Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / In this thesis I evaluate missiologically the research tools which aim to gather relevant data about missionary identity in a post-colonial youth ministry. I follow the model of doing theology called the pastoral cycle of Holland and Henriot (1983) modified for the Southern African situation. This model integrates praxis, hermeneutics and theological reflection as an ongoing process in the life of faith communities (Cochrane, De Gruchy & Petersen 1991:13). In Chapter 1, as an introduction I describe my faith commitments, participation in the mission praxis and the background of the study. In line with the qualitative nature of this study, I do not state any hypotheses, but work with a research question: How can current measuring instruments be evaluated so that they are appropriate or can be modified to gather relevant data on how a youth ministry within a post-colonial faith community regards itself in terms of its particular mission of God?

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The post-Apartheid South African community is still recognized by dualisms between white and black, rich and poor, public and private, men and women. In this study specific focus has been placed on John 4 which tells the story about the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman with the aim to create a lens through which we can address and breach modern dualism. The focus of the study is the symbolic use of water in the text where it is literary-theologically broken up in order for John to use Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman, to firstly indicate and secondly expose gender, social, political and cultural boundaries in the Ancient-Near East.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Mission is probably one of the most visual acts which the church took upon herself and can even be seen as the factor which brought the church to being. Mission was through the ages very positive for the church but also very negative. Especially in the early twentieth century the church has undergone heavy confrontations. Throughout the twentieth century a massive paradigm shift took place. Mission took on a strong pastoral character, which again let to a change in character for pastoral care. Africa is seen as one of the most diverse continents regarding faiths, traditions and cultures. This diversity put a strong challenge on Mission and Pastoral care.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The second half of the 20th century marks a paradigm shift from Christendom to missional theology with implications for missional ecclesiology. The being of a triune, missional God urges the church towards a critical-hermeneutical self reflection on it’s identity and calling in terms of evangelization and active involvement in an all-inclusive witnessing in the world. Missional ecclesiology emphasizes diaconial involvement in the world. The reflection of the Dutch Reformed Church on diaconia can be learnt in its conceptualization of missional diaconial work and how it is being implemented in the practice of the church. This ecclesiological development is being studied using the ministry of compassion of the Dutch Reformed Congregation, Onrusriver as case study.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The church today, and esspecially the Reformed tradistion find itself in a situation where there is a lot of tension regarding his identity, as a Reformed Church. The post-modern world we live in set a lot of challenges regarding our faith and how we as christains should deal with our embodyment as reformed christians The church and specificaly the Dutch Reformed family are facing daily the lost of a lot off members to the fundamentalistic movements. Members whom are seekers in their fath and whom were in some way or another been challenged by a desire to take their faith to a higher level of experience, which in their lives cannot get satisfaction any more in the reformed tradition. In this thesis I will try to destinquist the balance between Reformed tradistion and Pentecostalism. The thesis will try to embodied the identity of the Reformed tradision by give an overview , look into the questions regarding reformed tradition, what does it mean to be Reformed and proud and also what Reformed use of scripture entails. Allthough it is not the first time that questions like this has been raised, because reformed in the tradition means , to change contantaniously. Pentecostalism on the other side does have a long history regarding orgin and was not just an "appearnce" in the church. The apostle Paul in the early days of the church was in a certain sence very specific obout the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the space for exploration as set out in "1 Korinthians 12." Over the years many enthusiastic movements appeared which led to a total misunderstanding of what Pauls understanding was regarding pentecotalism. Regarding Pentacostalism, and the judging of the movement , the church will have to view their concerns very strongly in terms of the following, appreciation, make accesment regarding their weakness, thoughtfullness and their plan of action. Then the paradigm shifts, ecclesiasticly and liturgical deepening are essential factors in the whole enlightenment towards a more adopting mode. To change does not necesarilly mean to throw all the norms and vallues over board, but to do so in a responsible way. The worship service become in that matter the focal point of attention, including all the elements within the service , searching for ways to improve , ad or adapt. What the worship service is and are suppose to be , a trully place where God allone are been worship and where the Holy Spirittransformes people into living witnesses. The thesis conclude with a usefull set off guidelines according to Thomas Long in his book Beyond the worship wars where he challenge the church to a more transforming way of being church of God.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This assignment takes a look at the relevance of the declaration signed on the day of legitimation by future pastors of the Ned. Geref. Kerk. It is evaluated according to its use for pastors as a guide for speaking about God contextually and in unity. A hermeneutical approach is used in which the NGK’s three confessions of unity, the Reformed confessional tradition and the history of the NGK aid in testing the relevance of this declaration. The initial role of the signing of confessions as a deed that creates unity and identity helps to show how the current declaration fails to continue with this role. It is therefore necessary that the NGK reconsiders their use and wording of the declaration. The conclusion includes a proposal for an alternative declaration which focuses on responsible hermeneutics rather than the content of teachings.

