Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The church in the West is facing a crisis of identity. Who are we as the church and what is our purpose in the world today? The recovery of a missional ecclesiology in the West is an urgent task. The aim of this study is to contribute to this work on a missional ecclesiology by focusing on the need for the church to grow its capacity to discern missional vocation. This study‘s central question: ―How can the church in the West discern its missional vocation?‖ The first chapter considers how global realities are forcing the church to re-examine its missional identity and vocation. In addition, the local realities in which this study is situated are highlighted, with particular emphasis on the realities that demand discernment. The chapter concludes with consideration of historical developments in hermeneutics, in particular the development of a missional hermeneutic. The emergence of a missional hermeneutic is important in the church‘s discernment. The second chapter ―puts on‖ a missional hermeneutic to aid in this discernment of missional vocation. Dwelling in the biblical story with this lens, and so allowing the story to renew our understanding of the role and identity of God‘s people, will shape our missional discernment. The third chapter focuses on the contemporary cultural context in its North American expression, in which the church must forge its missional identity. A retelling of the cultural story of the West demonstrates the challenges, both old and new, facing the church. Two important movements are already seeking to answer the question of how the church discerns missional vocation. The fourth chapter engages the important conversations that are happening within both the Emergent and Missional Church movements. These conversations encompass a wide diversity of theological traditions and backgrounds, but are held together by a common desire to discern what a missional ecclesiology means for the West. Particular themes that are important for discernment are highlighted as these conversations are engaged. Finally, the questions of the early chapters converge on the crux of this study: a framework for discernment, articulated in detail in the fifth chapter. Building on important examples, both Western and African, this affirmative-antithetical model of discernment is offered as a broad ―lens‖ for reflective churches seeking to discern their missional vocation. The final chapter then practices discernment in six key areas facing the church in the West today, at times using for illustration the local context in which this study is situated. These parting thoughts seek to both recognize the challenge facing missional churches, and point to encouraging dialogue already happening among those seeking to do the same. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die kerk in die Weste beleef ʼn identiteitskrisis. Wie of wat is die kerk en wat is haar doel vandag? ʼn Misssionale ekklesiologie is in die lig hiervan ʼn noodsaaklikheid. Die studie beoog om ʼn bydrae te lewer tot die ontwikkeling van ʼn missionale ekklesiolgie. Dit wil fokus op die kerk se behoefte om geloofsonderskeidend missionale roeping beter te verstaan. Vandaar die sentrale vraag wat die studie stel: ―Hoe kan die kerk in die Weste sy missionale roeping onderskei?‖ Die eerste hoofstuk kyk hoe globale werklikhede die kerk tans forseer om sy missionale identiteit en roeping in heroorweging te neem. Die konteks waarin die studie plaasvind word beskryf met die oog op die vraag watter geloofsonderskeidende uitdagings hulle stel. Die hoofstuk hanteer ook hermeneutiese ontwikkelinge wat bygedra het tot die ontwikkeling van ʼn missionale hermeneutiek. ʼn Missionale hermeneutiek is belangrik vir geloofsonderskeiding. Die tweede hoofstuk werk met ʼn missionale hermeneutiek as dit geloofsonderskeidend die kerk se huidige roeping en uitdagings wil formuleer. As sodanig wandel dit in die Bybel se verhaal om die identiteit van die volk van God te verstaan. Laasgenoemde is ʼn voorwaarde vir enige missionale onderskeidingsproses. Die derde hoofstuk fokus op die huidige konteks van die Noord-Amerikaanse kultuur en die uitdaging wat dit vir missionale identiteit stel. ʼn Oorsig oor die verhaal van die Westerse kultuur demonstreer die ou en nuwe uitdagings waarvoor die kerk gestel word. Twee belangrike bewegings probeer antwoorde op dié uitdagings vind. Die vierde hoofstuk hanteer die gesprekke in die Ontluikende (Emergent) en Gestuurde Gemeente (Missional Church) bewegings. Die gesprekke vind plaas teen die agtergrond van ʼn wye verskeidenheid teologiese tradisies maar het in gemeen dat hulle probeer onderskei wat ʼn missionale ekklesiologie in die Weste behels. Belangrike temas in die proses van geloofsonderskeiding word belig in die bespreking van die twee bewegings. Ten slotte vloei die vrae van die vorige hoofstukke saam om die fokus van die studie aan die orde te stel: ʼn raamwerk vir geloofsonderskeiding. Hoofstuk vyf. Belangrike voorbeelde uit die Weste en uit Afrika word gebruik as ʼn lens om ʼn bevestigende-antitetiese geloofsonderskeidings-model voor te stel wat kerke kan help om hulle missionale roeping te ontdek. Die laaste hoofstuk pas geloofsonderskeidende beginsels toe op ses sleutelareas wat die kerk in die Weste moet aanspreek. Praktiese voorbeelde uit die konteks waar die studie gedoen is illustreer wat bedoel word. Met dié voorbeelde en gedagtes word die uitdagings waarvoor missionale gemeentes staan op die spits gedryf en word almal wat reeds deel is van die dialoog, uitgenooi om dit voort te sit.