Research Articles (Practical Theology)
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Item ProPent and its implied conversation partners'(Africa Journals, 2024-01) Lombaard, Christoffel Johannes Stephanus; cjs.lombaard@up.ac.zaThis contribution is a slightly edited invited presentation at the Society for Biblical Literature annual international conference at the University of Pretoria, 3-7 July 2023, at a panel discussion titled “The role of context in Biblical Studies / exegesis”. A broad overview-interpretation of the past half a century Pentateuch studies in South Africa is offered, indicating implied, though seldom stated, dynamics of Hebrew Bible scholarship, doing so by means of an Aesopian interpretation. These concrete webs of meaning in substantial ways steer also the guild of Pentateuch scholars in South Africa in our time, in how historical exegesis has had to be arranged.Item The religious leaders’ perspectives on Corona survey : methods and key results(MDPI, 2024-12-04) Öhlmann, Philipp; Sonntag, Ekkardt A.Religious leaders are highly influential actors in many societies across the globe. In the singular global crisis brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic, their perspective on the pandemic itself but also the post-pandemic future is of high relevance. Against this background, we conducted the Religious Leaders’ Perspectives on Corona Survey, a comprehensive survey of 1200 religious leaders globally, in 2020/2021. Its aim was to investigate the role of religious communities and religious leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article provides an in-depth outline and discussion of the survey methodology and the resultant dataset, thereby paving the way for future research using the survey data. Moreover, the first set of key results is highlighted. It emerges that the COVID-19 pandemic was not primarily a health crisis. Rather, in terms of its consequences, COVID-19 had the characteristics of a primarily economic crisis in the Global South and a primarily psychosocial crisis in the Global North. Moreover, the pandemic has had a fundamental impact on religious practice across the globe. This impact, however, seems to be highly unequal between the Global South and North. Religious communities are shown to have had an important role as civil society actors in the pandemic, providing both psychosocial and material support. Regarding the post-pandemic world, religious leaders envision a more equitable society and emphasize the need for environmental sustainability.Item Many tongues, many economic practices : socio-economic opportunities and challenges for African Pentecostal Christianity(MDPI, 2024-07-10) Yong, Amos; Knoetze, Johannes Jacobus; johannes.knoetze@up.ac.zaThis article focuses on Pentecostalism and its real and possible contributions to socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. First, we provide an overall historical and theological introduction to Pentecostalism in sub-Saharan Africa, especially as these relate to socio-economic wellbeing. The heart of our research is a review of the literature on African Pentecostalism focused on economic development. We conclude with an exploration of the challenges and opportunities the movement faces in contributing to development across the continent. The question we seek to pursue is as follows: what theological and missiological resources might pentecostal–charismatic communities contribute to improve the socio-economic circumstances of the people of sub-Saharan Africa?Item Ouers se primêre rol in geloofsvorming(AOSIS, 2025-02) Yates, Hannelie; Avenant, Johannes C.This article, firstly seeks to explore the role parents play in shaping their children’s faith, and secondly, to examine how it influences congregations’ role. The article begins by providing a concise overview of faith transmission within households as described in the Bible and includes observations about the central role of God in the faith formation process. The article then discusses two significant arguments based on empirical and literature research. The primary argument is that parents hold the most significant influence over their children’s faith formation. This parental role is described by further highlighting four key aspects: (1) setting an example of faith; (2) acting as mentors; (3) fulfilling a socialisation role; and (4) fostering a positive parent-child relationship. The second argument addresses the consequent role of congregations in faith formation. It examines changes in the context, composition, and challenges of contemporary households, highlighting the collaborative role congregations can play in supporting parents in this process. The article concludes by presenting eight paradigm shifts designed to help congregations shape this supportive role effectively. INTRADISCIPLINARY/INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : This article is written from an inclusive youth ministry paradigm, advocating an intentional move away from compartmentalised approaches to ministry and relationships. By adopting a holistic perspective on the role of parents in their children’s faith formation – and, by extension, on the overall well-being of parents and children – it offers valuable insights for congregational studies as well as child, youth, and family studies.Item Item Report on a case study process evaluation of a HeartMath intervention and faith following a traumatic experience(Dialogo Publishing House, 2024-12) Edwards, David J.; Dreyer, Yolanda; Steyn, B.J.M. (Barend Johannes