M.Th. / There is still great uncertainty about the role of healing in proclaiming the Gospel and in church building and development. For many Christian denominations this is still a contentious and controversial subject. Especially the differences in the theories on healing and the way in which these theories should be applied, cause many problems to come to the fore in obvious and unsettling ways. In the past few Pentecostal theologians have tried to make contributions that help to identify and solve these problems. By doing this study from a Pentecostal viewpoint, the student is hoping to aid the church in developing a theory and praxis for the healing ministry that is based on Scripture. This study is unique in the sense that it approaches the issue from the standpoint that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are an absolute necessity in developing a Scriptually sound theory and praxis for the healing ministry. It was therefore necessary first to stress the important role of the gifts of the Spirit in the ministry of Christ and the New Testament church. The study then looks at the role and influence that the gifts had in the emergence of the modern Pentecostal movement and of the AFM of South Africa. To discover whether this ministry is still functioning effectively, a questionnaire was given to believers in eight different assemblies. The information was then used to compile a list of guidelines that might be adhered to in order to maximise the usefulness of the gifts of the Spirit.

Thesis advisor: Christopher R. Matthews / Thesis advisor: Thomas D. Stegman / The overall narrative in the Acts of the Apostles displays a noticeable dual-emphasis of the author: emphasis on the mission to the Gentiles despite the obstructions of the Jews and emphasis on the Jewish roots of the Gentile mission, which results in an ambivalent attitude toward the Jews and Judaism. These seemingly contradictory emphases easily push careless readers to an unbalanced interpretation and reading of Acts, and the Holocaust is the ultimate horrible consequence of the anti-Semitic interpretation of Acts. This thesis argues that the two emphases, rather than being contradictory, are mutually intertwined: Jewish roots help illuminate the origin and meaning of the mission to the Gentiles, and the mission to the Gentiles fulfills the promise God made to Israel. A good example of this is the Apostolic Letter composed at the Jerusalem Council, which was held to address and solve the problem of the conditions by which the Gentiles could be members of the church (cf. Acts 15:2). In this study, I will place the Apostolic Letter (15:23-29) within a larger theological and narrative framework of Luke-Acts—the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel— and argue that, as Luke’s rhetorical device, the Decree (15:20, 29; 21:25) not only serves to explain some already existing practices among Jewish and Gentile Christians, but more importantly, serves as a guiding principle for concrete table fellowship between Jewish believers and Gentile believers within a community that calls its believers to be of “one heart and soul” (4:32). / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

Retirement is an unavoidable and necessary phase in a person’s life. It is also one of the biggest transitions in the life cycle of a human being. Emeritus of the Apostolic Faith Mission of S.A. (AFM) have positive and negative feelings regarding their retirement. In the light of this fact the research question was posed: How can the AFM, from a pastoral perspective, understand the situation of, prepare and assist its emeritus in coping effectively with retirement - in the process addressing their holistic needs - maintaining a meaningful life in the service of God as integral members of His community? With reference to the abovementioned question it is the overall aim of this study to research the holistic needs of the pastors of the AFM, with the objective to create a pastoral model for retirement preparation. In so doing they can remain integral members of God`s community whose holistic needs are taken care of, in a Christian way. The study was done by using the practical-theological model of Osmer as starting point which comprises the following: * the normative task, where Scriptural perspectives on the topic have been researched; * the interpretative task, according to which material from other disciplines are studied; * an empirical research by way of interviews with emeritus; * and a practice theory to design a model for pre-retirement planning for pastors of the AFM. The normative task part of the research indicates that although the Bible does not say much regarding emeritus, definite direction is found regarding old age. God speaks through, and gives direction in his Word concerning the elderly. In the interpretative task part of the study very little literature is found regarding the retirement of clergy. Information exists, however, on the subject of the elderly. Numerous guidelines are also found in Scripture a propos the pastors as a holistic person in connection with body, soul and spirit. Research indicated that preparation for retirement is of cardinal importance. The results which surfaced from the empirical study, confirmed the normative and interpretative theoretical research. Subsequently the practice theory has been formulated from the hermeneutical interaction of the different elements of the research in the format of a model for pre-retirement planning. A model where the strategy for planning has been explained has been compiled finally. Matters related to the problems and fears of emeritus were addressed in creating a model. The intention of the pre-retirement education is to reduce the effect of negative stereotypes of retirement. It will further assist pastors to develop realistic goals for their retirement. With reference to the research question, central theoretical argument and the research reflected in chapters 2 to 5, the final conclusion states that pre-retirement planning for pastors of the AFM is very important. / PhD (Pastoral studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 1906. / Published also without thesis statement.

Thesis (PhD)-Open University. BLDSC no.DX78178.

Thesis (M.A.)--Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1991. / This is an electronic reproduction of TREN, #090-0101. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-153).

Thesis (S.T.D.)--Catholic University of America, 1924. / Biography. Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-116).

