The theological theme missio Dei functions increasingly as the paradigm for local faith communities to renew the self-understanding of their identity and purpose in a changing world. There is, therefore, great interest in theological publications and religious practices regarding the so-called missional church. The missio Dei does not only have implications for the local faith community to be missional, but also for the way in which these faith communities should act in relation to each other in light of their new self-understanding. The missio Dei should, therefore, also shape the relationship between faith communities. This is already happening, especially in missional church-planting networks, but these networks have not thoroughly been grounded theologically or researched empirically in the light of the missio Dei. The purpose of this study is to develop a Scriptural matrix for the establishment of the relationship between faith communities in light of the missio Dei. The research is done by way of the practical theological methodology of Gerben Heitink (1999). * The first section of this study is a hermeneutic process, seeking to put the current state of affairs into perspective and develop Scriptural principles. Chapter 2 of the hermeneutic inquiry seeks to understand the way in which the missio Dei functions in existing literature on the role of the missio Dei in the relationship between faith communities. Literature on existing missional networks are also included. In Chapter 3, an understanding is developed of the role of the Trinity in the missio Dei and of the fact that its elements should also be present in the relationship between faith communities that are participating in the missio Dei. This is done by way of grammatical-historical exegesis of John 17. Chapter 2, therefore, helps to understand what needs to be changed, and Chapter 3 helps to understand the preferred practice. * The second section involves an empirical research in Chapter 4 of four missional networks in the United States of America and in Canada to determine the role of the missio Dei in the practice of those networks. These networks are Redeemer City to City, Church Innovations, Acts 29 and Forge Canada. * The third section is the strategic moment and involves the integration of the research results from Chapters 2, 3 and 4 in a practice theory. In Chapter 5, a practise-theory matrix is eventually developed for the establishment of the relationship between faith communities in light of the missio Dei. This matrix may also have many useful applications, ranging from being used as an instrument for measuring and developing the missionality of local faith communities to the evaluation or even development of missional networks. The conclusion of the study is that the degree of insight into the role of the Trinity in the missio Dei determines the extent to which faith communities and missional networks function missionally. The nature, boundaries, function and purpose of the unity of the Persons of the Trinity determine the nature, boundaries, function and purpose of the unity of missional communities of faith in their relationship with each other. The better a faith community's understanding is of the role of the Trinity in the missio Dei, the better that faith community will be able to function missionally with other faith communities. The matrix that has been developed helps the assessment, adjustment, establishment and prediction of the effectiveness of missional relationships between faith communities. / PhD (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The theological theme missio Dei functions increasingly as the paradigm for local faith communities to renew the self-understanding of their identity and purpose in a changing world. There is, therefore, great interest in theological publications and religious practices regarding the so-called missional church. The missio Dei does not only have implications for the local faith community to be missional, but also for the way in which these faith communities should act in relation to each other in light of their new self-understanding. The missio Dei should, therefore, also shape the relationship between faith communities. This is already happening, especially in missional church-planting networks, but these networks have not thoroughly been grounded theologically or researched empirically in the light of the missio Dei. The purpose of this study is to develop a Scriptural matrix for the establishment of the relationship between faith communities in light of the missio Dei. The research is done by way of the practical theological methodology of Gerben Heitink (1999). * The first section of this study is a hermeneutic process, seeking to put the current state of affairs into perspective and develop Scriptural principles. Chapter 2 of the hermeneutic inquiry seeks to understand the way in which the missio Dei functions in existing literature on the role of the missio Dei in the relationship between