Marthinus); yolanda.dreyer@up.ac.zaAn initial study was undertaken on a HeartMath intervention, focusing on coherence, resilience and faith following a traumatic experience. Quantitively, there were significant post-intervention positive improvements in physiological coherence, and improvements in resilience and faith, and, qualitatively, positive integrated thematic changes in experiences of sense of coherence, resilience and faith. Correlations revealed various Sense of Coherence Scale items correlated with Brief Resilience Scale and Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire items, and there were inter-related and overlapping experiences of sense of coherence, resilience and faith integrated themes and sub-themes. The first study’s recommendations included that a case study process evaluation of a HeartMath intervention and faith following a traumatic experience be undertaken. The aim was to identify causal, correlation and relationship mechanisms of change. For this case study, the sample consisted of five participants purposefully selected from the original cohort. Information from a qualitative questionnaire on before, during and after intervention experience of sense of coherence, resilience, faith and HeartMath, as well as the HeartMath intervention, were collected. Emerging causal, correlation and relationship mechanisms of change in the form of integrated themes and subthemes are discussed.Item A HeartMath intervention, focusing on coherence, resilience and faith, following a trauma(AOSIS, 2024-02-27) Edwards, David John; Dreyer, Yolanda; Steyn, B.J.M. (Barend Johannes Marthinus)Traumatic experiences can have an impact on faith. HeartMath, which focuses on coherence and resilience, is one approach utilised to help overcome traumatic experiences. This study focused on a HeartMath intervention, emphasising psychophysiological coherence, sense of coherence, resilience and faith following a traumatic experience. A quasi-experimental, single, within-sample design was used. The purposeful sample consisted of 10 participants. A 12-week HeartMath intervention was undertaken. Related quantitative and qualitative coherence, resilience and faith measures were used at pre-test, re-test and, after intervention, post-test, with participant diaries completed. Quantitatively, there were significant postintervention positive improvements in physiological average coherence, achievement, and low, medium and high coherence level scores. Although not significant, there were improvements in the resilience scale and faith scale. However, there was no improvement in the sense of coherence scale total score. Qualitatively, there were positive integrative thematic changes in experiences of the sense of coherence, resilience and faith. Recommended next research steps were a case study on causal, correlational and relationship mechanisms of change, followed by an appreciative inquiry evaluating HeartMath as a pastoral care and counselling intervention.Item Pentecostal leadership disputes in Zimbabwe : a pastoral challenge(AOSIS, 2024-08) Mundhluri, Zephania; Masango, Maake J.S.Conflicts in the Pentecostal church leadership have been growing since time immemorial. However, leadership disputes have become traumatic and tragic in Zimbabwe to the extent that junior pastors are committing suicide and killing each other because of these conflicts. The article uses the practical theological framework to explore the complex intersections of conflict within the Pentecostal church, analysing the various factors and dynamics contributing to these conflicts. This work examines and addresses the ramifications of a leadership conflict within the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM). The junior pastors, who have been impacted by the leadership dispute, have endured trauma stemming from the ongoing conflict among the church’s prominent leaders, which is the central focus of this study. To better understand the lived experience of trauma among these pastors, a qualitative research design was employed. Through purposeful sampling and face-to-face interviews, participants were given the opportunity to share their narratives of leadership trauma. The result is that junior pastors are internalising the trauma, which is affecting them spiritually, emotionally and physically in ministry. This article proposes a healing methodology utilising the Gerkin and Positive Deconstruction approach. CONTRIBUTION: This study leverages a practical theological framework to examine the challenges of providing pastoral care for junior ministers who were impacted by leadership disputes within AFM thereby contributing to Pentecostal approaches to care.Item Leading Maranatha Reformed Church of Christ beyond hundred years through serving and cell groups(AOSIS, 2024-06) Manala, Matsobane J.This article had as a point of departure, the fact that the most important component of church life and work, was its members, whose edification and enablement were of vital importance. A background was proffered to help the reader acquaint themselves with the church circumstances. An important question in this article was, what would revive and sustain the growth momentum in the 100-year-old plus Maranatha Reformed Church of Christ (MRCC), going forward? I identified the leader’s key performance area as serving God and those who needed his or her gifts, leadership and purpose. This article followed a literary research approach in which various literary sources, especially on the MRCC, servant leadership, practical theology, and cell groups were studied. The