Celebration of the Lord's Supper with children. Theological assumptions and current practice in Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. Summary This thesis researches the presence and participation of children at the Lord's Supper. The main aim of the thesis was to research whether also today it is possible to find understanding for the reception of children around the Lord's Table in Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. First of all it was the issue, whether the participation of children at the Lord's Supper is sufficiently accepted in the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. The first part is focused on the historical and theological background of the Lord's Supper, on the practice in the Old Testament and Apostolic times. This chapter deals with the question: What is the Lord's Supper and what is its meaning? The second part is devoted to the issue of children and their participation in the Lord's Supper. It focuses on the period from the Early Church through the Middle Ages to the Czech and World Reformation. Different views of churches in the Czech Republic are described in the third part of the thesis. I focus here mainly on their current practice. The fourth part together with the annex contains questionnaire survey, statistical and practical data. This chapter contains the hypothesis and their...

My thesis deals with the history of the Evangelicals in Jindřichův Hradec from the time of the issue of the Patent of Toleration to the establishment of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. The first chapter deals with the situation in Jindřichův Hradec just after the issue of the Patent of Toleration. The following chapters survey the origination and development of individual congregations and preaching stations. The aim of this thesis is to acquaint the reader with the development of evangelical religiosity in Jindřichův Hradec between 1781-1918. Keywords: Patent of Toleration Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren Lutherans Reformed Horní Dubenky Zahrádky Strmilov Jindřichův Hradec

The effects of the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP) that have been the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) prescribed economic reforms have accentuated poverty levels in Zambia. For the majority ofthe population, the Structural Adjustment Programmes have exacerbated poverty if not directly contributing to it. This paper argues that poverty has a historical aspect dating back to the colonial strategy of establishing and perpetuating rural-urban dual structures. The Zambian government upon attainment of independence continued this dual economic structure. The dualist approach favoured urban areas at the expense of rural areas in terms of social and economic development. To date it is estimated that 80% of Zambia's population of about ten million people (2000 Census) lives under conditions of abject poverty. The Zambian economy did well in the first ten years of independence (1964 -1974), but went on a continuous decline from that period to date. Both internal and external factors have contributed to the continuous steep decline ofthe economy and subsequent increase in poverty levels. Among efforts to turn round the economy, the Zambian government in cooperation with the IMF and World Bank embarked on the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP). President Kenneth Kaunda hesitatingly introduced the first SAP in 1981. The economic reforms, particularly the decontrol of prices and abolition of subsidies resulted in the increase of prices of foodstuffs leading to civil disobedience, violence, riots, looting and deaths in 1986. The SAP also contributed to income disparities. In 1991 when Frederick Chiluba won the presidency, he implemented the SAP fully. The implementation ofthe SAP meant the decontrol of prices and removal ofall forms of subsidies. The immediate effect was a rapid rise in prices and poverty levels. This paper argues that in the face of this poverty the involvement of the Church has not been as comprehensive as taught by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Emphasis has r-emained on spiritual emancipation with little stress on material well-being. Equally there has not been participation in decision-making by the affected people as the government and the donor-community make most decisions without consulting the citizens. There also seems to have evolved a culture ofdependence on "handouts" or free things, and lack of good work ethics and standards. The improvement in the standards of life of the people may be realized if the Church through its prophetic ministry challenges global capitalism so that the powerful and rich western countries accept the New World Order that the Third World has been advocating for many years. The Church should also voice the fact that the Zambian politics and economic policies should not be motivated by profit making and individual gain but by a desire for hard work and fair distribution of the world and nation's wealth. It is further proposed that the best economic and development policies are those that sustain human life and bring a better life in every human community. This ideal may be fulfilled if the Church through its diaconal ministry gets involved in developmental issues. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002. / Christian Aid (UK) through the University of Natal, School of Theology,