faith communities. Literature on existing missional networks are also included. In Chapter 3, an understanding is developed of the role of the Trinity in the missio Dei and of the fact that its elements should also be present in the relationship between faith communities that are participating in the missio Dei. This is done by way of grammatical-historical exegesis of John 17. Chapter 2, therefore, helps to understand what needs to be changed, and Chapter 3 helps to understand the preferred practice. * The second section involves an empirical research in Chapter 4 of four missional networks in the United States of America and in Canada to determine the role of the missio Dei in the practice of those networks. These networks are Redeemer City to City, Church Innovations, Acts 29 and Forge Canada. * The third section is the strategic moment and involves the integration of the research results from Chapters 2, 3 and 4 in a practice theory. In Chapter 5, a practise-theory matrix is eventually developed for the establishment of the relationship between faith communities in light of the missio Dei. This matrix may also have many useful applications, ranging from being used as an instrument for measuring and developing the missionality of local faith communities to the evaluation or even development of missional networks. The conclusion of the study is that the degree of insight into the role of the Trinity in the missio Dei determines the extent to which faith communities and missional networks function missionally. The nature, boundaries, function and purpose of the unity of the Persons of the Trinity determine the nature, boundaries, function and purpose of the unity of missional communities of faith in their relationship with each other. The better a faith community's understanding is of the role of the Trinity in the missio Dei, the better that faith community will be able to function missionally with other faith communities. The matrix that has been developed helps the assessment, adjustment, establishment and prediction of the effectiveness of missional relationships between faith communities. / PhD (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Die doelwit met hierdie navorsing is die identifisering van die kernkapasiteite waaroor ʼn predikant as missionale leier binne ʼn hoofstroomgemeente moet beskik ten einde die gemeente suksesvol te kan begelei in die vorming van ʼn missionale gemeentekultuur en bedieningspraktyk. Die navorsing word gedoen binne die konteks van die groot paradigmatiese skuiwe in die missiologie sedert die middel van die vorige eeu, soos dit deur Leslie Newbigin geïnisieer, deur David Bosch aangevul en versterk, en deur die Gospel and Our Culture Network verder gevoer en uitgewerk word. Die missio Dei vorm die vertrekpunt vir ʼn missionale ekklesiologie. Sending is nie ʼn aktiwiteit van die kerk nie, maar die handeling van God Drie-enig. Die funksie van die kerk is deelname aan die missio Dei in die wêreld en ganse skepping. Missionale leierskap setel nie in ʼn individu of amp nie, maar ontvang sy gesag van God en is gegee aan die geloofsgemeenskap. Sodanige leierskap vervul ʼn funksie radikaal verskillend van die tradisionele of kontemporêre definisie van leierskap. Missionale leierskap is in wese geloofsonderskeidend en geloofsvormend van aard en vorm binne die geloofsgemeenskap die kennis, vaardighede, houdinge en gewoontes ten einde die geloofsgemeenskap individueel en korporatief te bemagtig vir die onderskeiding van en deelname aan die missio Dei binne die daaglikse konteks waarbinne God die gemeente roep, vorm en stuur. Vanuit die rol wat histories en ampshalwe aan die predikant in ʼn hoofstroomgemeente toegeken word, vervul die predikant ʼn sleutelfunksie ten einde die gemeente suksesvol te kan begelei in die proses van aanpassende verandering en missionale gemeentevorming. ʼn Kwalitatief empiriese ondersoek by gemeentes binne die Suider-Afrikaanse Vennootskap vir Gestuurde Gemeentes (SAVGG) ondersoek die kernkapasiteite wat vir die predikant as missionale leier nodig is. Die ondersoek onderskei vier verskillende rolle vir die predikant as missionale leier: die predikant as apostel of gestuurde; die predikant as teoloog en taalskepper; die predikant as fasiliteerder en begeleier van die proses van aanpassende kultuurverandering; en die predikant as geestelike begeleier en mentor. Die navorsing onderskei voorts die verskillende kapasiteite (kennis, vaardighede houdinge, en gewoontes) wat kernbelangrik is vir die predikant vir die vervulling van hierdie viervoudige rol op weg na missionale gemeentevorming. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

