The societal youth problems of violence, racism, poverty, obesity, and depression have impacted a population of youths within the urban district of Worcester, Massachusetts known as Main South. The coach of a track team there, a Catholic woman whose hobbies include marathon running, leisure reading and theological exploration, combines her passions to create a program that transports small groups of youths out of the city for day trips that include fun runs along scenic trails, followed by silent reading, group discussions and shared meals within a home-like setting. Undergirded by a spirit of playfulness, the author notes the transformational benefits of each program element: distance running, leisure reading, hospitality, and time in nature, toward easing youth problems. Also recognizing a spiritual hunger as complicit in youth problems, “Mama Clark’s” Doctor of Ministry project infuses non-denominational spirituality into an otherwise secular program, toward total wellness of youths, body, mind, and spirit. While long-term change could not be immediately shown, initial responses from participants indicated positive outcomes. Referencing theology, the author suggests that seeds sown can begin to bridge the gap between the problems of youths and a “kingdom” ideal of happy, healthy, and delightful young people, playing on the face of the earth.

Recent decades have seen an increased interest among predominantly white, middle-class evangelicals in church planting and organizing ministries in urban centers, often in racially diverse neighborhoods undergoing the process of gentrification. This thesis will analyze the phenomenon of white urban ministry through the lens of critical whiteness studies and psychoanalytic theory, drawing on Shannon Sullivan's notion of whiteness as unconscious habit characterized by ontological expansiveness. I propose that sincere efforts on the part of white urban ministry practitioners to form and nurture diverse communities rooted in place are impeded by habitual modes of relationship to place formed in predominantly white contexts, which reproduce, however unintentionally, patterns of white supremacy and displacement of people of color. The thesis begins with a survey of print and online sources including accounts by white urban ministry practitioners and critiques of their models. I then address the theological and affective motives and rationales for these models, and examine their relationship to wider social patterns of gentrification. Next I will analyze these patterns in light of the work of critical theorists on whiteness, focusing on the nature of white relationship to place shaped by centuries of colonialism. Developmental psychology will then be employed to account for white habit formation, drawing upon Kohut's account of the development of grandiosity. I conclude by calling for a paradigmatic shift toward de-centering whiteness, drawing upon theological and psychological resources to transform white relationship to place into one of respect and deference to diverse ways of being.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:20:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jetro Ferreira da Silva.pdf: 420754 bytes, checksum: 1aca498401696540e665c9207f7b45c5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003-10-28 / The prevalence of stress and burnout has become a common problem in the caring professions. Pastors, ministers and their families are not an exception. Available evidence from personal reflections and scientific research demonstrates that pastoral work is today an occupation with high rates of burnout. However, little attention has been paid to this topic. This study seeks to contribute to knowledge regarding the development of preconditions of the syndrome, and individual resources that help to prevent and control it among Adventist pastors in the city of São Paulo. The text begins with an analysis of burnout, based on selected references that include general information regarding symptoms, sources and measurement instruments; interventions and preventative methods. Burnout research demonstrates that religious ministers are generally treated like other caring professionals, with little consideration to the spiritual dimension that is crucial to the lives of clergymen. For this study, pastoral burnout is related specifically to a deficient relationship with God, environment and work conditions, as well as personal characteristics. Finally, the study suggests strategies to help decreasing and preventing the syndrome among the pastors who are the focus of this study.(AU) / A prevalência de stress e burnout tem-se tornado um problema comum nas profissões assistenciais. Os ministros religiosos não são uma exceção. Evidências disponíveis derivadas de reflexões pessoais e pesquisas científicas demonstram que o trabalho pastoral hoje é uma ocupação com elevados índices de burnout; entretanto, pouca atenção tem sido dada a este assunto. O presente estudo tem como objetivo contribuir para o desenvolvimento de pré-condições e recursos individuais de forma a prevenir e controlar os efeitos da síndrome entre os pastores adventistas da cidade de São Paulo. Inicialmente o trabalho apresentará uma análise do burnout, a partir de referências selecionadas, incluindo informações gerais sobre os sintomas, antecedentes, instrumentos de medida; intervenções e métodos preventivos. Os ministros religiosos geralmente são tratados como outros profissionais de ajuda nas pesquisas de burnout, com pouca consideração para com a dimensão espiritual, o que é prioritário ou mesmo vital para o clero. Para este estudo, em particular, o burnout pastoral será considerado como um fator resultante de um relacionamento deficiente com Deus. Somam-se a isso as condições ambientais do trabalho e as características pessoais. Finalmente, o estudo pretende sugerir estratégias para ajudar na redução e na prevenção última da síndrome entre os pastores em foco.(AU)

The main aim of this study was to investigate the prophetic calling of the Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA) in the moral regeneration of the South African urban community. The method of research followed in this study was to study primary and secondary sources, as well as appropriate biblical teachings and theological principles relevant to this study and to systematise the information. An analysis was provided of the main problems regarding moral decay besetting the South African urban community and the main challenges this moral decay poses for the RSCA were identified. A strategy the RCSA should implement in tackling these challenges was devised and a number of practical projects the RCSA could undertake at congregational level to concretise the strategy were discussed. The study confirmed that the Church has an important role to play as the driving agent for moral regeneration of the South African urban community. It was pointed out that the moral regeneration of the urban community in South Africa cannot be left to the government. The main reason is that morality cannot be legislated. However, when the love of God transforms the lives of people, it changes the heart, heals moral decay, provides strength to overcome temptation and gives the desire to reach out to people (friends, relatives’ neighbours, strangers and even enemies) in true love. The congregation’s main task with regard to moral regeneration is therefore to be clear about God’s mission, to discern what God is doing in the community and to serve his mission in practical ways. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / unrestricted