The thesis focuses on the problem of Oromo Christianity's lack of indigenous character with special focus on the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY). It examines the methods of mission used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) that introduced Christianity to the Oromo people for the first time. It also examines the methods of mission used by three Protestant mission societies who followed the EOC, evangelised the Wollaga Oromo and established the EECMY. These mission bodies were, the Swedish Evangelical Mission (SEM), the United Presbyterian Mission (UPCNAM) and the Hermannsburg Mission (HM). The Study seeks to investigate whether the four above mentioned Christian mission bodies' methods of mission contributed to the Oromo Christianity's lack of indigenous character. Moreover, the study examines whether the apparent language of worship problem within the EECMY has historical root linked to the mission methods. It is the emphasis of the researcher of this study that the Christian mission methods used to evangelise the Wollaga Oromos were generally inadequate due to missionaries' lack of sensitivity to the culture. The study calls the EECMY to revise her traditional methods of mission that she inherited from the missionaries and root her message within the culture of the Oromo people. Christianity must identify with certain norms and values of Oromo culture. This can be done through contextual model of evangelism. Out of different sub models of contextual theology, this study suggests inculturation model as a method for incarnating the Church in the culture of the Oromo people. It is the writer's belief that inculturation model may be answer to the Oromo Christianity's lack of indigenous character and the apparent problem within the EECMY. Also inculturation can be helpful method in reaching out the non-Christian Oromos with the Gospel. Though the study focuses on the Oromo Christianity and the EECMY, the question and the problems concerning Christianity's being foreign to the culture might be similar in many Churches in the entire Ethiopia and also in Africa. Unless otherwise indicated the Scriptural quotations are taken from the GOOD NEWS BIBLE: The Bible in Today's English version, copyright Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1978,1986. Printed in the United States of America. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Doctoral diss.--Uppsala, 1996. / Bibliogr. p. 325-341. Index.

The thesis aims to contribute to the theoretical grounding of diakonia as the Christian-oriented practice of helping in modern society. Methodologically the author works with the social systems theory developed by Niklas Luhmann, which enables a differentiated description of the multidimensional reality of Christian helping action in its historical development and present situation. In the first part, the topic is theologically grounded ? biblically, historically and dogmatically. Then the main features of social systems theory are presented. Emphasis is placed on the dual ? primary (functional) and secondary (social) ? differentiation in society and its consequences for understanding diakonia. In this context diakonia is observed as the structural coupling of the systems of social help and Christianity and subsequently defined as helping in gospel perspective, which can be observed at micro-, meso- and macro-levels, i.e., in the context of interaction, organization and society ? and at the same time different theories must be developed for Christian helping at the individual levels. In the second part, the sociological description of the differentiation of diakonia is first confronted with theologically-oriented descriptions of differentiation in the context of Christianity and, following especially Wichern?s division of diakonia into civic, free and ecclesial, attention is focused on the ?tripod of diakonia? in the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren in the form of Diaconia of ECCB, Christian service and diaconate. This multi-focus view of diakonia makes it possible to reflect on its mutually irreducible layers and search for adequate theories for each of them. In the formation of the Christian dimension of the organization emphasis is placed on cultivating an adequate organization culture. Interaction has to do with the mutual ?neighborly? help within a community. The specific function of diaconate is identified in constructing bridges between the ecclesial level of Christianity and its connection with the system of social help, as well as other partial systems in society ? and in this sense it is perceived as again highly relevant. In the concluding chapter, the communication-based approach of social systems theory is correlated with the practical-theological paradigm of gospel communication. In this context diakonia is understood as an inseparable part of ?gospel communication?.