A change in missiology?: Perspectives on the theology of the Church of Sweden Mission 1945-2000, as reflected through leadership and by missionaries. Like orhermissionary organisations, the Church of Sweden Mission (CSM) has undegone farreaching change and development since its foundation in yhe nineteenth century, This study focuses on how missionaries and CSM's leadership have perceived the developments that have taken place. A survey was constructed and sent to all living missionaries during 2004-2005. Then six focus-group discussions were organised and various appeals for financial collections in local churches during the period 1945-1999 have been scrutinised. The methods employed are based on qualitative analysis (focus-groups), quantitative analysis (survey) and text analysis. A pilot survey, sent to a limited number of persons, was carried out in 2001 and provided guidance for the foumulation of questions both for the survey and for the focus-groups. Chapter 2 give Swedish historical perspectives on mission and missiology from the first beginning of interest in foreign mission around the year 1800 til 2000. Chapter 3 gives international perspectives on missiology after 1945 focusing two major international handbooks on missiology and a Norwegian handbook. Chapter 4: Survey to all missionaries 2004-2005. The answers to the survey showed a clear tendency in the shift of motivation from mission to dialogue and from evangelisation to diaconal and humanitarian goals. 38 per cent say that they have changed their own missiology. Chapter 5: Focus group discussions in 2005. The majority of the participants in the six different focus-group discussions stated that the CSM had gone through major changes both theologically and practically, during the period under study. Chapter 6: Appeals for collections 1945-1999. The analysis shows that evangelisation remained the overall motive that was given for the whole period. On one hand there was a widespread continuity over the whole period, and on the oter hand a certain change in diaconal motives from the 1970s onwards, which were more often presented side by side with evangelisation. All three studies point to a change from conservative theology, to first to liberal theology and then on to radical theology. The change being less clear in the collection appeals than in the survey and the focus-group discussions.

The issue of reconstruction has appealed to many nations that have moved from significant transitional periods, be it economic, social, and or political. This has made the reconstruction theology, a relevant theology. This study is a result of realities unfolding in Zimbabwe which left many to ask what is missing in Zimbabwe in order to have a better society. The study seeks to contribute to the reconstruction theology debate from a missiological perspective which is based on asking and answering the question, “what is the role of the Christian Church in reconstruction?” At the onset, the study seeks to assert the applicability of the Ezra - Nehemiah Motif in Zimbabwe. The research is motivated by the premise that the church ought to have the capacity to adequately formulate a public-social theology which meets the demands of society. It is on this basis that the research will grapple with the concerns for justice, aspects of difference in relationship to human life- human dignity, policies of democratisation and democracy, social development and societal peaceful coexistence. The theology of reconstruction has been argued as a praxis and deed-oriented model of rebuilding. Whilst appreciating the Liberation Theology and its value to Zimbabwe, it could be argued further that the liberation has served the purpose and the need for a complementary theology; - Reconstruction Theology. However, if this assertion is to be upheld, questions may be raised as to whether Reconstruction Theology seeks to replace Liberation Theology. It is therefore through this research that it can be established whether there is a replacement of or a complement of liberation theology with reconstruction theology. This research then aims to analyse the deplorable Zimbabwean, socio-economic and socio-political fibers that require reconstruction and transformation, to enable development of a better society in which human dignity is respected. Further to that, the research explores and reflects upon the theological and missiological models of reconstruction that could be considered in post-colonial Zimbabwe. It is in this research that some alternative cultural variables, which could help achieve national reconstruction are deconstructed in light of reconstruction of Zimbabwe. To achieve this research utilises African Renaissance as its theoretical framework and informed by social construction theory. This research engages in the quantitative and qualitative research methods, supported by interviews and questionnaires. There is a plethora of produced in published and unpublished literature that enriched this thesis. Furthermore, the research utilised various methodological approaches which includes theological, sociological, and post-colonial. The research will then comprise nine chapters subtitled depending on the matters of concern. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Science of Religion and Missiology / PhD / Unrestricted

No description available.

