Doctoral Degrees (Practical Theology and Missiology)

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The administrative functioning of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa and the disillusionment and alienation of its members : a catalyst for change
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007-03) Plaatjes, Calvin William; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.; A-6024-2012
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation addresses the functioning of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa and the disillusionment and alienation of its members. Its aim is to uncover what the key factors are in the administrative functioning that has contributed to the disillusionment and alienation of the rank and file from the administration of the church. It gives particular attention to five aspects of administration: administrative authority, leadership, power, transition, and organizational structures. The objectives of the study are multifaceted. It wants to sensitize and make the Conference and Union administrations aware of the issues that separate them from the rank and file in the church, and how that the present challenges can be solved on a broad consultative basis. Furthermore, the study wants to make recommendations as to how broader representation can be established. Importantly, the study wishes to help the SDA Church administration to maintain a healthy balance between the church as institution and the church as organism. The study is basically exploratory as it seeks to explore the social phenomenon between the administrative functioning and the grassroots of the church for the reason of gaining insight as well as to explain the reason for its existence. It is also hermeneutical in nature as it seeks to establish a proper understanding of the interrelatedness between the administrative functioning and the laity in the church. Empirical enquiry is an important aspect of the study as it employs structured interviews with church boards and survey questionnaires to pastors in order to establish quantitative and qualitative aspects of the study. The study made use of a practical-theological methodology. The methodology is a hermeneutical sensitive and correlational dialogue that brings different theological parameters into dialogue with the realities of practice of ministry and the world. Chapter one introduces the study. It outlines the various dimensions of the study. Chapters two and three are historical. It deals with the present reality and the identity of the church using literary sources. Chapter five deals with the empirical research and gives a description of the views of ministers and the church boards concerning the five aspects of administration of the church, which has been researched. Chapters four and six deals with the theoretical-theological aspects of the study. Chapter four deals with the tension that exists between the church as institution and the church as organism. Chapter six is a theological evaluation that seeks the will of God or His guidance in terms of the problem which the church faces. Chapter six describes the way forward by making recommendations and gives some strategies that can be used to realize the goals of the study and the church.
An appraisal of theological training for untrained church leaders in Sub Saharan Africa : with particular reference to the training program of Veritas College
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-03) Wiid, Willem Jacobus; Pauw, C. M.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is an appraisal of the training program of Veritas College as an answer to the training need of the untrained church leaders in Sub Saharan Africa, focusing on the country of Malawi. Partly as a result of the impact of the Church Growth Movement the number of churches in Africa has increased significantly during the last decade. These achievements have created a major training problem. Theological training institutions have been unable to cope with the massive influx of church leaders. Despite remarkable efforts by them, new methods of theological training have had to be developed in order to fulfil the training needs of Africa. The situation in Africa has changed due to many political and historical developments, creating a need for Christians to be trained in how to impact their context. There is a new environment and challenge for theological education in Africa today. Ideally, theological education should develop all levels of Christian leadership, so that leaders become devoted, effective and knowledgeable workers of God. The Church has always tried to provide theological training for these workers, and has created various educational models. Formal and non-formal education are important modes of training, and form, together with the church, an important triangle in the provision of learning services for the body of Christ. Formal as well as non-formal theological training models, however, have various weaknesses, including a tendency to dominate from the top; a fixed curriculum out of context; an over-emphasis on a content approach; the inaccessibility of training for the untrained church leader; the inaffordability of training for the really poor untrained church leaders in Sub Saharan Africa. This creates a need for change in theological training today. Principles for an appropriate theological education for Sub SaharancAfrica should include i) the development of local church leadership within the context, for the context; ii) a holistic approach to theological education; iii) a focus on character formation in leadership training; iv) training in the context of the local congregation; v) the equipping all levels of church leadership; vi) training to practise theology; and vii) the provision of 'basic theological training'. The training model proposed by Veritas College has an education philosophy called "Integrated Leadership Development" (ILD). This training model is integrated into the functioning of the local congregation and the life of the trainee. ILD also promotes an integrated theological practice, where the trainee is taught how to practise theology. Veritas' training program is built around the basic skills of how to do understand, apply and communicate the Bible. An appraisal is done of the training program of Veritas College as presented in the Synod of Nkhoma of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) in Malawi. From the perspective of the unique training context of Malawi and the CCAP, the development of this program is described and evaluated in the light of the training needs of Sub Saharan Africa. The potential of the Veritas training model to contribute to the training need of Sub Saharan Africa is evaluated. The model has the ability to i) present technical theological training for a semi-literate church leadership; ii) implement basic theological training for church leaders in the local congregation; iii) offer a theological training program not bound to many theoretical books; iv) help semi-literate church leaders to make use of the only piece of literature they possess, namely the Bible; and v) to teach the illiterate through an oral medium. It would indeed appear that Veritas is able to make a positive contribution to the training needs of Sub Saharan Africa.
