Extreme poverty is the most devastating problem facing the human race, because it condemns nearly half of the world‘s population to hunger, disease and oppression-often with little or no hope for the future. The human beings made in the image of God are tragically prevented from realizing their God given potentials because of poverty. The reality of poverty can be overwhelming, but we must understand that this age old adversary can be defeated. According to the famous maxim ―If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day, but if you teach a man how to fish, he will eat for a lifetime‖. Therefore, the best way to fight poverty is to empower the people to shape their own future-to treat the causes of poverty and not just the symptoms (Stearns: 2010, 300) Key / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

This history which spans the period 1836 -1995, gives a picture of the Dutch Reformed Church in Zimbabwe which evolved from the missionary endeavour of the mother church in South Africa into an independent autonomous church. It is a story of Dutch (Afrikaner) piety in which the most important components are evangelisation, education and language, the whole of which was, and is still, influenced by the evangelical piety of Andrew Murray. With regard to the education of their children, the Dutch Reformed members believed that Christian education in the mother tongue was the ideal. This world view, together with the Protestant principle, that people should read and interpret Scripture for themselves, resulted in the establishment of three churches in Zimbabwe. Firstly, the Dutch Reformed Church (Synod of Central Africa), that ministers to the Afrikaans and English members of all races. Secondly, the Reformed Church of Zimbabwe that ministers to the Shona people, and thirdly the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (Synod Malawi) that ministers to the migrant workers from Malawi. Of the three components in Dutch piety, evangelisation is regarded by the members as the most important in their missionary endeavour. This is the search for a contextual identity and illustrates how the Afrikaners in Zimbabwe experienced the reality of God in their lives. It is also a description of the interaction of the Dutch Reformed Church in Zimbabwe with the society in which it found itself. This interaction is observed to be of four types, namely, public witness, social upliftment and empowerment, the increase of social strength and the establishment of the community. / Church History

À partir de l’exemple du Sud de l’Aquitaine, véritable condensé des sensibilités protestantes de l’Europe du XIXe siècle, une analyse multi-scalaire permet d’appréhender les processus de réintégration et d’affirmation du protestantisme qui, au terme d’un siècle de persécutions et de clandestinité, devient une confession reconnue. De la promulgation des Articles organiques du 18 germinal an X à la Séparation des Églises et de l’État, l’étude du pluralisme protestant permet de définir de nouveaux espaces ainsi que de nouvelles et multiples formes de structuration institutionnelle. L’existence de lignes de partage externes, visibles au travers des modalités de coexistence, et internes, par les points de tension inhérents à cette pluralité, révèle, quant à elle, les différents traits d’une identité protestante qui ne se conçoit que dans la diversité. Au-delà de ses divergences, cette minorité active fait preuve d’une vision collective et spatiale : par la création d’un territoire concurrent de l’Église catholique, par sa reconstruction institutionnelle, par ses réseaux, par ses engagements politiques, par la relecture de son histoire, elle se forge une identité originale et prétend jouer un rôle moteur dans la société de son temps. / Using as example the South of Aquitaine, a veritable concentration of protestant school of thought in Europe in the 19th century, a multi-scalar analysis throws light on the processes of reintegration and affirmation of Protestantism which, after a century of persecution and clandestinity, became a recognized religious faith. From the promulgation of the Organic Articles of 18th Germinal Year X to the Separation of the Churches and State, the study of Protestant Pluralism enables new areas to be defined as well as new and multiple forms of institutional structuration. The existence of external divisions visible through methods of coexistence, and internal ones seen in the points of friction inherent to this plurality, reveals the different characteristics of protestant identity that could only be imagined in a context of diversity. This active minority affirmed, beyond its differences, a collective and spatial vision through the creation of a territory in competition with the Catholic Church, through its institutional reconstruction, through its networks, through its political commitments, through the rethinking of its history, it created an original identity and expected to be a driving force in the society of its time.