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In Australian Aboriginal affairs, the acculturative strand of assimilation developed in large part from Elkin’s religious and Idealist commitment, for which in the years 1928 to 1933 he won social-scientific authority. In competition with both an eliminationist politics of race and a segregationist politics of territory, Elkin drew upon religious experience, apologetics, sociology, and networks to establish a ‘positive policy’ as an enduring ideal in Aboriginal affairs. His leadership of the 1930s reform movement began within the Anglican Church, became national through civic-religious organs of publicity, and gained scientific authority as Elkin made religious themes a central concern in Australian anthropology. But from the 1960s until recently, most scholars have lost sight of the centrality of Idealism and religion in our protagonist’s seminal project of acculturative assimilation. This thesis aims to show how Elkin dealt with problems fundamental to twentieth century Aboriginal affairs and indeed to Australian modernity more generally – problems of faith and science, morality and expediency – in developing his positive policy towards Aborigines.

The growth of the Church in Africa, namely at numerical level 1 is tremendous. However, we notice that her impact on society and public life is not so visible as the growth is, since Christian values are embodied by Christians. Yet, the Church has huge human resources1 pastors, missionaries, lay leaders and theologians. The challenge for the Church in Africa is to incarnate and inculturate these values and the living message of the Gospel. In this thesis we question the co-operation between the Church and mission agencies, between native pastors and western missionaries. We notice that since 150 years, there has been a huge gap between these two entities. This is due to the fact that Theology and Missiology look like two lines that never meet. This situation leads us to revisit not only the current paradigm Church-Mission but also the current link between Theology and Missiology. We propose the following theses: 1. Theology is mission-centered. The goal of Theology is to extend the Kingdom of God by the prodamatlon of the Gospel so that every nation (ethne) may be represented in the Kingdom, and by the communication of Christian values so that a new society or a new civilisation may emerge and may take over the current and corrupted society. 2. To explore the Biblical data on Church and Mission, the only ontological approach appears to be limited, therefore the functional approach must be added. The right question is not only “What the Church Is" but also "For what the Church Is" 3. The local Church is the representation of the Universal Church in a given location. This local church is culturally rooted. Cultural plurality is a sine qua non condition for the Universal Church. 4. The local Church is the basis of mission. The basic reflections on mission must take place within the local Church, at the grass root level. All human resources, from mission agencies and para-church organisation are accountable to the local Church. 5. The major themes of healing, liberation and identity are at the core of the Gospel. Theologians must articulate these themes in their discourse. 6. Co-operation between local Churches, or within a duster of local Churches, gives opportunities to succeed in term of mission since no local Church can do mission alone.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In Australian Aboriginal affairs, the acculturative strand of assimilation developed in large part from Elkin’s religious and Idealist commitment, for which in the years 1928 to 1933 he won social-scientific authority. In competition with both an eliminationist politics of race and a segregationist politics of territory, Elkin drew upon religious experience, apologetics, sociology, and networks to establish a ‘positive policy’ as an enduring ideal in Aboriginal affairs. His leadership of the 1930s reform movement began within the Anglican Church, became national through civic-religious organs of publicity, and gained scientific authority as Elkin made religious themes a central concern in Australian anthropology. But from the 1960s until recently, most scholars have lost sight of the centrality of Idealism and religion in our protagonist’s seminal project of acculturative assimilation. This thesis aims to show how Elkin dealt with problems fundamental to twentieth century Aboriginal affairs and indeed to Australian modernity more generally – problems of faith and science, morality and expediency – in developing his positive policy towards Aborigines.