In hierdie studie word daar gebruik gemaak van Stephen Bevans en Roger Schroeder se boeke Constants in Context, Theology of Missions for Today (2004) en Prophetic Dialogue, Reflections on Christian Mission Today (2011). Die doel van die navorsing is om by te dra tot die vorming van ʼn missionale ekklesiologie wat toepaslik en toeganklik is vir jonger generasies in die Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk en wat kan help om die rol van dié kerk in Suid-Afrika te beskryf. Bevans en Schroeder se verstaan van die missionale aard van die kerk kan insigte help vorm wat jonger teoloë in die NG Kerk kan help om ʼn eie missionale ekklesiologie te ontwikkel. Profetiese dialoog word in gesprek gebring met die heidige Suid Afrikaanse konteks. Die gaping van die konteksbeskrywing in Suid-Afrika gaan deur middel van Dion Chang (2012) se studie New Urban Tribes of South Africa bestudeer word. Die beskrywing help om die kultuur verskille en generasie groepe in Suid Afrika beter te identifiseer en te beskryf vir die raamwerk van hoe om in ʼn profetiese dialoog te kan tree met die huidige konteks. Richard Robert Osmer (2008:46) beskryf dat die belang van enige studie is om ʼn deeglike raamwerk te skep van individue, families, gemeente en die gemeenskap buite die kerk sodat daar duidelike leiding gegee kan word vanaf binne die kerk. Chang het wel ʼn kommersiële aanslag en fokus, maar die wyse waarop hy die verskeie generasies (Tribes) beskryf, gee sinvolle agtergrondskennis van hoe die meerderheid mense in Suid-Afrika funksioneer en hulself ook beskryf. Chang se beskrywing is ʼn toepaslike literatuur studie vir die navorsing en bring waardevolle kennis tot die huidige beskrywing van ʼn Suid Afrikaanse konteks. / Dissertation (MTh)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Science of Religion and Missiology / MTh / Unrestricted

This thesis investigated the approach to, and the conducting of worship services in ten missional faith communities of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa during the period 2004 – 2009. It investigated the shift in theological paradigm (towards mission) taking place in the Dutch Reformed Church from 2002 onwards, and the effects thereof on liturgy and music in the worship domain. In order to contextualise the liturgical developments emanating from the case studies, the history and liturgy of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa were traced back to the early Dutch pastors arriving with the first settlers at the Cape Colony in 1652. The historical events leading to the Dutch Reformed Church being labelled as the state church and its sanctioning of the apartheid ideology were placed in perspective as a result of the successes of missionary work in South Africa. The missional paradigm was unpacked according to the missio Dei. God is the primal agent in mission and calls His church into mission, and sending the church to restore society. Created in the imago Dei, human beings have a responsibility towards contextual society in everyday life. Missional worship therefore becomes a paradigmatic way of life. God is the focal point in worship and liturgy: it is all about God. The core of the research revolves around the ten missional faith communities, eight of which were part of the initial Southern African Partnership for Missional Churches project. Unstructured interviews were conducted with pastors, musicians and persons involved in the focussed missional activities within these congregations. Having an insider's perspective on the project, the researcher included his own narrative in order to further underline the changes taking place in the worship domain. Liturgy in the faith communities under investigation was found to be shifting towards ecumenical models: the gathering, the service of the Word, the service of the Table, and the sending. A trend to celebrate the Eucharist/Holy Communion more frequently than the tradition dictated was also noted in the communities. In general, a more creative approach towards the planning and execution of liturgy has been observed – this freedom allowing for the Holy Spirit to move the faith community during worship, and was vastly different to the cognitive historical liturgy. The music ministry has developed into a new paradigm from the historical role of the organist. Music was found to become a focal point, manifesting as liturgical art, pointing towards God and enabling the faith community to meet God in worship. This led to the change in the role of the church musician in terms of scope and spiritual/religious value. The shift towards leading the liturgy and shaping the faith community through music has been noted – thus establishing a music ministry. The Eucharist/Holy Communion is presented as a metaphor, the underlying basis for a model in music ministry. Music ministry is now defined under the theological lens as being sacramental in nature. In closing, recommendations are made to address the re-education of church musicians and theologians to deal with the theological changes taking place in worship. / Thesis (PhD (Music))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This thesis investigated the approach to, and the conducting of worship services in ten missional faith communities of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa during the period 2004 – 