Browsing by Author "Ries, Johannes"

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    Koinonia en diakonia as ’n missionale koninkryksdans
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2013-01) Ries, Johannes; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens
    Koinonia and diaconia as a missional kingdom dance. How does faith-based social involvement within a cultural diverse society express itself? Is the focus pure social outreach, that is, the rendering of services, or should the focus include meaningful interaction between the so called ‘outreacher’ and those being supported by the outreach? This article looks at the relationship between koinonia and diaconia in the creation of an intercultural space where individuals from different contexts are welcomed and supported in a mutual way. Through an interdisciplinary approach this article reflects on the experience of koinonia and diaconia in the mission of the church by bringing it into an interdisciplinary conversation with Sociology. God’s reign become visible if koinonia and diaconia can dance together!
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    Koinoniale en diakoniale gestaltes van die missionale gemeente binne 'n konteks van multi-kulturaliteit
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Ries, Johannes; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the relationship between koinonia and diakonia. Where koinonia and diakonia are in proximity, an opportunity arises to draw individuals from different context together. This leads to an inter-cultural space where individuals from different contexts are encouraged to welcome and support each other in a mutual way. Chapter 3 presents a hermeneutical Scriptural and a theological framework illustrating the important relationship between koinonia and diakonia. It is argued that such a “full koinonia” is embodied in the life of Jesus Christ. Not only did Christ came to live among human beings (koinonia ) but He also gave his life to us (diakonia). In chapter 4 the early Christian Church is evaluated as a community that exemplified a form of “full koinonia”. Within the cultural diverse community in the Roman Empire, the church was able to reach out to the so called “other” by their positive approach to the many crises and challenges of the day. Christian help and support presented itself as a unique support network. In chapter 5 “ full koinonia” is evaluated through an interdisciplinary approach by listening to sociology and community development. Both disciplines argue for a more personal or holistic approach in rendering service to communities. This calls for the addressing of greater societal issues over and above individual interests. In chapter 6 “full koinonia” is discussed from a missional perspective. A cross-cultural or intercultural framework for servanthood is explored. Six principles for a “full koinonia” is outlined: openness, acceptance, trust, learning, understanding and serving. With this hermeneutical framework as point of departure, the empirical component of the research is discussed in the following chapters. The research focuses on three Christian community projects, Shiloh Synergy, Sarfat Community Projects and the Elsiesrivier Care Centre exploring how they dealt with “full koinonia.” The design of the empirical study in chapter 7 is presented in the form of a comparative study for the discernment of: 1) The processes and structures within inter-cultural Christian community projects; and 2) an evaluation of the level of a transformation in relationships. The qualitative data is analysed and discussed in chapter 8. The study concludes in chapter 9 by establishing a meaningful interpretation of “full koinonia” in faith based involvement within a context full of societal challenges. The literature study as well as the empirical component of the research proved the hypothesis that stated that faith based personal involvement leads to holistic growth for all concerned and contributes to social transformation.
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    ’n Evaluering van drie interkulturele gemeenskapsprojekte
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2013-02) Ries, Johannes; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens
    An evaluation of three intercultural community projects. An intercultural framework for servanthood was explored in three Christian community projects. The framework consists of six basic principles, as defined by Duane Elmer, namely openness, acceptance, trust, learning, understanding and serving. This framework is brought into conversation with Miroslav Volf’s metaphor of an embrace. In all of this koinonia and diaconia play a pivotal role – especially in the relationship between the two modi. With this hermeneutical framework as point of departure, an empirical study was undertaken to discern the processes and structures within intercultural Christian community projects; and to evaluate the transformation in relationships and the sustainability of the development projects.