scholarly journals Discerning the essence and mission of the church in the midst of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Smith Francis Korbla Tettey ◽  
Malan Nel
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Opinion Poll ◽  
Congregational Development ◽  
Congregational Life ◽  
New Creation ◽  
The People ◽  
The Future ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
The Church

This article reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic gives the church an opportunity to reconsider what the centre of God’s mission is for the congregation. It will engage on the implications of its reflections for public practical theology and congregational development. Spurred by an electronic opinion poll carried out by the author on six focus groups on WhatsApp platforms, averaging 200 participants each, during the lockdown days in Ghana, the question was put, “What one thing do you miss about church during the lock down period?” Majority of respondents mentioned communal fellowship (Konoinia) as the most missed aspect of congregational life. This article reflects on suggestions engendered by this observation and how it helps congregations to discern what makes them relevant to their members. Thus, helping congregations to envision the future, invoke dreams of a new creation where a return to normality will birth a world in which the church would take a new shape, presenting a fresh sense of missional community able to bring God to the people of our day.

Towards an Inclusive Vision for Moral Theology Part II: An Agenda for the Future

2000 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-83
Author(s):  
James F. Keenan
Keyword(s):  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Moral Theology ◽  
Ordinary Life ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Church

In this article, which follows Part 1 published in the previous number of Pacifica, the author argues that that we need to reintegrate moral and practical theology so that the ordinary life of the Church addresses not only the matters that we should avoid but also the matters we should pursue. “We must propose to the Church ways to improve the character of our membership as ethically embodying the Gospel. Above all we must highlight how we are responsible for developing our relationality with God, nature and neighbour.” As a particular case, the author focuses on the church's failure to respond to violence against women.

Hispanic Pentecostals in a Canadian Anglo-Franco Environment

Pneuma ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-79
Author(s):  
Luis C. Fontalvo
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
The United States ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
The Third ◽  
The People ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Many ◽  
Integrated Or ◽  
First World ◽  
The Church

AbstractEDITOR'S NOTE: Luis C. Fontalvo, a Colombian, began to preach in his home-land, but several years ago he moved with his family to Canada, and there he found himself in an altogether different cultural, climatological and economic world, to which he had to adapt. Fontalvo, however, in contrast to most preachers who come from the Third to the First World, did not migrate to Canada in the company of fellow Colombian believers nor with the intention of establishing a Spanish-speaking church, but to preach in French to the people of the province of Quebec and in response to what he interpreted as a specific call. His work crystalized into what is now known as the Eglise des Apôtres de Jesus-Christ, with very different and farther-reaching results than he expected. His work and presence in Canada became an experiment that may, or may not, be repeated in another country or under different circumstances. It leaves open the question as to what will happen if and when the church he founded is totally integrated or if migration to Canada ceases in the future. Fontalvo's experience is simply one instance of the many things that are happening in countries like the United States and Canada, and even on European soil, to which Latin American Pentecostals arrive silently, learn to live many times surreptitiously or anonymously in the country of their choice, and do what is most natural to them: Share the gospel. The results may not be exactly what the preacher expected, they may be as new as a "hybrid" church, as it happened to Montalvo. These hybrid churches may well become the trend of the future in some of the First World cities. Although Montalvo does not say so, the implicit lesson is that the preacher is the key to success and has to begin by becoming a polyglot and not simply the monolingual head of the operation who thinks that one language is enough either for the preacher or for a situation as that described in this article.

scholarly journals Menerapkan Profil Daud Sebagai Pemimpin di Gereja Orthodox Evangelismos Pargambiran Sumbul, Dairi

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-24
Author(s):  
Parluhutan Manalu
Keyword(s):  
Church Leaders ◽  
Orthodox Church ◽  
Cumulative Percentage ◽  
The People ◽  
God's People ◽  
The Future ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
The Church