This thesis argues that in studying the missionary work of the followers of James J. Strang, one gains a better understanding of the expectations and complexities of first generation Mormons. The introduction provides a background of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) from 1844 through 1850. Chapter One discusses the reasons why former Mormons joined Strang, which included their dissatisfaction with Brigham Young and their attraction to the doctrines and positions of Strang. Chapters Two and Three analyze and discuss the successes and failures of Strang's actual missionary work. The work initially succeeded because of the converts' desire for a prophet, the use of the Latter-day Saint networks, and the effectiveness of the Strangite missionaries. The work ultimately failed, however, because of internal dissension, newly introduced and controversial doctrines, and the countering efforts of the LDS Church and other Mormon Restorationist groups. The fourth chapter provides a case study of the Strangite missionary work by discussing the church's activities in England. Chapter Five concludes the thesis by giving an account of an unsuccessful mission to the Native Americans, providing a brief history of the movement after 1850, and discussing the ultimate failure of Strangism. In essence, this thesis argues that a correlation generally existed between the Strangites' view of how Strang was following the perceived principles of Mormonism and their belief in Strang's prophetic mission. In other words, Strangites, like all early Mormons, had their individual ideals concerning Mormonism and what it represented. This thesis will use the Mormon-to-Strangite conversion to illustrate the complexities involved in finding their version of Mormonism.

[pt] Um dos pontos de maior interesse para as missiologias católica e protestante nas últimas décadas tem sido o estudo e aplicação da ordem de fazer discípulos prevista em Mateus 28,19. Tal convergência aponta para o discipulado missionário performado por todo batizado como esperança de renovado fôlego para a difusão da fé cristã neste desafiador início de milênio. Ao partir de um olhar criterioso da realidade, o Documento de Aparecida consagrou o método pastoral Venham e verão como síntese única do método cristão (DAp 244), o qual implica que a fé seja vivenciada, testemunhada e transmitida em meio a relações interpessoais. Entre as principais marcas da sociedade líquido-moderna que incidem sobre o indivíduo estão a fragilidade dos vínculos humanos e a busca por pessoas que modelem como enfrentar e superar os desafios da existência. Esses dados apontam para a amizade discipuladora, inspirada na maneira como Jesus e as igrejas apostólicas fizeram discípulos e intencionada por discípulos missionários, como caminho propício à evangelização efetiva nos dias atuais. Tal caminho deve, contudo, condicionar-se a certos limites, de modo a se conciliar com a vida comunitária da Igreja e preservar os aspectos de liberdade e gratuidade que marcam a genuína amizade. Para tal conclusão, a pesquisa explora o levantamento bibliográfico dos documentos missiológicos católicos mais recentes e dos textos protestantes a partir do chamado Movimento Moderno de Discipulado, ocorrido na segunda metade do século XX. / [en] One of the greatest matters of interest in recent decades for Catholic and Protestant missiologies has been the study of disciple making and its praxis (cf. Matthew 28,19). This convergence points to the missionary nature of discipleship for baptized persons as a hopeful renewal for the spread of the Christian faith in a challenging beginning of this millennium. Starting from a careful look of reality, the Document of Aparecida exalted the pastoral method Come and you will see as the unique synthesis of the Christian method (DAp 244). Such marks imply the experience, witness and transmission of the Christian faith through interpersonal relationships. Among the principal traits of the liquid-modern society affecting the individual are the fragility of human bonds and the search for those who can model how to face and overcome existential challenges. These data points to friendshipbased discipleship inspired by the way that Jesus and the apostolic churches made disciples and intended by missionary disciples as a conducive path to contemporary effective evangelization. However, there are limits to preserve the Church s communal life and genuine friendship s aspects of freedom and gratitude. To this end, this research offers a bibliographical survey of the more recent Catholic and Protestant missiological documents texts from the so-called Modern Discipleship Movement that took place in the second half of the twentieth century.

