This thesis looks at the general character of the synod of the Evangelical church of Czech Brethern (ČCE), based on archival documents since 1990. (The) first chapter describes how the Synod functions within the church and briefly mentions the issue of coping with communism, especially how some pastors got involved politically. I also touch on the events of the Velvet Revolution. The next chapter focuses on an analysis of the Synod's work based on classifying the synod's resolutions into different catogories. The results are given in three diagrams. The goal of this analysis is to show which types of resolutions dominate and which types are more unusual. The third more extensive chapter deals with the most important topics being resolved in the synod. It describes the origin of …, its progress and consequences for the church. To show the character of the ČCE Synod, I highlight its internal discussions regarding church law, the practical and theological discussions on …(church education, ordination and baptism…). Then I discuss the ČCE Social Welfare organisation, a free standing topic, as well as subjects that have revealed the Synod's views. This third group address the church's outside concerns. The synod talked about these topic both inside and outside the church as well as with the ecumenical...

This thesis provides a view into magnitude of influence of patriotic sentiment in the time period following World War I and its synergy with charismatic personalities of Rakovník such as Josef Kopecký and first patriarch Karel Farský that lead to creation of CČHS religious community in Rakovník. Thanks to these people, it was possible to spread the idea of a new church to neighbouring villages and to overcome the hesitance of the very first priests, who had to convert from the Catholic Church. These facts are apparent from sources relevant to this topic. Information sources presented in this thesis combined with academic literature bring forth realistic picture pertaining the given time period. Work on this thesis has provided me with large number of ideas for future material and spiritual renewal of this community. It is also important to attain a deeper understanding of our history and our roots and to make this information available to people whose ancestors formed this community. After all, more than three quarters of population of Rakovník took part in religious community in 1925. Therefore, it is fair to say that history of the religious community is that of Rakovník in this time period. It is our obligation to involve the public, namely the young, to activities of the church and to continue building...

It is common place in academia for the 16th century Reformer, John Calvin, to be portrayed as a theologian than as a pastor. Thus, his works are often interpreted from a theological perspective, neglecting the pastoral approach that had an obvious influence on his writings. As we study the life and works of John Calvin from the time he was appointed pastor of Geneva until his death, we are confronted by the pastoral framework from which he wrote some of them. This framework is also apparent in his works if one becomes conscious of it. This comes as no surprise as Calvin spent most of his life serving in the pastoral office. As indeed one of the foremost of the Reformed theologians, Calvin wrote extensively: his works range from the pastoral letters which he frequently wrote to his friends and acquaintances to his more theological studies. This investigation of some of the latter finds that they are underpinned by pastoral concern. Hence it is argued that in their academic engagement with such works, serious scholars of Calvin will need to consider the pastoral framework in each work, whether obvious or not. Calvin did not primarily write most of his works to make a theological stand in the academic world of his day but rather to instruct the ordinary Christian in the faith the Reformers had discovered in Scripture. No work of Calvin makes that plainer than the preface to the Institutes. Hence this study of Calvin focuses on this pastoral framework. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Church history)