The purpose of this research is to create a leader who is humble and sincere in leading God's people and who is responsible for his people. A leader is very important in an organization, group or in a church so he is required to be truly responsible for leading or directing the people he leads, this can be done by understanding David's profile as a leader. After conducting research by asking 8 questions with 8 respondents, the cumulative percentage of 72.665% was obtained, which means that the church leaders in the Orthodox Church Evangelismos Pargambiran, Sumbul, Dairi implemented David's leadership well in leading and carrying out tasks that had entrusted by God to him. The author's hopes for the future can be emulated: David's profile as a leader so as to realize leaders who are truly humble and responsible in leading their people. Abstrak Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mewujudkan pemimpin yang rendah hati dan dan tulus dalam memimpin umat Allah dan yang bertangung-jawab atas umatnya. Seorang pemimpin sangat penting dalam sebuah organisasi, kelompok ataupun dalam sebuah gereja sehingga dia dituntut untuk sungguh-sunguh bertanggung-jawab dalam memimpin atau mengarahkan orang-orang yang dipimpinnya, hal ini dapat dilakukan dengan memahami profil Daud sebagai Pemimpin. Setelah dilakukan penelitian dengan mengajukan 8 buah pertanyaan dengan 8 orang responden diperoleh hasil akumulatif presentase sebesaar 72,65625% yang artinya bahwa pemimpin gereja yang ada di Gereja Orthodox Evangelismos Pargambiran, Sumbul, Dairi menerapkan dengan baik kepemimpinan Daud dalam memimpin dan dalam melaksanakan tugas yang telah dipercayakan oleh Allah kepadanya. Harapan penulis ke depan bisa diteladani: Profil Daud sebagai pemimpin sehingga dapat mewujudkan pemimpin-pemimpin yang benar-benar rendah hati dan bertanggungjawab dalam memimpim umatnya.

Methodism and the Church

2018 ◽  
pp. 316-334
Author(s):  
David M. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Holiness Movement ◽  
Ordained Ministry ◽  
Means Of Grace ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Church

This chapter examines the nature of the church in Methodist experience and practice from the origins of Methodism as a network of religious societies in the eighteenth century to its present day self-understanding as a global communion of churches. The article discusses: (1) the Wesleyan foundations of Methodist ecclesiology; (2) methods, sources, and norms in Methodist theological reflection on the church; (3) how Methodists interpret the credal marks of the church; (4) the ordained ministry; and (5) the means of grace and authority. A concluding section considers the future agenda for ecclesiology as a branch of practical theology in Methodism. Confident in its providential mission to spread scriptural holiness and ecumenical in outlook, Methodism remains in essence a holiness movement in search of its true ecclesial location in the Holy Catholic Church.

scholarly journals Called and sent to make a difference: Radical missionality

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malan Nel
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Systematic Theology ◽  
Congregational Development ◽  
Congregational Life ◽  
Radical Nature ◽  
Recent Developments

The concept ‘missional’ is well established within the so-called missional conversation. It is however often ‘questioned’ by scholars and pastors for different reasons. Sometimes it is almost dissected from the rest of theology, especially systematic theology. Recent developments in this field are given an account of in this article. The main purpose of the article is not to argue a case for the concept again. The purpose is to focus on whether theology and ministry in any way understand the radical implications if and when we are missional in being and doing. My assumption within the field of research on rediscovering discipleship in the development of missional congregations is that none of us have thought through how radical missionality is, especially over and against a ‘volkskirchliche’ understanding and practice of church. The article will also touch on some radical changes in philosophy of ministry and doing ministry within a missional paradigm.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article focuses mainly on Practical Theology and specifically Congregational Development (‘Missionarische Gemeindeaufbau’). This field stands in a direct relationship with Missiology. The article contributes to a growing understanding of the radical nature of missional thinking and practice in congregational life and ministry.

scholarly journals Konsep Penginjilan Dalam Kisah Para Rasul 18:9-10 Sebagai Upaya Revitalisasi Penginjilan

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-171
Author(s):  
Aris Elisa Tembay
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Good News ◽  
Eternal Life ◽  
Missionary Work ◽  
God's Love ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Gift ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
The Church