The rise in divorce cases among Christians, and among pastors in particular, has become an unsettling factor in contemporary South Africa. The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa (SA) has been selected as a study sample to investigate this problem. From the above problem, the following question developed: “What are the motivations and justifications for AFM of SA (Pentecostal church) pastors indulging in the act of divorce, and what theologically educative measures can be advanced to resolve this problem…?” It has become incumbent upon researchers, especially theologians, to address this ongoing problem by employing a phenomenological study. Hence, the present researcher has employed the qualitative research methodology, in which the explorative, descriptive and contextual approaches have been applied. Consequently, phenomenological interviews were conducted among nine divorced AFM pastors. Fieldwork mainly consisted of data collection through in-person and telephonic interviews. This was followed by data analysis, through coding, categorisation and a thematic analysis to draw scientific categories from the collected data. Data analysis was conducted along two notable themes, namely, motivations and justifications/rationale with their subsequent categories and subcategories. The findings, after data analysis, show that the main motivations and justifications for pastors to divorce their spouses are as follows: ministerial incompatibility; communication breakdown; sexual incompatibility; socio-economic incompatibility; adultery; attitude or abusiveness; conflicting interests; dishonesty; cultural differences; influence of the extended family; academic incompatibility; insufficient time spent together; expired love; and jealousy. It has been noted that divorce is not a new phenomenon. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 shows that the problem of divorce existed from the days of Moses in the Old Testament. Because the men of Israel were arbitrarily divorcing their wives during Moses’ jurisdiction over Israel, he instructed that this be done in an orderly way – by issuing a certificate of divorce to the wives during the process of divorce. However, in the New Testament (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:1-9), Jesus spoke out against divorce. He stated that Moses allowed divorce because of the hard-heartedness of the men of Israel. Hence, ‘divorce’ is a theological concern that calls for a practical theological intervention strategy. Therefore, this thesis is concluded by recommending a ‘practical theological theory’ as an intervention strategy based on three aspects: firstly, the history of the AFM church on divorce; secondly, the reasons for divorce among AFM pastors as investigated in this research; lastly, the book of The Song of Songs and the incarnation of Christ were introduced as the basis of a new practical theological theory to ensure stable marriages among AFM pastors. / Dr. L.J. Erasmus

An Investigation into the Experience of Congregational Preaching at the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Soweto, Diepkloof Assembly Preaching is one of the main pastoral or congregational activities that takes place in all Christian congregations. The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM), Diepkloof Assembly in Soweto has been selected as a study sample to investigate how church members experience their pastor’s preaching at church during worship services. In this study an empirical research was conducted by employing a qualitative research methodology, in which explorative, descriptive and contextual approaches have been applied. Phenomenological interviews were conducted among ten members of the AFM Diepkloof Assembly. The theory of data saturation was applied while conducting the interviews. This theory means that the researcher keeps on collecting data (e.g. by means of interviews) to obtain new data until no new information comes up. In this research, a literature study of the theoretical framework of preaching was undertaken to find out what the contemporary scholars think of congregational/pastoral preaching. There is a lack of African or black scholarship in this regard; most of the literature is from white scholars. Nevertheless, the researcher did establish a sound theoretical framework on congregational/pastoral preaching. Fieldwork mainly consisted of data collection through in-person, tape recorded interviews. This was followed by data analysis, through categorisation and a thematic analysis to draw scientific categories from the collected data. The findings, after data analysis, indicated that congregants generally regard:  the Bible as central in preaching  preaching as something that gives answers or solutions to real life problems  the preacher to be important and he/she must be in agreement with his/her message  preaching as having some influence on them to change their lifestyles for the better  preaching as a necessary activity that covers as wide range of subjects about (Christian) life. It was noted during this study that there are no empirical studies that have been undertaken on how church members in black township churches experience their pastors’ preaching. The literature control among white church members in suburban churches indicates that:  preaching must help to lead people to change (Swift,2005:18)  the person of the preacher plays a very crucial role in his/her preaching (Venter & Kim, 2004:147)  the teaching sermon should get more attention in our day (Pieterse, 2005:230)  the audience must be involved (be part of) in the preaching (Swift, 2005:230)  the preaching must be relevant to the lives of the audience (Swift, 2005:232). The above results of the literature control confirm what was gathered from the research findings. In conclusion, preaching still plays a very crucial role in the congregations, and that pastors and lay preachers need to continuously work on their preaching skills and methods to make it more effective and relevant to the contemporary church community and in society in general. / Dr. L.J. (Dennis) Erasmus Dr. S.J. (Lilly) Nortjé-Meyer

M.A. / The objective with this study was to develop a management model for assemblies in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM). This model is focussed on the development of positive potential and the equipping of assembly members. A number of assemblies instituted a cell-based structure whilst others are in a process of transformation towards a cell-based assembly structure. The management possibilities of such a structure was therefore considered. An analytical and critical approach, based on the social sciences, was taken to develop a better understanding of people's latent potential. The equipping task of the church was also analysed. With the aforementioned as departing point, consideration was given as to what type of management structure would be the most suitable to develop potential and to equip assembly members. The study indicates the following: Every person has latent positive potential that should be developed. The church leadership is responsible to God for the development and equipping of assembly members. A high standard of management effectiveness could be reached through a Body-of-Christ assembly approach with cell groups as a supporting structure. A purpose-driven management approach should be adopted. The best management model is therefore achieved through a combination of a Body-of-Christ assembly model based on a purposedriven management approach. This thesis is a contribution aimed to assist the leadership in assembly management and structuring. It is hoped that this will result in the development of latent potential, and the equipping of assembly members to support them in their Godly purpose and service.