The topic of diocesan Church management structures which I present in this research emerges from concerns concerning the comprehensive implementation of the Second Vatican Council in this regard. It is an attempt to examine, comprehend and present the responses and opinions of members of a diocesan Church in a systematic, clear and simple manner to concerns such as: should diocesan Church management structures change? If so, how should diocesan Church management structures change? What should be the main focus and priority of diocesan Church management structures? Do the current management structures of the diocesan Church respond adequately to the needs of the People of God? Since the Catholic Church has a complex management structure, the entire examination thereof is beyond the scope of this research. However, the aim of this investigation is to critically examine the diocesan management structures of a contemporary local Church. The challenge of this research is to ascertain how ecclesial management, as a vital aspect in the Church, is responding to the challenges of the Second Vatican Council to make the Church not only relevant, but allowing full participation and representation of her members in the management of the diocesan Church. / Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Huisbesoek is 'n kerklike bandeling wat algemeen in gereformeerde kerke beoefen word. Die bandeling is omstrede en word geassosieer met baie besinning en bespreking. Hierdie studie gaan van die standpunt uit dat die teoriee grondliggend aan buisbesoek, nie in ooreenstemming is met die verwagtinge van lidmate nie. In die bantering van die probleem is die teorie van buisbesoek ondersoek met bebulp van 'n literatuur studie. Huisbesoek word ook beskrywe as pastorale sorg. Daarom is die teorie van pastorale so~g ook ondersoek. Empiriese navorsing is gedoen om die verwagtinge van lidmate te bepaal. 'n Ideografiese strategie is gebruik en lidmate is per onderboud gevra na bulle siening. Vanuit die ondersoek bet dit geblyk dat die teorie die praxis van buisbesoek in meeste instansies nie meer ondersteun nie. Vanuit die bevinding sluit die studie af met die trek van enkele riglyne, om teorie nader aan die verwagtinge van lidmate te bring. / Visitation is an activity generally practised in reformed churches. It is not without problems, and form the topic of many discussions. This study works from the premise that the theoretical foundation of visitation, are out of touch with the expectations of church members. In the approach to the problem, the theory of visitation is explored in a literary study. Because visitation can be described as pastoral care, the theory of care has been included in the study. Empirical research was done to ascertain the expectations of church members with regards to visitation. This has been done according to a idiographic strategy, by interviewing church members. From the research the conclusion was drawn that there is a gap between theory and praxis in regard to visitation. In the last paragraphs the author explores ways in which to bring theory closer to the expectations of members. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Een van die funksies van die Kerk is om vir sy lidmate te sorg. In die praktyk wil dit voorkom asof die Kerk se sorg meer gerig is op die adolessent en die volwassene. Vanwee verskeie faktore ontvang kinders baie min of geen sorg in die vorm van pastorate sorg of pastorate beraad nie. 'n Gespreksmetode van beraad slaag nie altyd as daar met kinders gewerk word nie. In die veld van die psigoterapie en maatskaplike werk word daar algemeen gebruik gemaak van spelterapie wanneer daar met kinders gewerk word. Laasgenoemde kan ook in die pastoraat met kinders gebruik word sonder om die unieke karakter van pastoraat verlore te laat gaan. Die Kerk kan langs hierdie weg ook sy pastorate verantwoordelikheid teenoor kinders nakom. / One of the functions of the Church is to care for people. The children, however, are often neglected with more attention being paid to the adolescent and adult. Moreover, the verbal approach used when pastors work with children who experience difficulties do not seem to address this fully. Play therapy, on the other hand, appears to be a useful means of addressing this deficiency. It is often used in psychotherapy and social work and can be used to good effect in the caring of the Church for children. Play therapy enables the pastor to fulfill the Church's obligation to care for children, without disregarding the unique character of pastoral care and pastoral counselling. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This Thesis deals with the issue of illness and dying, and the care for the dying in different hospice facilities. In describes typical features of palliative medicine, it´s practical use in hospices and also the lack thereof in current Czech Medicine. The legislative side of this issue is discussed in this thesis as well.

This dissertation rediscovers the great impact of patriotic sentiment in the period after the World war I (and after World war II) which, along with charismatic personae of Antonin Koula and the first patriarch Karel Farský, had fundamental significance for the foundation of the great Religious community of Czechoslovak Hussite Church in Tman. Thanks to the vicar Antonín Koula the Church has expanded to surrounding towns and villages. This is apparent from the annals from which I have drawn most information. Analyzing these sources (Tman annals, Catholic annals, Czechoslovak Hussite Church annals), along with academic literature one may form an objective idea of the times studied. Partial overcoming of conflicts between Catholic and Czechoslovak Church, by means of state interference, led to the incentive to build new buildings of new architecture type typical for Czechoslovak Hussite Church. Work on this dissertation has given me many incentives for the future renovation of this community. The next output should be a deeper analysis of history and making this information more accessible to people whose ancestors built the local community. At the moment nonreligious aspects are more acceptable and interesting. Next task is to engage the public, especially children, in the church activities...

No abstract available / Dissertation (MA (Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Church History and Church Policy / unrestricted

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