We live in a time of Globalization, where we find ourselves rubbing shoulders and working together in one place with all kinds of people belonging to different races and different creeds. We live in a world which now finds itself immersed in deep global conflicts (terrorism, suicide bombings, political retaliations) which many attribute to religious fanaticism. Thus we can only continue to live peacefully if we maintain that respect for each others beliefs. This is the global dimension this paper wishes to bring forth.In our present situation, if many of us expatriates (in Cambodia) live far from our own native land and we live with people of another culture, understanding their milieu will certainly help us understand the people of that place. And since religion is tied up to a particular language and culture, particularly here in Cambodia, it would be worthwhile to study the different religious influences brought about through the centuries upon Cambodian culture. Hence the social dimension of the paper.The third dimension would be a practical one. Understanding the differences between religions, we could focus more on the bridges that unite rather than the walls that separate us. In this way we realize that being different does not lessen our humanity but rather enriches it.The paper will present a historical overview of the religious history of Cambodia. The literary survey used in this paper will then attempt to list and describe some particular influences of each of these religions (Animism, Brahmanism, Buddhism) to the Cambodian way of living at the present. Then the paper will try to infer some insights on the observations made focusing on how to build bridges for dialogue between Christians and Khmer Buddhists. The paper searches into the intertwining of Animism, Brahmanism and Buddhism into what is now uniquely Cambodia’s national religion and how this would impact other religions now entering Cambodia specifically Christianity.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study and dissertation examines the mission methodologies of the Protestant church in Africa -- focusing on the country of Malawi as a case study. A historical study of early mission methods and an empirical study of current practices point to the need for a new approach to mission, a new approach that can best be described as a reformation of mission. This reformation requires the reversal of the five conventional trends that mission work in Africa has traced. At the crux of this reformation is the need to take the methodological phase of leadership development, a phase traditionally withheld until last, and make it paramount. In the process of making this assessment of mission in Africa it was necessary to first carry out historical research relevant to early mission work in Malawi. Historical research focused on the first five missions to initiate work in the country, all of which eventually established a permanent presence in Malawi. Three of these early churches were reformed or Presbyterian -- the Established Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, and the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. The other two missions were the Universities' Mission to Central Africa (Anglican) and the Zambezi Industrial Mission (independent/Baptist). These original missions to Malawi were directed and influenced by a vanguard of some of Africa's greatest pioneer mission workers -- David Livingstone, Robert Laws, A.c. Murray, William Murray, and David Scott. Details from this historical research assisted in determining what mission methodologies were being utilized at various points in time. The second segment of research pertinent to this dissertation is an empirical study of current mission and church work in Malawi. Over 100 denominations, missions, and parachurch organizations were studied. The findings from 83 of these organizations are analyzed in this paper. An exposition of data from this research is outlined in Chapter 4, but the most troubling discovery resulting from these findings was the absence of adequately trained Christian leadership and localized facilities to equip such leaders. This problem is compounded by a lack of vision for leadership development and a reluctance to commit the necessary resources. By combining this empirical research with the historical data cited above it was determined that mission in Malawi has proceeded through four paradigms of methodology: 1) pioneer mission work, 2) vocational (elementary education and vocational training), 3) church planting, and 4) pastor training. At present the church in Africa is entering a fifth dimension of mission methodology -- leadership development. Leadership training not in the traditional sense of preparing clergymen for the ministry, but a wholistic education that equips dedicated Christians for leadership in any spectrum -- religious, public or private. In order for this dissertation to present a comprehensive and effective model for mission it was also necessary to conduct a third investigation -- an analysis of what defines mission. Three important conclusions relevant to this paper can be drawn: 1) Every dimension of mission is equally valid. Whether it is ecclesiastical in its nature, proclamational, contextual, theological or liberational -- every aspect of mission is as vital as the next. 2) Mission is not mission if its central and ultimate purpose is not to reveal the grace of God made available through Christ. 