“… as we sing …” Lex canendi as the practical-theological mode of doing liturgy
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03 ) Kwon, Yongjun; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A study on various conflicts in worship (e.g. traditional vs. contemporary, reason vs. emotion, and rituals vs. life) is not new. However, existing studies have often treated various liturgical conflicts as individual problems which are incommensurable with each other. This research aims to find the common factors which organically bind liturgical conflicts and to suggest a liturgical formula which helps solve them holistically. In order for this, this research adds lex canendi (the musical dimension or pattern of singing) to the existing liturgical formula of lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi, which refers to a hermeneutical circle of reciprocity between the ritual dimension, theological dimension and living dimension. The expanded formula is then as follows: Lex canendi, lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi (i.e. COCV). Thus, this research suggests the musical dimension (lex canendi) as the practical (lex vivendi)-theological (lex credendi) mode of doing liturgy (lex orandi). Lex canendi consists of the following elements that are needed by music, and thus, exhibit a strong family resemblance to each other: music, singing, art, aesthetics, beauty, body, human beings as God’s artworks, imagination, understanding, ambiguousness, metaphor, symbol, the senses, feeling, emotion, affection, play, contemporary, freedom, pop culture, and transcendence, etc. The research begins with the assumption that the false interaction between lex canendi and the existing members of the lex (lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi) makes lex canendi narrowly excluded or uncritically accepted, and as a result, it causes the following three major liturgical conflicts (or, in its broad sense, worship wars): 1) a conflict between what is traditional, serious and sublime (lex orandi) and what is contemporary, entertaining and popular (lex canendi), i.e. the dualism between traditionalism and contemporary-ism; 2) a conflict between what is intellectual, conceptual, manifest and doctrinal (lex credendi) and what is emotional, existential, ambiguous and empirical (lex canendi), i.e. the dualism between dogmatism and sentimentalism; and 3) a conflict between what is immanent, realistic and practical (lex vivendi) and what is transcendent, imaginative and aesthetic (lex canendi), i.e. the dualism between anti-aestheticism and aestheticism. To confirm this assumption, the researcher observes the specific problematic phenomena of the three liturgical conflicts that are related to the false lex canendi, and cross-disciplinarily traces the direct and indirect reasons for them. As a result, this study shows that diverse problematic phenomena of the liturgical conflicts (or, in its broad sense, worship wars) are not incommensurable with each other but they have common features (i.e. the false relationship between lex canendi and the existing three members of the lex), and thus, they can be understood and solved organically and holistically. Therefore, the researcher concludes by providing a wholesome hermeneutical circle of reciprocity between lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi and lex canendi, i.e. the COCV model, as an integrated solution to the liturgical conflicts. More specifically, this research proposes that the COCV model can be useful in the quest for solving the liturgical conflicts by making the following three types of liturgical coexistences (or tensions): 1) the coexistence between the ritual dimension and the musical dimension (lex orandi, lex canendi) which implies liturgical tensions between what is divine and what is human, between order and freedom, and between diverse tastes in music/culture; 2) the coexistence between the theological dimension and the musical dimension (lex credendi, lex canendi) which implies liturgical tensions between the body and the mind, between concepts/explanation and existence/understanding, and between manifestness and ambiguousness; and 3) the coexistence between the living dimension and the musical dimension (lex vivendi, lex canendi) which implies liturgical tensions between worshippers’ autonomy from reality and their society, and between the transcendence of God’s kingdom and the immanence of the kingdom.
Authority in Korean Presbyterian preaching : a practical theological investigation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-12) Kim, Dong-Choul; Cilliers, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Korean society has experienced more severe changes in the last 50 years than in the last 500 years. The pulpit has also faced the challenges created by the socio-cultural revolution following the collapse of Korean traditional values, while authoritative and hierarchical cultures are rapidly changing as a result of westernization and political transformation. This situation has led to an acute crisis in the relationship between the hearer and the preacher in Korean services, where the Korean Presbyterian preachers still pursue an authoritarian style of preaching based on hierarchical, logical or proposition-centred preaching and argumentcentred preaching. Since the 1990s Korean Presbyterian homileticians have accepted narrative preaching as an alternative to the traditional manner. However, this narrative preaching aggravates the problematic relationship - extending the gap, falling into theological relationalism, and neglecting the identity of Jesus Christ - between the preacher and the hearer. The preaching should propose the face-to-face relationship, a participatory role in the preaching process, and interactive persuasion. In order to overcome both authoritarianism and subjectivism in the authority of preaching, this research studies the theology and homiletics of three homileticians, namely Rose, McClure and Campbell, who propose the functional community as an alternative, suggesting face-to-face relationships, fostering the congregation to participate in the whole process of preaching, and support to interpret the truth being the task of the whole community. Afterward, preaching is defined to explore the blending of the four elements (God, Bible, preacher and audience) to create a living voice, so that the four elements of preaching are reassessed and re-interpreted in terms of the “Spirit-guided community authority” in the Korean Presbyterian homiletics. Hence, Korean Presbyterian preaching, lastly, needs to consider the purpose of the preaching as “building up the functional community” homiletically, applying the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers into homiletics theologically, turning from rhetoric to theo-rhetoric, and exercising the way of power that Jesus Christ practised.
Being a hermeneutic of the gospel : hermeneutical and epistemological foundations for a missional ecclesiology
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Sheridan, Timothy Michael; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens; Goheen, Michael; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The church in the West is facing a crisis of identity. Who are we as the church and what is our purpose in the world today? The recovery of a missional ecclesiology in the West is an urgent task. The aim of this study is to contribute to this work on a missional ecclesiology by focusing on the need for the church to grow its capacity to discern missional vocation. This study‘s central question: ―How can the church in the West discern its missional vocation?‖ The first chapter considers how global realities are forcing the church to re-examine its missional identity and vocation. In addition, the local realities in which this study is situated are highlighted, with particular emphasis on the realities that demand discernment. The chapter concludes with consideration of historical developments in hermeneutics, in particular the development of a missional hermeneutic. The emergence of a missional hermeneutic is important in the church‘s discernment. The second chapter ―puts on‖ a missional hermeneutic to aid in this discernment of missional vocation. Dwelling in the biblical story with this lens, and so allowing the story to renew our understanding of the role and identity of God‘s people, will shape our missional discernment. The third chapter focuses on the contemporary cultural context in its North American expression, in which the church must forge its missional identity. A retelling of the cultural story of the West demonstrates the challenges, both old and new, facing the church. Two important movements are already seeking to answer the question of how the church discerns missional vocation. The fourth chapter engages the important conversations that are happening within both the Emergent and Missional Church movements. These conversations encompass a wide diversity of theological traditions and backgrounds, but are held together by a common desire to discern what a missional ecclesiology means for the West. Particular themes that are important for discernment are highlighted as these conversations are engaged. Finally, the questions of the early chapters converge on the crux of this study: a framework for discernment, articulated in detail in the fifth chapter. Building on important examples, both Western and African, this affirmative-antithetical model of discernment is offered as a broad ―lens‖ for reflective churches seeking to discern their missional vocation. The final chapter then practices discernment in six key areas facing the church in the West today, at times using for illustration the local context in which this study is situated. These parting thoughts seek to both recognize the challenge facing missional churches, and point to encouraging dialogue already happening among those seeking to do the same.