This study uses a praxis cycle approach to evaluate the work of the Anglican Diocese of Bujumbura in the community of Bwiza, a marginalised urban community in Bujumbura. In Chapter 2 it analyses the context of urbanisation in Burundi, with special reference to Bujumbura as capital. It then examines the work of the Diocese of Bujumbura in that urban setting in Chapter 3, against the background of Burundi’s religious composition and the history of the Anglican Church in Burundi as a whole. Chapter 4, gives a review of publications devoted to urban mission and theology. Special attention is given to liberation theology and the particular way it addresses poverty. Chapter 5 reports the findings of interviews and focus groups conducted with members of various churches in the community of Bwiza. In Chapter 6 these findings are interpreted missiologically, and the final chapter (7) suggests some issues for further research. The study explores the causes of poverty in Bwiza and suggests practical contributions that can bring about positive change. The main concern of the study is to bring awareness to the churches about the urgent need for urban ministry. It also explores possible solutions to urban poverty. The other concern of this study is to provide a basis for an urban mission strategy for the Anglican Church, which could assist other churches and all faith based organisations serving in urban settings. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology, with specialisation in Urban Ministry)

Nairobi is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa with an average of five hundred people coming to the city on a daily basis. More than seventy percent of these people end up living in the informal settlements. An appropriate model of theological training for church leaders needs to be developed, so as to equip them to work with congregations and communities within the informal settlements, to address the needs and potential of people living in the context of Kibera informal settlements and to bring about spiritual and material transformation in their midst. A qualitative and comparative study was undertaken and data was collected through semistructured interviews and focus group discussions. After interpreting the data, the researcher found out: The problems and needs of the community and challenges of church ministers in the informal settlements are enormous. It includes unemployment, poor housing and sanitation, and a general lack of resources to meet basic needs; as well as negative ethnicity, inadequate ministers‟ stipends and the dependence of church members on ministers.  The existing models of theological education have not effectively equipped church ministers to face these challenges in informal settlement ministry. The research study end by proposing a model that will enable church ministers‟ witness to the incarnation of Christ among marginalized people in the informal settlement of Kibera. This model of theological training will be informed by African, Freirian and Western approaches to education. It will aim to form, inform and transform the pastoral work of ministers in informal settlement contexts. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M.A. (Theology in Missiology: Specialization in Urban Ministry)

Nairobi is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa with an average of five hundred people coming to the city on a daily basis. More than seventy percent of these people end up living in the informal settlements. An appropriate model of theological training for church leaders needs to be developed, so as to equip them to work with congregations and communities within the informal settlements, to address the needs and potential of people living in the context of Kibera informal settlements and to bring about spiritual and material transformation in their midst. A qualitative and comparative study was undertaken and data was collected through semistructured interviews and focus group discussions. After interpreting the data, the researcher found out: The problems and needs of the community and challenges of church ministers in the informal settlements are enormous. It includes unemployment, poor housing and sanitation, and a general lack of resources to meet basic needs; as well as negative ethnicity, inadequate ministers‟ stipends and the dependence of church members on ministers.  The existing models of theological education have not effectively equipped church ministers to face these challenges in informal settlement ministry. The research study end by proposing a model that will enable church ministers‟ witness to the incarnation of Christ among marginalized people in the informal settlement of Kibera. This model of theological training will be informed by African, Freirian and Western approaches to education. It will aim to form, inform and transform the pastoral work of ministers in informal settlement contexts. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. A. (Theology in Missiology: Specialization in Urban Ministry)

This study uses a praxis cycle approach to evaluate the work of the Anglican Diocese of Bujumbura in the community of Bwiza, a marginalised urban community in Bujumbura. In Chapter 2 it analyses the context of urbanisation in Burundi, with special reference to Bujumbura as capital. It then examines the work of the Diocese of Bujumbura in that urban setting in Chapter 3, against the background of Burundi’s religious composition and the history of the Anglican Church in Burundi as a whole. Chapter 4, gives a review of publications devoted to urban mission and theology. Special attention is given to liberation theology and the particular way it addresses poverty. Chapter 5 reports the findings of interviews and focus groups conducted with members of various churches in the community of Bwiza. In Chapter 6 these findings are interpreted missiologically, and the final chapter (7) suggests some issues for further research. The study explores the causes of poverty in Bwiza and suggests practical contributions that can bring about positive change. The main concern of the study is to bring awareness to the churches about the urgent need for urban ministry. It also explores possible solutions to urban poverty. The other concern of this study is to provide a basis for an urban mission strategy for the Anglican Church, which could assist other churches and all faith based organisations serving in urban settings. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology, with specialisation in Urban Ministry)