3) The purpose of the church is mission -- not vise versa. These three elements of research -- historical, empirical and missiological -- form the foundation of the model for mission in Africa outlined in the final chapter of this dissertation. This model necessitates a reformation of mission that reverses the historic pattern of mission work and makes leadership development a priority. The significance of such a reformation is two-fold: 1) It will substantially increase the ability of national Christian leaders to effectively propagate the church and manage the affairs of mission in Africa. 2) It will enable expatriate mission personnel to be utilized at a point of contact where they can be most effective -- at the leadership development level. The church in Africa today is at a critical juncture. As mission enters the 21st century a reexamination of its methodology is imperative. Expatriate assistance is in decline, paralleled by swelling anti-Western sentiment that makes it progressively difficult for the foreign mission worker to maintain traditional footholds. As a result it is becoming increasingly pertinent that mission in Africa, and the church in the West, adopt a new model for mission that adequately equips the African for this inevitable transition. This new approach to mission offers a new hope to the continent. Africa's problems, as many believe, are not a result of poverty, civil unrest, or power-hungry potentates. At the root of Africa's problem is an absence of dedicated, wholistically equipped Christian leaders. Leaders with Christian morals, ethics and values -- equipped to serve the church and lead their country. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie en verhandeling ondersoek die sendingmetodologiee van die Protestantse Kerk in Afrika - en fokus op die land van Malawi, as 'n gevallestudie. 'n Historiese studie van vroee sendingmetodes en 'n empiriese studie van huidige praktyke dui op die behoefte aan 'n nuwe benadering tot sending, 'n nuwe benadering wat ten beste beskryf kan word as 'n hervorming van sending. Hierdie hervorming benodig die ommekeer van die vyf konvensionele tendense wat sendingwerk in Afrika gevolg het. Die kern van hierdie hervorming is die behoefte om die metodologiese fase van leierskapontwikkeling as van opperste belang te ago Hierdie fase is vroeer tradisioneel tot die laaste uitgestel en as van minder belang beskou. In die evanlueringsproses van sending in Afrika, moes daar eers 'n historiese ondersoek ten opsigte van vroee sending werk in Malawi gedoen word. Hierdie navorsing fokus op die eerste vyf sending ins tansies wat sendingwerk in Malawi gedoen word. Hierdie navorsing Fokus op die eerste vyf sending ins tansies wat sendingwerk in die land begin het. Hulle is al vyf uiteindelik permanent in Malawi gevestig. Drie van hierdie vroee Kerke was Gereformeerd of Presbiteriaans - die Church of Scotland, die Free Church of Scotland, en die Universities' Mission to Central Africa (Anglikaans) en die Zambezi Industrial Mission (onafhanklik Baptiste). Hierdie oorspronklike sendinge na Malawi is gerig en beinvloed deur voorlopers bestaande uit sommige van Afrika se grootste pionier sendingwerkers - David Livingstone, Robert Laws, AC Murray, William Murray en David Scott. Inligting ten opsigte van hierdie historiese navorsing het gehelp om vas te stel watter sendingmetodologieEr toegepas is tydens verskillende tydperke. Die tweede dee! van die navorsing van belang vir hierdie stud ie, is 'n empiriese studie van huidige sending - en kerklike werk in Malawi. Meer as 100 denominasies, sendinge, en para-kerklike organisasies is ondersoek. Die bevindinge van 83 van hiedie organisasies is ontleed in hierdie dokument. Hoofstuk bied 'n uiteensetting van data oor hierdie navorsing, maar die mees ontstellende bevinding wat hieruit gespruit het, was die afwesigheid van voldoende-opgeleide Christen leierskap asook plaaslike fasiliteite om sulke leiers toe te rus. Hierdie probleem is vererger deur 'n gebrek aan visie vir leierskapontwikkeling en 'n onwilligheid om die nodige bronne aan te wend. Deur hierdie empiriese navorsing to kombineer met bogenoemde historiese data, is daar vasgestel dat sending in Malawi deur vier paradigmas van metodologie beweeg het: 1) pioniersendingwerk, 2) beroepsopleiding (elementere sowel as beroepsopleiding, 3) kerkplanting, en 4) opleiding van leraars. Tans betree die kerk in Afrika 'n vyfde dimensie van sendingmetodologie, naarnlik leierskapontwikkeling -- nie in die tradisionele begrip van voorbereiding van predikante vir die bediening nie, maar 'n holistiese opleiding wat toegewyde Christene toerus vir leierskap in enige sfeer -- hetsy die godsdienstige, openbare of private sektor. Sodat hierdie verhandeling 'n algehele en effektiewe model vir sending kon bied, was dit ook nodig om 'n derde ondersoek te looks - 'n ontleding van wat sending beteken. Drie belangrike gevolgtrekkings tel' sake tot hierdie dokument, kan gemaak work: 1) Alle dimensies van sending is ewe geldig. Of dit kerklik, verkondigend, teologies kontekstueel of bevrydend van aard is -- alle aspekte van sending is ewe belangrik. 