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Um olhar sobre inclusão de pessoas com deficiência na Igreja Evangélica de Confissão Luterana no Brasil (IECLB), a partir do diálogo entre duas áreas de conhecimento, a religião e educação. Problematiza a relação igreja e inclusão a partir dos questionamentos provenientes dos debates no campo educativo em diálogo com as "falas" comunitárias coletadas através de entrevistas com lideranças de comunidade e integrantes de coordenações de trabalho com pessoas com deficiência em âmbito sinodal e nacional. O primeiro capítulo aborda brevemente a história da IECLB, desde sua formação até a atualidade, destacando os caminhos da reflexão e dos trabalhos sobre inclusão de pessoas com deficiência na igreja. O segundo capítulo apresenta uma retrospectiva histórica e bíblica buscando olhar como as pessoas com deficiência foram vistas e compreendidas na trajetória das "cavernas à manjedoura". O terceiro capítulo busca por contribuições para uma práxis comunitária inclusiva, através do diálogo, tendo como pano de fundo a metáfora paulina da igreja como "corpo", entre os questionamentos e reflexões sobre inclusão no campo educativo e o cotidiano da vida comunitária expresso nas falas das pessoas entrevistadas. / This paper surveys the inclusion of people with disabilities within the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil (ECLCB) based on the dialogue between two fields of knowledge, religion and education. They study discusses the relation between church and inclusion, examining issues raised by debates in the educational field in dialogue with congregational "voices", statements collected in interviews with leaders of congregations and with members of coordinating committees working with disabled people at the synod and national levels. The first chapter briefly presents the history of ECLCB, from its origins to the present, highlighting the development of the reflection and the effort to include disabled people within the church. The second chapter provides a historical, biblical-theological review, in an attempt to discern how people with disabilities were seen and understood in pre-Christian times. The third chapter looks for contributions towards an inclusive congregational practice by means of a dialogue in line with the Pauline image of the church as a "body" between the issues and reflections on inclusion in the educational field and the congregational day to day expressed in the statements made by the people interviewed.

A dissertação Fides ex auditu (Romanos 10.17) Primeiro a propaganda depois a fé O marketing interno como instrumento de missão na Igreja Evangélica de Confissão Luterana no Brasil (IECLB) surge a partir da inquietação oriunda do dia-a-dia de um obreiro do ministério pastoral. As assim chamadas Igrejas históricas, das quais a IECLB faz parte, enfrentam grandes dificuldades em manter o seu quadro de fiéis. Esta dificuldade em manter o quadro de fiéis é o assunto do primeiro capítulo. Através de duas pesquisas realizadas no âmbito da IECLB a suspeita de estagnação numérica, com forte tendência ao decréscimo, é comprovada. Os dois trabalhos analisados apontam a mesma direção, embora um apresente a questão em um âmbito nacional e outro traga índices de uma pequena cidade do interior do Rio Grande do Sul. A busca por ajuda chega ao campo do marketing. Desfazendo-se de preconceitos, busca-se uma aproximação com esta área do conhecimento humano. No entanto, antes de iniciar o diálogo é necessário que se respeite a cultura organizacional da instituição a qual ações de marketing possam vir a ser úteis. O segundo capítulo apresenta assim os pilares da Teologia Luterana. Sobre estes pilares está alicerçado o modo de ser Igreja da IECLB. Preconizando comunidades adultas, ações de marketing interno surgem com ações mais eficazes no momento. O terceiro capítulo apresenta o marketing enfocando de forma especial o marketing interno. Buscando avaliar a comunicação interna na IECLB, tema que o marketing interno reflete, foi realizada uma coleta de dados com lideranças desta Igreja. Os dados revelados são apresentados, bem como sua fundamentação e avaliação, no quarto capítulo. Igreja e marketing é um desafio! No diálogo bem orientado, com a ajuda oferecida pelo marketing, a Igreja pode tornar-se mais eficaz no modo de transmitir o que lhe é mais caro: o Evangelho do Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo. / The dissertation Fides ex auditu (Romans 10:17) Propaganda first, faith after The internal marketing as instrument of mission in the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brasil (ECLCB) arises from the uneasiness of the daily life of an Ordained Minister. The so called Historical Churches, to which group the ECLCB belongs, are facing great difficulties to keep their members. These difficulties to keep members is the issue of the first chapter. Through two researches taken in the ECLCB, the suspicion of numerical stagnation, even with strong tendency towards lowering numbers, is confirmed. The two researches analyzed point to the same, although one presents the question in a national view and the other brings numbers of a small town in the open country of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The