Browsing by Author "Marais, Shaun H."
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- ItemFaith formation of children : a practical theological study of child evangelism fellowship South African(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04-04) Marais, Shaun H.; Weber, Shantelle; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research investigates the ministry of CEF in South Africa. As a para-church organisation operating in South Africa for over seventy years, this study seeks to establish the impact the ministry is making in enhancing the faith formation of South African children. There is a growing concern amongst evangelical church leaders around the number of young people who are leaving the church in their teenage and early twenties. There are many reasons for this phenomenon but this research examines children’s ministry and the faith formation of children. The research argues that one factor that leads to youth and young adults leaving the church is the lack of spiritual grounding. The research question explored in this study asks: In what ways can CEFSA provide a contextually relevant approach to assist South African children in the formation of their faith? Using the practical theology research methodology promoted by Osmer (2008), this research asks four questions: What is going on? Why is this going on? What ought to be going on? How might we respond? In response to these I undertook to understand the ministry and ministry methods of CEF international and its effectiveness in South Africa (chapter 1-2); to investigate the reasons for the current status of CEF in South Africa (chapter 2-3); to develop a theological approach to children’s ministry that will address the needs of South African children (chapter 4) and to develop a contextualized ministry approach to assist South African children with their faith formation (chapter 5).