A biblical framework for sustainable development in the Reformed church in Zambia : the story of George Compound in Lusaka
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03) Ngoma, Alfred; August, Karel Th.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
The whole purpose of this research was to determine an appropriate approach to development in Zambia by the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) under the theme: ‘A Biblical Framework for Sustainable Development in the Reformed Church in Zambia – The story of George Compound in Lusaka.’ George Compound located on the West of Matero Township, poverty manifests itself in many ways such as lack of good food, poor shelter, high illiteracy levels, lack of good road network, poor health, high crime rate, high levels of unemployment especially the youth who now spend most time drinking beer, high levels of prostitution, and poor sanitation. Holistic ministry has for some time now remained a great challenge for the church, the trend that was never the case with the early church as it took the issue of development seriously and effectively met needs of the poor and vulnerable people of that time. However, with time the church has either consciously or unconsciously allowed to be dictated by the Greek dualism theory (separating the spiritual from physical) in how to go about with ministry. This separation has taken such a long time that it has now become accepted by the church and secular world that the role of the church for humanity was only to concentrate on matters concerning spirituality, while leaving the social part to secular organisations. This is an affront to God who created humanity in His own image and likeness (Gen. 1: 26 – 29; 2: 7) and mandated to rule on His behalf; added to that it is in itself a distortion of Scriptures. Otherwise from the Biblical perspective humanity constitutes both the soul and body, thereby providing no justification for separating needs of the soul from those of the body because human life is a unit. The Scriptures have also revealed that at the time of creation, a living relationship was established between God and humanity, which includes the entire creation. The relationship between God and humanity is known as the vertical relationship (this involves worshipping God); while the relationship between humanity and the rest of the creation is known as the horizontal relationship (this involves caring for God’s creation). It is on record in the Scriptures that the good creation that was created by the good God was spoilt with the fall of humanity. It is the fall of humanity that has led to the unfortunate separation of responsibilities between the church and the secular world. It is in this context that the research wrestled with the question of how the RCZ could apply a Biblical framework for sustainable development in the country, but with particular attention to the story of George Compound in Lusaka. The researcher has argued that meaningful development will only take place when the church takes its strategic position in development and does it from the Biblical perspective that addresses humanity holistically. Development done from the Biblical perspective acknowledges God as the creator, sustainer and destiny of the whole creation and at the same time places humanity at the centre of it as the main objective. The hypothesis is based on the fact that poverty will be alleviated once the RCZ in the first place comes to terms with the reality of poverty and its impact on human life in the country, and then using its mandate to get involved in national development to transform people’s wellbeing. It is interesting that when missionaries from the Dutch Reformed Church Mission (DRCM) of the Orange Free State in South Africa started mission work in the Eastern Province of Northern Rhodesia then, they adopted a comprehensive approach to ministry and that enabled them to address both the spiritual and social needs of people. The DRCM missionaries passed on this understanding of development to the RCZ, but then one wonders why the RCZ after autonomy (self-governing) in 1966, gradually and without realising began to change its focus of doing ministry by concentrating so much on building people’s spiritual lives and neglecting their social needs. This research is challenging the RCZ to revisit its mandate for ministry which should lead to adopting the Biblical understanding for development. This kind of development is holistic in nature and results in transforming people’s living standards that are currently in deplorable condition. The research further suggests that for development to take place the RCZ needs to work towards transforming the world view of its members about poverty and development. This approach will invaluably help people gain better understanding on the actual causes and effects of poverty and what must be done to alleviate it, before reaching out in the communities.
The Binga outreach : the contextualisation of mission in the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-03) Munikwa, Christopher; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens; Simon, David Xolile; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.; A-6024-2012
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research starts with a descriptive study of the traditional missionary model used by the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in South Africa in planting what is now known as the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ). The purpose of this descriptive part is to understand why certain mistakes are constantly repeated in cross-cultural outreach work and to prevent it from happening again. The RCZ is challenged to develop intercultural missionary theory and practice. The outreach towards the Tonga communities living in the Binga district in Zimbabwe.s North-Western province is used as an extended case study in developing a new missional framework for the RCZ. The research question is thus: How is the RCZ appropriately, meaningfully and relevantly to express the missional praxis of God within the context of the Tonga people? The research argues that meaningful missional reflection has to start with knowing and understanding the Tonga people. The RCZ would then not fall in the same trap of the European missionaries who had an ethnocentric superiority attitude. This calls for a paradigm shift in the RCZ.s thinking and doing mission. The RCZ needs to participate in the Mission of God with love and humility. The research argues that there is a need for the RCZ to revisit and carry out a critical analysis concerning her thinking and strategies of mission today. The RCZ is to develop a relevant framework that will allow the Tonga people to be conscious instruments of their own transformation in their own socio-cultural context. The goal of the study is to have a shift in the RCZ towards a missiological approach that is appropriate, meaningful and relevant in order to facilitate the transformation of the community she serves and ministers to. This framework for doing Christian mission should be Biblical, communal and contextual in the RCZ and at the same time encourage reflective involvement of the faith community in the missio Dei. The research proposes an intercultural mission as appropriate in our context, not a cross-cultural one. The research concludes that the DRC.s traditional mission model profoundly influenced the identity and present mission practice of the RCZ. A better understanding of the identity of both the DRC and the RCZ will enlighten the members of the RCZ to accept the missio Dei as their vocation and challenge. Now and in future, it will help the RCZ members who are participating in intercultural mission to make more informed plans and decisions.
Breaking the silence : sexual reproductive health as a challenge and opportunity for youth ministry in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) synod of Livingstonia
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03 ) Gondwe, John; Cloete, Anita Louisa; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study was motivated by the increased prevalence of unwanted pregnancies, early marriages, unsafe abortions, and school dropouts among the youth due to a lack of Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) knowledge. The aim of the study was to explore and establish whether the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) is silent on issues of SRH, and if so, how the Synod can break the silence. This study investigated how the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia can engage theological concepts to break the silence on SRH as a challenge or opportunity for youth ministry. The study focused on human dignity as the main theological concept that pays attention to the image of God (imago dei). The theological concept of human dignity focused on some attributes of the image of God, such as inviolability among others. Every human being, in the image of God, should be able to exercise their rights. It further explored how the church must consider SRH services as part of holistic ministry. The literature studied further indicated that there are some SRH determinants such as social and cultural behaviours, social-religious beliefs, and poor health facilities. The empirical research was conducted within the CCAP catchment area where the interviewees were either church elders, church ministers, or youth. Usingin-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, the views and opinions of those participants mentioned above were gathered. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis, and subjected to theological interpretations. The study findings showed that Synod had an SRH policy in place. However, that policy had not been implemented since the package of SRH contradicts its church doctrines that emphasize abstinence among the youth. Further, findings indicated that the church was not doing much to promote SRH among the youth because should the Synod be engaged in SRH issues, it might be seen as promoting immorality among the youth. Nonetheless, almost all respondents accepted that individuals are aware of the importance and appreciate the package in SRH as it will be able to protect the youth from the consequences of lack of SRH. The findings further confirmed that the church had witnessed youth being suspended due to unwanted pregnancies despite continuous preaching of abstinence. One of the worst scenarios mentioned by participants was the deaths of young women in the church suspected to have died from complications of unsafe abortions. However, church policies do not allow the Synod to promote SRH services.