2) Sending is nie sending as sy sentrale en uiteindelike doe! nie is om God se genade, soos in Christus aangebied, te openbaar nie. 3) Die doel van die kerk is sending - nie omgekeerd nie. Hierdie drie elemente van navorsing - histories, empiries en missiologies - vorm die grondslag van die model vir sending in Afrika, S005 in die laaste hoofstuk van hierdie tesis geskets. Hierdie model benodig n hervorming van sending wat die historiese patroon van sendingwerk omkeer, en maak leierskapsontwikkeling n prioriteit. Die belangrikheid van so n hervorning is tweeledig: 1) Dit sal die verrnoe van nasionale Christen leiers subsansieel verhoog om die kerk te ontwikkel en sending sake in Afrika te bestuur. 2) Dit sal buitelandse sendingpersoneel in staat stel om benut te word by die mees effektiewe kontakpunt - die vlak van leierskapsontwikkeling. Die kerk in Afrika verkeer vandag in n kritieke tydsgewrig. Terwyl sending die 21 ste eeu be tree, is n herondersoek van sy metodologie gebiedend noodsaaklik. Buitelandse hulp neem af, terwyl groeiende anti-Westerse sentiment dit al moeiliker maak vir die buitelandse werker om tradisionele posisies te behou. Gevolglik word dit al meer belangrik dat sending in Afrika, en die kerk in die weste, n nuwe model aanvaar vir sending wat die Afrikaan voldoende sal toerus vir hierdie onafwendbare oorgang. Hierdie nuwe benadering tot sending bied nuwe hoop vir die vasteland. Daar word algemeen geglo dat Afrika so probleme nie die gevolg is van arrnoede, burgerlike onrus, of maghonger heersers nie. Baie glo dat die wortel van Afrika se probleem setel in n afwesigheid van toegewyde, holisties-toegeruste Christen leiers. Leiers met Christelike sedes en waardes - toegerus om die kerk te dien en hulland te lei.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2003 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The need for this research arose from the phenomenon of Wangtta which has recently become a widespread form of anti-social behavior. It causes tremendous stress to Korean children, especially affecting primary school children who are emotionally very vulnerable and who still are in the process of forming their self-image and worldview. The dissertation is an attempt to investigate the social and cultural phenomenon of Wangtta in order to provide some help to parents, teachers and pastoral care takers concerned with meeting the needs of children who are victims of Wangtta. Wangtta is an extreme form of violent peer pressure which includes physical and verbal assaults. It takes the form of peer group tyranny. Individuals vent their anger, frustration, and feeling of defeatedness on victims among their own peers. Their aim is total excommunication of an individual from the group. In this way they achieve a distorted sense of superiority. Wangtta seems to be the outcome of confused identity and devastated spirituality resulting from the impact of clash between conflicting cultures, worldviews and spirituality. The phenomenon of Wangtta should there be assessed against the background of Shananism, Confusionism and Buddhism. Thus the reason for cultural and systemic approach. Empirical research, using questionnaires, showed the self-image of Korean children to be extremely weak and fragile due to existing cultural processes of change and transformation. The basic hypothesis is that in terms of a theological anthropology, self-images and God-images are interrelated to each other and to such a degree that they greatly affect the person's ability to cope with severe crises in life. In order to help children to establish a healthy self-image, pastoral care should focus on the refraiming of God-images. The establishment of appropriate God-images will not only promote more constructive and purposeful coping mechanisms by children, but will also change their attitude to life. The God-images of children have to be represented, redirected and reframed according to a worldview determined by Christian spirituality. The outcome of this dissertation is that pastoral care to the phenomenon of Wangtta implies a God-image determined by a theopaschitic stance in pastoral theology: l.e. the notion of a suffering God. The dissertation opts for the notion: God as a Soul Friend and a Partner for life. Pastoral care to the phenomenon of Wangtta therefore implies a God-image which can foster hope and grant forgiveness. The dissertation stresses the importance of the cross-cultural and spiritual dimension of pastoral care within the postrnodem culture of the Korean society. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die lig van radikale sosio-ekonomiese en kulturele verskuiwings gedurende die laaste gedeelte van die twintigste eeu, was die Koreaanse samelewing onderworpe aan ingrypende transformasieprosesse. Die impak hiervan het aanleiding gegee tot 'n unieke anti-sosiale gedragspatroon onder veral kinders, genoemd: Wangtta. Vanwee uitermate stres en 'n gevoel van onbehae onder Koreaanse kinders, fokus die navorsing op laerskoolkinders wat op emosionele vlak uiters weerloos en ontwrig is. Die navorsing fokus op die slagoffers van Wangtta ten einde pastorale hulpverleners en ouers in staat te stel om sulke kinders te versorg en te beraad. Wangtta word beskryf as 'n ekstreme vorm van sosiale geweld en groepsdruk. Vanwee verhoogde fisieke en verbale geweld verkeer die slagoffers van Wangtta onder buitengewone emosionele druk. Wangtta word beskryf as 'n unieke Koreaanse gestalte van groepsdruk en sosiale geweld as gevolg van die wisselwerkende verband tussen postrnodernisme en die religieuse tradisies soos Confusionisme, Shamanisme en Boedisme binne die Koreaanse kultuursituasie. Die verskuiwing van 'n mono-, hierargiese kultuur na 'n gesekulariseerde postmodeme en globale kultuur het 'n geweldige impak op gesinstrukture gehad. Binne 'n kultuur waar skaamte 'n groot rol speel,. is Wangtta beskryf as 'n psigo-sosiale reaksiefenomeen wat impakteer op die selfbeeld van kinders en hul spiritualiteit. Met behulp van 'n empiriese ondersoek is die uiters brose selfbeeld van Koreaanse kinders beskryf. Die basiese hipotese van die navorsing is dat binne die raamwerk van 'n teologiese antropologie, daar 'n direkte wisselwerkende verband tussen selfbeeld en Godsbeeld bestaan. 'n Dergelike lnteraksie bepaal deurslaggewend kinders se geloof [spirituele identiteit] en hul hantering van lewenskrisisse. Die basiese argument van die proefskrif is dat 'n toepaslike Godskonsep en 'n rekonstruksie van Godsvoorstellinge in die pastorale beradingsproses, kinders kan help om meer konstruktief en doelgerig binne sosiale transforrnasieprosesse op te tree. Op pastoraal-teologiese vlak bevind die proefskrif dat 'n wegbeweeg van 'n outoritere en outokraties-hierargiese Godsbegrip na 'n meer patosvolle Godsbegrip, kan bydra tot die heling van persoonlike identiteit. Die proefskrif sluit aan by die teopasgitiese paradigma, naamlik die konsep van God se weerloosheid, God se Vriendskap en Sy identifikasie met ons lyding. God as Vriend en Lewensbondgenoot, Lewenspartner kan slagoffers van Wangtta help tot 'n nuwe toekomsgerigte en hoopvolle lewensorientasie, Die pathoskomponent in kinders se Godsbeeld, kan daartoe bydra dat die konsepte van genade, vergifnis en versoening opnuut nuwe betekenis kry in 'n pastorale krisisberading aan beide die slagoffers en die oortreders [skuldiges] van Wangtta. Die beskrywing an die fenomeen Wangtta beklemtoon die belangrikheid van kruis-kulturele pastorale berading binne die Koreaanse konteks met 'n herformulering van die spiritualiteitsdimensie in die lig van 'n pastorale Godkonseprekonstruksie.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the problem of VVF-HIV/AIDS, stigmatization, the threat to the human dignity of women and the role of the church, with specific reference to the role of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). In order to show this, models of practical theology methodology were used as theoretical and methodological basis for the study. Practical theology is as a study area deals with the praxis of God, i.e. salvific and eschatological involvement and engagement with the trajectories of human lives and the suffering of human beings. Within the context of theological reflection, it involves man’s attempt to express and portray the presence and will of God in such a way that meaning in life and comfort is contextually disclosed and discovered (Louw, 2008:71). Having established the latter, the focus falls firstly on the description of the conditions addressed in the study about VVF-HIV/AIDS and its prevalence in Northern Nigeria. A detailed contextual study also shows that a variety of factors impact negatively on the status and well-being of women in the area. Traditional, cultural, economic, political and religious factors are either uniquely applicable to or aggravate the status and well-being of the subjects of the research, namely women suffering from VVF-HIV/AIDS in Northern Nigeria. It specifically involves the social and political context in which they live. It also shows that the existence and extent of these factors increase the vulnerability of women to contracting the HIV as well as VVF. The extent to which these factors, in combination with the latter conditions specifically promote the stigmatization of these women and the forms such stigmatization takes are also explored. Moving on to the issue of human dignity: a historical overview is given of the concept and it is defined for the purposes of the study. The extent to which the human dignity is affected in the study area is then investigated in light of their context, with particular reference to the women suffering from VVF-HIV/AIDS. It is concluded that the stigmatization to which the VVF-HIV/AIDS sufferers in Northern Nigeria are subjected, indeed constitutes a serious threat to their human dignity. In answering the question of whether the church (ECWA) has a responsibility towards