In this study the problematic aspect of divorce and remarriage in the christian church is researched. Exceptional emphasis is laid on the policy of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (hereafter: AFM of SA) in this regard and how it is enforced in practice. Unfortunately we have to face the reality of divorce in the church, and the fact that not only members, but also the pastor can get involved in divorce and remarriage. Up to now the church has not really been able to come to a clear conclusion on the most appropriate way to handle such a situation. The AFM of SA, as well as several other churches prefer to prevent such situations by implementing certain precautionary measures. In this study the relevant problem of divorce and remarriage will be researched using a Biblical-ethical approach. The Bible refrains from giving specific pastoral guidelines to be used by the church and its members in cases of divorce and remarriage. The Pharisees incorrectly interpreted Deut. 24:1-4 that divorce and remarriage is acceptable when a man gives his wife a divorce letter. Jesus however controverts this interpretation in Matt. 5:32 when He says that divorce and remarriage was established due to the hardness of the human hart. The biblical message is rather that God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). Some exegetes believe that there are two “grounds” on which a person is entitled to a divorce. These “grounds” are based on Matt. 5:31 & 32 when adultery is committed, and according to I Cor. 7:15 when the unbeliever wishes to not continue with the marriage (known as malicious separation). In this study we would like to stress that the Bible does not give any grounds for divorce. One cannot argue that God hates divorce, and then give “grounds” on which divorce is acceptable. Reference is only made to circumstances which destroys a marriage. Such incidents also hold connections with incidents where the marriage is not in honor of God, and leaves space for sin to ruin lives. The marriage is now an instrument in the hand of evil which will consequently lead to more sin. In these last instances a point can be reached where the marriage does not exist in the eyes of God any more, and can be separated lawfully by means of divorce. It is of opinion that divorce should remain as last resort to a broken marriage. Reconciliation should always be the first option. When divorce has taken place, the parties involved may choose to remarry as the previous marriage is ruined before God. If a person, however, should get married while the marriage still exists before the Lord, adultery is being committed. This marriage will be interpreted as a deed of adultery, but it would not be biblical to view such a marriage as a state of adultery. Marriage is therefore not seen as something which can’t be annulled, as opposed to the Roman Catholic Church, who views marriage as a sacrament. Marriage is not an absolute establishment, and can break up under certain circumstances. In this study we found that different religions, Christian and non-christian, have diverse views about marriage, divorce and remarriage. Most Christian religions uphold monogamous marriages – a lifelong binding between one man and one woman. Non-christians such as the Muslims believe in polygamous marriages where a man is allowed to marry four wifes at any given stage. Divorce is viewed as “allowable” on certain grounds by most religions. The Roman Catholic Church, as mentioned, differs in that the marriage is viewed as unbreakable. Nowadays an annulment is granted easier which allows remarriage to occur more often. In case of the AFM of SA, there are no clear guidelines on how divorce of a congregation member or pastor should be handled. Direction in this regard is however given by knowledgeable persons in the church. In earlier days, strict - mostly undocumented - guidelines have been followed in handling divorce and remarriage cases of pastors in the AFM. The person was found guilty because of his divorce status and was asked to resign from the ministry. In later years cases were handled on merit. Policies were enforced by means of disciplinary action following a church court’s ruling. Due to churches being reluctant to discipline members getting divorced and / or remarried, it seems as if members perceived divorce not as a serious sin, and to justify their act. The “guilty” party must be disciplined. The innocent party must be allowed to continue with his/her service in the ministry. The Bible teaches us that after sin was confessed to God, He unconditionally forgives and removes our sins, and never thinks about it ever again (1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12). Divorce however, is perceived by the church to be a bigger sin and that divorced persons are second hand christians. This is especially true in case of a divorced church leader. Although the church, and specifically the AFM, strives to implement an acceptable policy relating to divorce and remarriage, most churches have not investigated the fundamental theory as yet. It seems as if churches are sensitive in compiling, or can not reach consensus on the theory. The AFM has a basic course called “Ethics – Divorce & Remarriage” being presented by Dr. F.P. Möller (jnr) in their Theological Seminary. The researcher of this study is a pastor in the AFM of SA who has experienced divorce and remarriage himself. The way the case was treated by the church and colleagues proved that the church did not follow biblical guidelines in dealing with a divorced pastor. His experience motivated him to conduct the mentioned study. The church should pick-up, and care for divorced members (in a biblical sense) as the good Samaritan or the shepherd leaving 99 sheep to search for 1 missing one to pick him up and caringly bring him back to the flock. The study is concluded with a theory that can be used by the AFM of SA. / Dr. F.P. Moller

