in Chapter 2. Within the method of preaching we have given treatment to various topics, including the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching, exegesis of the sermon text, and making the transition from the text to the completed sermon. Given the foundational material of Chapters 1 and 2, we developed the seminar materials found in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 includes the schedules by which the sermons were analyzed. Each sermon was subjected to the same schedule to determine its effectiveness as an expository sermon. Those results are then analyzed in Chapter 5 leading to the conclusion that grass roots preachers in a southern Africa context can indeed be instructed to preach effective expository sermons. / Practical Theologyy / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This study is about an investigation in the role of the prophetic voice of the church in a post-apartheid South Africa. In the first chapter I have given a brief description of the history of apartheid as well as a detailed description of the role the church played during these years in South Africa. I also looked at the impact that the Belhar Confession played during this time. In chapter two I have tried to deal with the difficult challenges that faced the church now after democracy and how the voice of the church can be heard in society. I have looked at the different ways that ministers made use of prophetic preaching during the apartheid era. Due to the apartheid system, many people suffered tremendously in this country. During these years of oppression people were leaning heavily on guidance from the church. This was not just for spiritual guidance but people were dependent on the church leaders for emotional support during their hours of need. I have tried to look at the different prophetic voices in the church during these difficult times. In chapter three I have tried to give possible recommendations to assist the church in regaining its prophetic voice in our society. I have looked at several ways in which our congregants could be challenged in terms of prophetic preaching. I have also looked at our understanding of the language of hope and lament. Finally, I have tried to give guidelines in terms of prophetic preaching in our context today.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Church‘s approach during the apartheid-era was mainly characterised by liberation-theology, as well as liberation preaching. However, the post-apartheid era, which is still being marred by social degradation, moral decline, a general increase in poverty, family violence, divorce and a sense of individualism, requires an increased focus on the sustainable eradication of poverty. Furthermore, while Christian ethical reflection under apartheid was embodied through a series of violence and resistance movements aimed at breaking down the walls of apartheid, the Church must now shift the focus to a general sense of co-operation; to rebuild the social infrastructure, needed by the impoverished and marginalized. The underlying question of the undertaken study is: can the Church achieve this by starting with a theology of development, which will be a vehicle for socio - and economic reconstruction? This study furthermore suggests that a theology of reconstruction is also a contextual theology. It addresses the specific or current situations plaguing communities by posting clear questions regarding the economy and development-programmes that have an effect on people‘s daily lives. It is also a back-tracking theology, in the sense that it attempts to rectify the pain and suffering brought on by our history. The Church, who must serve the message of hope, can also identify with this theology, because it is emphasizing dimensions like healing and recovery. In this study it is argued that what post-apartheid South Africa urgently needs, is a fundamental consensus regarding binding values, non-negotiable standards and morally accepted humane attitudes to one another. It is in fact in this regard that the purpose and possibilities of preaching come into question. In this context of poverty, unemployment, uncertainty, a sense of non-belonging, apathy and emotional depression, ethical preaching can, as an orientation-instrument, create a new sense of dignity and value for many. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Terwyl die kerk se benadering tydens die apartheidsera gekenmerk is deur bevrydingsteologie en prediking, vra die post-apartheid era, wat steeds gekenmerk word deur sosio-maatskaplike verval, morele verarming en veral toename in armoede, gesinsgeweld, egskeidings en 'n gees van individualisme, 'n verskerpte fokus op die volhoubare uitwissing van armoede. Terwyl Christelike etiese refleksie onder apartheid gekenmerk was deur 'n modus van weerstand, gemik daarop om die mure van apartheid af te breek, moet die kerk in die post-apartheid era skuif na 'n modus van samewerking, om die mure van die sosiale infrastruktuur wat deur die armes en gemarginaliseerdes benodig word, op te bou. Die onderliggende navorsingsvraag van die voorgeneme studie is dan ook: kan die kerk dít doen deur te begin met 'n teologie van ontwikkeling, wat sosiale en ekonomiese rekonstruksie veronderstel? Daar word ook in hierdie studie gepoog om aan te toon dat 'n teologie van rekonstruksie 'n kontekstuele teologie beteken. Dit spreek die spesifieke of huidige situasie van gemeenskappe aan deur, onder andere, duidelike vrae te stel oor die ekonomie en ontwikkelingsprogramme wat die lewens van mense elke dag beïnvloed. Dit is terselfdertyd 'n terugwerkende teologie, wat probeer om die oorsake van historiese pyn en lyding in die gemeenskap reg te stel. Die kerk, wat die boodskap van hoop moet verkondig, kan haarself tereg met hierdie teologie identifiseer, omdat dit onder andere dimensies soos heling en herstel beklemtoon. In hierdie studie word geargumenteer dat post-apartheid Suid-Afrika 'n fundamentele konsensus aangaande bindende waardes, ononderhandelbare standaarde en moreel aanvaarbare grondhoudings teenoor mekaar dringend benodig. Dit is juis in hierdie verband dat die rol van die prediking ter sprake kom. In 'n konteks van grootskaalse armoede, werkloosheid, onsekerheid en 'n gevoel van ongeborgenheid, apatie, onbetrokkenheid en depressie by baie, kan etiese prediking as 'n oriëntasiegebeurtenis 'n nuwe menswaardigheid by mense skep.

This doctoral thesis entails a research project to determine whether grass roots preachers in a southern Africa context can be instructed to prepare effective expository sermons. In order to make that determination it was necessary to first collect and analyze expository sermons from such preachers prior to any instruction. Then, on the basis of instruction in expository preaching in a seminar format, it was necessary to collect and analyze additional sermons from the same preachers. To that end we conducted two five-day seminars in Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively. The content of those seminars included two major elements. The first was a theology of preaching that is detailed in Chapter 1. Within a theology of preaching we have given treatment to various topics including the need for a theology of preaching, the Old Testament basis for preaching, the New Testament mandate for preaching, a definition and defense of expository preaching, and a discussion of the necessary qualities of effective expository preaching. The second element of the seminars involved a method of preaching detailed in Chapter 2. Within the method of preaching we have given treatment to various topics, including the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching, exegesis of the sermon text, and making the transition from the text to the completed sermon. Given the foundational material of Chapters 1 and 2, we developed the seminar materials found in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 includes the schedules by which the sermons were analyzed. Each sermon was subjected to the same schedule to determine its effectiveness as an expository sermon. Those results are then analyzed in Chapter 5 leading to the conclusion that grass roots preachers in a southern Africa context can indeed be instructed to preach effective expository sermons. / Practical Theologyy / D. Th. (Practical Theology)