Submitted by Noeme Timbo (noeme.timbo@metodista.br) on 2017-06-14T20:01:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcelo Arruda.pdf: 1074808 bytes, checksum: d735f06d96d102b1aa44256ad47f2962 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-14T20:04:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcelo Arruda.pdf: 1074808 bytes, checksum: d735f06d96d102b1aa44256ad47f2962 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This research addresses the debate about ecclesiology involving presuppositions that the Methodist paulistana context is not based only on doctrinal emphases of the historical meth-odism, but on an ecclesiology that was consolidated through the preaching of the revealed Word, the social concern of the Methodist movement In England and also on marks of educa-tion as the basis of this ecclesiological identity in the Methodist context. Our general objective is to study and observe Methodist ecclesiology in a missionary perspective in the urban con-text of São Paulo. Our methodology will be given in a comparative way of data subsidized by the chosen churches within their different contexts and ecclesiological proposals. We map data and measure results according to Marconi & Lakatos. We also use periodicals, bulletins and pastoral of bishops of the Methodist Church within the defined period, as well as con-temporary Methodist literature. As a reference of this research trajectory, the starting point for this ecclesiological identity is in the document of the Methodist Church called "Plan for Life and Mission" (PLM), this docu-ment is an orientation for the mission of the Church to be the center of everything that takes place in her community and that "its most important task is to distribute outside the limits of the temple what it has freely received from the Lord" (Canons, 25 art.). It is worth mentioning an ecclesiology that has been prioritized the references of "Gifts and Ministries", which trans-late the marks of a church with representation and voice of the laity, in the construction of a ministerial trajectory. Methodism is committed to the welfare of everyone; Not only spiritual, but also its social aspects. This comprehensive understanding of salvation causes the Method-ists to commit themselves to struggles to eliminate poverty, exploitation and all forms of dis-crimination. Thus, all people - and not just the pastor, the clergy - should develop Church Min-istries (the Universal Priesthood of all Believers). That is why a lay church and its ministerial structure in a missionary perspective. / A pesquisa aqui desenvolvida trata o debate a respeito da eclesiologia, em específico a Eclesiolo-gia Metodista Paulistana, abarcando pressupostos que, no contexto metodista são fundamentados por ênfases não apenas doutrinárias do metodismo histórico, sobretudo, de uma eclesiologia que se consolidou através da pregação da Palavra revelada, da preocupação social oriundo do movi-mento metodista na Inglaterra e também das marcas da educação como base desta identidade eclesiológica no contexto metodista. Nosso objetivo geral é estudar e observar a eclesiologia me-todista numa perspectiva missionária no contexto urbano de São Paulo. Nossa metodologia se dará de forma comparativa de dados subsidiados pelas igrejas escolhidas dentro de seus diferen-tes contextos e propostas eclesiológicas ora praticadas. Mapeamos dados e aferimos resultados conforme referencial de Marconi & Lakatos. Utilizamos também periódicos, boletins e pastorais de Bispos da Igreja Metodista dentro do referido período delimitado, além de literatura metodista contemporânea. Como referencial de uma trajetória de pesquisa, o ponto de partida para essa identidade eclesio-lógica está no documento da Igreja Metodista denominado “Plano para a Vida e Missão” (PVM), este documento é uma orientação para que a missão da Igreja seja o centro de tudo o que ocorre em sua comunidade e que a "sua principal tarefa é repartir fora dos limites do templo o que ela de graça recebe do Senhor" (Cânones, art.25). Há que se destacar, que a Eclesiologia Metodista Pau-listana está primada nos referenciais do projeto “Dons e Ministérios”, que traduzem as marcas de uma igreja com representação e voz dos leigos/as, na construção de uma trajetória ministerial. O metodismo tem compromisso com o bem estar da pessoa total; não só espiritual, mas também seus aspectos sociais. Essa compreensão abrangente da salvação faz com que os Metodistas se comprometam com as lutas que visam eliminar a pobreza, a exploração e toda forma de discrimi-nação. Assim, todas as pessoas - e não somente o pastor ou pastora, o clérigo/a - devem desen-volver os Ministérios da Igreja (Sacerdócio Universal de todos os Crentes). Por isso, uma igreja leiga e sua estruturação ministerial numa perspectiva missionária.