Browsing by Author "Louwrens, Carl"
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- ItemGeloofsonderskeiding in die Oostelike Sinode van die NG Kerk tydens die besluitnemingsprosesse oor die wysiging van Artikel 1 van die Kerkorde(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Louwrens, Carl; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During 2014, the DRC came to a point where they had to decide whether they would amend their confessional base to include the Belhar Confession as part of their official doctrine. The General Synod suggested amending Article 1 of the Church Order in order to expand the confessional base. An amendment of the Confession is possible only after it has been approved by a two-thirds majority of each synod and two-thirds of all the church councils, each supporting it with a two-thirds majority. A task team from the Eastern Synod was appointed to coordinate the decision-making process in the Synodical area. They also had to ensure that the process would be concluded within a specific time schedule. The process for the congregations was completed during September 2014. Of the congregations, 58% voted against the amendment of Article 1. In October 2014 the Eastern Synod voted in favour of the amendment of Article 1 with a majority of 73% Why the difference in outcome? This study will reflect on the understanding and practice of spiritual discernment by clergy and church councils of the Eastern Synod in the context of the decision-making process of the amendment of Article 1 of the Church Order. The understanding of discernment among ministers of the Eastern Synod was tested with a questionnaire. Focus group interviews with two church councils were conducted in order to understand something about the discernment process on the level of church councils. A document analysis was done to research the practice of discernment during the synodical meeting. A literature study on the concept of discernment and its practical application according to the listening cycle as suggested by Frederick Marais showed that discernment plays a decisive role in the outcome of decision-making processes during church meetings.
- ItemGeloofsonderskeiding in die Oostelike Sinode van die NG Kerk tydens die besluitnemingsprosesse oor die wysiging van Artikel 1 van die Kerkorde(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2018) Louwrens, Carl; Hendriks, Hans JurgensFaith discernment in the Eastern Synod of the DR Church during the resolution processes on the amendment of Article 1 of the Church OrderDuring 2014, the DRC came to a point where they had to decide whether they would amend their confessional base to include the Belhar Confession as part of their official doctrine. The General Synod suggested amending Article 1 of the Church Order in order to expand the confessional base. An amendment of the Confession is possible after it has been approved by a two-thirds majority of each synod and two-thirds of all the church councils. In both cases it needs a two-thirds majority. 58% of the congregations in the Eastern Synod voted against the amendment of Article 1 in September 2014. In October 2014 the Eastern Synod voted in favour of the amendment of Article 1 with a majority of 73%. This article reflects on why the result of the spiritual discernment process was so different between the synod and the church councils of the Eastern Synod.