Christian faith in the encounter with orim (ancestor veneration) among the tarok people of North Central Nigeria
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12-15) Dombong, John Nancwat; Mbaya, Henry; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the encounter between Christian faith (COCIN) and Orim (Ancestor veneration) among the Tarok people of North Central Nigeria. This study which is, the product of library research and fieldwork, seeks to answer the following questions: Why do some Christians participate in Orim and others do not? What is the significance of the encounter between Christian faith and Orim? How does belief in ancestral spirits which is part of the Tarok worldview influence Tarok Christians. Does the encounter between Christian faith and Orim present an opportunity or a challenge to Christianity? What are the convergence and divergence points between Christian faith and Orim (ancestor) veneration among the Tarok? The research findings outline the differences and similarities between the Christian faith and the Orim (ancestor) veneration among the Tarok. Primary data collection in the field and extensive interviews were done. The study established that there was peaceful co-existence between Christian faith and the Tarok religion of Orim and that their collective influence was praise-worthy in terms of the promotion of social cohesiveness and the provision of certain social amenities. It examines the advent of Christianity among the Tarok people and the pattern of evangelism with special reference to the method used in the proclamation of the Gospel. The study shows that the impact of Christian faith has been so great that it has captured the theological norms of Tarok society. The study also established that even after many years of Christian mission in Tarok-land, the Orim cult (ancestors) remains a reality. A good number of Tarok Christians continue to pledge allegiance to both Orim (ancestors) and Christ. Although, the Tarok have welcomed the Gospel message presented to them by the Christian missionaries, some Tarok Christians have not abandoned their beliefs and practices of Orim (ancestor veneration). The findings of the study confirm that there are some Tarok Christians participate in Orim (ancestor) veneration alongside Christianity. The points of convergence between the Christian faith and the Tarok culture have been particularly noted as a model for dialogue between the faiths. The research concludes that sound exegesis does not allow accommodate Orim (ancestor) veneration in the Christian church, but that respect for ancestors should be embraced. Recommendations were given to enhance the harmonious relationship between the Christian faith and the Orim cult. The study relies mainly on interviews. In each one of the four selected COCIN Churches, one pastor was interviewed.
Christian leadership in a Malawian context : a practical theological evaluation of African Bible College
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-12) Stauffacher, Robert W.; Nell, Ian; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Notwithstanding that many prominent, influential and highly effective Christian leaders over this past century are making a difference throughout Africa, a serious leadership crisis still looms. There is no doubt that Christianity has spread throughout Africa, reaching many remote areas within the continent. Still the depth to that Christianity remains elusive. Practical theologians have discovered various patterns of leadership abuse, immorality, and heresy throughout Africa. As alarming as these patterns may be, in a positive way they are encouraging many Africans to seek alternative models of leadership. Thus, Africa has now become a place ready to implement effective or authentic leadership models. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine, in a practical theological way, whether African Bible College in Malawi is producing graduates that can be described as authentic Christian leaders. As a way of determining this, the researcher will be 1) investigating the growing (Christian) leadership crisis within sub-Saharan Africa, 2) analyzing various Christian leadership models within the field, 3) conducting empirical research on the African Bible College (ABC) and ABC graduates, 4) exploring normative perceptions of Christian leadership and 5) developing a revised praxis for ABC to help it become an even more effective institution for producing authentic Christian leaders. Authentic leadership in particular emphasizes the “genuineness,” “realness,” and “transparency” of people in leadership positions. It requires a leader to be open, honest, and accountable to others. They must earn the respect and trust of their followers. People today are becoming more skeptical of their leaders. They have grown weary and impatient with typical overbearing, power-hungry, and dishonest leadership personalities. They want to see their leaders actually practicing what they are preaching, living lives of integrity, and truly living out their Christian faith in a God honoring and practical manner. This is why authentic leadership theory has become prominent and widely accepted within the past decade. The theory will be useful for analyzing the leadership of ABC graduates.
Church leadership within the South Korean context
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-03) Kang, Gil-Soo; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology; A-6024-2012
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is generally said that modern Korean church leadership has gradually lost its vitality. Since the 1960s, many Korean church leaders have implemented secularised, church-centred, and authoritarian leadership. However, without noticing these fundamental problems, the leaders have identified the crisis with membership stagnation or decline. Such an inadequate or even wrong diagnosis of leadership realities has led to a wrong way of addressing the problem. The Korean church has focused on the development of a methodology for numerical church growth to remedy this membership decline. This study thus aims to construct a contextual yet biblical leadership theology by which the Korean church can evaluate the realities of its leadership appropriately. This aim can be achieved by means of the methodology that is employed in contemporary practical theology. Chapter 2 provides a general understanding of the context in which Korean church leaders have provided leadership by discussing Korean church history from the perspective of the role that dominant leadership images have played. The result demonstrates that a sound theology of church leadership needs to be constructed for the Korean church. Chapter 3 reviews the trends in contemporary practical theology from which the methodology employed by this study is derived. The chapter also surveys the historical development of leadership theories in social science from which theoretical support can be obtained for the critical analysis of Korean church leadership. Chapter 4 develops a systematic theological theory (base theory) for two concepts that play an integral role in this study. PTA (practical theological anthropology) and PTE (practical theological ecclesiology) function as theological foundations for this study. The four-phased methodology that this study employs starts with an analysis of the contextual situation. Chapter 5, as the descriptive phase, gives a statistical analysis of the realities of leadership in the Korean church by using several reports of surveys from reliable research organizations. Chapter 6, as the hemeneutic phase, presents an interpretive endeavour of the empirical results from Chapter 5. Because of the inadequacy of mono-dimensional interpretation, this study attempts to interpret the results of the analysis multi-dimensionally: religio-culturally, socio-politically and economically, and theologically. Chapter 7, as the nonnative phase, demonstrates some theological principles that the current Korean church should develop in order to cope with the present leadership crisis and to choose the right direction for its future. These theological principles can be derived from the statistical analysis and its interpretation in the light of PTA and PTE. The principles are: spirituality, vision, and love. Chapter 8, as the strategic phase, proposes a model of leadership for the Korean church, namely, servant leadership. This model can integrate and reflect the three principles (spirituality, vision, and love) demonstrated in Chapter 7. The Korean church will be on the right path if the principles of a servant approach characterise leadership in the church.