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:18:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nicanor Lopes.pdf: 2491061 bytes, checksum: 56e8cc35a4b9967d0633d38c61695b7e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-08 / The aim of the present research, Social Responsibility, Preaching and Education: missiological tensions in the Missionary Project of the Methodist Church on Brazilian soil, is to examine the missionary action of the Methodist Church, since its implementation up to the period referring to the 18th General Conference (2006 2011). The study rescued that the triad of Social Responsibility, Preaching and Education represents a distinct identity of the Wesleyan Movement, and that such a missionary principle has not been closely followed by the Brazilian Methodism. It is noteworthy that the triad was especially significant in the missionary project, which is particularly noticeable during its implementation, as well as in the constitution of the so-called Plano para Vida e Missão (PVM). Once assumed that the missionary action in the Brazilian Methodism has not fully been characterized by systematic theological reflections, the triad of Social Responsibility, Preaching and Education has always played a prominent role in the mission. In many instances, a considerable strain was put on the Methodist missionary project. The intense focus on the number of followers and geographic expansion did not contribute to maintain great fidelity to the triad and its ideals. Along the way research is built in four chapters, in which one seeks refine a historical understanding of the process unfolded in this study, it is crucial that the essential regulatory framework of the triad as the Methodist mission. The research highlights the importance of further studies so that Methodism can take on a fundamental role in the Missio Dei, enlightened by the triad of Social Responsibility, Preaching and Education. / Esta pesquisa, Responsabilidade Social, Pregação e Educação: tensões missiológicas no projeto missionário da Igreja Metodista em terras brasileiras, tem como objetivo analisar as ações missionárias da Igreja Metodista do período de sua implantação até o final do período referente ao 18° Concílio Geral (2006-2011). A análise resgatou a tríade Responsabilidade Social, Pregação e Educação como uma marca identitária do movimento wesleyano e que esse princípio missionário nem sempre foi seguido pelo metodismo brasileiro. Notou-se também que a tríade serviu, em momentos decisivos, como elemento norteador do projeto missionário. Isso é percebido no período da implantação, bem como na constituição do Plano para Vida e Missão (PVM). Em que pese que as ações missionárias no metodismo brasileiro nem sempre foram providas de uma reflexão teológica sistemática, a tríade Responsabilidade Social, Pregação e Educação sempre funcionou como eixos essenciais da missão e de forma indissociável. Não foram poucos os momentos em que o projeto missionário metodista enfrentou tensões na sua execução. O ímpeto pelo crescimento numérico e expansão geográfica, muitas vezes, ofuscou a fidelidade à tríade. Nessa trajetória de pesquisa está construída em quatro capítulos, nos quais se busca a superação de uma compreensão histórica equivocada e faz-se necessário que o projeto missionário assuma os elementos essenciais da tríade como marco regulatório da missão metodista. As repetitivas opções equivocadas não colaboram com a nova compreensão de missão. O resultado da pesquisa encoraja futuras análises para que o metodismo assuma o papel de agente de Deus na missio Dei e para que o seu envolvimento missionário mantenha fidelidade à tríade Responsabilidade Social, Pregação e Educação.