German text / Die vorliegende wissenschaftliche Arbeit befasst sich mit den amaZioni, die den größten Teil der südafrikanischen AIC-Bewegung („African Independent/Indigenous/Initiated Churches“) ausmachen. Für die meisten Theologen stellen die amaZioni eine synkretistische christliche Kirchenbewegung dar, die in ihren Ritualen und Gottesdienstformen starke Einflüsse von traditionellen afrikanischen Religionen (ATR) aufweist. Nicht desto trotz öffnen sich viele der amaZioni-Kirchen gegenüber biblischer Lehre durch Missionare. Um eine solide Grundlage für die Missionsarbeit zu schaffen, befasst sich die vorgeschlagene Arbeit damit, wichtige Bedürfnisse der amaZioni zu erforschen, so dass diese als Anknüpfungspunkte für die weitere Evangeliumsverkündigung genutzt werden können. / The proposed research examines the needs of the amaZioni, who are part of the South African AIC-movement. The amaZioni, as one of the largest religious groups in South Africa, are viewed by most theologicans as syncretistic christian churches. It is obvious that their common believe system as well as their rituals show a strong influence of african traditional religions (ATR). But nevertheless, many of the members of the Zion-churches are opening up for bible teaching provided by missionaries. In order to establish a solid base for the future mission work the proposed research focuses on finding out the amaZioni's needs, so that this needs can be used as reference points in the endeavour of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the missionaries. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

Bibliography: leaves 221-244 / The purpose of this thesis is to examine the mission of the ‘Church as family’ and to explore its implications in terms of levels of inclusion and participation of church members in the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo. The background of the study is the 1994 African Synod that suggests the ecclesiology of the mission of the ‘Church as family.’ The study helps the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo to evaluate the implementation of the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family’ and draw implications for nuclear, single parent, child-headed, reconstituted and extended families within the church. The study explores Shorter’s culture model to examine how cultural practices, symbols, values and belief systems can be used as an analytic framework for the human dimension of the church. A qualitative research methodology that involves 36 participants in semi-structured interviews, three focus group discussions in urban, semi-urban and rural parishes and participant observation was used to collect data from parishioners, priests and religious of the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo. The study reveals that each family type contributes to Evangelisation as proclamation of the Good News and inculturation differently thereby enriching the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family.’ Furthermore, the study shows that guilds, associations and commissions help to strengthen families through spiritual, psychological, social and economic support. Findings also indicate that the Trinity is the theological foundation of the family and it finds acceptance in African communal setup. Family types in Masvingo Diocese are analysed using the notion of the Trinity to show that dignity, equality and respect among family types can be used to strengthen the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family.’ At pastoral level, economic, social and cultural obstacles to family ministry stand as a challenge to the full implementation and realisation of the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family’. In the light of the research, recommendations for mission strategies were suggested at different levels that involve Diocesan administration, priests, religious, catechists and parish leaders. Recommendations for further researches were also suggested for areas that seem to be important yet outside the scope of this study. The theological, pastoral, and cultural issues raised in this study combine to help the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo to become an authentic expression of the mission of the ‘Church as family’ of God. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Summaries in German and English / Diese Arbeit unternimmt den Versuch die Themenfelder Evangelisationstheologie und Friedens- und Versöhnungstheologie gemeinsam zu denken. Dafür fragt sie danach, welche Impulse die deutschsprachige Theologie der Evangelisation aus der „Theologie der Umarmung“ Mirsolav Volfs gewinnen kann. Um dies zu erreichen gibt sie zunächst einen groben Überblick über die geschichtlichen Entwicklungen in der neueren Evangelisationstheologie um dann Leitlinien einer deutschsprachigen Theologie der Evangelisation herauszuarbeiten. Nachdem im folgenden Teil der Arbeit die „Theologie der Umarmung“ umfassende gewürdigt wird, werden beide Denkansätze in einem abschließenden Kapitel miteinander in Dialog gebracht und sowohl inhaltliche als auch methodische Denkanstöße für eine von Volf geprägte Theologie der Evangelisation diskutiert. / This work attempts to think together the fields of evangelisation theology and peace and reconciliation theology. Therefore it asks what impulses the German-speaking theology of evangelism can gain from the "theology of embrace" by Mirsolav Volfs. In order to achieve this it first gives a rough overview of the historical developments in the newer evangelisation theology and then elaborates guidelines of a German-language theology of evangelisation. After in the following part of the work the "theology of embracement" is comprehensively appreciated, both approaches are brought together in a concluding chapter and both content-wise and methodical thought impulses for a theology of evangelisation influenced by Volf are discussed. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