2009. It investigated the shift in theological paradigm (towards mission) taking place in the Dutch Reformed Church from 2002 onwards, and the effects thereof on liturgy and music in the worship domain. In order to contextualise the liturgical developments emanating from the case studies, the history and liturgy of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa were traced back to the early Dutch pastors arriving with the first settlers at the Cape Colony in 1652. The historical events leading to the Dutch Reformed Church being labelled as the state church and its sanctioning of the apartheid ideology were placed in perspective as a result of the successes of missionary work in South Africa. The missional paradigm was unpacked according to the missio Dei. God is the primal agent in mission and calls His church into mission, and sending the church to restore society. Created in the imago Dei, human beings have a responsibility towards contextual society in everyday life. Missional worship therefore becomes a paradigmatic way of life. God is the focal point in worship and liturgy: it is all about God. The core of the research revolves around the ten missional faith communities, eight of which were part of the initial Southern African Partnership for Missional Churches project. Unstructured interviews were conducted with pastors, musicians and persons involved in the focussed missional activities within these congregations. Having an insider's perspective on the project, the researcher included his own narrative in order to further underline the changes taking place in the worship domain. Liturgy in the faith communities under investigation was found to be shifting towards ecumenical models: the gathering, the service of the Word, the service of the Table, and the sending. A trend to celebrate the Eucharist/Holy Communion more frequently than the tradition dictated was also noted in the communities. In general, a more creative approach towards the planning and execution of liturgy has been observed – this freedom allowing for the Holy Spirit to move the faith community during worship, and was vastly different to the cognitive historical liturgy. The music ministry has developed into a new paradigm from the historical role of the organist. Music was found to become a focal point, manifesting as liturgical art, pointing towards God and enabling the faith community to meet God in worship. This led to the change in the role of the church musician in terms of scope and spiritual/religious value. The shift towards leading the liturgy and shaping the faith community through music has been noted – thus establishing a music ministry. The Eucharist/Holy Communion is presented as a metaphor, the underlying basis for a model in music ministry. Music ministry is now defined under the theological lens as being sacramental in nature. In closing, recommendations are made to address the re-education of church musicians and theologians to deal with the theological changes taking place in worship. / Thesis (PhD (Music))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The GKSA seems to be in a weak condition concerning the Missio Dei. There is a drastic decline in membership, a weak impact on society and a crisis in following our calling. This study aims to explore the relationship between the Missio Dei and the missional church. The Biblical principles for aligning a church with the Missio Dei will be analysed. Eventually, I will propose a preliminary paradigm for transforming an ingrown church into a missional church. The question addressed in this study is what principles should a church follow to be a part of the Missio Dei and therefore become a missional church? / MTh (Missiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The GKSA seems to be in a weak condition concerning the Missio Dei. There is a drastic decline in membership, a weak impact on society and a crisis in following our calling. This study aims to explore the relationship between the Missio Dei and the missional church. The Biblical principles for aligning a church with the Missio Dei will be analysed. Eventually, I will propose a preliminary paradigm for transforming an ingrown church into a missional church. The question addressed in this study is what principles should a church follow to be a part of the Missio Dei and therefore become a missional church? / MTh (Missiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A congregation that wants to be faithful to a sending God, has to continually remind itself: “we are here now;” congregations need to converse with the unique identity, culture, context and time of where they are at. A Missional culture can only be established within a congregation if a prophetic sensitivity for God’s calling and sending is present. In this ethnographic account of the Dutch Reformed Church PUK-Kandelaar, the history, context and culture of the congregation is researched and explored. The aim of the study is to indicate where Kandelaar currently