The churches and the development debate : the promise of a fourth generation approach
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-12) Swart, Ignatius,1965-; Kinghorn, J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology & Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to think anew about the involvement of the Christian churches in strategic development. The author undertook such an exercise in an abstract and general manner, not by undertaking specific case studies, but by applying various development and social sciences debates to come to a new understanding of the churches' meaningful participation in the broad area of development. The notion of the churches as 'idea' and 'value' institutions in the field of development was particularly developed. The study found its critical point of departure in the ecumenical theological debate on development over the last four decades. The first three chapters show how the charity-development juxtaposition in ecumenical development discourse problematises and frames the historical and actual participation of the churches in development. It is indicated that this discourse poses a critical theoretical and ideological challenge not only to the churches' socio-economic involvement through charity, but also to the mainstream secular development enterprise. It is concluded through the pragmatic debate in the broader ecumenical development discourse that an enduring divide exists between progressive theoretical thinking on the churches' participation in development and the actual development practices of the churches. It is concluded, akin to an historical charity involvement, that the churches have, generally speaking, been over-investing in project approaches to development at the cost of modes of engagement which highlight an idea- and value-centred development praxis. In chapters four to seven the argument is further developed through the conceptual framework of third and fourth generation development strategies. Through ideas on this conceptual framework, which were first formulated by David Korten in NGO and peoplecentred development debates, but which have also been extended to broader 'alternative' development and social sciences debates within the analytic framework of this study, the idea- and value-centred perspective in this study was further worked out and applied to the churches. It is concluded that the conceptual framework of third generation development strategies poses an appropriate (public) challenge to the churches to become involved in the policy-making, managerial and organisational processes of development. In contrast to a 'politics of limited space' which the third generation mode presents to the churches, it is maintained that the 'unlimited political space' of the fourth generation mode of development involvement is more appropriate to the churches. It is argued that the churches could most effectively and meaningfully participate in the new transnational social movement 'value' and 'idea' politics (e.g. peace, human rights, women, environment, democracy, people-centred development) prioritised in the fourth generation strategic perspective. This argument is further worked out in the final chapter through the proposal of four beacons of action that may guide the churches to become meaningful participants in fourth (and third) generation strategic development action, namely (i) the new social movements, (ii) the new communication solidarities, (iii) alternative development policy, and (iv) 'soft culture'.
Combating HIV : a ministerial strategy for Zambian churches
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008-03) Ndhlovu, Japhet; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work is about a missiological praxis for the creation of 'Circles of Hope' as an entry point for faith based organisations and, particularly, local churches in Zambia for an effective battle in the fight against HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The HIV pandemic is one of the worst tragedies to have befallen humankind in the 21st century. Lost to many people is the fact that it does not affect all regions of the globe equally. Figures show that over 70% of PLWHA (people living with HIV) are in sub Saharan-Africa while most affected are young and therefore, in theory, energetic. With an overall HIV prevalence rate of 16% and a life expectancy of 34 years, HIV has severely impacted the lives of Zambians across the country. Stigma remains one of the most significant challenges in Zambia across the prevention-to-care continuum. The wider environment of these effects and statistics has provided for us the wider contextual situation. The Church in Zambia and, indeed, in the entire sub-Saharan African region cannot afford to hide its head in the sand anymore. The impact of HIV is being felt at all levels of society. This has posed a threat to economic progress and human development by attacking the most economically productive age group and reversing gains in life expectancy and child survival. The increasing burden on health budgets has stretched national and community resources to the limit, leaving no room for complacency or pretence about the magnitude of the problem. Since some members of the Church are positively infected, we can safely say of the Church: the body of Christ has HIV. HIV is a national disaster. It cannot be managed without mobilising all the sectors within a nation. The Church in Zambia needs to make HIV prevention a matter of compelling priority. The Church is an instrument for the missional praxis of the triune God. Theology in this work is not so much a scientific endeavour that begins and ends with analysing contexts and texts, rather it is an imaginative way of finding new answers to the new situation brought about by the presence of HIV (Hendriks, 2004: 30). In this work the researcher contends that measures are required to develop strong theological reflections and education which would result in the establishment of Circles of Hope in all local congregations. These Circles of Hope would act as a fountain for promoting behavioural change, support action for safer sexual behaviour, and combat stigmatisation and discrimination against people with known HIV infection. There must be appropriate theological reflections that touch on the work of the reign of God. A relevant HIV theology will necessarily involve the laity, will watch out for fundamentalist views, will be biblical in nature and will draw from Trinitarian understanding. The basis of moving from a theology of punishment to that of care, truth, freedom, justice and peace is the theology of community and companionship. This reflection is an attempt to have constructive interpretation of the present realities brought about by a time of HIV. One can only discern God‘s will for the present situation through critical and sensitive leadership in order to bring about genuine healing. The role of the local church and networking activities are essential commodities to realise a vision of a Zambia that is HIV competent. This then is the new ministerial strategy being spearheaded by the 'Circles of Hope' programme of the Council of Churches in Zambia. It is a challenge for Zambian churches.
