The church is not like any other institution or organisation in society. Although the church is primarily invisible and spiritual, it is a visible organisation in the world, and it spans across borders of nations, languages and countries. John Calvin strongly rejected the notion that the church is only a spiritual organisation of which the visible administrative side is downplayed. The fellowship of the church must not only be seen as a mystical relation with Jesus Christ. At the three-yearly synod of the GKSA, which was held in the year 2000, a report was tabled titled 'Preservation and Growth of the Church'. The report requested that all local congregations should develop and implement a congregational strategy that is applicable to their own unique environment. The congregational strategy's main purpose must be to guide the congregation to fulfil its biblical purpose. The fact that people are turning their backs on the traditional churches, including the GKSA who is losing about 2000 members per year, is an indication that it cannot be 'business as usual' for them in future. The purpose of this study is to design a framework for crafting and executing a congregational strategy for the local congregations of the GKSA. The study started with a literature study on the science of strategic management. This provided a theoretical foundation for the framework. Although the strategy of different organisations will differ vastly, the process to follow is much the same. The literature study indicated that the benefits of a well developed and executed organisational strategy are not limited to large profit making organisations, but is also useful to non-profit organisations such as government departments and church congregations. The literature study included a study on the essence and work of a congregation. The purpose of this part of the study was not to be a detailed theological study of the different views and types of church denominations, but only focused on the views of the GKSA. The literature study also tested the applicability of the strategic management theory on the nature and work of a congregation. An empirical study was performed in the congregations of the GKSA, which indicated that the majority of congregations do not have a congregational strategy. The main reason for not having a congregational strategy is that congregations do not have the knowledge and skills available to lead and facilitate the process of crafting and executing a congregational strategy. The empirical study also gathered best practices from congregations that are doing strategic management. These best practices were included in the proposed framework for crafting and executing a congregational strategy. The knowledge gained from the literature and empirical study was combined into a framework for crafting and executing a congregational strategy. This framework can be used by congregational leaders to guide them though their own process of crafting and executing their unique congregational strategy. The research concludes with a recommendation that the Theological School of the GKSA should consider including a course on strategic management in the training syllabus of aspiring ministers. The course should be developed specifically taking into account the background and circumstances of the GKSA, and should not be generic like the course that is included in the Baccalaureus Commercii curriculum. Because of the fast changing environment of the 21st century, the course should also be condensed and be presented to ministers already called in congregations. Because strategic management is a specialised management science, and external Strategic Management consultants tend to be expensive, the research also made the recommendation that the Administrative Bureau of the GKSA consider employing their own Strategic Management consultant for the GKSA with the specific assignment to assist and guide all congregations with their congregational strategy. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Business Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The church is not like any other institution or organisation in society. Although the church is primarily invisible and spiritual, it is a visible organisation in the world, and it spans across borders of nations, languages and countries. John Calvin strongly rejected the notion that the church is only a spiritual organisation of which the visible administrative side is downplayed. The fellowship of the church must not only be seen as a mystical relation with Jesus Christ. At the three-yearly synod of the GKSA, which was held in the year 2000, a report was tabled titled 'Preservation and Growth of the Church'. The report requested that all local congregations should develop and implement a congregational strategy that is applicable to their own unique environment. The congregational strategy's main purpose must be to guide the congregation to fulfil its biblical purpose. The fact that people are turning their backs on the traditional churches, including the GKSA who is losing about 2000 members per year, is an indication that it cannot be 'business as usual' for them in future. The purpose of this study is to design a framework for crafting and executing a congregational strategy for the local congregations of the GKSA. The study started with a literature study on the science of strategic management. This provided a theoretical foundation for the framework. Although the strategy of different organisations will differ vastly, the process to follow is much the same. The literature study indicated that the benefits of a well developed and executed organisational strategy are not limited to large profit making organisations, but is also useful to non-profit organisations such as government departments and church congregations. The literature study included a study on the