Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 147-173).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2008. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 271-280).

D.Litt. et Phil. / Having lost its prominent position at the centre of Western society, the church currently finds itself in a post-Christian era. This position leads to a drastic loss of members (Braaten & Jenson 2002:21). Estrangement in churches therefore brings about a new dialogue regarding the identity of the congregation which constitutes the essence of its reason for being (Greenwood 2002:21 ). The identity of the congregation as a missional faith-community is indispensable to a healthy, growing congregation (Van Engen 1996:26; Frost & Hirsch 2003:15; Guder 1998:3). Theologians agree that the loss of this identity constitutes one of the main reasons for churches declining influence. This necessitates a reorientation of the true essence of being church. The changing of the times is an important factor, because it challenges the local congregation to grow towards becoming the missional faith-community that God has in mind. A missional faithcommunity is exemplified by a congregation that rethinks its essential identity and purpose for existence. This reorientation restores the local congregation's true nature to God's original plan and objective, thus enabling it to meaningfully embody the Missio Dei. It was therefore important to undertake a comprehensive literary study in order to ascertain the definition of a faith-community, how it is formed, how it is sustained and how it may demonstrate its missional purpose. This study has a dual contribution in that it presents a systematic PracticalTheological study of the essence of church and that it allows for the development of a contextual model. This model was developed and tested through a process of participative action research in the context of two AFM-congregations. The method also allowed for the formation of a measuring-instrument which will enable congregations to do self-evaluation. In the future this PracticalTheological study may form a guideline for meaningful church-development while the developed incarnation model will enable the local congregation to function as a missional faith-community.

The study originated with the assumption that the praxis of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) shows that pastors are possibly so busy with numerous duties, responsibilities and many demands made on them, that they have difficulty in mobilizing their assemblies for effective ministry (Eph. 4:12). The majority of assemblies in the AFM are functioning as institutional model assemblies. In these assemblies most of the ministries are primarily performed by the pastors, permanent staff members and a small group of the laity. The consequences are that such assemblies do not effectively fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19). Assembly mobilization implies a process whereby the laity is empowered to discover, develop and perform voluntary works of service (ministry). The study was undertaken based on the social sciences and implementing an analytical and critical approach, to develop an enhanced understanding of the way the church functions, as the body of Christ and as a living organism. The potential for growth in the body of Christ involves the mutual contribution of every member so that the whole might be built up and achieve maturity. Consequently the body of Christ metaphor was suggested as preferential for the future functioning and practice of assembly ministries, because:  The metaphor presents a principal expression of the Biblical will of God for the way in which an assembly functions in carrying out the Great Commission;  The disadvantages of institutionalism are counteracted and neutralized by this metaphor;  Both qualitative and quantitative assembly growths occur where this metaphor is implemented. The study seeks to emphasize the importance of the fact that equipping the laity has to be an ongoing process in local assemblies. With the aforementioned as point of departure, it is argued that:  All persons should be equipped to competent levels to enable them to contribute to the growth and development of the assembly through various ministries;  The fivefold ministry (Eph. 4:12) should accept the responsibility to equip the laity for their ministry;  Every lay person is gifted by God (Eph. 4:7) and should accept responsibility to minister using their gifts to build up and benefit the assembly;  Equipping and empowering the laity are crucial elements to accomplish the Great Commission. The objective was to develop the body of Christ metaphor for assemblies that focus on utilizing the gifts of the laity. This study argues that assemblies will not accomplish this objective until pastors see it as their primary responsibility to mobilize their assemblies. The challenge facing pastors lies in whether they will be able to make the following paradigm shifts:  Leadership shift from ministers to equippers;  A ministry shift from consumers to contributors. Creating a new culture and promoting the equipping and empowerment of the laity should therefore be given priority by pastors in local assemblies as a whole. These changes will enable the body of Christ to contribute to carry out the Great Commission. The program that was designed is suitable for the discovery, equipping and empowerment of the potential of the laity for voluntary works of service (ministry). The study seeks to create a general development strategy to empower the laity in assemblies. It purposefully engineers certain paradigm shifts, changes structures, creates a new management approach and introduces new processes. The spiritual growth and autonomy of any assembly depends partially on effective organization. In order to function effectively assemblies need to apply sound managerial techniques. Assemblies are to pay attention to the critical judgment of current theories. Lastly, the assembly is seen as an organization with a strong spiritual component consisting mainly of volunteers. An assembly structured according to the body of Christ metaphor will benefit greatly when it implements a “utilization of people” management theory. This thesis is a contribution aimed at assisting the leadership not only to create a culture for assembly mobilization, but also to assist them in restructuring to ensure that the process will be managed effectively. / Dr. M. Nel Prof. L. Nortjé-Meyer

The purpose of this study is to suggest a paradigm shift that will enable the traditional pastor to effectively mobilize his congregation. An in depth look at the early history of the pastor of the Carletonville-AFM congregation and his idea of the ministry was undertaken. Due to certain frustrations he experienced trying to do everything himself, the Body of Christ model was proposed for the congregation whereby every member of the congregation has a function in fulfulling the Great Commision. Certain statistics of the Carletonville-AFM congregation were analysed to obtain information about membership involvement in service ministry. It became clear that a process for the mobilisation of the congregation was needed. Mobilising the congregation should be seen as the purpose of the pastor and considered to be very important. The pastor’s managerial approach was scrutinized from the paradigm shift of ‘purposefulness,’ and the recommendation made that as the leader, he should build a strong team around himself to whom he can delegate work, thus making his work load lighter. This will empower him to concentrate on the purpose of mobilising the congregation. The study argues that there is no such thing as an untalented member, in other words, everybody has received a talent to do service ministry. The potential in people must be developed by way of equipping the members. The pastor is responsible for this development and equipping of the members. This study is a contribution that endeavours to focus the managerial approach of the pastor in the mobilisation of the Body of Christ. / Prof. W.J. Hattingh

