The Church lives in times of change. In times of change Christ builds and equips his
Church, through the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel to the world and to make
disciples. As part of the congregation, it is important to ask what the role of the youth
and youth ministry plays in the building and equipment of the church, which Christ is
busy doing. The aim of this dissertation is to examine the possibility that discipleship
can be used as a model for ministry for congregation–building to the baptized
members (13 to 18 years of age) of the Reformed Churches in South Africa.
The following working method was used in order to reach this particular aim:
* Firstly, a basis–theoretical investigation was conducted ascertaining the
subject, object, aim and nature of congregation–building.
* Secondly, a basis–theoretical investigation focused on discipleship was done.
In this investigation the aim was to find a workable definition for 'disciple' and
'discipleship' as well as the aim and nature of discipleship. This investigation
concluded by showing the relation between congregation–building and
discipleship.
* Thirdly, an empirical study was launched to determine the situation in the
Reformed Churches in South Africa pertaining to youth and youth ministry. In
this study the first priority was to determine the aim for youth ministry as
determined by the Deputies for Catechesis and Youth nurture of the Reformed
Churches in South Africa. The second priority is to determine the present
tendencies under the youth in classis KwaZulu–Natal–North of the Reformed
Churches in South Africa. The findings of this study were then weighed
against the perception of the teachers of Catechesis in this particular classis.
* Lastly, the findings of the basis–theoretical investigation and the empirical
study was synthesised into a practical theory for discipleship as `n ministry
model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in
the Reformed Churches in South Africa.
The finding of this study is that discipleship can indeed be applied as a ministry
model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the
Reformed Churches in South Africa. Through this ministry model the baptized member can be equipped in a contextual–relevant manner to bring the gospel to the
world, through his or her love for God to his or her neighbour, as a member of the
faith community of the church. / Thesis (M. Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/4594 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Steyn, Karel Petrus |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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