Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, Ill., 1999. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 199-203).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, Ill., 1999. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 199-203).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity International University, 2003. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 185-195).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Erskine Theological Seminary, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-141).

This study was sparked by a concern abou t the impact of economic and social injustices and ecological destruction on the livelihoods of communities in Southern Africa. While the churches’ responses to th ese injustices have been palliative and benevolent, the study argues th at the church has not done enough to critically engage the oppressive systems which maintain these in justices. One of th e key questions that this study seeks to answer is: What is needed in order to develop a culture of ‘critical engagement’ given that the church has oppo rtunities, means and infrastructure to enable a critical and liberatory ethos, for the community at large? In order to answer this que stion, a case study with the Wo men’s Associations of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) was pursued. This case study allowed for an intensive investigati on of the Women’s Associations in the church through which pertinent questions we re asked of how and why things happen in the way that they do. The research question therefore was “In the light of the enormous challenges faced by women in church and society in the twenty-first century in Southern Africa, do the Women’s Associations in the UCCSA offer a liberatory learning ethos to enable individual and communal empowerment for its members?” The study first establishes principles of a liberatory learning ethos that could be empowering to women. These principles for a liberatory learning ethos are drawn from two theoretical frameworks, namely, Village learning and African Women’s theologies. Thereafter, the study describes the current challenges faced by women in Southern Africa so as to explain why a liberatory learning ethos is a necessity in the Women’s Associations of the UCCSA. A survey of the prevalent learning ethos is undertaken in order to demonstrate some of the limitations the Women’s Associations and the UCCSA experience in responding to the challenges faced by women. The study concludes with an exploration to establish the extent to which African culture and theological resources developed in Southern Africa can assist to construct a liberatory learning ethos for the Women’s Associations of the UCCSA. Such an ethos ought to enable individual and communal empowerment for its members. Key Terms: African and Black Theology; African Traditional Culture; African Women’s Theology; Apartheid Education; Ba tswana; Bible; Biblical hermeneutics; Botho; Council for World Mission; Feminist Theology; Jesus Movement; Kairos Theology; Liberatory Learning Ethos; Missionary Education; Mukti Barton; Paulo Freire; Southern Africa; Steve Biko; Tswana Learning; United Congregational Church of Southern Africa; Village learning; World Alli ance of Reformed Churches; Women’s Associations; World Council of Churches. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

This thesis, grounded in a select group of women's experience, critiques the exclusive images for God presented by the Church in its language and liturgy. My contention in this thesis is that in an emerging democracy such as South Africa, the metaphors and language used are increasingly restrictive - in terms of both the empowerment of women and the enrichment of men. I look at how feminist scholarship has focussed on the implications of patriarchy for women and the claim by feminist theologians that the ensuing symbols have been damaging for women The analysis includes means to recover traditional images for God and suggestions of ways to discover alternative images. Following the feminist analysis, I argue for a hermeneutic which locates the meaning of the tradition within the experience of three local, select groups of women. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

This study is designed to explore the ways in which PCC’s missional engagement with Agenda PCC 2000 programme has effectively facilitated the empowerment of women for leadership. Under girded with a missiological framework, the exploration draws on insights from the concept of the Mission of God (Missio Dei) and the resulting understanding of humanity created in the image of God (Imago-Dei) and Koinonia that are used to analyze issues of mission, leadership and partnership. African Feminist pastoral theory and Feminist cultural hermeneutics are applied as theories to further guide the study. The study argues that man and woman are created with equal dignity and they both represent God’s purpose on earth. In the light of this theological understanding the study calls into question the PCC exclusion of women from senior leadership role within its ecclesial community. The research question of this study s: What are the experiences of women being empowered for leadership within PCC since the launch of the Agenda PCC 2000 programme? The methodology of the study followed a “mixed method approach” that involves collecting and analyzing more than one form of data in a single study as a design in addressing complex questions in an interdisciplinary research. The process of data analysis involved making sense of the empirical and non-empirical data to ascertain and understand the meaning of the data obtained through interviews. Through textual criticism and discussion with women sharing their experiences on empowerment and leadership positioning, revealed that some women are included in leadership positions but they are alienated by the patriarchal ecclesial power structures of the PCC. If the PCC is to be effective in its missional and ecclesial endeavours’ it needs to embrace a theology of partnership of women and men in leadership structures of the church. The study asserted that if equal space and equity are given to both men and women to participate in decision-making, then fresh approaches to leadership and understanding of mission will be opened. The study concluded that the PCC can do much more in balancing the gender gap if it follows the Trinitarian model of leadership by restructuring its male dominating pattern of leadership that permeates its administrative structures. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Thesis (M.A.)-- Vanguard University of Southern California, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Texas Christian University, 2009. / Title from dissertation title page (viewed Mar. 26, 2009). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Baylor University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-81).