The aim of this study was to research the content of the Robertsham AFM congregation, as well as to identify growth areas in the congregation and to design and implement guidelines for mobilisation. The Robertsham AFM congregation was evaluated, in order to determine its profile at the commencement of the study. This profile enabled the pastor to offer members of the congregation the opportunity to join the growth towards bigger involvement. Questionnaires were used to conduct the evaluation. The mobilisation process of the Robertsham AFM congregation was preceded by a preparatory process, during which the pastor as well as the congregation were prepared. Church leaders had to be prepared in terms of mobilisation, a serious reflection on their reason for existence (raison d¡¦etre) and the way ahead. The upliftment of both the congregation and members of the congregation contributed as follows: ƒá The way members of the congregation experienced God, was promoted by positive preaching, word school presentations and spiritual growth classes. The church going experience of the congregation was enhanced, by implementing specific essential actions. ƒá The image of a congregation that had been uplifted created pride within members of the congregation. Currently, more members of the community are aware of what Robertsham AFM congregation stands for. ƒá Member¡¦s experience of their fellow human beings was promoted by interpersonal relationships and by creating specific opportunities. ƒá The needs of poor members of the community were addressed by implementing a number of services. These services also promoted job creation. Eight quality characteristics of growing churches, according to CA Schwarz, are currently still being used to evaluate and monitor the congregational context. A questionnaire was used to determine to what extent members of the congregation benefitted from the development process at an early stage. Testimonies from members of the congregation were provided to supplement the personal enrichment process. The research demonstrated the importance of knowledge of the background of members of the congregation, as well as the profile of the congregation. The preparation of the pastor is of importance, in order for the mobilisation process to support and promote the correct upliftment, resources and development of members of the congregation. The research contributes towards mobilising and structuring the Robertsham AFM congregation in such a way that it will result in members of the congregation developing their potential to the maximum. In turn, this will enable them to help develop other people¡¦s potential to the maximum. / Prof. W.J. Hattingh

Thesis (D. Min.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2008. / Abstract and vita. Description based on Print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 271-280).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2008. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 271-280).

This study considers the ways in which congregational management contributes to maintaining the healthy church through the supporting role of supplying, monitoring and controlling the human, physical, financial, and informational resources needed to allow the pastors to lead the congregation-centred church to fulfil its mission. It was found that congregational managers help to prevent their churches declining into illhealth by helping the pastorate to retain current congregants and attract new ones through charisma. This requires them to first study, analyze and classify the major parts of the diverse congregation and surrounding community and then monitor them to foresee and forestall problems. They play multiple roles in efficient administration, asset management, targeted church adverting, human relations, risk management, project management, professional standards auditing and maintenance, community relations with all faiths, charity, mission, and, above all, customer relations. Recommendations are made for enhancing congregational management’s role in the healthy church. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

陳潔怡. / "2011年5月". / "2011 nian 5 yue". / Thesis (M.Div.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-51). / Abstract in Chinese and English. / Chen Jieyi. / Chapter 一. --- 導論 --- p.1 / Chapter 1. --- 引言 --- p.2 / Chapter 2. --- 本文探討範 圍 --- p.4 / Chapter 二. --- 政教關係所產生的問題 --- p.8 / Chapter 1. --- 黨國對基督教的控制 --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1 --- 不同時期的概況 --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2 --- 控制方法 --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3 --- 基督教兩會的出現 --- p.10 / Chapter 2. --- 導致兩種型式的教會出現 --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1 --- 三自教會 --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2 --- 家庭教會 --- p.15 / Chapter 3. --- 家庭教會與宗教政策的衝突 --- p.17 / Chapter 3.1 --- 違犯了的法則 --- p.18 / Chapter 3.2 --- 不公平的「行政法規」 --- p.19 / Chapter 4 --- 小結 --- p.20 / Chapter 三. --- 從守望教會個案中看獨立登記的問題 --- p.22 / Chapter 1. --- 家庭教會對獨立登記的訴求提高 --- p.22 / Chapter 1.1 --- 家庭教會邁向公開化及組識化 --- p.22 / Chapter 1.2 --- 教會出現財務及資產合法管理的需要 --- p.25 / Chapter 2. --- 守望教會被拒絶申請的原因 --- p.26 / Chapter 3. --- 其他教會人士對守望教會個案的回應 --- p.29 / Chapter 3.1 --- 曾發表的回應 --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2 --- 問卷調查 --- p.32 / Chapter 4. --- 小結 --- p.35 / Chapter 四. --- 獨立登記對黨國管治的影響 --- p.37 / Chapter 1. --- 政治的層面 --- p.37 / Chapter 2. --- 結社自由與社會團體管理模式的層面 --- p.38 / Chapter 3. --- 五大宗教的愛國宗教團體的壟斷地位的層面 --- p.40 / Chapter 4. --- 小結 --- p.41 / Chapter 五. --- 結語 --- p.42 / Chapter 1. --- 《社團條例》的放寬 --- p.42 / Chapter 2. --- 宗教立法 --- p.44 / Chapter 3. --- 家庭教會團結的力量 --- p.45 / Chapter 六. --- 參考書目 --- p.47 / 附件一：北京守望教會申請登記發展時間表 --- p.52 / 附件二：海灘區民族宗教僑務辦公室的審查意見書 --- p.54 / 附件三：「國內家社教會獨立登就為合法宗教團體」調查問卷 --- p.56 / 附件四：「國內家庭教會獨立登記為合法宗教團體」調查結果 --- p.58