The subject of social involvement though, still under debate and being pursued by the Church of Jesus Christ even this time around has not wholly been appreciated by most Pentecostals. This is despite the fact that some of the early Pentecostals, including the early Church as seen from the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ chose to pursue social dimension of the gospel in addition to the Church’s mandate of ‘pure evangelism.’ Although social involvement has been at the very heart of Pentecostal theology, traditionally speaking, PAOG (Z), being one of the Pentecostal groupings has been seen to place much emphasis on ‘pure evangelism’, rather than ‘embracing’ both forms of missional dimensions. However, this trend is slowly changing as observed from the social involvements that some of its congregations and institutions are currently undertaking. This study views that part of the reason for the lack of an all-round social involvement’ by all the PAOG (Z) congregations lies in its theology of mission and thus critically examines it. The other aspect is the non-utilization or recognition of known professions of clergies that could normally enhance social involvement in most of its congregations. Next it makes an in-depth study of one PAOG (Z) - PAOC run projects and few congregations for the purpose of doing a social impact assessment, which has shown positive impacts in the communities that these projects are being undertaken. The study also reveals that the lack of clear constitutional guidelines concerning this has contributed to the absence of social programs in most of its churches resulting in not having a strong ‘social’ voice compared to the Catholic Church. The thesis uses a modified “praxis cycle” to structure its theoretical framework and research methodology. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Ce mémoire s’inscrit dans le cadre disciplinaire d’études théâtrales. Son but est d’approfondir les connaissances concernant le théâtre d’évangélisation du XVIe siècle qui s’est développé au Japon après l’arrivée de missionnaires jésuites en 1549, afin de mieux saisir l’envergure et les éléments qui le définissent. En premier lieu, ce type d’art dramatique est situé dans le contexte du théâtre religieux européen du XVIe siècle en considérant, en plus, sa relation avec le théâtre d’évangélisation en Nouvelle Espagne. Ensuite, en tenant compte des investigations de Bourdon, Leims, Rubiera et Ruiz-de-Medina et après une analyse des quatre principaux recueils de lettres des missionnaires jésuites au Japon, nous dédions notre recherche à la lecture intégrale du seul parmi ces-derniers traduit entièrement en castillan : Cartas que los padres y hermanos de la Compañía de Jesús que andan en los reinos del Japón escribieron a los de la misma Compañía, desde el año de 1549 hasta el de 1571 (Alcalá, 1575), avec l’objectif d’extraire et analyser toute l’information pertinente reliée à l’art dramatique évangélisateur. En plus, nous effectuons une comparaison du segment principal de texte épistolaire concernant ce théâtre (De una [carta] del hermano Juan Fernández, de Bungo para los padres y hermanos de la Compañia de Jesús, a ocho de octubre de mil y quinientos y sesenta y uno) qui est identifiable dans les quatre principales collections de correspondance mentionnées ci-haut, afin de confirmer la possible divergence du contenu qui circulait dans les différentes compilations publiées. Les résultats de cette recherche permettent de mettre à jour l’information disponible reliée au théâtre missionnaire japonais du XVIe siècle. En plus, ceux-ci offrent de nouvelles possibilités d’étude principalement à travers l’édition critique de Ruiz-de-Medina et à l’aide du recueil de missives d’Évora (1598). / This thesis explores a topic attributed to the field of theatre studies. Its purpose is to deepen the knowledge concerning the evangelization theater of the 16th century that developed in Japan after the arrival of Jesuits in 1549, in order to better grasp the scope and the elements that define it. Firstly, this type of dramatic art is studied within the context of the European religious theatre of the 16th century and in relation to the New Spain evangelization theater. Then, considering the investigations of Bourdon, Leims, Rubiera and Ruiz-de-Medina and after analysis of the four main collections of Jesuit letters in Japan, we dedicate our research to the only work, of those four, written entirely in Castilian: Cartas que los padres y hermanos de la Compañía de Jesús que andan en los reinos del Japón escribieron a los de la misma Compañía, desde el año de 1549 hasta el de 1571 (Alcalá, 1575), with the purpose of extracting and analysing all relevant information related to evangelisation dramatic art . In addition, we make a comparison of the main segment of epistolary text concerning this theatre (De una [carta] del hermano Juan Fernández, de Bungo para los padres y hermanos de la Compañía de Jesús, a ocho de octubre de mil y quinientos y sesenta y uno), which is identifiable in the four main correspondence collections mentioned above, in order to confirm possible content discrepancies. The results of this research allow to update the available information related to Japanese missionary theatre of the 16th century, as well as to identify potential new study paths primarily through analysis of the critical edition of Ruiz-de-Medina and the missive collection from Évora (1598). / Esta memoria se inscribe