aim was to find a solution to the problem of membership decline in this church. Some exploration, interpretation, discernment and discovery was done and achieved, leading to the required solution. A brief definition and discussion of the act of leading through serving and of cell groups were presented. It further, expressed the need to establish and utilise cell groups, as a necessary tool through which the MRCC could attain and sustain needed growth. Having discussed servant leadership, cell groups and their importance, I drew some conclusions. CONTRIBUTION: This article makes a meaningful contribution to the MRCC, other mainline churches and church growth theoretical studies, by uncovering the resilience and dynamism for church growth residing in servant leadership principles and practices and the utilisation of cell groups.Item Preaching : truth sharing as a prophetic voice(University of the Free State, 2024-11-14) Nel, Malan; malan.nel@up.ac.za,What kind of preaching and what kind of preacher will facilitate the cultivation of contextually relevant missional congregations? A main thesis in this search was and still is that integrating and coordinating all ministries are necessary to develop such missional congregations. But what role does preaching play as part of this whole? In this regard, interviews were held with 24 pastors and academics in the United States of America. In this and another teamresearch project, it was discovered how challenging it is to help congregations transform into intercultural sensitivity and cultivate a new missional culture. In this article, I intentionally explore the work done by Patrick Johnson. He explored the work of three homileticians and eventually brought them in conversation with the ecclesiology of Karl Barth – in developing a “missional homiletics of witness” (Johnson 2015:139) – which I observe to include prophetic preaching that will challenge communities of faith towards missional faithfulness and transformationItem The School for Social Innovation at Hugenote Kollege and congregational vitality through faithful innovation(University of the Free State, 2024-11-14) Niemandt, Cornelius Johannes Petrus (Nelus)This article presents a case study and the story of the School for Social Innovation (SSI) at Hugenote Kollege in Wellington, South Africa. It explores the influence of Andrew Murray Jr, the history of the college, the relationship between the college and the Dutch Reformed church in South Africa, and the establishment of the School for Social Innovation (SSI). It explores the concept of “social innovation”. The research provides a brief overview of SSI programmes, the short courses presented for church and community leadership on the theme of social innovation, and the social awareness programme known as #Integritas. The article also explores the interface and mutual insights between social innovation and faithful innovation and proposes ways in which the narrative of the SSI might enrich discourses on congregational vitality. These explorations might unearth theories, practices, and approaches to leadership that engage with Schoeman’s work and broaden the understanding of congregational vitality through faithful innovation.Item Inclusivity in youth ministry praxis and the challenge of mainline church attrition(AOSIS, 2024-06-04) Droege, Michael William; Nel, MalanDespite a century of professional development in youth ministry, the American church continues to face generational attrition. This article explores this paradox, employing practical theology to scrutinise the historical praxis and philosophies shaping 20th-century youth ministry. I have taken Nel’s work on inclusive missional ecclesiology as my basic point of departure, analysing four interconnected ‘texts’: Ecclesiological perspective, a historical review of youth ministry evolution, adolescents’ developmental locus within congregations, and a qualitative study featuring interviews with members from seven American churches involved in youth ministry. The investigation highlights the necessity for a paradigm shift in youth ministry from an exclusive programme to a more inclusive missional approach. It urges recognising adolescents as equals in congregational life, fostering an environment that not only retains but also nurtures them as indispensable community members. By adhering to this reformed vision, the church can address the persistent crisis of generational attrition effectively, encouraging the collaborative growth of the American church with the active participation of its adolescent members. It suggests a path forward that sees youth not as future church, but active contributors to the contemporary church ecosystem. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : This research guides churches in considering the theological, sociological, and developmental implications of adolescent inclusion through the lens of missional ecclesiology, suggesting adolescent inclusion is critical to contextual missional praxis.Item Engaging emerging adults : a missional model of ministry for house churches in South Africa(AOSIS, 2024-02-29) Knoetze, Johannes Jacobus; Prince, Ronele; johannes.knoetze@up.ac.zaThis article examines the role of house churches in South Africa in the ministry of emerging adulthood. Emerging adulthood is a turbulent life stage that is characterised by change and exploration. Additionally, it involves increasing responsibility and autonomy as young people assume more adult roles. This article suggests that emerging adulthood is a critical life stage for several reasons. Given the contextual realities of South Africa (high unemployment, high levels of crime, poverty), as well as the associated negative behaviour and the increasing religious disaffiliation among emerging adults, it is essential to provide nurturing support to this group in particular. To this end, this article presents a missional model for house churches as an alternative method of ministry for reaching and retaining this population group. The characteristics of house churches and emerging adults are explored and serve as the backdrop for this missional model. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : This article makes intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary contributions by engaging the theological disciplines of missiology and practical theology as well as psychology and sociology.Item The Africa we want : family and youth ministry, inequality, and poverty(Sage, 2025-01) Knoetze, Johannes Jacobus; johannes.knoetze@up.ac.zaThis contribution draws on the Agenda 2063 document to engage the role of family and youth ministry in relation to inequality and poverty. The question this paper addresses is, how can we read Agenda 2063 with a specific lens on ‘The Africa we want’, in conjunction with the challenges faced by unemployed youth? Many of them have given up on their aspirations because of traditional cultural views, while others have foregone their education to engage in a struggle for liberation – not only political liberation but also socio-economic liberation – and now face an uncertain future. Furthermore, how does youth ministry collaborate with the poor and the marginalised in their struggles for survival, liberation, and life, to live in the Africa ‘they’ want? This article makes intra- and interdisciplinary contributions by engaging the theological disciplines of missiology and practical theology as well as social and economic policy documents.Item Die bedieningbehoeftes van Afrikaanssprekende universiteitstudente in Suid-Afrika(AOSIS, 2024-03) Kemm, Nienke; Nel, MalanThis article is the result of an empirical study conducted in the student congregations of the Dutch Reformed Church, the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa and the Reformed Church in South Africa. The study has been done to answer the question: What are the miniserial needs of Afrikaansspeaking university students in South Africa? The research problem that necessitates this study is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the ministerial needs of Afrikaans-speaking university student members of the Reformed student congregations in South Africa. Recent research on student ministry to support student ministers and congregations in the South African context is scant. The research question is formulated to determine the ministerial needs of university students and the implications those needs have for ministry to university students. The goal of the research is to identify the ministerial needs of university students in South Africa and to empower the student congregations to minister to these students more effectively. From the research, three primary ministry needs have been identified: (1) the need for faith formation; (2) the need for mentoring; and (3) the need for a faith community. CONTRIBUTION: The contribution of this article is original empirical research on the ministerial needs of Afrikaans-speaking university students in South Africa. The research contributes to the current void in South African research on student ministry.Item Raising the future together : assessing the impact of the Chics program on primary caregivers in low-income daycares(Elsevier, 2024-12) Van der Merwe, Antoinette; Senyolo, Catherine; Van Niekerk, Attie; a.vandermerwe@up.ac.zaParental involvement in a child's school is crucial during early childhood, a critical period for skill-forming and neurodevelopment. However, the impact of early childhood programs on parents is understudied. This study evaluates the Chics program – which includes teacher training, an improved curriculum, and support meetings – on parental involvement in low-income daycares in South Africa, focusing on parents’ wellbeing, unity, knowledge, and agency. Focus groups and surveys with 126 parents showed the program had positive changes in parental unity, life satisfaction, and agency, encouraging community projects. The results could advice other programs to cost-effectively increase parental involvement in daycare centres.Item The role of storytelling as a possible trauma release for war veterans : a narrative approach(AOSIS, 2024-05) Dickson, Nicole; Meylahn, Johann-AlbrechtThe master narrative of Apartheid South Africa created a specific identity for white boys and men and, together with this identity, a very particular role and place within the South African context. This identity was exemplified in the men who were conscripted into the military from 1967 until 1994, and who participated in operations on the border regions of Namibia and Angola as well as within local townships in the war of liberation against apartheid and minority rule. Many veterans have been left grappling not only with the traumas associated with combat but also with the loss of their identities as war heroes in a country under changed political control. As a result, many of their personal stories and experiences of combat have been silenced by society at large and also, to varying degrees, within their own families, the Church, and among the younger generation who have grown up under a different dispensation. The