Salah satu tugas gereja dan orang percaya adalah pekerjaan misi. Misi adalah semua kegiatan yang bertujuan untuk mengabarkan kematian dan kebangkitan Yesus Kristus sebagai pengorbanan untuk penebusan dosa manusia serta jaminan hidup yang kekal dalam nama-Nya. Jadi pekerjaan misi adalah Pengabaran Injil/penginjilan.Selanjutnya gereja bukan hanya mempunyai misi, tetapi seluruh kehidupan gereja itu adalah misi. Tugas memberitakan Injil adalah tugas setiap orang percaya. Gereja yang kuat dan bersinar adalah gereja yang bersedia pergi memberitakan kasih Allah kepada dunia, sehingga dunia mengalami kasih Allah. Sehingga masa depan dunia ada ditangan gereja. Gereja haruslah memiliki hati Allah. Tugas gereja memuridkan dan mengutus para murid untuk melaksanakan Mandat Agung Kristus. Maka, memberitakan kabar baik segala perbuatan dan karya Allah adalah tugas semua orang yang telah menerima anugerah keselamatan. Benih Injil haruslah terpancar dari semua aspek kehidupan orang percaya. Gereja yang kuat dan bertumbuh adalah gereja yang terlibat dalam pelaksanaan misi Allah bagi dunia. One of the tasks of the church and believers is missionary work. Mission is all activities aimed at proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for the atonement of human sins and the guarantee of eternal life in His name. So missionary work is evangelism / evangelism. Furthermore, the church does not only have a mission, but the whole life of the church is a mission. The task of preaching the gospel is the duty of every believer. A strong and shining church is a church that is willing to go to preach God's love to the world, so that the world experiences God's love. So that the future of the world is in the hands of the church. The church must have the heart of God. The task of the church is to make disciples and send disciples to carry out the Great Mandate of Christ. So, to preach the good news of all the deeds and works of God is the duty of all those who have received the gift of salvation. The seeds of the gospel must be emanated from all aspects of a believer's life. A strong and growing church is a church that is involved in carrying out God's mission for the world.

scholarly journals Misi Allah pada Masa Intertestamental

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-119
Author(s):  
Elisua Hulu
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Old Testament ◽  
The Political ◽  
People Of God ◽  
The People ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
Book Of Daniel ◽  
The Church

The people of God of the Old Testament and the people of God in the New Testament were linked during what is called the intertestamental age. This period is referred to as a state of vacuum which is marked by the absence of a demonstrative role of the prophet. The 400 year period of development, destruction, success and decline of the ruling nations was prophesied by God. The Old Testament Book of Daniel shows clearly that world history is proceeding according to God's sovereignty. Mission is God's work. The important thing from God’s mission is talking about God as a sender, where He is the source, initiator, dynamist, implementer and fulfiller of His mission. The method of study related to God's mission in the Interstestamental era is the method of studying literature, which describes it descriptively. The intertestamental period is the time when other nations know the God of Israel through their existence among them. This is a different way from what happened in the days of Solomon's kingdom where there was a temple in Jerusalem which became an attraction for Gentiles. The political, social, and economic situation in intertestamental times was a preparation for the mission of the church in New Testament times.Umat Allah Perjanjian Lama dan Umat Allah Perjanjian Baru dihubungkan dalam masa suatu yang sebut masa intertestamental. Masa ini disebut sebagai keadaan adanya kevakuman yang ditandai oleh tidak nampaknya peranan nabi secara demonstratif. Masa waktu 400 tahun mengalami perkembangan, kehancuran, kesuksesan dan kemerosotan negara-negara yang menguasai sudah dinubuatkan oleh Tuhan. Kitab Daniel dalam Perjanjian Lama memperlihatkan dengan jelas bahwa sejarah dunia berjalan sesuai dengan kedaulatan Allah. Misi adalah karya Allah. Hal penting dari misi atau pengutusan Allah berbicara tentang Allah sebagai pengutus, dimana Ia adalah sumber, inisiator, dinamisator, pelaksana dan penggenap misi-Nya. Metode pengkajian terkait misi Allah pada masa Interstestamental adalah dengan metode kajian pustaka, yang menguraikan secara deskriptif. Masa intertestamental adalah masa di mana bangsa-bangsa lain mengenal Allah Israel melalui keberadaan mereka di tengah bangsa-bangsa lain. Ini adalah cara yang berbeda dari yang terjadi pada masa kerajaan Salomo di mana ada bait suci di Yerusalem yang menjadi daya tarik bagi bangsa-bangsa lain. Situasi politik, sosial, dan ekonomi pada masa intertestamental merupakan persiapan bagi misi gereja pada masa Perjanjian Baru.