Communicating the Gospel in a digital age : a case study of the Dioceses of Kampala and Namirembe in the Anglican Church of Uganda
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-12) Kitayimbwa, Lydia Nabunya Nsaale; Cloete, Anita Louisa; Peel, Clayton; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In response to the influx of digital media use in daily life and church work, with a specific interest in the Anglican Church of Uganda (COU), this study explores and examines the communication of the gospel in the digital age: a case study of Namirembe and Kampala Dioceses in the Anglican Church of Uganda. The Church across the globe is integrating digital media into ministry and especially in the communication of the gospel. Through different digital media gadgets, platforms and applications via the internet, spiritual information is shared and accessed. In the COU’s Vision 2025 document, the COU encourages its priests and leaders to integrate digital media into church work to communicate the gospel and Christian values. However, the church leaders’ attitudes towards digital media use are not known. There is a gap in knowledge, and great need for theological guidance, approaches, training, and strategy for digital media use to communicate the gospel. To address the situation at hand, there was a need to do research to understand the digital communication situation and to engage in theological reflection on the digital media communication of the gospel. The research study set out to explore the COU’s understanding, attitude and approaches towards the use of digital media to communicate the gospel. To carry out the study, I made use of both literature and empirical elements to respond to the research question. As a study in practical theology, I employed Osmer’s Practical Theology framework. This qualitative case study design research set out to obtain in-depth and detailed information from the selected samples to understand the situation. To collect the data, I employed focus group discussions and Individual interviews with the selected participants. The Data analysis followed inductive coding via Atlas-ti computer software. In the findings, it was discovered that although the majority of the church leaders showed a positive attitude towards digital media use, they integrated it amidst technological, economic, social, and theological challenges. Participants expressed a need for an urgent technological and theological training to guide the users. I argue that the gospel message and theologies ought to be communicated via online faith communities using a blend of media converged into digital media while also applying theological approaches based on a theologically informed strategy. To communicate the gospel in the digital age, the study provides a theological reflection on possible approaches to digital communication of the gospel. It also proposes a theologically informed digital communication strategy, which may be employed in training church leaders and may also be applied in digital communication of the gospel.
Community development in the Baviaans municipality area : a challenge to a practical theology ecclesiology
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03) Jacobus, Denzil Edward; August, Karel Th.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Talking about community development is not an easy task because it is a broad term employed by academics, civic leaders, governments, concerned citizens, faith-based organisations and simply people with an interest in the well-being of others. Each of these groups may have their own interpretation of what they perceive community development to be. Currently many new voices speak out in favour of the upliftment of the marginalised, the periphery segment of the population. In government circles, we see an array of community development initiatives (of which integrated development planning is but one), aimed at empowering individuals to effect change in their own communities. The underlying principle is that within any community there is a wealth of knowledge and experience which, if used creatively, can be channelled into collective action to achieve the desired goals to benefit the community. Unfortunately, the majority of people who belong to the poorer segment of the population are still unable to access the full potential of these initiatives. Poverty and its many faces are still rampant, and the people feeling it most acutely are those living in “small towns”. The first part of this study attempts to address community development in one such small town; the Baviaans Municipal Area. It seeks to “give voice” to the people, in order for them to take charge of their own development as Chapter 4 attempts to show. The study also allows “small town” communities to break through the academic rhetoric of poverty to voice their own understanding of this social ill (Chapter 3). In this chapter ordinary people “unlearn to not speak”. The second segment of this dissertation builds on the empirical findings of the first segment by exploring how community development challenges the church to be church. It acknowledges the fact that the church has a long history as a pioneer in social involvement; and that the church, unlike any other “civil institution”, enjoys credibility and trust from the majority of people on the globe. This assumption strengthens the hypothesis that the church can be a reliable, worthy and valued catalyst for community development within the social development paradigm. This dissertation consciously avoids the naivety of ignoring the challenges that accompany this premise. Whilst Chapter 5 acknowledges the ceaseless involvement of the church in the development domain, Chapter 6 unpacks the theological impact of these challenges on the practical daily life and essence of the church. It seeks to demonstrate theologically what it means to be church in our day and age. Against the background of the preceding chapters, and mindful of the fact that no study can claim absolutism, Chapter 7 concludes this study by making some practical suggestions and recommendations that could be helpful for local government, the church and those with an interest in community development.
Community-based discipleship : a missional approach to urban African youth, the case of Nairobi, Kenya
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008-03) Rangoonwala, Abid; Simon, David Xolile; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In response to the declining interest and participation of youth in urban churches in Africa, with a specific focus on churches in Nairobi, this study investigates a missiologically related problem of ecclesial praxis that seems to ignore or fail to address the social needs of youth, particularly concerning the need to belong. The churches in Nairobi, as in other parts of Africa, have inherited ecclesial praxis that was shaped in the dualistic cultural context of the Western Enlightenment and the clerical paradigm of Christendom. This dualistic view of reality has dichotomised the understanding of the gospel by compartmentalising it into a spiritual sphere while failing to address the social and cultural dimensions of human life. Consequently, the church hermeneutically understands its primary mission as saving souls and meeting the spiritual needs of its members through the institution of clergy and laity. In order to address the problem, the study proposes the praxis of discipleship based on a community approach that correlates three integrated dimensions of mission (worship, fellowship, and intentional mission) with a community structure guided by specific urban context, cultural values and missional theology. This constitutes the thesis of this research study and also provides a methodological framework for organising the study. In the first chapter, discipleship is conceptualised in the comprehensive missional understanding of the church as missionary in its nature and calling, sent by Christ into the world for the redemption of the world. In that sense, the proposed discipleship community must be understood as missionary in nature. The second chapter focuses on understanding the urban context. It examines some of the urban features of Nairobi that could be typical of other African cities, like rapid urban growth, high proportion of youth in the population, housing problems, unemployment, increasing poverty, family disintegration, crime, violence and disease. In that context, the study assessed the church’s youth ministry by gathering primary empirical data through observation and personal interviews with youth pastors and leaders. The findings confirmed that most youth ministries are based on the clerical paradigm and are driven by programmes. Participation by youth has been found to be low in most churches. Many churches do not seem to address their real needs. Often the youth ministry is seen as a marginal ministry in the church. In response to understanding the community from an African cultural perspective, the study investigated the traditional African community on the basis of literature and by using the ancestral anamnesis (remembrance of ancestors) as the interpretative framework for analysis. In traditional African society, the community is understood as the heart of the culture, the stage where the whole of life is dramatised. Even those who live in modern urban contexts carry with them African community values which have their origin in the traditional African community. Some of the African community values were measured among the urban youth through a survey questionnaire; most of the young people regarded these as important in their lives (Chapter Five). Empirical findings have shown the validity of considering cultural factors in constructing any kind of model for community-based discipleship. The importance of community was also validated theologically and missiologically by demonstrating the normative praxis of discipleship through community structure in the life of the early church. Theologically, the early church understood itself as the community of Christ on the basis of the concept of koinonia, a fellowship based on common faith in Christ. Missiologically, the church perceived itself from its inception as a missionary community sent into the world to witness to the gospel. The research demonstrated that community was the means through which the normative praxis of discipleship formation was carried out in the early church. There was no sense of dichotomy between the spiritual and social dimensions of the gospel as it is normally understood in today’s church. The importance of community as a means for the formation of identity and character was demonstrated through this having been the cultural norm in traditional African society and the theological norm in the life and praxis of the early church. Through the empirical research, the study also confirmed the positive perception of community values among the urban youth. Based on the evidence that was gathered, the study confronts the church in Nairobi and elsewhere to examine its present praxis critically and consider approaching its youth ministry from a community perspective in response to the present missiological problem in youth ministry. In order to construct youth ministry on community foundation, the study suggests a model called the covenant model. It takes the form of a small group existing as a part of the local church but coming together specifically as a community guided by a discipleship covenant that integrates three missional dimensions. The group seeks to adapt in its specific urban context and integrate cultural values that complement the gospel. The covenant model assumes that the urban context is complex and diverse. It allows each group to develop its own shape and features, informed by its context, culture and tradition. It calls for diversity in cultural and contextual expression while maintaining unity as God’s people in Christ. The early church exemplified it in being one, holy, catholic and apostolic.
