This dissertation is an attempt to promote complementarity among churches in order to affect their activities in doing mission in the Vaal Triangle region. The study tends to uncover the potential of cooperation, unity and partnership in the Body of Christ in the area which may also be an example to the churches in other cities outside the Vaal Triangle. The purpose of this is to raise the consciousness of specialization of ministries in mission to achieve greater results through target evangelism. The literature review in the second chapter revealed the biblical and theological basis of the concept. In this context complementarity is explained as churches, Para church organizations, ministers and to a certain extent, government agencies, working together to complement one another with their distinctive resources, skills and abilities to tackle the crucial issues in their communities. The complementary approach that was implemented by the Apostles during the early church show case that we have different callings which when they are all put together, work in such a way that there can never be competition but partnership. Diversity of callings directs a diverse approach to a diverse society. The literature review also highlights that a complementary approach has been there even in the Old Testament and gives insight into other related concepts like stewardship and target evangelism. Due to the fact that there are diverse groups and that the Gospel must be preached to such, it becomes imperative to target such groups with 'specialists' that will meet the exact challenges among those groups. The growing understanding that Vaal Triangle with its political history is becoming a complex area with all diverse demographics, bring to light the possibility of churches working together as an organism in spite of their distinctiveness. These fast changing demographics oblige the churches to develop complementary strategies that will match the urban growth challenges in the area as well as the evolving societal problems. There are still some underlying challenges that the churches need to do in mission work to heal the traumatic effects resulting from the previous violent era. An empirical study done among few churches found out that the churches believe that a complementary approach is necessary. Although there has been a healthy cooperation and unity in the Vaal Triangle churches history, duplication and competition have also grown like weeds and has resulted in membership recycling (moving from church to church) and less fresh new conversions.
As the city evolves, there are new dynamics that requires winsome partnerships, diversity, and ministry specialization as well as target evangelism. The conclusions that the research arrived at, gave rise to recommendations that are very practical to the context of the Vaal Triangle churches. / Thesis (M.A. (Biblical Studies/Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/4794 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Lebusa, George Molifi |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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