en el marco disciplinar de los estudios teatrales. Su objetivo es profundizar en el conocimiento del teatro de evangelización del siglo XVI desarrollado en Japón después de la llegada de los misioneros jesuitas en 1549, para comprender mejor su significación y los elementos que lo definen. En primer lugar, este tipo de arte dramático se sitúa en el contexto del teatro religioso europeo del siglo XVI, considerando, además, su relación con el teatro misionero en Nueva España. A continuación, teniendo en cuenta las investigaciones de Bourdon, Leims, Rubiera y Ruiz-de-Medina, y tras un análisis de las cuatro principales recopilaciones de cartas enviadas por los misioneros jesuitas desde Japón, se dedica la atención a la lectura integral de la única de estas últimas traducida al castellano (Cartas que los padres y hermanos de la Compañía de Jesús que andan en los reinos del Japón escribieron a los de la misma Compañía, desde el año de 1549 hasta el de 1571, Alcalá, 1575), con el objetivo de extraer y analizar toda la información pertinente relacionada con el arte dramático evangelizador. Además, se realiza una comparación del segmento principal de texto epistolar relativo a este teatro (De una [carta] del hermano Juan Fernández, de Bungo para los padres y hermanos de la Compañía de Jesús, a ocho de octubre de mil y quinientos y sesenta y uno), que es identificable en las cuatro principales colecciones de correspondencia mencionadas anteriormente, con el fin de observar la posible divergencia del contenido que circulaba en las diferentes compilaciones. Los resultados de la presente investigación permiten actualizar la información disponible relacionada con el teatro misionero japonés del siglo XVI y ofrecen posibles nuevas pistas de estudio principalmente a través de la edición crítica de Ruiz-de Medina apoyándose, además, en la colección de misivas de Évora (1598).

The principle purpose of the study was to investigate the role of women in the mission and ministry of The Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA). The researcher raised the question of why women are viewed as inferior within the LCSA, and whether this is Biblically supported. I investigated the distinction between men and women with regard to the church culture, tradition, pastoral office, priesthood, and authority within the LCSA. As a general theoretical framework, I used two theories in church mission: (1) The unity of the Church and apostolic practice as propounded by Schenk in 1983. (2) Paradigm shifts in theology: mission as ministry by the whole people of God as propounded by Bosch in 1991. These theories explain the mission of proclaiming the Gospel of God as belonging to everyone (both male and female) as His servants in the Church. To obtain people’s views and interpretations of Scriptures, culture, church practice, and the social reality of women’s roles in the LCSA, focus-group and individual interviews were used to gather qualitative data from 525 respondents. The data was collected and analyzed using the descriptive qualitative research approach. Based on the research findings in Chapter 2 (pages 37-42), Chapter 6 (page140) presents proposals for the involvement of women in the LCSA. The findings show that participants were concerned about the topic and those women’s rights and voices are not yet acknowledged in many societies in Southern Africa. However, the scope of the study is limited to the LCSA, and its findings cannot be generalized. Valuable insights were gained into the church’s traditional construction of women’s roles in the LCSA, not allowing women to preach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments in the Church mission work. From a missiological study perspective, the researcher recommended that women should be allowed to participate fully in the Church mission work. Therefore, the Involvement of Women in Mission in LCSA was an important dissertation research topic, affecting women in Southern Africa particularly, and potentially, in the African continent at large. / Dissertation (MA Theol)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

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In my dissertation, I inquire into the phenomenon of monastic architecture and its plastic decoration in 16th century New Spain. The aim of this work is to present Mexican monasteries and their artistic significance. In my analysis, I build on the interpretation of monastic architecture from the perspective of early colonial society, I also reflect on the individual level, assessing its impact on the conquest and colonization of America. The methodology of this research project combines analysis of historical (e.g. study of historical sources) and art historical processes (iconological analysis of E. Panofsky) with analysis of anthropological concepts (e.g. rituals of transition of A. van Gennep, thick description of Cl. Geertz, concepts of liminality, structure and communitas of V. Turner). During my PhD studies, I conducted a field trip in Central Mexico (2013), supported by a grant from the Government of Mexico. I visited and documented one hundred and sixteen monasteries and the photographic documentation is the main empirical source of my analysis which further draws from the study of historical sources and academic literature. My research primarily focuses on three aspects: 1. the monastic architecture and art; 2. the role of the monastery in the process of European conquest and colonization...

