The foundational hypothesis to this study is that congregations which have a healthy
perception and a greater understanding of conflict will develop more effective responses
to conflict that will translate into more effective conflict resolution and reconciliation.
The process and sustainability of the development of a missional church, the context of
the study, is pregnant with potential conflict. Untamed conflict has the propensity to
retard, jeopardise or even destroy the development of a missional church. When
conflict arises, it must be understood and dealt with theologically. The inherent problem
is that conflict appears to be neither understood nor appreciated sociologically and
theologically. This knowledge and praxis vacuum has the potential for conflict to
translate into inappropriate or ineffective responses that do not always make for
effective resolution and reconciliation. The research focuses mainly on an empirical study based on the four practical
theological questions of Osmer (2008). Participants for this study were randomly
selected from specific sectors of Methodist congregations in the wider Pretoria area.
The research explores congregants’ perceptions, understanding and views of conflict;
their responses to conflict; and some felt and observed outcomes of conflict. The
presupposition is that the development of the local missional church would be more
effective and efficient when the management and process of conflict resolution and
reconciliation are well led and well managed. This study confirmed that conflict, despite its normalcy and necessity, carries a negative
undertone and is mostly avoided in congregations. This is compounded by the
evidence that there is little, if any, theological or scriptural understanding of conflict.
There is also no indication that churches intentionally and purposefully educate their
members to appreciate and understand conflict. In so doing, churches are harming
their innate calling as the glory and manifestation of God’s divine grace through faith
communities for the transformation of all peoples. Yet, the church understands the
dangers of unhealthy conflict, and on occasion even expects conflict to arise, although
deeming it inappropriate. Practical theological discernment is sought as to why this
may be so and remedial action is proposed to address the problem of conflict within
congregations. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Practical Theology / PhD / Unrestricted
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:up/oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/63030 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Oppenshaw, Derek Leonard |
| Contributors | Nel, M, derek@gracewell.co.za |
| Publisher | University of Pretoria |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | © 2017 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
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