these women and to address the issue of their stigmatization, two pastoral theological perspectives were used, that of the nature of the church and that of the concept of human dignity from a theological perspective. According to this perspective human beings have been created in the image of God. Having established that, on theological grounds, such a responsibility exists, a possible pastoral theological model for addressing the issue of the stigmatization of women suffering from VVF-HIV/AIDS was proposed. The church’s response to the challenge of VVF-HIV/AIDS is to come from its deepest theological convictions about the nature of creation, the unshakeable fidelity of God’s love, the nature of creation, the nature of the body of Christ and the reality of Christian hope. The creation narrative, which affirms that humanity is created in the image of God, links human beings to the love of God, which is modelled in the incarnation of Jesus. Moving on to the data analysis, the extent of the challenges of VVF-HIV/AIDS sufferers and the level of knowledge of the pastors of the subject of the stigmatization of young adult females sufferers of VVF-HIV/AIDS and their treatment of the issue were evident. Finally, recommendations were drawn up in order to provide basic understanding and awareness to ECWA on how to objectively address the problem of VVF-HIV/AIDS in Northern Nigeria. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die probleem van VVF-HIV/AIDS, stigmatisering, die bedreiging van die menslike waardigheid van vroue en die rol van die kerk (ECWA). Om dit aan te toon, word die model van die praktiese teologie metodologie gebruik as 'n teoretiese en metodologiese basis vir die studie. Praktiese teologie handel oor die praxis van God, d.w.s. die verlossingsboodskap en eskatologiese betrokkenheid by en verbintenis met die trajekte van die menslike lewe en die lyding van die mens. Binne die konteks van teologiese refleksie, d.w.s. die menslike poging om aan 'n beeld van die teenwoordigheid en wil van God op so 'n manier uitdrukking te gee, word die betekenis daarvan in die lewe en troos kontekstueel geopenbaar en ontdek (Louw, 2008:71). Na laasgenoemde val die fokus eers op die beskrywing van die voorwaardes in die studie oor VVF-HIV/AIDS en die voorkoms daarvan in die noorde van Nigerië. ’n Gedetailleerde kontekstuele studie toon ook dat 'n verskeidenheid negatiewe faktore ‘n impak op die status en die welsyn van vroue in die area het. Tradisionele, kulturele, ekonomiese, politieke en godsdienstige faktore waarvan 'n paar óf uniek van toepassing is óf ‘n verswarende effek het op die navorsingskonteks van vroue wat in die noorde van Nigerië aan VVF-HIV/AIDS ly en spesifiek op die sosiale, politieke konteks waarin hulle leef. Daar word ook aangetoon dat die bestaan en omvang van hierdie faktore die vatbaarheid van vroue vir die kontraktering van die MIV-virus sowel as VVF, verhoog. Daar word ook gekyk na die wyse waarop hierdie faktore in kombinasie met bogenoemde voorwaardes spesifiek die bevordering van die stigmatisering van hierdie vroue teweegbring en na die vorme wat hierdie stigmatisering aanneem. Die kwessie van menslike waardigheid word ondersoek deur 'n historiese oorsig van die konsep te gee. Dit word vir die doeleindes van die studie gedefinieer. Die mate waarin menslike waardigheid in die studiearea ‘n rol speel, met spesifieke klem op die konteks van vroue wat ly aan VVF-HIV/AIDS, word ook nagegaan. Daar word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die menswaardigheid van die VVF-HIV/AIDS lyers in die noorde van Nigerië tot 'n groot mate in die lig van die stigmatisering hulle aan onderwerp word, aangetas word. Ter beantwoording van die vraag of die kerk (ECWA) 'n verantwoordelikheid teenoor hierdie vroue het om hul stigmatisering aan te spreek, word twee pastorale teologiese perspektiewe gebruik: dié van die aard van die kerk en van die konsep van menswaardigheid vanuit 'n teologiese perspektief waarvolgens die mens na die beeld van God geskep is. Nadat vasgestel is dat, op teologiese gronde, so 'n verantwoordelikheid wel bestaan, word 'n moontlike pastorale teologiese model vir die aanspreek van die kwessie van die stigmatisering van vroue wat ly aan VVF-HIV/AIDS voorgestel. Die kerk se reaksie op die uitdaging van VVF-HIV/AIDS spruit uit sy diepste teologiese oortuigings oor die onwrikbare getrouheid van God se liefde, die aard van die skepping, die aard van die liggaam van Christus en die werklikheid van die Christelike hoop. Die skeppingsverhaal, wat bevestig dat die mensdom in die beeld van God geskep is, verbind die mens aan die liefde van God, wat in die inkarnasie van Jesus gemodelleer word. Daar word dan beweeg na die data-analise, die omvang van die uitdagings van VVF-HIV/AIDS lyers en die vlak van kennis van die pastore oor die onderwerp van die stigmatisering van die jong volwasse vroulike lyers aan VVF-HIV/AIDS en hulle behandeling van die probleem. Ten slotte word aanbevelings gemaak ten einde basiese begrip/bewustheid te verskaf oor hoe die ECWA die probleem van VVF-HIV/AIDS in die noorde van Nigerië objektief kan aanspreek.