The history of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) confirms its own missional character. In the light of the church’s rich missional history, an attempt is made to determine to what extent non-christians are still reached through the gospel by the AFM. Various missional models and methods have been used over the years by the AFM. The following has been asked in this concern: Which of these missional models and methods being used are still successful today? Qualitative research has been used to search within the white sector of the AFM for presentday missional models and methods that are still effective. Congregations within the following provinces have been included in the qualitative research: Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State and Kwazulu Natal. The following literary study has revealed certain missional changes that have taken place in the Western Church. While it confirmed some of the missional challenges of the AFM, it also provides some missional guidelines to the church. Certain missional models and methods seem to be less effective than in the past, while others have phased out completely. Some of the missional models and methods currently used in the church are less effective than some AFM members suggest. Although the AFM has not lost its missional aim, the missional passion of some of its members is a growing concern. It appears that in the early years of the AFM the church’s members had a greater missional passion than today. The ideal missional approach for today seems to be an effective personal relationship approach. The Alpha course has been identified as one of these approaches from which the AFM may gain various missional guidelines. / Prof. W.J. Hattingh

Thesis (M.A. (Divinity) -- University of Limpopo, 1991

M.A. (Practical Theology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

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

Churches in the twenty-first century experiences a crisis. According to Barna (1998:2) churches are: Holding fast to programs and goals established by their charter members years ago. Many of these ministries have mastered the art of denying the cataclysmic cultural changes around them, responding with cosmetic changes that make little difference. Subsequently the church is losing its influence in the world. One of the reasons is that the church is structured in such a way that it is unable to respond to its changing environment. Therefore, structural change in churches is continually debated and it remains a great challenge for churches to structure themselves in order to become relevant in the twenty-first century. As a result, the proposed study focuses on the re-engineering of the leadership structures of the local Apostolic Faith Mission(AFM) church. In the AFM church, this debate was going on for over two decades. Whereas historically, the larger denomination developed structures and introduced it in the local assembly, they reviewed this position. The purpose of this research is thus to investigate and describe how pastors experience their local church structures as well as to offer guidelines for effective structures to the Church. The researcher conducted semi-structured, phenomenological interviews with eight pastors. The research question was: “How do you personally experience your local church structures?” / Dr. L.P. Mare

In most congregations “the work” of ministering is primarily performed by salaried pastors and permanent staff. The members of the congregation are mainly spectators and, at best, helpers in the various ministries of the church. They are perceived as laymen and are generally only the objects of ministry. Very few members come forward of their own accord to minister the grace of God and fewer still are afforded the opportunity to become leaders. This study seeks to show that members of the congregation should be fully incorporated in the ministry teams and leadership structure of local congregations; that as voluntary co-workers, they should be equal to the pastors and permanent staff and should play an active part in realising the vision and mission of the congregation; that they should be empowered, allowed to minister and function as leaders, according to their gifts. Supported by literature on leadership available in local congregations and examples of what congregations are already doing in this respect, the study further seeks to emphasise the importance of leadership development in local congretations. In the closing paragraph we look at a few fundamental principles that should form the basis of our thoughts on leadership and the development thereof in congregations. It emphasises that the way we conceive leadership and the implications of our concepts should be fully understood before attempting to implement leadership development. The study does not seek to establish a definite model or fixed program for leadership development, but concludes with a presentation of universally applicable guidelines for the creation of a leadership development strategy in local congregations. / Prof. WJ Hattingh

M.A. / The motivation for the study was to determine the problems encountered by pastors within the context of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (hereafter AFM Church) in a small rural congregation and what their specific needs were. The purpose of the research is to supply workable guidelines which will help the pastors to improve their situation in the rural area. A qualitative research investigation was done, which is investigative and descriptive. Interviews were conducted with sixteen pastors from small rural congregations and were asked: How do you experience the ministry in a small rural town? The information was collected and scientifically processed, and four areas were identified which could influence the pastor’s ministry in a rural environment, namely: • the congregation in which the pastor is working • the community in which the pastor is working • personal qualities of the pastor and • lack of personal and professional support and resources available to the pastor in rural areas. From the research it is clear that factors exist which obstruct the progress of rural congregations. Factors include a higher age profile and inadequate parishioner involvement in the congregations, whilst a conservative and tradition-bound community as well as inadequate involvement in the community also has a role to play. The research proved that the pastor’s personal background, age and experience in the ministry can be keys to success, while inadequate personal and professional backing to the pastor can handicap effectiveness in the ministry. There is a lack of useful resources available to the pastor while insufficient communication with head office can sometimes lead to frustration. The results from the qualitative research were subjected to a literature control. In the literature control it was attempted to investigate and verify the accuracy of the problem areas, according to which guidelines were compiled to assist the pastor and leadership of congregations to eliminate problem areas which may occur. The guidelines viewed as a whole provide for an attempt by the church that could hold various benefits for the AFM pastor in a small rural congregation.

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.

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