finds itself on the missional journey by bringing her unique realities of ministry and context into conversation with a Trinitarian missional ecclesiology. Following an introductory discussion of the research in terms of motivation, aim and methodology, a basis-theoretical overview of missional ecclesiology is given. Next, the congregational history is narrated, followed by a comprehensive ethnographic description of the congregation in her current context. Finally, an in-depth missional conversation is conducted between the congregation’s ministerial practice and God’s missional calling. The relation between the ministerial realities of Kandelaar as a categorical student congregation and the pursuit of a missional ministry practice is developed comprehensively, specifically by focusing on discernment as a core issue for missional leaders. The study indicates several unique ministerial realities for which Kandelaar, as a categorical student congregation, has to allow for, and thus provides the leadership of the congregation with a platform for further faithful discernment on the missional journey with the Triune God. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Gemeente wat hoop om getrou te wees aan die roeping van 'n sturende God het nodig om voortdurend vir hulleself te kan sê: "ons is nou hier." Gemeentes moet in gesprek tree met die unieke "ons", "nou" en "hier" van die gemeentekultuur -en konteks. 'n Missionale gemeentekultuur kan alleen gevestig word as daa 'n profetiese sensitiwiteit is vir God se roeping en sending. In hierdie etnografiese beskrywing van die NG Gemeente PUK-Kandelaar, is die storie en kultuur van die gemeente nagevors en verken. Die doel van die studie is om aan te toon waar Kandelaar haar tans op die missionale reis bevind, deur haar unieke bedieningswerklikhede -en konteks as kategoriale studentegemeente, in gesprek te bring met 'n trinitariese missionale ekklesiologie. Na afloop van 'n inleidende uiteensetting van die navorsing met betrekking tot motivering, doel en metodologie, volg 'n basisteoretiese oorsig van 'n trinitariese missionale ekklesiologie. Daarna word die gemeenteverhaal vertel, en volg daar ook 'n omvattende etnografiese beskrywing van die gemeente wat die huidige konteks van die gemeente pertinent laat meespreek. Ten slotte word die missionale gesprek in diepte verder gevoer deur die gemeente se bedieningspraktyk te ondersoek in die lig van God se missionale roeping vir die gemeente. Die verband tussen die bedieningswerklikhede van Kandelaar as kategoriale studentegemeente, en die strewe na 'n missionale bedieningspraktyk, word hier op omvattende wyse uitgewerk. Daar word onder andere spesifiek gefokus op geloofsonderskeiding as 'n kernbelangrike aangeleentheid vir missionale leiers. Die studie toon aan dat Kandelaar as kategoriale studentegemeente verskeie unieke bedieningswerklikhede het om mee rekening te hou. Sodoende bied die navorsing aan die leierskap van die gemeente 'n wegspringplek vir verdere geloofsonderskeidende denke op die missionale reis saam met die Vader, Seun en Heilige Gees.

Thesis (MTh)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Small rural congregations like Marken with a member count of 60 often battle with the question if the congregation will be able to survive. This question is influenced through individuals and larger congregations' perception that bigger is better. The vitality of small congregations is being judged by a modernistic approach. According to this viewpoint a large member count is an important factor for survival. The uniqueness of small rural congregations is not taken into account when the vitality of such congregations comes under the spotlight. The style of ministry and the program approach of larger congregations is the model normally associated with success and vitality and leads to small congregations' attempt to follow that model and in the process lose its God given uniqueness. The congregations' question of survival is addressed through a guided journey in an attempt to help the congregation realize its missional calling. A congregation like Marken must realize that a small congregation also can and should be a mirror of God's kingdom. Missional theology and Trinitarian theology cannot be discussed without taking into account the missio Dei of God. The Dutch Reformed Congregation of Marken' expression as church in and for the world must be modelled in God's missio Dei. The Trinity is the foundation for missional theology. The purpose of the study is the transformation of the Dutch Reformed Congregation of Marken who battles with a question of survival to become a missional congregation who takes part in God's mission. The history of the congregation, her identity and culture plays an important role. In the history of the congregation it became evident that a number of factors, the long absence of a minister, shortage in funds and a schism in the congregation lead to the question of survival. A pattern became evident in