Thesis (D.W.S.)--Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 219-228).

Thesis (D.W.S.)--Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, 2008. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-85).

Thesis (D.W.S.)--Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 233-238).

Thesis (D.W.S.)--Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-199).

Thesis (D.W.S.)--Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-112).

Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-150, 218-223).

Prediking is 'n dialoog. Dit dompel die preek in 'n direkte krisis. Wat kan die prediker doen om hierdie dialoog te bevorder? Die deelnemers in die erediens word kortliks bespreek. God spreek met die prediker deur die teks. Die prediker moet hierdie teks aan die hoorder in die erediens oordra. Om die oorspronklike teks te verstaan het daar drie hoofstrome in die tradisionele hermeneuse ontstaan: Krities-histories, Tekskrities en Hoorders hermeneutiek. Die probleem is egter nie opgelos nie. Hoe kan die prediker die boodskap effektief aan die hoorder oordra? Daar word voorgestel dat die kreatiewe proses gebruik word in die voorbereiding van die preek. Die breinkaart kan gebruik word om die teks en hoorder van die teks, beter te verstaan. Hulpmiddelle moet gebruik word om die teks aan die hoorder oor te dra. Hier word die gebruik van literatuur en drama bestudeer. / Preaching is a dialogue. This states the current problem of preaching. How can the preacher improve this dialogue in the sermon? The participants in the sermon are shortly discussed: The preacher listens to the text. God speaks through the text. The preacher must communicate this text to the listener in the sermon. Three major streams have evolved in the tradisional hermeneutics: Critical-historical, Textual and Listeners hermeneutics. There is however, still a problem. How does the preacher present this message effectivly to the listener? It is suggested that the creative process must be considered in preparing a sermon. The mind map can be used to understand the text and listener of the text better. More aids can be used to reach the listener effectivly. In this thesis the use of literature and drama in the preparing and delivering of the sermon will be studied. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical theology)

ABSTRACT SUFFERING, SOUL CARE, AND COMMUNITY: THE PLACE OF CORPORATE LAMENT IN EVANGELICAL WORSHIP Ann Marie Ahrens, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2017 Chair: Dr. Esther R. Crookshank This dissertation examines the biblical foundations of corporate lament practices beginning with the worship of ancient Israel as found in the Psalms, and their continued use by Jesus in his prayers, the gospel writers, and in the epistles of Paul, Peter, and John in the Revelation. It concludes with case studies and recommendations for the inclusion of lament practices in modern corporate worship. Chapter 1 is a chronological literature review beginning ca. 1980, which demonstrates the increase in worship resources, particularly in the last decade, that focus on corporate lament practices. Resources are categorized as follows: (1) biblical and theological studies; (2) practical theology; (3) psychology and soul care; (4) liturgical resources for lament; and (5) corporate worship and the use of the arts. Scholarly and non-scholarly sources are included. Chapter 2 examines the language and theology of lament in the Old Testament, with specific focus on the Psalms. J. L. Austin’s “Speech Act Theory” is also discussed and applied the lament Psalms in order to broaden the understanding of the rich dialogical nature of Israel’s corporate worship practices. Chapter 3 examines the prayers of Jesus and how his use of the lament Psalms serves as a model for modern believers. Chapter 4 applies Rebekah Eklund’s typology of “echoes and extensions” of the lament Psalms in the writings of Paul, Peter, and John in the Revelation. The goal is to demonstrate that use of the lament Psalms continued after the coming of Christ. Chapter 5 contains a summary of conclusions and undergirding premises for the use of lament Psalms in modern corporate worship. The chapter concludes with foundational considerations for implementing these premises into corporate worship practices. Chapter 6 includes four contemporary case studies in which the Psalms of lament are used to pray through and process times of tragedy and suffering. These case studies include personal, corporate, devotional, and pastoral care examples. The chapter concludes with a brief examination of parallel studies and suggested areas for further study.

This study is motivated out of a concern for the declining church attendance of young adults. The goal of this study is the identification of the needs of young adults in relation to the church service and the measurement of the success of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (A.F.M. hereafter) in meeting these needs. The reseach is done through an exploratory-descriptive literature study and an empirical study within certain A.F.M. congregations. In the literature study the developmental tasks, context and needs of young adults are identified and these needs are explained within the framework of several need-models from psychology and other sciences. The context of young adults is explained by the generation gaps as described by Codrington (1999). The identified needs of Carroll (1991), a sense of meaning, belonging and empowerment, forms the focus of this study. In the literature study the church service, within the context of the A.F.M. Church is explored, as well as how the liturgical elements are able to meet the needs of Carroll. The needs of young adults in relation to the church service and how the A.F.M. Church succeeds in meeting these needs, are explored through the use of self-administered questionnaires. The most important finding of the empirical study, is that young adults do agree with the needs identified by Carroll. A surprising result in contradiction with the literature, is that young adults do have a strong sense of social responsibility and want to be empowered to make a difference in the world. The four participating A.F.M. congregations, Goodwood, Strandfontein, Doxa Deo Langeberg and the Paarl Protea Worship Centre, were positively evaluated by respondents in terms of meeting the needs of Carroll. There was however, a significant statistical difference between the respondents’ evaluation of Carroll’s needs and the success of the participating churches’ success in meeting these needs. The study is concluded with recommendations for the planning of church services within the context of the A.F.M. as well as follow-up studies. The conclusion of this study is that the true character of the church service must be reflected in the planning of the liturgical elements. Enough freedom for the functioning of the Holy Spirit must also be created in such a way that the needs of young adults can be met. The planning of the church service must be focussed on the worshipping of God, the preaching of the gospel in such a way that people can find new meaning in their lives, the facilitating of a meeting between congregation and God, the creating of a loving community and the empowerment of people to make a difference in the world. In this way, the commands of God and the needs of young adults are kept in balance. / Prof. W.J. Hatting

There are a variety of sermons which families can attend in different kinds of congregations. The aim of this study is to have a look at family sermons. The target group is families with children in junior catechesis. Although the target group is flexible, one can say that it will be families with children from pre-school to about grade 6. The theological starting point is twofold: the covenant and God’s love. The one without the other is empty. The covenant can be summarized as follow: “I will be your God and you must be My people.” God’s love shines through in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Three congregations were looked at to see how they handle family sermons. The congregations are: Skuilkrans in Pretoria, Pionierspark in Windhoek (Namibia) and Pietersburg-Noord (Polokwane North). Each congregation conveyed their history of family sermons. Questions about the room, time, other sermons of the congregations, preparation, liturgy, attendance, preachers, atmosphere, music and preaching were asked. In Pietersburg-Noord there is a small group of congregation members who help with the preparation of the family sermons. A description of their functioning were given. The conclusion is that family sermons won’t work in all congregations. Each congregation must find their own identity. When starting family sermons in a congregation, one must remember that Rome wasn’t build in one day and that the leaders of the congregation must be kept informed. / Dissertation (MA(Teologie))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / unrestricted