This diploma thesis is focused on the topic of religious education of youth in the Church of Brethren. Its main aim is to describe the process of religious education of youth according to the theoretical and practical sources of the Church of Brethren. The results were compared in the last part of the thesis to the educational concepts of other churches studied in the theoretical part. The theoretical part defines the terms related to religious education such as catechesis, pastoral care, evangelization, discipleship, religious pedagogy etc. It also includes the characteristics of the Church of Brethren and youth in the context of postmodern era. The last chapter deals with religious education of youth in church in general with regards to the personality of a youth pastor, educational goals and teaching methods. The practical part is designed as an analysis of three areas: Department of Youth of the Church of Brethren, other Christian organizations working with youth and an interview with the Leading pastor of the Council of the Church of Brethren who has been working with youth for many years. The results of each area are further reflected in the context of the studied literature. The results indicate that religious education of youth in the Church of Brethren is mostly focused on evangelization,...

Nowadays the market is becoming increasingly competitive. Consumers have a wide variety of choices and make their decisions based on the recommendations of other peers, which they consider more trustable compared to traditional advertisements. In such a scenario customer engagement is becoming the most important challenge for businesses. In fact engaged customers are not only loyal, but also active recommenders of the product/service to other peers. Social media, thanks to their interactive features, allow building relationships with customers and therefore they have a key role for customer engagement.   The paper analyzes how companies can use social media in order to build a customer engagement strategy. The project begins with an overview of the literature available about two main topics: customer engagement and social media.  In the later analysis, the author demystifies social media for business by analyzing what are the main functionalities that they provide and how these functionalities can be used in order to create a social media engagement strategy. A new model is presented: “The Social Media Engagement Cycle” that highlights how engagement on social media helps driving repeat sales and getting new customers through the existing ones. The author addresses the organizational and cultural implications of the model to highlight which are the changes that companies should address in order to implement a successful social media strategy. Finally the author discusses a case study from the telecommunication industry, and drives general conclusions about how the engagement on social media has a pervasive importance across industries.

Réalisé en co-tutelle avec l'Université Paul-Valéry-Montpellier III. / Quels sont les liens entre le renforcement du pouvoir monarchique, d’évolution des méthodes de prédication et la persistance des identités religieuses minoritaires? Au XVIe siècle, les vieux chrétiens d’Espagne ont fait des efforts considérables pour convertir tous les infidèles à la foi catholique. Après avoir contraints les musulmans d’Espagne à se faire baptiser, ils tentèrent de les amener à adhérer « de cœur » à la foi catholique et à se comporter en bons chrétiens. Pour cela, ils eurent recours tant à la persécution qu’à la prédication. Si les historiens ont déjà bien étudié la persécution, notre connaissance des campagnes de prédication demeurait parcellaire. Cette thèse se propose d’y remédier en étudiant les méthodes d’évangélisation des Morisques valenciens entre 1492et 1570. Pour y parvenir, cette thèse étudie les manuels publiés pour soutenir l’effort missionnaire tout au long du siècle. Elle propose que les méthodes d’évangélisation des prédicateurs ont évolué d’une période privilégiant les arguments polémiques à une période mettant l’accent sur l’instruction catéchétique. Ce faisant, les méthodes employées ont mis davantage l’accent sur la responsabilité des Morisques dans le processus de leur propre conversion, plutôt que sur la responsabilité reposant sur le prédicateur de les convaincre d’adhérer au catholicisme. Nous avons ainsi constaté que le passage à ce que nous avons qualifié de « période catéchétique » correspond à l’augmentation en intensité des persécutions. En étudiant les campagnes de prédication dans le royaume de Valence, cette thèse reconstitue les situations où les manuels de polémique (les « antialcorans ») et les catéchismes étaient utilisés. Elle montre comment les méthodes des prédicateurs étaient déterminées par les cadres institutionnels