The concept of Ũtugi within the HIV and AIDS pandemic : a pastoral assessment of the ecclesial praxis of the Anglican Church in Kenya
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-12) Murage, Josiah Kinyua; Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis deals with the concept of Ũtugi in relation to the HIV and AIDS pandemic and its contribution to the ecclesial praxis of the Anglican Church of Kenya. The thesis scrutinizes the HIV and AIDS context in Kenya, examines the origins, the nature, the characteristics and the definition of Ũtugi and its role in socio-economic, political, cultural, moral and religious life of the Agĩkũyũ community in Central Kenya and assesses the ecclesial praxis of the Anglican Church of Kenya. This concern is prompted by the need for the Anglican Church of Kenya to marshal Ũtugi (traditional resources) to complement Christian hospitality (church resources), to enhance human dignity of PLWHA and to fight the HIV and AIDS pandemic. By employing a hermeneutical tool as a praxis approach to pastoral care and counselling to interpret theological and assess the Agĩkũyũ cultural concepts and using a non-empirical research method (a qualitative research) based on conceptual analysis, the study explores critically the role of Ũtugi within the context of HIV and AIDS and its appropriateness as a tool for pastoral care and counselling in the Anglican Church of Kenya. The study poses the following research questions: In which way can the Agĩkũyũ concept of Ũtugi be used to create a healing space? How can Ũtugi be used to reframe the prevailing ecclesiological paradigms applied by the Anglican Church of Kenya? How can Ũtugi as a cultural concept help the Anglican Church of Kenya to become relevant and contextual in her endeavour to respond to the challenges posed by the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the twenty-first century? The thesis unveils that the principles of Ũtugi can complement Christian hospitality to network and help the church to carry the burden of PLWHA, thus, enhancing their human dignity, sharing their joy and comfort, and journeying with them in their pain, sorrow and healing. It was also found that Ũtugi as a contextual model which is culturally rooted, is relevant to the Agĩkũyũ people and that it can help in transforming the existing ecclesial praxis of the Anglican Church of Kenya. Drawing from Daniël Louw's existential model for spiritual healing, the study assesses the appropriateness of Ũtugi as a model for pastoral care and counselling to PLWHA. It is revealed that Ũtugi is not only a paradigm that can augment their physical, social, psychological, economic, moral and spiritual aspects but that it has the capacity to deal with the existential threat of anxiety, guilt and shame, disillusionment and anger, despair and doubt, helplessness and vulnerability. Thus it can enable them to shift from their existential threats to a position of love, care, support, compassion, accommodativeness, liberation and hope.
Conflict resolution for sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Didier, Kasongo Wa Kumutombo; Bowers-Du Toit, Nadine; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is second to Algeria as the largest country in Africa in terms of size. The country and is exponentially rich in both natural resources and wild life. However, the country is classed among the poorest of the world and it also has a long history of conflicts. Conflict and development are interconnected and, in the case of the DRC, the state of the country's poverty may find its explanation in the long history of conflicts. This, in turn, creates potentials for conflicts. The DRC has an estimated 90 per cent of Christian followers despite being officially a secular country. Although there is a significant amount of literature on the subject of conflict resolution and development on the DRC, this study focuses on the role of the church in conflict resolution and its efforts in promoting sustainable development; this, from a theological perspective. The study, therefore, explores the history of the DRC and that of the Great Lakes Region in order to understand the Congolese crisis, which has national, regional and international connotations. Development and conflict theories are, therefore, developed for a better understanding of the subject under investigation and the interrelationship between the two is argued within the context of the DRC and the broader African continent. The theological concept of shalom is here explored in order to reflect on how the church could be involved in conflict resolution and sustainable development. An argument is made that the biblical concept of shalom is holistic. From various historical records, it is noted that the church has always been involved in the day to day life in the DRC. The research shows that the church and its leadership have not done enough to see shalom established in the DRC despite the many opportunities they have been given to do so from the colonial era up to this day. The research, ultimately, makes recommendations to the church in order to promote identified Kingdom values for the establishment of shalom, which leads to the resolution of the conflict and the implementation of sustainable development. Finally, a peace-building model that focuses on hope, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation is proposed to resolve the conflict and bring about sustainable development in the DRC.
