Thesis (M. Div.)--Emmanuel School of Religion, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 72).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:48:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tiago Silveira da Silva.pdf: 582665 bytes, checksum: b73b396f56c4672b3885d3c79448038c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-31 / Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie / This research on the historic way will reflect about the Rev. Álvaro Emidio dos Reis (1864-1925) life and acting, analyzing his profile as Presbyterian Pastor, controversialist leader and writer in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in the beginning of XX Century. Particularly, to observe the emphasis that he gave to implant new communities on the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro and other localities, using the work of lay people of his church as essential element. We sought to show in this essay the Álvaro Reis career as Pastor, his several initiative inside Brazilian Presbyterian Church and his activities along his ministry. We investigate the origins of Christian Endeavor movement and others missionary movements and para ecclesiastical, with similar goals, involving lay people in the missionary activity in second half of XIX Century. We research, in special case, the Christianity Endeavor in Rio de Janeiro Presbyterian Church, in the period of Rev. Alvaro Reis pastorate and the lay involvement of this church in the activities of urban mission in the Rio de Janeiro city, in expansion in the beginning of XX Century. Finally, we sought demonstrate the dynamic that involved the lays of Rio de Janeiro Presbyterian Church, in activities of urban mission resulted in several new churches that exist up to today / A presente pesquisa de cunho histórico refletirá a respeito da vida e atuação do Rev. Álvaro Emídio dos Reis (1864-1925), analisando seu perfil como pastor presbiteriano, líder e escritor polemista no Rio de Janeiro, no início do séc. XX. Em particular, observar a ênfase que deu à implantação de novas comunidades nos subúrbios do Rio e outras localidades, usando como elemento essencial o trabalho dos leigos de sua igreja. Procuramos mostrar neste trabalho a carreira de Álvaro Reis como pastor, suas diversas iniciativas dentro da Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil e as atividades que exerceu ao longo de seu ministério. Investigamos as origens do movimento de Esforço Cristão e outros movimentos missionários e para-eclesiáticos, com objetivos semelhantes, envolvendo os leigos na atividade missionária na segunda metade do séc XIX. Pesquisamos, em especial, o Esforço Cristão na Igreja Presbiteriana do Rio de Janeiro, no período do pastorado do Rev. Álvaro Reis e o envolvimento do leigo dessa igreja na atividade de missões urbanas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, em expansão no início do séc. XX. Finalmente, procuramos demonstrar que a dinâmica que envolveu os leigos da Igreja Presbiteriana do Rio, em atividades de missões urbanas resultou em diversas novas igrejas que perduram até os dias de hoje.

If urbanization is one of the most important social realities in Africa today, it goes without saying that Christian mission must take full account of it. The church has turned her attention to African towns and cities none too soon. Her own historical and theological inclinations have led the church in the past to favour the rural areas, where success has been widely achieved. Yet the Christian enterprise in Africa is threatened by urbanization, and a half-hearted approach to the towns will not save it. The research rests upon the hypothesis that the younger churches on the African continent – especially in Southern Africa – are indeed awaking to their missionary obligation, of moving from the position of receiving churches to sending churches. Especially in the growing cities of Africa the churches need to be informed and empowered to play their part in this regard. With a proper understanding of the Biblical mandate for mission, as well as of the urban context in which the church has to function, a comprehensive strategy for mission in the cities of Africa may be developed. The congregation of the Reformed Church Tshiawelo in Soweto was used as a case study in the research. The biblical theology of urban mission was firstly attended to. The focus was on the way both the Old and the New Testaments view urban mission. From the biblical point of view, it was clear that mission of the church always concern sending. The Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the prime Subject of Mission (Missio Dei), sending His church into the world (missio ecclesia). The biblical theology of the city showed a negative and a positive image of the city – the city of Satan and the city of God. Jesus Christ had a great concern for the repentance of the city dwellers. He preached in cities (Mt 9:35-36), cried for the city of Jerusalem for her repentance (Lk 13:34-35), sent His disciples to preach in cities (Mt 10:5, 7, 11, 14, 23). He instructed His disciples to witness to Him from the city of Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Ac 1:8). He also showed His great concern to the seven churches resided at the seven cities of Asia Minor (Rv 2:1-3:22). Paul’s life was mainly centered on preaching, and planting churches mainly in urban areas. Cities all over the globe are growing at an astonishing rate. People are forced to migrate from rural to urban areas because of push and pull factors. Natural growth in the cities is rocketing. A third cause of urban growth is immigration. The problems that immigrants are encountering in are xenophobia and unsettlement, as recent events in South Africa demonstrated. Other vexing problems to be faced in the cities are urban poverty, prostitution, street people, HIV/AIDS, unemployment, crime, etc. The development of a comprehensive definition of mission in an urban setting is required. Christ called the church to be His witness (martyria) to the world (Ac 1:8) by proclaiming the Word of God (kerygma) to the people, by serving people (diakonia), and by entering into fellowship of love with people (koinonia). The main goal of witnessing Christ in urban areas should be the glorificatio Dei, “to glorify God”, this is the liturgical dimension. The ministry of the Reformed Church Tshiawelo (Soweto) was used to illustrate and test the above. With the co-operation of the Synod Soutpansberg, the congregation developed a comprehensive mission programme, sending and equipping their members to undertake mission campaigns, seminars and conferences. Leadership training, as well as proper budgeting form an important part of the programme. The strategies can be utilized to plant churches in metropolitan cities outside Gauteng Province, e.g Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pietermaritzburg, East London, Durban, Kimberley, etc. The strategies for urban church planting were grouped into four phases which are: Visionary Phase (Step 1), Planning Phase (Step 2), Preparation Phase (Step 3), and Establishment Phase (Step 4). / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

