Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims at recording, evaluating and analysing sermons of the lay
preachers in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Nkhoma Synod in Central
Malawi. Basically, these preachers have an oral culture. This analysis reveals the
inherent ability of the oral lay preachers to communicate effectively using their
indigenous knowledge system and modes of communication which are characteristic
of an oral culture.
Secondly, the analysis also reveals some lack in these sermons in terms of biblical
understanding. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to develop a homiletical
theory and praxis which will regard the biblical text and the people’s context - Word
and world – as serious.
Finally, the research proves that, if the strategy of implementing a training process in
the congregations for all lay preachers, in order to empower them to use both their
traditional modes of communication and an understanding of the Bible, could be
realised, the spirituality of the people would improve and Christianity would have a
greater impact in the society.
To achieve the foregoing, we use Osmer’s practical theological interpretation
methodology and the Heidelberg method of sermon analysis.
Chapter two provides a general overview and description of the historical context,
and cultural worldview of the people. The contextual challenges that affect the
Church and the phenomenon of oral lay preacher are also described.
In Chapter three, we analyse lay preachers’ sermons using the Heidelberg method of
sermon analysis which has a strong Reformed foundation. The rhetorical strategy of
using stories, retelling, parables, myths, fables and other strategies are exemplified.
The critical evaluation of the context and detailed analysis of the sermons are done
as we try to answer the question: “What is going on?” Chapter four uses the findings of the analysis and begins to develop the homiletical
theory, theology and praxis of the oral lay preaching context. In so doing we explain why the oral culture understands, arranges and
communicates indigenous knowledge in preaching. We also ask why the lay
preachers preach the way they do and react to this question: “Why is this going on?”
In Chapter five we develop an oral hermeneutics within the lay preaching context of
the Malawian Church (CCAP); the art of doing theology in context is demonstrated
using several examples of sermons. The Process of Reading and Re-reading of
Texts as a means of interpretation is suggested. Furthermore, in this section, we
respond to the question, “What ought to be going on?”
And finally in chapter six, we make recommendations and suggestions for the
implementation of lay leadership development using a model of the indigenous
knowledge system found in the context. A strategy of training pastors who in turn will
train local preachers is exemplified. Finally, we answer the question, “How may we
respond?” The researcher believes that through this study many lay leaders will be
trained in the CCAP Nkhoma synod and that there will be transformation in people’s
lives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif het ten doel die opname, evaluering en ontleding van preke van
die lekepredikers in die Kerk van Sentraal-Afrika Presbyterian Nkhoma Sinode in
Sentraal Malawi. Hierdie predikers het basies 'n mondelinge kultuur. Hierdie analise
toon die inherente vermoë van die lekepredikers om effektief mondelings te
kommunikeer met behulp van hul inheemse kennis stelsels en vorme van
kommunikasie wat kenmerkend is van 'n mondelinge kultuur.
Tweedens, uit die analise blyk ook 'n paar gebrek in die preke in terme van Bybelse
begrip. Daarom is die doel van hierdie verhandeling om 'n homiletiese teorie en
praktyk te ontwikkel wat die Bybelse teks en die mense se konteks - Woord en die
wêreld - as ernstig beskou.
Ten slotte bewys die navorsing dat, indien ‘n strategie vir die implementering van 'n
opleidingsproses in die gemeentes vir alle lekepredikers verwesenlik kan word, ten
einde hulle te bemagtig om beide hul tradisionele vorme van kommunikasie en 'n
begrip van die Bybel, te gebruik, die spiritualiteit van die mense sal verbeter en die
Christendom 'n groter impak in die samelewing sou kon uitoefen.
Om die voorafgaande te bereik, gebruik ons Osmer se metode van praktiese
teologiese interpretasie, asook die Heidelberg metode van preek analise.
Hoofstuk twee gee 'n algemene oorsig en beskrywing van die historiese konteks, en
kulturele wêreldbeskouing van die mense. Die kontekstuele uitdagings wat die kerk
in die oë staar, asook die verskynsel van mondelinge lekepredikers word beskryf.
In hoofstuk drie analiseer ons lekepredikers se preke deur middel van die Heidelberg
metode van preek-analise wat 'n sterk Gereformeerde basis het. Die retoriese
strategie van die gebruik van stories, oorvertellings, gelykenisse, mites, fabels en
ander strategieë word onder oë geneem. Die kritiese evaluering van die konteks en
gedetailleerde ontleding van die preke word gedoen as ons probeer om die vraag te
beantwoord: "Wat gaan aan?" Hoofstuk vier gebruik die bevindinge van die analise en begin om die homiletiese
teorie, teologie en praktyk van die mondelinge konteks te ontwikkel. Deur dit te doen
verduidelik ons waarom die mondelinge kultuur inheemse kennis verstaan, reël en
kommunikeer in die prediking. Ons vra ook waarom die lekepredikers verkondig op
die manier waarop hulle wel doen en reageer ons op die vraag: "Hoekom is dit aan
die gang?" In hoofstuk vyf ontwikkel ons 'n mondelinge hermeneutiek binne die konteks van die
Malawiese Kerk (CCAP), asook die kuns van teologie doen in konteks met behulp
van verskeie voorbeelde van preke. Die proses van die lees en weer lees van tekste
as 'n middel van die interpretasie word voorgestel. Ons reageer dus hier op die
vraag: "Wat behoort aan te gaan?"
En uiteindelik in hoofstuk ses, maak ons aanbevelings en voorstelle vir die
implementering van leierskaps-ontwikkeling met behulp van 'n model van inheemse
kennis stelsels, soos gevind in die konteks. 'n Strategie vir die opleiding van
predikante wat op hulle beurt plaaslike predikers sal oplei word voorgestel. Ten
slotte beantwoord ons dus die vraag: "Hoe kan ons reageer?" Die navorser hoop dat
deur middel van hierdie studie baie leiers opgelei sal word in die CCAP Nkhoma
Sinode en dat daar transformasie in mense se lewens sal plaasvind.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/85597 |
Date | 12 1900 |
Creators | Chifungo, Davidson Kamayaya |
Contributors | Cilliers, J. H., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology. |
Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
Language | en_ZA |
Detected Language | Unknown |
Type | Thesis |
Format | 450 leaves : ill. |
Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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