Conversion in missionary Christianity, Northwest Tanzania : a critical assessment of methods and their impact on Haya Christian life
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-12) Rweyemamu, Josephat Alphonce; Simon, David Xolile; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation is an interdisciplinary missiological study. It engages the sociological theory of structuration to critically explore the missionary Christianity approach and methods of conversion in the Lutheran Church, Northwest Tanzania, and their impact on the Haya Christian life. To this end, a theoretical scaffolding matrix of conversion is explored based on biblical and theological understanding, social theories of conversion, patterns and models of conversion. It is also pointed out that conversion is not only a theological but also a social phenomenon. Consequently, the Haya religio-cultural spiritual life and worldview are further investigated. The methods that were employed by missionary Christianity to missionize Northwest Tanzania are also explored based on the missionaries‟ home socio-political cultural context that informed these methods. Lastly, the Haya‟s earlier and later responses to the methods are highlighted and analyzed. The dissertation argues that the missionary Christianity approach and methods of conversion were important in that they accelerated social change through modernization, new ways of dressing, accessibility to western medicine and appropriation of western education that was instrumental in the production of both church and national potential leaders who later brought about political awareness, modern development and socio-political transformation. Nonetheless, the research has ascertained that the missionary Christianity approach and methods of conversion produced mainly dual converts who remained adherents of both Christianity and Haya traditional religion. This was because from the outset most western missionaries aimed at almost perverting Haya religion and culture in the placement of Christianity that was intrinsically embedded in western culture. This suggests the reasons for the inadequacy of the missionary Christianity conversion strategic approach to seriously take cognizance of the Haya religio-cultural spirituality and worldview which, as it was unpacked in the study, inherently embraces both the physical and metaphysical existential realm. Thus for the Haya, if this fact is not taken seriously, conversion seems irrelevant. That is why Haya Christians tend to actualize “real” conversion within the Revival Movements and Pentecostal-Charismatic churches‟ form of Christianity instead of maintaining loyalty to the doctrine of their mother churches, for this spiritual form of Christianity has to a greater extent demonstrated the ability to attempt to indigenize Christianity among them as, without ignoring modern ways of life, it addresses the Haya religio-cultural spirituality and worldview. Engaging structuration theory analysis, the study argues that the Haya realization of what seems “real” conversion within the revival framework and other spiritual movements and Pentecostal-Charismatic form of Christianity by most Haya Lutheran Christians in Northwest Tanzania, is an attempt to indigenize Haya missionary Christianity conversion. This is because for the Haya‟s comprehension and praxis of conversion is not only determined by missionary Christianity activity, but to some degree their traditional religio-cultural context plays a role in shaping and structuring conversion that makes sense to them. Since social structure comprises rules and resources (Giddens 1984; Wuthnow 1987; Richard 1994) which human agents draw on and reproduce as they act and yet remain open for transformation, the Haya traditional social structure therefore provides an arena for them to draw on religiosity and other spiritual resources and reproduce them even as they convert to Christianity. The study further proposes that the sociological theory of structuration in an interdisciplinary study of conversion provides a useful tool in attempting to understand the dynamics of conversion among the Haya within the Lutheran Church in Northwest Tanzania, along with their tendency to actualize their “real” conversion within the revivalist or Pentecostal-Charismatic form of Christianity. Since “real” conversion cannot be limited or absolutized in these forms of Christianity, the research proposes an “integrative model of conversion” as the most relevant approach to our contemporary missionary preoccupation and engagement. This model suggests the hermeneutics and ecclesial praxis of conversion that is based on religio-cultural sensitivity that suggests harnessing spirituality and religio-cultural rules and resources from within the framework of Haya traditional religion, missionary Christianity, East African Revival and the Pentecostal-Charismatic form of Christianity through a mutual dialogue.
A creative tension between spirituality and physical needs : a theological Eccesiological evaluation of a food security programme for the council of churches in Zambia
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-12) Zulu, William; August, Karel Th.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agriculture is the main stay for Zambia‟s economic growth and for enhancing household food security. But small holder farmers living in rural areas of Zambia are not able to command food resources because of their low per capita productivity to grow and store food to provide for their families throughout the year. The two three months prior to harvest (January, February and March) are the period of sufficient national deprivation for many rural households in Zambia. This scenario has created a serious food insecurity problem among most households living in rural Zambia as they cannot afford descent meals a day. Maposa community is one of the communities that is food insecure due to a range of factors which include poor agriculture practice, lack of farm inputs and civic awareness on matters that affect their livelihood. The Reformed church in Zambia (RCZ) has been implementing a food security project in Maposa community on the Copperbelt of Zambia from 2007 to 2010 whose main objective of this project is to empower household farmers with agriculture skills so that they can be able to produce food on a more sustainable way to feed their families. This study therefore, offers an ecclesiological evaluation of the Maposa Food Security Project implemented. Ecclesiological evaluation in this case implies using the Biblical theological perspective to assess the tools RCZ used in this food security. In addition, it is important to note that Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) belongs to an ecumenical body called the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ). The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) is an organ that unites all Christian Churches in Zambia and advocates on behalf of member churches all matters related to church registration and also provides guidelines to member churches how to implement community development programmes in line with the governments development plans on national building such as (5th National Development plan and vision 2030). Furthermore, Reformed church in Zambia (RCZ) and other CCZ member churches feed into the annual report of the Council of Churches in Zambia which meets once every year. Though this evaluation is focussed on the Maposa food security project implemented by Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ), the Council of Churches in Zambia cannot be isolated since it is the mother body of all Christian Churches in operating in Zambia. The results of this research will be shared with both Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) and the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ). The researcher believes that the outcome of this research will help in improving the performance of both the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) and the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) as they participate in transformational development. This study therefore, investigated the following four areas of transformational development in the food security project: Participation: to assess whether the farmer beneficiaries in the project have been involved in the planning of the food security project, have identified their own priorities for the project or have used their own resources to exercise control over their own economic, social and cultural development. Capacity building: to assess how the food security project implemented by RCZ has strengthened the capacity of the local people. This includes the transfer of skills through training for purposes of equipping people to engage in their own development. Local resource mobilization: to assess the community‟s participation in the mobilization of their own resources in the project implementation. Sustainability: to assess the long term viability of this food security project beyond the support of the RCZ. This study is answering the research question, „How can the church and its context participate in a practical way in transforming communities where there is poverty and food deficit?‟ This research argues that if the church can effectively participate in transformational development through the promotion of sustainable agriculture and food production, the majority of the people living in the rural areas of Zambia can be economically empowered and become food secure all year round. Poverty in this rural area is as a result of inability of households to meet basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing.

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