Jesus as diakonos in transforming urban communities : A diaconal study

Abstract

The subject matter for this research is to understand Jesus as “Urban Diakonos” who serves to transform urban communities in a way that will bring wholeness and mutual benefit to the community. This research seeks to interrogate an understanding of Jesus as ‘diakonos’ with a specific meaning for the urban situation and to see how far such an understanding could shape the methods of training for urban workers, servants, and deacons. The findings of the study will hopefully contribute (i) to understanding the mission of Jesus as diakonos, (ii) to understand processes of urban community transformation, (iii) to critically reflect on the conventional praxis of urban transformation in which diaconal praxis is marginalized and (iv) to influence the processes of training and preparation of ministers of religion and urban workers. In doing the above, I propose an understanding of Jesus as an urban diakonos in contemporary society. The research paradigm will be qualitative based on the assumption of how an understanding of Jesus as “urban diakonos” can contribute to or serve to transform different communities in Msunduzi municipality. Most of the work of this research and my practice of ministry take place in the inner city of Pietermaritzburg, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.