Leierskap in makrogemeentes : perspektiewe op kontemporêre ontwikkelings
Date
2005-12
Authors
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
This statement is not only the theoretical outcome of this study, but also the
experience of the practical ministry of the researcher. Since the first senior pastor in
the Dutch Reformed Church was appointed five years ago (in 2000), many other
macro congregations followed suit. However, there was no frame of reference,
theological foundation or church tradition which could provide guidelines for these
newly appointed leaders. That coincided – initiated by the new political dispensation
since 1994 – with huge transformation on the political, economic, social and religious
scene in South Africa. That gave input to the research problem that traditional forms
of leadership was insufficient in the contemporary situation of macro congregations
in South Africa, and to the researcher’s hypothesis that transformation needs current
and contemporary developments in leadership.
In the hermeneutical process the researcher first of all listened to congregational
practice and context via semi-structured interviews with five senior pastors of Dutch
Reformed Churches. The outcome was that a vast amount of information regarding
transformation in the communities, ministry models, leadership requirements and
forms of leadership were accumulated. Although there were obvious differences, there
was also a correspondence about transformation in the context, ministry- and
leadership-models. The appointment of senior pastors was part of a total
transformation process.
This lead to an investigation of transformation in the macro context. A massive wave
(tsunami) of transformation of timeframes, thinking systems, paradigms and shifts
from christendom to post-christendom, modernism to post-modernism, towards
globalization and information technology, and major shifts in the South African and
the Dutch Reformed Church contexts (through the lenses of census 2001 and
Kerkspieël 2004), were detected.
The hermeneutical circle took the research to the investigation of transformation in
Scriptural contexts. Many examples of transformation in the context, ministry models
and leadership models were found. From Scripture it would appear that God led
believing communities to react in every contemporary situation with new ministry
models through the charismata, ministries and leadership functions for that situation.
The study of 1 Timothy not only showed transformation in the context of the
community and congregation, but especially how a new symbolic world was created
through the use of the metaphor of the “household of God” so that the ministry model
and leadership model were reinterpreted to suit their current situation.
The researcher came to the conclusion that the appointment of senior pastors or
congregational leaders in the Dutch Reformed Church was a current and
contemporary answer to the demands of a time of transformation. Ultimately
leadership is a contextual hermeneutical function.
Description
Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--Stellenbosch University, 2005.
Keywords
Leadership -- Religious aspects -- Christianity, Christian leadership -- Dutch Reformed Church, Big churches, Larger parishes, Dissertations -- Practical theology and missiology, Theses -- Practical theology and missiology