[pt] Propomo-nos investigar o Novo sujeito apostólico, social e eclesial a partir dos documentos pontifícios do Papa Francisco, numa dimensão transformadora. A pesquisa procurou mostrar a importância do contexto econômico, social e cultural na proposta teológica e pastoral desenvolvida pelo Papa. Uma condição intrínseca à renovação missionária e ao novo perfil evangélico que Francisco considera imprescindível à Igreja dos pobres, configurada como Igreja em saída. Um processo que demarca a superação do dualismo entre fé e vida, que nos conduz a um caminho dialogante e formativo do sujeito apostólico. O Papa Francisco nos remete à ação transformadora da evangelização, o retorno às fontes do Evangelho, à práxis de Jesus Cristo. Lugar de fecundidade do anúncio do Reino de Deus, revelação concreta do amor de Deus pela criação. A partir da práxis de Jesus Cristo, tratamos de diferentes dimensões da evangelização na proposta do pontificado de Francisco: a evangelização inculturada, o ser humano na perspectiva integrada de sua existência histórica e de fé, a espiritualidade encarnada que emana diferentes expressões de fé, a humanização desenvolvida a partir da subjetividade aberta e, fundamentalmente, a perspectiva de desenvolver uma ecologia integrada às dimensões sociais, culturais e econômicas. O trabalho mostra que, a partir da chave do Evangelho de Jesus Cristo, o Papa provoca a Igreja à atualização de sua missão, o que expressa o comprometimento com a continuidade do Concílio Vaticano II. Mostramos, também, a espiritualidade inaciana como fonte de compromisso e discernimento presentes em Francisco, à luz do Evangelho, e a recepção do Concílio no continente latino-americano, que fundamentou uma teologia libertadora, revisitada à luz da práxis histórica e de Jesus. O trabalho expressa o dinamismo da ação do Espírito Santo na evangelização encarnada, que Francisco traz intrínseca à sua ação pastoral. Revela-nos, dessa forma, a exigência constante da conversão da mentalidade e das atitudes, essencial ao processo transformador da evangelização. Destacamos, como eixo central do desenvolvimento do trabalho, o protagonismo social que o Papa reconhece nos movimentos populares e nos sujeitos apostólicos. É no interior desse processo que o Papa destaca o caminho do diálogo, da sinodalidade, como formativo do novo sujeito, social e eclesial. / [fr] Nous nous proposons dans ce travail de mener une recherche, basée sur des documents pontificaux, sur un nouveau sujet apostolique, social et ecclésial, dans une dimension transformatrice. La recherche a pour objectif de mettre en lumière l importance du co ntexte économique, social et culturel de la perspective théologique et pastorale présentée par le pape. Une condition intrinsèque au renouvellement missionnaire de la nouvelle approche évangélique que François estime indispensable pour l Eglise des pauvres qualifiée d Eglise « en sortie ». Un processus qui demande de dépasser le dualisme foi vie pour nous amener vers un chemin de dialogue, et partant, conduire à la formation d un sujet apostolique. Le Pape François nous invite à une action transformatrice d e l évangélisation, à un retour aux sources de l Evangile, à la praxis de Jésus Christ. Lieu de fécondité de l annonce du règne de Jésus, révélation concrète de l amour de Dieu pour la création. Par le biais de la praxis de Jésus Christ, nous nous intéress ons aux différentes dimensions de l évangélisation en lien avec la proposition du pontificat de François: l évangélisation inculturée, l être humain dans la perspective ajustée à son existence historique et de foi, la spiritualité incarnée qui traduit le s diverses expressions de la foi, une humanisation conçue à l aune d une subjectivité ouverte et, prioritairement, la perspective de l essor d une écologie adaptée aux dimensions sociales, culturelles et économiques. Ce travail enseigne que, sur la base de l évangile de Jésus Christ, le pape pousse l Eglise à mettre sa mission à jour, ce qui dénote son engagement à la suite du Concile Vatican II. Nous soulignons également que la spiritualité ignacienne d engagement et de discernement présente chez le Pape François, à la lumière de l Evangile, ainsi que l accueil du Concile sur le continent latino américain ont favorisé une théologie de la libération, revisitée à la lumière de la praxis historique et de Jésus. L étude met en avant le dynamisme de l action de l Esprit Saint dans l évangélisation incarnée que François juge intrinsèque à son action pastorale. Il en ressort une exigence constante de changement des mentalités et des attitudes, essentielle au processus transformateur de l évangélisation. Nous nous a xons, dans le développement de l étude, sur l impact du social dont le pape reconnaît la traduction dans les mouvements populaires et chez les sujets apostoliques. C est à l intérieur de ce processus que le pape met en avant un chemin de dialogue, de syn odalité, permettant l éclosion d un nouveau sujet social et ecclésial.

Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

German text / Die Bulgarische Evangelische Gesellschaft (BEG) ist die erste organisierte Eigeninitiative bulgarischer evangelischer Christen, die dem Ziel verpflichtet war, zur Evangelisation der Bulgaren beizutragen. Neben der Literaturarbeit und der finanziellen Unterstützung von Predigern und Pastoren gehörte die Förderung von Einheit unter den evangelischen Christen zu den wichtigsten Arbeitsbereichen der BEG. Letzteres wurde vor allem auch in den Jahresversammlungen verwirklicht, die allgemein eine wichtige Plattform für die verschiedenen Arbeitszweige darstellten. 1875 in einer äußerst unsicheren Zeit gegründet, überstand die BEG mehrere Kriege wie auch interne Probleme, bis sie (wie andere Vereine) 1958 vom kommunistischen Regime aufgelöst wurde. Ihre Geschichte spiegelt in weiten Teilen die Entwicklung der bulgarischen evangelischen Bewegung wider – deren Beschaffenheit und Besonderheiten, deren Erfolge sowie interne und externe Herausforderungen. Als interdenominationelle Organisation und mit der breiten Unterstützung durch einen Großteil der evangelischen Leiter wie auch durch viele Gemeindemitglieder nahm die BEG in der sich entwickelnden protestantischen Landschaft Bulgariens eine prägende Rolle ein. Bis dato ist die frühe protestantische Geschichte Bulgariens hauptsächlich aus dem Blickwinkel der Missionsarbeit der amerikanischen Missionen behandelt worden. Anhand der neu aufgefundenen Jahresberichte der BEG und anderer Primärquellen kann nun das Augenmerk auf diese heute fast vergessene Eigeninitiative der noch jungen evangelischen Bewegung Bulgariens gerichtet werden. Diese Studie leistet einen Beitrag zur evangelischen Kirchen- und Missionsgeschichtsschreibung in Bulgarien. / The Bulgarian Evangelical Society (BES) was the first organized initiative by Bulgarian evangelical Christians to evangelize Bulgarian people. In addition to publishing Christian literature and providing financial help for preachers and pastors, one of its major activities was to work towards unity among evangelical Christians. This was mostly realized at the annual meetings of the membership of the BES, which provided an important platform for the society's different ministries. Founded in 1875 in a very insecure time for the Bulgarian people, the BES managed to survive several wars and various internal problems until it was dissolved in 1958 by the Communist Regime, along with other non-governmental organizations. The history of the BES to a large extent reflects the development of the Bulgarian evangelical movement as a whole in its qualities and characteristics, its successes and in its internal and external challenges. As an interdenominational organisation and because it had the broad support of a large part of the evangelical leaders as well as many church members, the BES played an important role in the development of Protestantism in Bulgaria. In the past, the early Protestant history of Bulgaria frequently has been portrayed as the missionary work of American missionaries. With the newly rediscovered annual reports of the BES and other primary sources it has now become possible to uncover the significant role of this almost forgotten initiative of the early Bulgarian evangelical movement. In doing so, this study contributes both to history of missions and to the history of the Protestant Church in Bulgaria. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)