The central thesis of this study is that Newbigin‟s thought and writing can contribute to understanding the church as an integral part of Indian society, in terms of both her identity and role. Newbigin‟s writing, subsequent to his return to the West after more than three decades in India, often sought to address what he saw as the Western church‟s loss of confidence in its role and position in a post-enlightenment, post-Christendom society. This study tries to work with this material, as well as what was written during his time in India. The second chapter and the third chapter give consideration to the two central elements in Newbigin‟s understanding of the church‟s mission and identity: the eschatological renewal of the whole earth that will occur at the return of Christ and the connection of this end to Christ‟s death on the cross. As the third chapter will consider, while he locates the focus of the church‟s mission in relation to the end, the death of Christ indicates the way in which this mission will be carried out. The remainder of the third chapter will consider the implication of this for the church‟s mission in relation to the presence of poverty and marginalisation in Indian society and its movement towards a consumer economy. The fourth chapter will consider the place of the church in relation to India‟s long and rich culture, suggesting ways in which the church is to become an incultured community. The fifth chapter will address the issue of the relationship of the church to the followers of other faiths. Through interaction with some Indian theologians it will be shown how Newbigin gave attention to the church as both open to the movement of the Spirit beyond the boundaries of the church, while also emphasizing the church as central to our knowing Christ. The sixth chapter will draw out the ways in which Newbigin was consciously engaging with the post colonial context of the church, particularly in his interpretation of the relationship between the Spirit and the church. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The United Nations (UN) declared the period 1983 to 1992 the “Decade of Disabled Persons”, and introduced the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The Rules demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding human rights and provide guidance for policy formulation to improve the lives of persons with disabilities through their equal participation and maximizing their welfare. There is no consensus on a definition and measurement of disability (Altman, 2001; Mitra 2005:7). The study used the medical, social, and theological models to explore the theoretical, conceptual and theological meaning of living with disabilities; examine the respondents’ perceptions of the church’s influence on their spirituality and daily lives; describe the respondents’ socio-economic conditions with particular attention to civic participation, discrimination, employment, education and health, and make recommendations, based on the findings, to inform policy on people with disabilities in South Africa. The researcher adopted a qualitative and quantitative approach in the study. The population consisted of parents or caregivers to minor and adult children with varying degrees of disabilities, adults with physical disabilities, and family members with disabled persons. Data was collected by means of informal and semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The main barriers to participation were that the respondents did not feel well enough to participate owing to their disabilities; lack of money; lack of confidence, and the attitudes of others either in the community, at work or at service points. Choice and control in the respondents’ lives was established to be an important aspect of wellbeing and life satisfaction. The respondents who felt they had a choice were satisfied with the services they received. The respondents with mental health conditions reported the least positive experiences and outcomes. Many of the barriers they reported related to their lack of confidence and the attitudes of others in their communities. The study was limited to a relatively small sample of respondents in the greater Cape Town area in the Western Cape, comprising only Evangelical Christians. Consequently, the findings cannot be generalised to all areas of the country and all the Christian churches. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: "Geen opsomming"

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This study is about an investigation in the role of the prophetic voice of the church in a post-apartheid South Africa. In the first chapter I have given a brief description of the history of apartheid as well as a detailed description of the role the church played during these years in South Africa. I also looked at the impact that the Belhar Confession played during this time. In chapter two I have tried to deal with the difficult challenges that faced the church now after democracy and how the voice of the church can be heard in society. I have looked at the different ways that ministers made use of prophetic preaching during the apartheid era. Due to the apartheid system, many people suffered tremendously in this country. During these years of oppression people were leaning heavily on guidance from the church. This was not just for spiritual guidance but people were dependent on the church leaders for emotional support during their hours of need. I have tried to look at the different prophetic voices in the church during these difficult times. In chapter three I have tried to give possible recommendations to assist the church in regaining its prophetic voice in our society. I have looked at several ways in which our congregants could be challenged in terms of prophetic preaching. I have also looked at our understanding of the language of hope and lament. Finally, I have tried to give guidelines in terms of prophetic preaching in our context today.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of the youngest Christian denominations in modern history. It is also one of the smallest, numerically, in South Africa. However, because of the church’s high evangelistic zeal Adventists can be found in almost every part of South Africa. From a motley figure of about 3500 at the time of the church’s legal organisation in 1861, Adventists now number about 18 million globally. There is a notable presence of Adventists in Soweto, west of Johannesburg. In this study, the focus is on how the Adventist church responds to the phenomenon of poverty in Soweto. The intent is to identify current activities of the church relative to poverty alleviation, actual or possible weaknesses in the church’s response to poverty and whether these are consequences of socio-theological or other factors in the structures and institutions of the church. The end of the study will be a propositional discourse that will suggest pointers towards a more relevant and sustainable poverty alleviation programme informed by sound theological, practical pastoral and developmental considerations. This work is a missiological study focusing on Soweto, seeking to critically assess the extent to which Adventists are involved in alleviating poverty in Soweto. It also explores a model by which they can successfully and redemptive encounter the poor at their point of need. Although the main focus will be given to the missiological task of the Adventists of Soweto, the study will also integrate other disciplines to deal with sociological and political considerations. The approach adopted in this study is a pastoral contextual approach of doing theology in Soweto. Within this contextual approach I shall apply the pastoral cycle since this method converges with other relevant methods of analysis and social critique. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)