This study’s research approach shows the foundation of an epistemology that is taken from a postmodern, postfoundationalist theology. The research method is embedded in the narrative approach as established in social constructionism. The research method is also further upheld by the Seven Movements Model of doing research, which in this research also accommodates a participatory action research methodology. This research is a study of the narratives of lay people in a local context. It shows and explores the actions of these people in a situation of care and support. Their local context expresses the journey of people who belong to the same church called the Family Trinity Church in Valhalla, Pretoria. Their backgrounds go back to areas like the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape and are not originally from Pretoria. Their social relationships and church affiliation are compiled from a military background. Their narratives that relate to this research originate from a journey of care and support. The narratives of my co-researchers discovered and recognized different themes as divulged from their stories in conjunction with their experiences. Some of these themes were related to the literature studies as part of the dialogues between interdisciplinary conversations in the process of research. Apart from the telling and re-telling of the stories, literature studies were used to open up a process of a deeper understanding of these narratives. Literature was used to critically discuss the narratives as to give more clarity on the actions of the co-researchers. This research shows an open process of discussions and the input of other thoughts of beliefs and reason as presented by the involvement of the scientific community. The in depth discussions helped to clarify the aim and objectives as proved by the outcomes of this research. The outcome of this research is based on the experiences and the real situation that demonstrates a contextual framework. The narratives and the unique research outcomes clearly support the fact that ordinary laypeople can lead and manage a church without the leadership of a fulltime minister. It shows the important relationship of care and support that transpired in a deepened spirituality, which brought about healing and transformation. The uniqueness of this research is based on the eagerness of people who journeyed with one another in a group and who also directed this kindness to others who did not belong to this group. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The research process illustrates the interaction between the therapist and the neuropsychological impaired client in the therapeutic context where we utilised drawing and painting as a creative medium I descn'be the interaction from a systems paradigm New paradigm research is used as the researcher is included in the research findings. The focus is on new meanings that the therapist and clients generated. Three case studies are descn'bed in this study. A circular description is given of the use of drawing and painting in therapy. The losses that the clients suffer are described and explained to make sense of the interaction. The use of art is described and incorporated in the therapeutic process as creative exercises were important ways to connect with the clients. This study illustrates that creativity should always be part of the therapeutic endeavour, especially when understanding the verbal expression of the client is difficult. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The research process illustrates the interaction between the therapist and the neuropsychological impaired client in the therapeutic context where we utilised drawing and painting as a creative medium I descn'be the interaction from a systems paradigm New paradigm research is used as the researcher is included in the research findings. The focus is on new meanings that the therapist and clients generated. Three case studies are descn'bed in this study. A circular description is given of the use of drawing and painting in therapy. The losses that the clients suffer are described and explained to make sense of the interaction. The use of art is described and incorporated in the therapeutic process as creative exercises were important ways to connect with the clients. This study illustrates that creativity should always be part of the therapeutic endeavour, especially when understanding the verbal expression of the client is difficult. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The pastor‘s own well-being is essential in order to attend to the spiritual well-being of others. Therefor pastors need to be cared for. I have found in transgeneration, narrative as well as participation-action-research, convergent within a threefold approach, a workable tool for caring, with pastors. But then we actually need a paradigm shift from a therapeutic towards a participatory mutual care approach within an African context. The focus is placed on pastoral attitude rather than specialised theories and prescribed techniques. This pastoral attitude is to be found within friendship related to the Celtic anamchara relationship. Particitatory pastoral care is not knowledge or skills for therapeutic practices as such, but rather a self emptying on a participatory journey, seeking unique outcomes. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Some of the limited research available on narrative reflecting team therapy was used in this study to develop a reflecting team therapy story. The reflecting team therapy story was developed using qualitative methodology in the form of an experimental text, which was strongly influenced by narrative discourse. The adopted methodology contributed to allowing the reflecting team therapy story as experienced by the client to speak very clearly to us. The following issues, inter alia, emerged: therapy is faster, clients are empowered, gender is important in therapy, the process is promoted by the multiplic ity of interactions and clients experience a scense of enpathy. The reflecting team therapy story can therefore serve as a working document which the reader can co-author. In the true spirit of narrative methology, I believe that every story contains an alternative story. There is no one true and final story. / Van die beperkte beskikbare navorsing oor reflekterende spanwerk is in hierdie studie gebruik om 'n reflekteringspanterapieverhaal daar te stel. Die reflekteringspanterapieverhaal is ontwikkel deur gebruik te maak van kwalitatiewe metodologie, in die vorm van 'n 'experimentele teks', wat sterk deur narratiewe diskoerse belnvloed is. Die veranderde metodologie het daartoe bygedra dat die verhaal van die reflekteringspanterapie soos ervaar deur die klient baie duidelik tot ons spreek. Die volgende sake het onder andere na vore getree: terapie is vinniger, kliente word bemagtig, geslag is van belang by terapie, die proses word bevorder as gevolg van die meervoudigheid van interaksie en kliente beleef 'n gevoel van empatie. Die reflekteringspanterapieverhaal kan dus dien as 'n werksdokument waaraan die leser as ko-redakteur deelneem. In die ware gees van narratiewe metodologie glo ek dat daar in elke verhaal 'n alternatiewe verhaal skuil. Daar is dus geen ware en finale verhaal nie. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Praktiese Teologie)

The pastor‘s own well-being is essential in order to attend to the spiritual well-being of others. Therefor pastors need to be cared for. I have found in transgeneration, narrative as well as participation-action-research, convergent within a threefold approach, a workable tool for caring, with pastors. But then we actually need a paradigm shift from a therapeutic towards a participatory mutual care approach within an African context. The focus is placed on pastoral attitude rather than specialised theories and prescribed techniques. This pastoral attitude is to be found within friendship related to the Celtic anamchara relationship. Particitatory pastoral care is not knowledge or skills for therapeutic practices as such, but rather a self emptying on a participatory journey, seeking unique outcomes. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Some of the limited research available on narrative reflecting team therapy was used in this study to develop a reflecting team therapy story. The reflecting team therapy story was developed using qualitative methodology in the form of an experimental text, which was strongly influenced by narrative discourse. The adopted methodology contributed to allowing the reflecting team therapy story as experienced by the client to speak very clearly to us. The following issues, inter alia, emerged: therapy is faster, clients are empowered, gender is important in therapy, the process is promoted by the multiplic ity of interactions and clients experience a scense of enpathy. The reflecting team therapy story can therefore serve as a working document which the reader can co-author. In the true spirit of narrative methology, I believe that every story contains an alternative story. There is no one true and final story. / Van die beperkte beskikbare navorsing oor reflekterende spanwerk is in hierdie studie gebruik om 'n reflekteringspanterapieverhaal daar te stel. Die reflekteringspanterapieverhaal is ontwikkel deur gebruik te maak van kwalitatiewe metodologie, in die vorm van 'n 'experimentele teks', wat sterk deur narratiewe diskoerse belnvloed is. Die veranderde metodologie het daartoe bygedra dat die verhaal van die reflekteringspanterapie soos ervaar deur die klient baie duidelik tot ons spreek. Die volgende sake het onder andere na vore getree: terapie is vinniger, kliente word bemagtig, geslag is van belang by terapie, die proses word bevorder as gevolg van die meervoudigheid van interaksie en kliente beleef 'n gevoel van empatie. Die reflekteringspanterapieverhaal kan dus dien as 'n werksdokument waaraan die leser as ko-redakteur deelneem. In die ware gees van narratiewe metodologie glo ek dat daar in elke verhaal 'n alternatiewe verhaal skuil. Daar is dus geen ware en finale verhaal nie. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Praktiese Teologie)