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of the thesis is on the HIV and AIDS-related stigma and stigmatisation of people who try to live positively with HIV/AIDS within the pandemic. The basic assumption is that there is interplay between the HIVAIDS-related stigma as a cultural phenomenon and the negative perception of the human body. Since a human being is created corporeal and re-created due to the fact that human embodiment is a fundamental ingredient for the understanding of soul, It is argued that in a pastoral approach, a person should be understood holistically. Anthropology within the traditional kerygmatic approach focused mainly on the notion of sin (corruption totalis) within the theological understanding of God’s judgement (judgemental attitude). I have proposed that pastoral anthropology should adopt constructive paradigms and point towards the integration of embodiment (wholeness) in a realistic approach rather than emphasising the notion of sin and forms of dualism. The thesis departs from an eschatological and pneumatological view of the human being, in which the concepts of resurrection and hope are equally crucial. I further argue that a Christian spiritual perspective on embodiment is potentially destigmatising itself. In terms of a pastoral hermeneutic I have shown that in destigmatisation the transformation of the HIV and AIDS-related stigma corresponds to the transformation of the mindset and paradigm of a person (habitus). Through the process of destigmatisation people discover meaning and are enabled to live fully embodied and responsible lives. The thesis is designed as a literature study based on text analysis and hermeneutical reflection. Moreover, in order to develop a pastoral anthropological view, the Scripture is used as a reference point. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing fokus op die fenomeen van stigmatisiering binne die HIV/AIDS pandemie. Die kernargument is dat stigmatisering as 'n sosiaal-kulturele konstrukt binne die netwerk van verhoudinge direk in verband staan met 'n bepaalde destruktiewe persepsie wat die vraagstuk van liggaamlikheid onmiddellik raak. Vandaar die verdere fokus op die verband tussen liggaamlikheid en die verstaan van die menslike siel binne die raamwerk van 'n pastorale antropologie. Die teologiese invalshoek is die eskatologiese paradigma, die mens as 'n pneumatiese wese en nuwe skepping. Liggaamlikheid deel gelykoorspronklik aan hierdie nuwe wees-funksie van die mens sodat verstaan van die mens as „beliggaamde siel“ en „besielde liggaam“ alle vorme van dualisme in teologiese antropologie teëwerk. Die totale mens is as ‘n beliggaamde mens geskep sodat in pastorale antropologie die menslike persoon holisties verstaan moet word. Om menswees bloot vanuit die perspektief van sonde te benader hou nie rekening met die realisme van die Bybel wat die mens binne die raamwerk van die wysheidsliteratuur sien vanuit die perspektief van genade en vernuwing. Eensydige fokus op die paradigma van sonde dra by tot destruktiewe veroordelende houding (judgemental attitude). Volgens die aard van kruisteologie is die „smet“ en „stigma“ van sonde daar oorwin. In die lig van die opstandingsperspektief is die „dood van stigma“ totaal uitgewis. Hierdie opstandingperspektief moet verreken word in teologiese model wat gerig is op prosesse van destigmatisering binne pastorale hermeneutiek. Die implikasie hiervan is die transformasie van stigmatisernde paradigmas en die skep van pastorale houding (habitus) van begrip en medelye. Deur ‘n dergelike proses van destigmatisasie word mense in die kern van hul weesfunksie kwalitatief bemagtig ten einde vervulde lewens te kan ly. Die tesis volg kwalitatiewe benadering. Dit is voorts literêre studie gebaseer op teks-analises, kritiese reflektering en hermeneutiese metodologie.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2005 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this thesis is to show the relevance of an application of hope care model to the Korean couples who are in conflict and confusion by being caught in the battle between Confucianism and post-modernity regarding marital values. Korean marriages face difficulties due to the increasing intluence of post-modernity in Korean culture. The disruption of the family is the most marked consequence of post-modernity, in which an attitude and value system toward life, marriage and especially self, is changing. Even though the increasing influence of post-modernity has weakened the influence of Confucianism, Korean marriage is still influenced by the tenets of Confucianism in terms of the role and status of men and women within four main areas: 1) education at home and at school, 2) sex discrimination at the workplace 3) military