which the congregation described herself as small. This became part of the identity and culture of the congregation and is confirmed in the ethnographic research. All of these factors contributed to the single deepest question in the hearts of the congregation: How can the Dutch Reformed Church in Marken survive? To be able to understand these questions, one must underline the importance of the context in which the congregation finds herself. The congregation is situated in Limpopo province and form part of the Mogalakwena municipality which consists of roughly 300,000 Pedi speaking people. Realities like demography and migration patterns in the contextual analysis are indications that the congregation can't rely on growth through birth rate. The contextual analysis was also a step to open the blinded eyes of the congregation to the realities around the congregation. This was done to motivate the congregation to take part in the missio Dei. The congregation's involvement in the missio Dei can be described as a journey. In the study the first steps of Marken on this missional road is also researched. It shows that the Spirit of God is already transforming Marken and it can be seen in normal, natural experiences which helped people to recognize the work and the intention of the Spirit (Marais, 2007:120) This should give hope to a congregation who battled with a question of survival in the past. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Klein plattelandse gemeentes soos Marken met ʼn lidmaattal van 60 worstel baie keer met die vraag of die gemeente sal kan voortbestaan. Hierdie vraag word beïnvloed deur individue en ander groter gemeentes se persepsie oor klein gemeentes en dat klein gelykstaande aan minderwaardigheid is. Die lewensvatbaarheid van klein gemeentes word na aanleiding van ʼn modernistiese vertrekpunt beoordeel. Hiervolgens is ʼn groot lidmaat getal ʼn belangrike norm vir bestaansreg. Die eiesoortigheid van klein plattelandse gemeentes word meesal nie in berekening gebring wanneer oor die lewensvatbaarheid van sulke gemeentes gedink word nie. Die bedieningstyle en programbenaderings in groot gemeentes word dikwels ook voorgehou as die ideaal en dit lei daartoe dat klein gemeentes hulle daaraan meet en hulle eie Godgegewe uniekheid uit die oog begin verloor. Die voortbestaansvraag van die gemeente word aangespreek deur die gemeente te begelei om haar missionale roeping te ontdek. ʼn Gemeente soos Marken moet besef dat ʼn klein gemeente ook ʼn spieëlbeeld van God se koninkryk kan en moet wees. Missionale teologie, trinitariese teologie en die missio Dei is in mekaar gevleg. NG Gemeente Marken se uitdrukking as kerk in en vir die wêreld moet gemodelleer word in God se drie-enige uitdrukking van sy sending in die wêreld deur die geskiedenis soos dit gereflekteer word in die Bybelse getuienis. As sending dan essensieel God se sending is, dan is die Triniteit die fondasie vir missionale teologie. Die transformasie van NG Gemeente Marken wat worstel met ʼn voortbestaansvraag na ʼn missionale gemeente is dus die doelwit van die studie. Die gemeente se geskiedenis, haar identiteit / kultuur speel ewe-eens ʼn belangrike rol. In die geskiedenis van die gemeente kan duidelik gesien word dat verskeie gebeure soos die lang afwesigheid van ʼn eie leraar, ʼn tekort aan finansies en ʼn kerkskeuring aanleiding gegee het tot die voortbestaansvraag van die gemeente. Die gebeure het ʼn tendens na vore laat tree waarin die gemeente haarself as klein beskryf. Hierdie identiteit is ook bevestig met die etnografiese navorsing en dit het deel geword van die kultuur van die gemeente. Al hierdie faktore het ʼn invloed op die mees prominente of diepste vraag wat in die harte van die 60 lidmate leef. “Hoe kan die NG Gemeente Marken voortbestaan?” Om hierdie vrae te verstaan en te begin antwoord is dit belangrik om die gemeente in haar konteks te verstaan. Die gemeente is geleë in Limpopo provinsie en vorm deel van Mogalakwena munisipaliteit waar ongeveer 300,000 hoofsaaklik Pedi sprekende mense woon. Demografiese realiteite en die migrasie patroon in die kontekstuele analise toon aan dat die gemeente nie kan staat maak op die normale manier van groei deur geboorte en bevolkingsaanwas nie. Die kontekstuele analise is gedoen as ʼn stap in die proses om die fokus van Marken op oorlewing aan te spreek en die gemeente se oë oop te maak vir die werklikheid rondom die gemeente en sodoende dan te kan deelneem aan God se missio Dei. Die gemeente se deelname aan God se missio Dei kan beskryf word as ʼn reis. In die studie word die eerste treë van Marken in hierdie missionale reis ook nagevors. Dit toon aan dat die Gees van God besig is om Marken te transformeer en dit kan soos wat Frederick Marais (2007:120) dit stel waargeneem word in die “gewone, natuurlike ervarings wat mense tot die oortuiging laat kom van die werk en die bedoeling van die Gees.” Dit moet hoop gee aan Marken wat in die verlede met die vraag geworstel het of die gemeente kan voortbestaan.