établis. Le passage de la polémique au catéchisme a été guidé en partie par le contexte européen de la réforme, qui incitait à bannir la polémique religieuse en langue vernaculaire et à catéchiser les populations, et en partie par les enjeux sécuritaires qui faisaient craindre toute révolte des Morisques. Les prédicateurs furent ainsi incités à faire preuve le plus souvent de discrétion. Par ailleurs, les campagnes ont considérablement été handicapées par la contradiction qu’il y avait à considérer les Morisques à la fois comme des musulmans qu’il fallait convaincre, des nouveaux convertis qu’il fallait instruire et des mauvais chrétiens qui devraient être châtiés. En conclusion, la thèse propose une redéfinition du concept d’intégration qui soit adaptée à la réalité de l’histoire morisque et suggère des explications pour comprendre comment les dynamiques disciplinaires de la Monarchie catholique espagnole ont favorisé le repli des Morisques sur leur ethnicité. / What links are there amongst the reinforcement of monarchical power, the evolution in methods of preaching, and the persistence of minority religious identities? In the XIVth century, the old Christians of Spain made considerable efforts to convert infidels to the catholic faith. After having pressured the muslims of Spain into being baptized, they attempted to open their hearts to the catholic faith and to behave like good christians. In order to do this, they had recourse as much to persecution as to preaching. While persecution has been well studied by historians, our understanding of preaching remains fragmented. This thesis seeks to remedy this by studying methods of evangelizing Valencian Moors between 1492 and 1570. In order to do so, this thesis studies the published manuals used in support of missionary efforts over the course of the century. It suggests that the evangelizing methods of preachers evolved out of a period privileging polemical argumentation over catechetical instruction. The methods used thus focussed primarily on encouraging Moors to take responsibility for their own conversion, rather than placing responsibility with the preacher to convince them to embrace Catholicism. We therefore observe that the transition to what we call the “Catechetical period” corresponds to an increase in the intensity of persecution. In studying preaching campaigns in the kingdom of Valencia, this thesis reconstructs the contexts in which these polemical manuals (“antialcorans”) and Catechisms were utilized. It shows how preaching methods were shaped by their institutional contexts. The transition from polemics to Catechism was guided in part by European reforms that sought to banish religious polemics in the vernacular and to catechize populations, and in part by security concerns and fear that that the Moors would revolt. Preachers were thus encouraged to use discretion. However, these campaigns were considerably crippled by the contradictions that lay in considering Moors at once as Muslims to be converted, new converts in need of instruction, and bad Christians to be punished. The thesis concludes by proposing a redefinition of the concept of integration, adapted to the reality of Moorish history and offers explanations in order understand how the disciplinary dynamics of the Spanish Catholic Monarchy encouraged Moors to fallback on their ethnicity.

German text / Die ökumenische Bewegung weltweit steht nicht erst seit kurzem vor großen Herausforderungen, nicht nur an der Basis. Kirchenpolitische Interessen, kulturelle Barrieren und in der Tat theologische Differenzen fragen nach dem Kern christlicher Einheit. Vor dieser Aufgabe steht auch und insbesondere die evangelikale Bewegung mit ihrer spezifischen Prägung und Fragestellung im Kontext der weltweiten Christenheit. Innerhalb dieser global betrachtet expandierenden Bewegung begegnet man dem ökumenischen Anliegen mit geteilter Aufmerksamkeit, offener Kritik und völliger Abstinenz. Mithilfe der Darstellung der Unionsbemühungen des Reformators Martin Bucer, insbesondere seiner theologischen Motive, wird ein hoffentlich weiterführender Gesprächsbeitrag für die Ökumene-Debatte im modernen Evangelikalismus geliefert. / World-wide ecumenicism has to challenge big issues for a long time now. Church-political interests, cultural frontiers and, of course, theological differences search for the center of christian unity. Especially evangelicalism as a part of world-wide christianity has to face this challenge with its specific character. Within this expanding movement, a variety of viewpoints exist with regard to ecumenicism: divided attention, open criticism and neglection. Martin Bucer as ecumenical pioneer in the period of reformation elaborates a fresh approach towards the evangelical ecumenicism-debate. His theological motives build the center of this dissertation. / Philosophy & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