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In ‘n sosio-ekonomies minder bevoorregte bruin gemeenskap is misdaad, alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik, werkloosheid, en armoede alledaagse verskynsels. Hoe begelei ‘n mens ‘n gemeente om ‘n missionale gemeente binne so ‘n gemeenskap te word? Kan ‘n gemeente wie se lidmate in die greep van armoede en verwante verskynsels vasgevang is, omvorm word tot ‘n gemeente wat nie net bakhand staan om te ontvang nie? Kan so ‘n gemeente se lidmate bemagtig word om self betrokke te word by hul uitdagings in die gemeenskap? Wellington is ‘n besonderse dorp met besonderse mense en ‘n unieke, historiesekarakter en geskiedenis wat wêreldwyd bekend is op kulturele, musikale, opvoedkundige, landbou- en Christelike gebied. Die inwoners van die dorp is oorwegend bruin Afrikaanssprekendes met baie blanke en swart inwoners - oorwegend Christene met ‘n baie klein Moslem komponent. Wellington is wel ‘n klein dorpie, maar die wyse waarop globale tendense soos globalisasie, godsdiens, taal, bendes, misdaad, alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik, armoede, en werkloosheid ‘n rol speel, is onrusbarend. Oral in dié gemeenskappe is probleme en uitdagings en ons as die kerk mag nie langer stilbly oor dinge wat in die gemeenskap gebeur nie. Met die uitdagings en behoeftes wat in ons konteks beskryf word en die feit dat die meeste probleme sosiaal-maatskaplik en sosio-ekonomies is, staan die kerk sentraal as ‘n agent van verandering. Die Breakthru Restoration Community Church (BRCC) is ‘n geordende gemeente wat, te midde van ‘n see vol probleme, ‘n eiland van hoop is. As ‘n gemeente wat omgee deur God se liefde in aksie te wees binne ‘n sosio-ekonomies, onderontwikkelde gemeenskap, is ons die sout en die lig van die wêreld. Breakthru het binne ‘n bestek van vyf jaar die landskap van Wellington en omgewing onherroeplik verander deurdat ons Bybels, aanpasbaar, ekumenies, relevant en effektief is. Ons leuse is, every member a minister, wat al ‘n refrein in ons gemeente geword het. Ons streef daarna om die “sout” en die “lig” te wees en ons doen dit deur ons grootste bate, ons lidmate, te bemagtig en te mobiliseer om eienaarskap van die gemeente se visie te neem. As kerk spreek ons die geestelike, maatskaplike en sosio-ekonomiese probleme holisties aan deur die Woord van God sowel as in vennootskap met ander organisasies. Ons wil as draers van hoop in ons gemeenskap leef. ‘n Beskrywende studie van die gemeente is gedoen deur ‘n prakties-teologiese metodiek te gebruik. Dit word in hoofstuk een as die inleiding beskryf. In hoofstuk twee word ‘n kontekstuele analise van die gemeenskap gedoen. Hoofstuk drie verskaf ‘n profiel van BRCC en stippel die werksaamhede, visie, missie en doelwitte van die gemeente uit. Hoofstuk vier fokus op die identiteit en kultuur van die gemeente. In hoofstuk vyf het die navorser ‘n strategie vir ‘n missionale identiteit vir die Breakthru Restoration Community Church uitgestippel. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In a socio-economic disadvantaged coloured community where poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, unemployment and crime are everyday realities, how do you guide a congregation to be a missional congregation amidst these challenges? Can a congregation, whose members are caught in the grip of poverty and related challenges, as described above, be transformed into a missional congregation, with members who are actively involved in tackling these issues? Wellington is a unique town with unique people and a unique historical character and history, which is widely known. The population comprises predominantly Afrikaans speaking coloured people together with many white and African people who are predominantly Christian, with a small Muslim population. Wellington is a small town but the way that global tendencies, such as globalization, religion, language, gangs, crime, alcohol and drug abuse, unemployment, and poverty have plagued our community is a matter of concern. Every community has its own challenges and problems, but the church can no longer keep silent about issues in this community. The church should break its silence on issues. Among the challenges and needs that are described in the context, and the fact that most of these challenges are social and socio-economic by nature, the church stands central as an agent of change. The Breakthru Restoration Community Church (BRCC) is an ordained congregation that, amidst a sea of challenges, is prominent as an island of hope. As a congregation that cares by demonstrating God’s love by means of various activities in this sosio-economically disadvantaged community, we are indeed the salt and light of the world. Within a space of five years, Breakthru has changed the landscape of Wellington completely by means of our vision for this community. Our vision includes: being Biblical, ecumenical, relevant and effective. Our slogan is: every member a minister, which means motivating the members of the church to be actively involve in the missio Dei. We do this by empowering and mobilizing our greatest asset, i.e. our members, to take ownership of the congregation’s vision. Furthermore, we believe in the concept: “Together we can do more.” As a church, we addresses the spiritual, social and socio-economic challenges holistically through the Word of God and also by partnering with other organizations. Our vision is to live as bearers of hope in our community. The descriptive study of the congregation was done by using a practicaltheological methodology, which chapter one, as the introduction, describes. Chapter two contains a contextual analysis of the community. Chapter three provides a profile of the BRCC that focuses on our vision, mission, functions and goals. Chapter four emphasizes the identity and culture of the congregation and in chapter five the researcher has mapped out a strategy for a missional identity for the Breakthru Restoration Community Church.