service for men, 4) the revival of cultural heritages as part of the rise of nationalism in response to globalization. It is said that the church has to take initiative to prevent Korean marriages from collapsing. However, the teaching around marriage in Korean churches seems to be mingled with Confucian precepts. This raises doubt about the capacity of Korean churches to contribute positively to the strengthening of marriage relationships. Marriage counselling in Korean conservative churches is being practiced within the framework of a reductionist view on biblical counselling. This is not sufficient in a post-modern Korea by the reason that this approach has the danger of ascribing all human problems to personal sins, thereby encouraging a one-sided God-concept in which God is only concerned with sins and righteousness and has no compassion for human beings in their suffering. When marriage is troubled, this God-image can lead the couple to severe guilt feelings rather than to the hope which can improve their marriage and enhance their mutual respect. Hope care, based on appropriate God-images and a constructive self-image arising out of God's faithfulness and our new being in Christ, could help couples to achieve a constructive attitude to life, to various crises, to self and to their partners. Since hope care model includes the sacramental concept of marriage, the concept of the grace and love of God and the concept of 'mutual submission,' it could be expected to adequately deal with the fundamental Confucian values (male's dominance, female's submissiveness and hierarchy), thus contributing to the attainment of the three key goals in the Korean marriage, such as equality, marital friendship and a closer marital bond. As a result, hope could then ensure a more healthy stance in order to help couples to grow in marriage relationships. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis wil krities die noutetiese model. vir hwweliksberading binne die Koreananse kultuur evalueer en dit ver gelyk met 'n hoopmodel wat op groei fokus. Vir die doel word 'n analise gemaak van die invloed van confusianisme en postmodernisme op egpaarkommunikasie in Korea. Koreaanse huwelike is deesdae onder groot druk as gevolg van die invloed wat postmodernisme op die Koreaanse kultuur het. Die ontwrigting van die familie is een van die grootste oorsake van postmodernisme, waann die houding en waardesisteme teenoor die lewe, huwelik en veral die self-konsep besig is om te verander. Hoewel die groter invloed van postmodernisme die invloed van Confusianisme verswak het, word Koreaanse huwelike nogsteeds deurslaggewend deur die leerstellings van Confusianime beinvloed. Dit beinvloed veral die rol en status van mans en vroue binne die volgende vier hoofareas 1) Opvoeding by die huis en skool 2) Seksuele diskrirninasie by die werkplek 3) Militere diens vir mans 4) Die herlewing van kultuur erfenis as deel van nasionalisme in antwoord op globalisasie. Huweliksberading 111 baie Koreaanse gemeentes word deur die noutetiese beradingsmodel bepaal. So 'n beradering is ontoepaslik in 'n postmoderne Korea, omdat dit die gevaar inhou dat aile probleme toegeskryf word aan persoonlike sondes. Die gevaar bestaan dus dat 'n eensydige Godskonsep ontwikkel, waarin God slegs met sonde en oordeel in verband gebring word en Ole met patos en empatie nie. Wanneer daar huweliksprobleme is, kan derglike Godsvoorstellinge lei tot skuldgevoelens eerder as hoop. 'n Hoopmodel maak gebruik van 'n sakramentele paradigma in huweliksterapie. Dit sluit and by die voorstelling van God as Verbondspartner en is gerig op groei en konstruktiewe verandering.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The story a congregation tells of itself, helps it to understand who it is, where it is coming from and where it is going. The story confirms the congregation's very existence, it reveals its character and confesses to what it stands for. This study is an attempt by the researcher to explain the identity of the Dutch Reformed Congregation of Grootmist in as scientific a manner as possible. This study will determine the identity of the parish by means of a brief historical synopsis. It is an attempt to provide a base and practice theory with which to empower the congregation to operate more effectively within the bounds of its own unique context. The second chapter (after the introductory chapter) deals with the church as seen within the context of a changing world. The church will not be able to understand itself if it cannot understand the world around it. Both the base and the practice theories of a congregation are affected when set within the unique context of a small mining community. The third chapter focuses on a broad analysis of the congregation and uses this knowledge to provide a systematic understanding of the activities of the congregation. Chapter four is spent on formulating a base theory which uses the metaphor "sojourners and strangers" to explain the nature of the church. The practical theory is explained in chapter five and guidelines are established as to how the basic theory should function in practice. The practical theory focuses mainly on establishing enriched spirituality and koinonia structures. Chapter six focuses on the important role of leadership in the implementation of the basic and practical theory. Chapter seven gives a pro active projection for further study in order to keep up the momentum of congregational renewal. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhaal wat In gemeente oor haarself vertel, help haar om te verstaan wie sy is, waarvandaan sy kom en waarheen sy op pad is. In Gemeente se storie bevestig dat sy bestaan, dit openbaar haar karakter en dit bely waarvoor sy staan. Hierdie skripsie is In poging deur die navorser om op In wetenskaplike wyse die identiteit van die Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk Grootmist te bepaal. Die navorser wil deur middel van In oorsigtelike geskiedenis van die gemeente verkennend te werk gaan in sy soeke na wat die identiteit van die gemeente is. Hy wil In moontlike basis - en praktykteorie vir die gemeente daarstel om die gemeente te bemagtig tot meer effektiewe modi van gemeente-wees in haar unieke konteks. Naas die inleidende hoofstuk, wil die navorser met die tweede hoofstuk poog om die kerk te plaas in die veranderende wereld waarin sy haar bevind. Die kerk kan haarself nie verstaan as sy nie haar konteks verstaan nie. Die unieke konteks van In myngemeenskap het In direkte invloed op die basis en praktykteorie van die gemeente. Die derde hoofstuk gee aandag aan In gemeente-analise waarin die profiel, strukture en funksionering van die gemeente ontleed word. Daar word deur middel van feitekennis gevolgtrekkings gemaak oor die werksaamhede van die gemeente. Die vierde hoofstuk formuleer die basisteorie vir die gemeente. Die bywoner en vreemdeling-metafoor word aangewys as die uitstaande metafoor om die wese en doel van kerkwees weer te gee. Hoofstuk vyf gee aandag aan In praktykteorie wat riglyne neerle oor hoe die basisteorie in die praktyk behoort te funksioneer. Die praktykteorie is veral gerig op die verdieping in spiritualiteit en koinonia strukture. Die sesde hoofstuk stippel In strategie vir leierskapsontwikkeling uit sod at die basis en praktykteorie in die praktyk tot sy reg kan kom. In hoofstuk sewe word In projeksie geskep vir verdere navorsing sod at die proses van gemeentevernuwing sy momentum kan behou.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The basic premise of this study is that when a comprehensive analysis is made of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Tygerberg's current status and growth, it will provide a sound basis for discerning that growth. This will in some measure open the way for the leadership of the congregation to be able to make decisions for the future that are better informed and more aware of the way God has worked with the congregation thus far. This in turn will hopefully keep the congregation on the path to further growth toward maturity. The research has been structured in such a way, that it conforms to a practical theological framework and attempts a description of the current reality of the congregation by means of a mechanical, cultural and leadership analysis. A practical theological ecclesiology follows in order to provide the basis for a correlational hermeneutic. After analysis and reflection, possibilities for future strategies are proposed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die basiese uitgangspunt van hierdie studie is dat wanneer In goed gefundeerde gemeente analise van die 'Vineyard Christian Fellowship Tygerberg' se huidige status en groei gedoen word, dit 'n gesonde basis vir oordeel oor die groei van die gemeente sal gee. Dit behoort tot ' n mate die weg te baan vir die leierskap van die gemeente om beter ingeligte besluite rakende die toekoms van die gemeente te neem omdat daar dan ' n bewustheid is van God se werking in die gemeente tot dusver. Hopelik sal dit ook die gemeente help om voorts op die pad van groei tot volwassenheid te bly. Die navorsing is so gestruktureer dat dit 'n praktiese teologiese raamwerk gebruik en poog om die huidige realiteite van die gemeente deur 'n meganiese, kulturele en leierskap analise te beskryf. 'n Praktiese teologiese ekklesiologiese uiteensetting volg wat moet dien as die beginpunt van 'n korrelatiewe hermeneutiese proses. Moontlike strategice vir die toekoms word voorgestel nadat analise en refleksie gedoen is.