conflict between vacillating narratives of villains who fought on the wrong side of history and victims of a closed socialisation system has supported the identity struggle faced by many veterans today. Against this backstory, this article explores the effects of storytelling as a trauma release using a narrative approach. CONTRIBUTION: This article offers a contribution to the use of storytelling in pastoral conversations as a trauma release for untold stories. This insight links to the focus and scope of the journal as a pastoral narrative approach has been used under the umbrella of Practical Theology.Item Living water in Ezekiel 47 : how eco-hermeneutics raise climate awareness among Christian youth(AOSIS, 2024-09) Van Vliet, GekeThis article examined the role of biblical interpretation amid the world’s water crisis. It aimed to make biblical texts accessible to non-specialist readers by using several methods of interpretation. The methods used were a combination of biblical interpretation, revisionist ecological hermeneutics and empirical research in the form of interviews with young adults in the Anglican Church in South Africa. This combination was applied to the role of water in Ezekiel 47. It showed that while traditional biblical interpretation is important for understanding the biblical context, revisionist ecological hermeneutics can help in understanding the ecological aspect of the text. This combination fitted the interview results, in which interviewees shared how learning about ecological aspects helped to make the Bible more relevant in today’s ecological crisis. A deeper biblical understanding, a combination of traditional interpretation and ecological hermeneutics, could lead to more awareness and responsibility among Christians to care for creation. This form of hermeneutics could be applied to other Bible texts to grow awareness. CONTRIBUTION: Interviewees argued that there is a lack of awareness in their environments about the causes and consequences of the ecological crisis. One of the main consequences of this crisis is related to water, with floods and droughts already becoming more severe. While this is often overlooked, the Bible could be of use in the water crisis in today’s world. This article has made a beginning in showing how biblical interpretation can effectively create climate awareness among churchgoers by speaking to their spirituality.Item Meaning of life and death during COVID-19 pandemic : a cultural and religious narratives(AOSIS, 2024-03) Buqa, WonkeThe sudden arrival of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Africa drastically changed the normal way of life in all sectors. It compelled everyone to look at the meaning of life and death differently and more painfully than before. This article investigates the cultural theories and religious narratives on the meaning of life and death, associated with the pervasiveness of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus affected individuals, families and communities, some directly or indirectly, no one is or was immune to the virus. The article argues that due to COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, culture, religious practices and protocols have been upended. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged inkcubeko nenkolo yabantu [culture, people’s religious belief systems and practices]. This article consists of in-depth qualitative interviews with four religious leaders from the Christian and Muslim faiths. Because of the interviews with persons, oral historians conduct open-ended interviews, as a form of social inquiry. Oral history narratives thus connect the individual and the social, drawing on cultural and religious expressions to tell one’s story. CONTRIBUTION: The scholarly contribution of this article adds value and significance to oral history research, as a way of collecting and interpreting human memories and experiences on the meaning of life and death during the COVID-19 crisis. It discusses the dreadfulness of the COVID-19 scourge concerning religious and cultural effects, social sciences and people’s narrative reflections.Item Interracial conflict and cultural division in Moreleta circuit : a quest for developing an inclusive missional church(AOSIS, 2024-07) Fuku, Thozamile Abednego; Nel, Malan; De Beer, Stephanus FrancoisInterracial conflict and cultural divisions have been a serious challenge in the church globally. Through the years there has been vast available literature about the phenomenon as it happens and this study will specifically explore it in the Methodist church at the Moreleta circuit in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. This article seeks to explore factors affecting developing an inclusive missional church. It aims to contribute to research in this area and suggests developing an inclusive missional church. It is presented as a qualitative study conducted in the churches of the circuit based on semi-structured interviews with some church leaders and pastors in the circuit. The study reveals some factors of interracial conflict and cultural divisions that contributed to the article. It shows that there are various factors affecting developing an inclusive missional in the above-mentioned circuit. This results in a generally unsatisfactory level of relationships. CONTRIBUTION: This article aims to contribute to research in the practice of developing an inclusive missional church in the Methodist church at Moreleta circuit. It hopes to also contribute to the Methodist church of Southern Africa as a whole.