Polarisé par l’événement du jubilé de l’an 2000, Jean-Paul II, tout au long de son pontificat, achemine l’Église catholique dans un long pèlerinage vers le IIIe millénaire de l’humanité. À l’aube du XXIe siècle, avec le contenu théologique du concile Vatican II pour boussole fiable, le pape polonais arbore une vision pastorale originale marquée par l’expression « nouvelle évangélisation ». Reprise de l’épiscopat d’Amérique latine, cette expression devient ainsi son emblème et son fer de lance durant les quelque 27 années de son pontificat. Largement récupérée par maints milieux ecclésiaux, l’expression méritait qu’on en produise une étude systématique à la lumière de la théologie pastorale de celui qui en a été le divulgateur privilégié. Pour ce faire, nous avons choisi comme texte fondateur à notre étude sa lettre apostolique Tertio Millennio Adveniente publiée en 1994, en raison de la vision pastorale qui s’en dégage à l’aube de l’an 2000. Ce texte, qui couvre la période du concile Vatican II jusqu’à l’entrée de l’Église catholique dans le IIIe millénaire, définit le cadre temporel de notre recherche. Par ailleurs, il nous permet de retenir trois référents théologiques pour conduire notre étude. Nous les analysons et nous en conduisons une synthèse théologique à travers trois regards synoptiques qui acheminent progressivement la thèse vers sa conclusion. Le premier référent théologique retenu est l’exhortation apostolique Evangelii Nuntiandi du pape Paul VI ; le deuxième référent est l’ouvrage de Karol Wojtyla Aux sources du renouveau ; le troisième référent est l’exhortation postsynodale Ecclesia in America. Avec une démarche herméneutique justifiée, et par la synthèse de ces référents théologiques, trois aboutissants voient le jour. Le premier regarde l’application pastorale du concile Vatican II : dans un regard pastoral justifié par une anthropologie définie, le pasteur articule les constitutions Lumen Gentium et Gaudium et Spes pour proposer une praxis pastorale. Le second aboutissant parle alors de la notion de la créativité de la foi. Cette créativité de la foi se décline, elle, dans les médiations culturelles – troisième aboutissant – qui s’articulent elles-mêmes autour des concepts d’attitudes et de dialogue wojtylien. La critique proposée en conclusion de thèse porte directement sur l’anthropologie proposée par Jean-Paul II sous-jacente à chacun de ces trois aboutissants. / The entire pontificate of Pope John Paul II, polarized by the event of the Jubilee of the year 2000, can be summarized as a long pilgrimage of the Catholic Church towards the Third Millennium of humanity. At the dawn of the XXIst century, having as a sure guide the theological contents of Vatican Council II, the Polish Pope held up for all to see an original pastoral vision marked by the expression “new evangelization”. Borrowed from the Latin American Bishops this expression became his emblem and spearhead during nearly 27 years of pontificate. Since it has been largely appropriated by various ecclesial groups, a systematic study of the expression, in the light of the pastoral theology of its privileged discloser, had to be initiated. To do so we chose, as founding text of our study, the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente, published in 1994, due to its pastoral vision at the dawn of the year 2000. This text, covering the period of the Vatican Council II up to the entry of the Roman Catholic Church in the Third Millennium, defined the temporal framework of our research and permitted us to retain three theological tenets. We analyzed them and produced a theological synthesis through three synoptic views which gradually led the thesis to its conclusion. The Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi of Pope Paul VI was the starting point; the second theological tenet was the document of John Paul II entitled Sources of Renewal, and the final tenet was the Post Synodal Exhortation Ecclesia in America. By the analysis and the synthesis of these three tenets, with a justified hermeneutical initiative, three outcomes emerged. The first one looked at the pastoral application of the Vatican Council II: in a pastoral outlook justified by a defined anthropology, the minister articulated the Constitutions Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes to suggest a pastoral praxis. The second outcome then developed the notion of the creativity of the faith. This creativity of the faith declined itself in the cultural mediations – third outcome – which articulate themselves around the concepts of attitudes and Wojtylien dialogue. The proposed critical conclusion of the thesis directly concerned the anthropology proposed by John Paul II underlying in each of these three outcomes.