search for help comes to the field of marketing. While taking out prejudices, we seek to draw nearer to this field of human knowledge. Yet, before we begin the dialog, it is necessary to respect the organizational culture of the institution to which marketing action might become useful. The second chapter presents, therefore, the pillars of the Lutheran Theology. It is on these pillars that the way of being of the ECLCB is laid upon. Thinking on adult congregations, internal marketing actions arise as the more efficient actions at the moment. The third chapter presents the theme of marketing, looking specially to internal marketing. Seeking to analyze the internal communication in the ECLCB, theme that the internal marketing reflects, it was collected information with various leaders of this church. What this data collection revealed is presented, along with its explanation and analysis, in the forth chapter. Church and marketing is a challenge! In a well directed dialog, with the help offered by the marketing, the Church can become more efficient in its way to communicate what is most precious: the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The evangelical population is growing fast, and so is its political influence. With an approach that sets them apart of other groups, considering them secular . The church members try often converting them. Among these preachers, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG/IURD) is a very successful church that invests a lots on books, TV shows, Radio, etc. Among those forms of media, the Love School, a Tv Show hosted by IURD TV Channel, aims to teach how people should relate. With a range of lessons on how to live a single or married live, the Love School has become a huge success, with thousands of users watching and participating on its events. Showing great concern on how the single people deal with sexual matters, this show has traditional values that are forced to share space with a powerful secular society. This study aims to understand the way the IURD´s values are transmitted through the Love School and how its teachings and expectations may affect church members. The research showed that the Love School influenced their students to attain to strict Christian values, emphasizing that relationships are all about investment and profit. / A população evangélica apresenta um crescimento acelerado, o que aumenta a influência política e midiática desse grupo religioso. Com uma postura que delimita uma separação entre igreja e mundo , os fiéis buscam influenciar/converter o maior número possível de pessoas. Entre as denominações de maior sucesso está a Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (IURD), a qual, tendo iniciado a campanha no Brasil, já atua em mais de 80 países. Com um forte investimento midiático, a IURD investe em livros, programas de rádio, Programas de Auditório, Jornais (Impresso e na TV), Filmes, Séries, Reality Shows, etc.. Entre essas mídias, a Escola do Amor (Love School), um programa televisivo que tem também um canal no Youtube, destaca-se ao introduzir uma pedagogia no que se refere aos relacionamentos. Com lições sobre diversos aspectos da vida conjugal, tem como público alvo casados, namorados e solteiros. A Escola do Amor se tornou um sucesso, com milhares de usuários participando de eventos presenciais e também na internet. Apresentando um grande interesse pela vida sexual dos membros, a IURD utiliza a Escola do Amor para combater a crescente secularização da sociedade, a qual traz valores diferentes dos da igreja. O presente estudo visa compreender a maneira como os valores da IURD são transmitidos aos membros através do Love School, com um foco na maneira como esses ensinamentos e expectativas são passados de maneira muitas vezes sutil. A pesquisa mostrou que os valores passados pela Escola do Amor visam, na maior parte das vezes, incentivar os fieis a seguirem valores tipicamente conservadores, valorizando sobremaneira o caráter de investimento e lucro proveniente de uma relação amorosa.

This thesis describes place of encounter Travná from the time of its establishment to 2014. The main aim of this work is to describe what types of influences affected meetings of youth in Travná. The main sources used in this work are several interviews which were conducted with people who are connected to Travná in some way. Methods of oral history were used for the realization and processing of these interviews. Thanks to a wide variety of interviews across the investigated time period, we can find out a lot about the history of youth meetings. A large part of the thesis is devoted to pastor Adolf Petr, who was the founder of Travná and who influenced many other events connected with youth meetings. Other topics which arose from the interviews and which are important for the youth meetings are different types and displays of piety, work in Travná, ecumenical and foreign collaboration, time of Communism and social work in Travná. The author tries to put encounters in Travná before 1989 into the context of other young people church meetings in Czechoslovakia. Events from 1990s Travná are seen in the context of a newly formed legal and economic system.