This work discusses the dilemma of the Chopi people, who despite having a rich cultural heritage, were marginalized by other people, owing to menial labour they have done, such as the removal of faeces and grave digging for the city of Maputo. There is a contrast between the Chopis who were historically an exceptional people in rural Mozambique and the rejected and excluded people they have become in the city. This study attempts, to revert this situation, through a participative process of research, action and change, and highlights some aspects related to their cultural and religious identity. Contributing factors to their predicament are political, economic, social and religious in nature. My work entails an intense endeavour towards renewing identity regarding their understanding of employment, through theology and mission in a contextual approach. Transformation and the renewal of the values of the Chopi people are crucial towards this end. / Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology-Specialisation in Urban Ministry)

This work discusses the dilemma of the Chopi people, who despite having a rich cultural heritage, were marginalized by other people, owing to menial labour they have done, such as the removal of faeces and grave digging for the city of Maputo. There is a contrast between the Chopis who were historically an exceptional people in rural Mozambique and the rejected and excluded people they have become in the city. This study attempts, to revert this situation, through a participative process of research, action and change, and highlights some aspects related to their cultural and religious identity. Contributing factors to their predicament are political, economic, social and religious in nature. My work entails an intense endeavour towards renewing identity regarding their understanding of employment, through theology and mission in a contextual approach. Transformation and the renewal of the values of the Chopi people are crucial towards this end. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology-Specialisation in Urban Ministry)

This study was conducted within the pressing social conditions of human vulnerability manifested in a worsening situation of homelessness which forces homeless people into a deplorable life in the inner city of Tshwane. The study is not a detailed strategic plan to design support services that could improve the situation. It is rather about imagining alternative ways to journey with homeless people in their struggle to regain their humanity; hence the title: Facing homeless people in the inner city of Tshwane. Chapter 2 analyses homelessness in the inner city of Tshwane, locating it within the bigger picture of the City of Tshwane. It takes into account the poverty that drives poor people to the margins, resulting in further human degradation. It exposes the adverse conditions that homeless people endure due to the absence of a social support net. The study obtained its information primarily from conversations with homeless people and with practitioners in church based organisations dedicated to addressing homelessness. Out of these conversations, five different causes of homelessness emerged, ranging from economic and political, to health, social and cultural factors. Chapter 3 describes a number of church-based initiatives in the inner city of Tshwane that address the situation of homeless people, analysing their strengths and weaknesses in responding to the causes of homelessness as identified in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 describes a number of church-based initiatives in the inner city of Tshwane that address the situation of homeless people, analysing their strengths and weaknesses in responding to the causes of homelessness as identified in Chapter 2. Chapter 4 develops an urban theological vision in response to this situation, in the light of the notions of holiness and hospitality in the Wesleyan tradition. Contemplating this teaching, a framework was generated for the journey of the inner city church with homeless people in their efforts to regain humanity, by prioritising economic, political, health, social, and educational strategies. This chapter highlights the fact that John Wesley’s Methodist movement campaigned for the abolition of African slavery. It also journeyed with poor and vulnerable people like widows, orphans and prisoners, using Methodist “Societies” and “Classes” to integrate them into society. Finally, Chapter 5 presents an integrative urban theological vision and a set of contextual strategies for the inner city church to journey with homeless people, following the horizons of human liberation developed in earlier chapters. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology (Specialisation in Urban Ministry))