Three Attitudes Toward Astrology: Rabelais, Montaigne, and Pontus de Tyard

PMLA ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 530-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Lapp
Keyword(s):  
Free Will ◽  
The Other ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The People ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Universe ◽  
The Church

Burckhardt has remarked that during the Renaissance culture and enlightenment were almost powerless against astrology, kept alive as it was by the ardent imagination of the people, and their passionate wish to penetrate the future. But what he calls the “delusion” of astral influence charmed even the cultured and enlightened, and for rather more complex reasons than he suggests. The modern scholar, in analyzing Renaissance trends, tends to denounce the mind that surrenders to such influences in a rationalist atmosphere. A belief in the occult powers of the stars over Man did not, however, necessarily betray intellectual backwardness, nor was disbelief a proof of great enlightenment. Astrology, though often tolerated by princes of the Church, generally incurred the censure of theologians, and such a fatalistic belief, denying free will and granting powers of revelation to stars named for pagan dieties, appeared to the clerical mind as an incitement to idolatry. In many cases, then, the opponents of the art were conformists, not rebels—nor were they immune to superstition. Even so formidable an enemy of the stars as Pico della Mirandola toyed with magic and the cabala, and often directed his attack at science in general. On the other hand, such a champion of astrology as Mellin de Saint-Gelays argued that Man should remain unhindered in his desire to fathom the mysterious forces of the universe. If man remains earthbound, never lifting eyes or mind heavenward, wrote Mellin, he will sink to a level beneath all earthly creatures instead of becoming their master. For the French poet, prediction by the stars is not the chief purpose of the true astrologer, but a mere accessory of his earthly and heavenly researches. Such a defense of astrology as this stems from a reluctance to forbid any phase of Man's activity in the search for truth, an attitude which, though uncritical, remains consistent with the rationalistic spirit.

scholarly journals Scythian View of Russian Revolution: Aspects of Axiology

2021 ◽  
pp. 272-286
Author(s):  
N. M. Solntseva ◽  
E. G. Solntseva
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Russian Revolution ◽  
Relative Influence ◽  
The People ◽  
The Future ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Personal Energy ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Revolution

The perception of the revolution by the majority of members of the Scythian group (1916—1919) is examined in the article. The relevance of the topic is due to the fact that the views of the Scythians of the 1910s on the revolution correlate with their work, which is actively studied by modern researchers. It is shown that the priority for them was the projection of modernity on the mythologized and poeticized by them historical Scythians, the first was the question of the role of personal energy in opposition to social entropy. The article focuses on the actualization by the group members of the Scythian psychotype in the Russian revolution, on the premonition of their own death in its whirlwind, on the legacy of A. Herzen’s ideas by IvanovRazumnik. The attitude of the group members to the religious content of the revolutions of 1917 is analyzed, the skeptical view of Ivanov-Razumnik, E. Zamyatin, S. Yesenin, N. Klyuev on the Church is presented. The point of view of the spiritual Scythians who dreamed of democracy on the role of the people in the revolution and the future of the country is considered. The apprehensions of M. Prishvin, A. Blok, A. Bely for the fate of a culture threatened with destruction are outlined. It is concluded that there is no single revolutionary axiology in the group and only the relative influence of the ideas of Ivanov-Razumnik on its members.

scholarly journals Dimensi Eko-Eskatologis dalam Mitos Penciptaan pada Masyarakat Manggarai Nusa Tenggara Timur

SMART ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-264
Author(s):  
Sefrianus Juhani ◽  
Antonius Denny Firmanto
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Catholic Theology ◽  
New Creation ◽  
Conservation Movement ◽  
Creation Myth ◽  
The People ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Church

One of the problems suspected to be faced by human is environmental problems. Whereas in various traditions generated by the ancestors, it encourages harmony between human life and nature through mythology, including the teachings of eschatology. The ecological crisis that occurred because of leaving the concept of eco-eschatology in religion and culture. This paper aims to find the ecoeschatological dimension in the creation myth of the Manggarai Community, NTT. The study used qualitative approach with ethnographic methods. Data were obtained through interviews with several key informants from several villages in Manggarai. The results of the study found two myths that have the eco-eschatological  local wisdom, namely the myth of the origin of humans and the origin of plants. There are several eco-eschatological meanings in the creation myth, those are everything was created by Morin, all creations have an eschatological future, and there is continuity and discontinuity between the old creation in the world and the new creation in the eschatological world. These meanings bear some resemblance to the teachings in Catholic theology of creation. This finding contributes to the Church in efforts to sensitize the people in relation to the ecological crisis. In addition, local wisdom is also the basis for the environmental conservation movement.

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