essence and work of a congregation. The purpose of this part of the study was not to be a detailed theological study of the different views and types of church denominations, but only focused on the views of the GKSA. The literature study also tested the applicability of the strategic management theory on the nature and work of a congregation. An empirical study was performed in the congregations of the GKSA, which indicated that the majority of congregations do not have a congregational strategy. The main reason for not having a congregational strategy is that congregations do not have the knowledge and skills available to lead and facilitate the process of crafting and executing a congregational strategy. The empirical study also gathered best practices from congregations that are doing strategic management. These best practices were included in the proposed framework for crafting and executing a congregational strategy. The knowledge gained from the literature and empirical study was combined into a framework for crafting and executing a congregational strategy. This framework can be used by congregational leaders to guide them though their own process of crafting and executing their unique congregational strategy. The research concludes with a recommendation that the Theological School of the GKSA should consider including a course on strategic management in the training syllabus of aspiring ministers. The course should be developed specifically taking into account the background and circumstances of the GKSA, and should not be generic like the course that is included in the Baccalaureus Commercii curriculum. Because of the fast changing environment of the 21st century, the course should also be condensed and be presented to ministers already called in congregations. Because strategic management is a specialised management science, and external Strategic Management consultants tend to be expensive, the research also made the recommendation that the Administrative Bureau of the GKSA consider employing their own Strategic Management consultant for the GKSA with the specific assignment to assist and guide all congregations with their congregational strategy. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Business Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Die geskille wat daar bestaan tussen predikant en lidmaat in die NHKA vra na ’n unieke ruimte in die Kerk in terme van ’n postmoderne samelewing. Verskillende perspektiewe lei baie maklik tot konflik in ’n gemeente. Konflik wat nie opgelos word nie, kan dikwels die werk van ampsdraers in ’n gemeente kniehalter. In hierdie navorsing volg ek ’n kontekstuele benadering tot die beoefening van praktiese teologie. ’n Postfundamentele prakties-teologiese raamwerk is gevolg. Die sosialekonstruksiediskoers en narratiewe epistemologie bied nuwe perspektiewe waarvolgens daar liminale ruimte kan ontstaan waarbinne meer as een perspektief kan bestaan. Binne ’n samelewing wat gekenmerk word deur sekularisme en privatisering, ondersoek ek die moontlikheid van ’n ruimte van eenheid te midde van diversiteit in die Kerk. In die navorsingsproses het ek gebruikgemaak van ses medenavorsers se ervarings ten opsigte van konflik en inkongruensie in ’n spesifieke konteks binne die Kerk. Ons het verder die moontlikheid ondersoek van ’n alternatiewe ruimte waar opnuut weer oomblikke van communitas in hierdie verhale kan ontstaan. In die navorsing is die ruimte daarvoor gevind in die beskrywing van twee metafore, naamlik: Die liminale hangbrug van genade en Die dans van vrede. Binne hierdie twee metafore het die medenavorsers hul verhale hervertel. My navorsing belig die belangrike bydrae van ’n interdissiplinêre gesprek in navorsing. In die navorsing speel die reistema ’n belangrike rol waar die leser uitgenooi word om saam met die medenavorsers ’n (liminale) ruimte te ontdek, in terme van inkongruensie tussen predikant en lidmaat. ENGLISH : Disagreements between pastors and church members in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa require a unique space in the church in terms of a postmodern society. Different perspectives can easily lead to conflict in the church. Unresolved conflict may jeopardise the work of the clergy in a congregation. In this research, I follow a contextual approach to the pursuit of practical theology. A postfundamental practical theological framework is followed in the research. The social construction discourse and narrative epistemology offer new perspectives for developing a liminal space where more than one perspective can exist. Within a society characterised by secularism and privatisation, I examine the possibility of a space of unity amid diversity in the church. I involved six fellow researchers who have experienced conflict in a specific context within the church. We also examined the possibility of an alternative space where moments of communitas can once again occur in these stories. The research found space for this in the description of two metaphors, namely the liminal suspension bridge of grace and the dance of peace. The stories of the fellow researchers are retold within these two metaphors. My research highlights the important contribution of an interdisciplinary conversation in research. In the study, the journey theme plays an important role, and the reader is invited along with the fellow researchers into a (liminal) space to explore the conflict between the church minister and the church member. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Die doelwit met hierdie navorsing is die identifisering van die kernkapasiteite waaroor ʼn predikant as missionale leier binne ʼn hoofstroomgemeente moet beskik ten einde die gemeente suksesvol te kan begelei in die vorming van ʼn missionale gemeentekultuur en bedieningspraktyk. Die navorsing word gedoen binne die konteks van die groot paradigmatiese skuiwe in die missiologie sedert die middel van die vorige eeu, soos dit deur Leslie Newbigin geïnisieer, deur David Bosch aangevul en versterk, en deur die Gospel and Our Culture Network verder gevoer en uitgewerk word. Die missio Dei vorm die vertrekpunt vir ʼn missionale ekklesiologie. Sending is nie ʼn aktiwiteit van die kerk nie, maar die handeling van God Drie-enig. Die funksie van die kerk is deelname aan die missio Dei in die wêreld en ganse skepping. Missionale leierskap setel nie in ʼn individu of amp nie, maar ontvang sy gesag van God en is gegee aan die geloofsgemeenskap. Sodanige leierskap vervul ʼn funksie radikaal verskillend van die tradisionele of kontemporêre definisie van leierskap. Missionale leierskap is in wese geloofsonderskeidend en geloofsvormend van aard en vorm binne die geloofsgemeenskap die kennis, vaardighede, houdinge en gewoontes ten einde die geloofsgemeenskap individueel en korporatief te bemagtig vir die onderskeiding van en deelname aan die missio Dei binne die daaglikse konteks waarbinne God die gemeente roep, vorm en stuur. Vanuit die rol wat histories en ampshalwe aan die predikant in ʼn hoofstroomgemeente toegeken word, vervul die predikant ʼn sleutelfunksie ten einde die gemeente suksesvol te kan begelei in die proses van aanpassende verandering en missionale gemeentevorming. ʼn Kwalitatief empiriese ondersoek by gemeentes binne die Suider-Afrikaanse Vennootskap vir Gestuurde Gemeentes (SAVGG) ondersoek die kernkapasiteite wat vir die predikant as missionale leier nodig is. Die ondersoek onderskei vier verskillende rolle vir die predikant as missionale leier: die predikant as apostel of gestuurde; die predikant as teoloog en taalskepper; die predikant as fasiliteerder en begeleier van die proses van aanpassende kultuurverandering; en die predikant as geestelike begeleier en mentor. Die navorsing onderskei voorts die verskillende kapasiteite (kennis, vaardighede houdinge, en gewoontes) wat kernbelangrik is vir die predikant vir die vervulling van hierdie viervoudige rol op weg na missionale gemeentevorming. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans / Huisbesoek is 'n kerklike bandeling wat algemeen in gereformeerde kerke beoefen word. Die bandeling is omstrede en word geassosieer met baie besinning en bespreking. Hierdie studie gaan van die standpunt uit dat die teoriee grondliggend aan buisbesoek, nie in ooreenstemming is met die verwagtinge van lidmate nie. In die bantering van die probleem is die teorie van buisbesoek ondersoek met bebulp van 'n literatuur studie. Huisbesoek word ook beskrywe as pastorale sorg. Daarom is die teorie van pastorale so~g ook ondersoek. Empiriese navorsing is gedoen om die verwagtinge van lidmate te bepaal. 'n Ideografiese strategie is gebruik en lidmate is per onderboud gevra na bulle siening. Vanuit die ondersoek bet dit geblyk dat die teorie die praxis van buisbesoek in meeste instansies nie meer ondersteun nie. Vanuit die bevinding sluit die studie af met die trek van enkele riglyne, om teorie nader aan die verwagtinge van lidmate te bring. / Visitation is an activity generally practised in reformed churches. It is not without problems, and form the topic of many discussions. This study works from the premise that the theoretical foundation of visitation, are out of touch with the expectations of church members. In the approach to the problem, the theory of visitation is explored in a literary study. Because visitation can be described as pastoral care, the theory of care has been included in the study. Empirical research was done to ascertain the expectations of church members with regards to visitation. This has been done according to a idiographic strategy, by interviewing church members. From the research the conclusion was drawn that there is a gap between theory and praxis in regard to visitation. In the last paragraphs the author explores ways in which to bring theory closer to the expectations of members. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Huisbesoek is 'n kerklike bandeling wat algemeen in gereformeerde kerke beoefen word. Die bandeling is omstrede en word geassosieer met baie besinning en bespreking. Hierdie studie gaan van die standpunt uit dat die teoriee grondliggend aan buisbesoek, nie in ooreenstemming is met die verwagtinge van lidmate nie. In die bantering van die probleem is die teorie van buisbesoek ondersoek met bebulp van 'n literatuur studie. Huisbesoek word ook beskrywe as pastorale sorg. Daarom is die teorie van pastorale so~g ook ondersoek. Empiriese navorsing is gedoen om die verwagtinge van lidmate te bepaal. 'n Ideografiese strategie is gebruik en lidmate is per onderboud gevra na bulle siening. Vanuit die ondersoek bet dit geblyk dat die teorie die praxis van buisbesoek in meeste instansies nie meer ondersteun nie. Vanuit die bevinding sluit die studie af met die trek van enkele riglyne, om teorie nader aan die verwagtinge van lidmate te bring. / Visitation is an activity generally practised in reformed churches. It is not without problems, and form the topic of many discussions. This study works from the premise that the theoretical foundation of visitation, are out of touch with the expectations of church members. In the approach to the problem, the theory of visitation is explored in a literary study. Because visitation can be described as pastoral care, the theory of care has been included in the study. Empirical research was done to ascertain the expectations of church members with regards to visitation. This has been done according to a idiographic strategy, by interviewing church members. From the research the conclusion was drawn that there is a gap between theory and praxis in regard to visitation. In the last paragraphs the author explores ways in which to bring theory closer to the expectations of members. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)