scholarly journals Die 'vroue-kwessie' in die GKSA

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pieterse
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Church Members ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Church ◽  
And Task ◽  
The Way

The issue about women in the Reformed Churches in South Africa (GKSA) This article provides a summary of the views of church members in the GKSA (Reformed Churches in South Africa) on women. According to traditional views a woman’s primary role and task are limited to the home where she has to be a wife to her husband and a mother to her children. The perception is that she does not have a role within society or politics. Furthermore her role in the church has been limited to activities regarded as in harmony with the view of women as housewives. Women have objected to this delimiting view of their role and task in society and church, especially because it is not in harmony with the restitution that Christ has effected for women. In the GKSA, especially the fact that women are not allowed to serve as deacon, elder or minister, is experienced as contradictory to women’s restitution. The article provides a synopsis of the way in which the GKSA has dealt with the issue of women in office. In several reports of Synod, many positive things have been written about women. The church, however, has been reluctant to translate words into actions and allow women to use their gifts fully in the church.

scholarly journals Kuyper se ekklesiologie en die interpretasie van ‘kerklike sake’ in artikel 30 van die Kerkorde van die Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Vorster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
African Society ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Way

The Ecclesiology of Abraham Kuyper had a visible influence on the Reformed Churches of South-Africa. It has been noted by various theologians that his view of the Church as organism and as institute constituted the way in which these Churches functioned in South African society. His view determined the way in which the expression ecclesiastical matters in article 30 of the Church Order of the Reformed Churches in South Africa has been interpreted over the years. Ecclesiastical matters have been interpreted as matters dealing with the institute itself while political and social matters have been regarded as extra-ecclesiastical

Die Afrikaanse gereformeerde kerke in Suid-Afrika en hul aanbiddingspraktyke (1990–2020)

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-198
Author(s):  
Hoffie Hofmeyr
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Church Life ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
Church Service ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Way

The Afrikaans reformed Churches in South Africa and their worshipWorship as a major window on church life remains one of the most visible and obvious areas to discover and identify changes, movements and transformation quickly. Worship also reflects clearly on the way we experience the church. John van de Laar puts it aptly when he stated that “the way we worship, defines the way we live”. The question being addressed in this article is whether there have been some clear changes in the style of worshipping in these South African reformed churches and if so, why. In a brief overview the focus is on, inter alia, the most important areas of the worship of the church, that is, liturgy and the church service, preaching, church music and hymns, sacraments, small groups, and contemplative services. Many challenges remain; the important reality also remains that changes ought to be according to the basic principles of Scripture and the confessional tradition, always with a realisation of our contextuality in Africa and the needs of the 21st century.

scholarly journals Afrikaanse gereformeerde kerke in Suid-Afrika en ekologie

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rikus Fick
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Refined Formulation ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Way

The Afrikaans reformed churches in South Africa and ecologyA plethora of studies describing the scope of destruction of the ecology has been published since the 1970s. Lately, Christianity has been accused of being partly responsible for this. Despite the fact that South Africa is one of the ten largest polluters in the world, local religious communities only started voicing an opinion on this matter during the late 1980s. Only in the early 1990s did the reformed churches in South Africa begin some soul searching and the matter was placed on the agenda. The question raised in this article is: What contribution have the reformed churches in South Africa made towards averting this crisis? The author considers criticism levelled at Christianity in general and at the reformed churches in particular; the status of ecology in the dogma of these churches; the contributions made by theologians, and important decisions taken by synods. Three phases were noted in the way the synods dealt with the issue: Firstly, it was acknowledged that a crisis exists and that the church is neither innocent nor can she remain indifferent; secondly, theologians reflected deeply on this matter and offered a refined formulation of a creed to articulate the relationship between God, creation and man. Lastly, practical guidelines were proposed. It was found that the reformed churches have contributed significantly towards alerting people to the fact that the crisis also has religious implications; that the faithful should obey Biblical guidelines; and that there are implications for life, liturgy, education, and theological training.

Reconciliation in the Public Domain

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddy Van der Borght
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Domain ◽  
Truth And Reconciliation Commission ◽  
Reconciliation Commission ◽  
Religious Symbol ◽  
The Public ◽  
Truth And Reconciliation ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Way

Reconciliation shifted in South Africa during the transition from being a contested idea in the church struggle to a notion proposed and rejected by the fighting parties and finally embraced by the two main political protagonists when they reached an agreement on the transition to a democratic order. This article analyses the layered meaning of the reconciliation concept within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. On the basis of this description the questions that will be explored are whether reconciliation functioned as a religious symbol at the trc, and if so, in what way. In the conclusion, the way the concept of reconciliation itself was transformed due to the role it played in the transition in South Africa will be summarized and the consequences for theological research will be indicated.

scholarly journals Die predikant: bewaker of veranderingsagent in ’n tydperk van transformasie?

1994 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Potgieter ◽  
P. M. Heyns ◽  
G. B. Roux
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Church Members ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Racial Democracy ◽  
Peace And Reconciliation ◽  
The Church

South Africa finds itself in a transition period on its way to a non-racial democracy and an integrated society. This is in contrast to a past charac­terized by apartheid. In this transition period, many South Africans and members of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) struggle with questions and uncertainties concerning a future dispensation for the country and the church issues that need to be addressed. The question is whether the DRC, and specifically the minister, can play an active role in the transition to an integrated South Africa by, for instance, facilitating acceptance, un­derstanding, peace and reconciliation among church members of all races within the congregation and wider contexts. It is probable that ministers have questions concerning their own role, as well as the role that church members expect of them to play during this transition period.

scholarly journals Strome van lewende water: Nuwe-Testamentiese perspektiewe op die missionêre karakter van die kerk

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flip P.J. Buys
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
North America ◽  
Missional Church ◽  
The World ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Missional Churches ◽  
The Church ◽  
International Phenomenon

Oor ’n wye front word besorgdheid uitgespreek oor die stagnering en kwynende getallegroei van hoofstroom-reformatoriese kerke in Suid-Afrika. Die besorgdheid word egter ook uitgespreek dat predikante en kerke in hulle ywer om kerklike vernuwing teweeg te bring, soveel kompromieë maak dat die kerk sy eie aard as heilge volk van God in die wêreld verloor. Daar is ’n internasionale tendens te bespeur by reformatoriese kerke, in Suid-Afrika, Noord Amerika, Australië, Nederland, Duitsland en die Verenige Koninkryk om die na-binne-gerigtheid van kerke om te draai om werklik missionêre kerke te kan wees. Daar is ook tekens van ’n groeiende ontwakende passie om die onbereikte taalgroepe tot by die uithoeke van die aarde te bereik met die evangelie. Daar is oor ’n wye front lewendige debatte aan die gang wat vra vir ’n herevaluering van oorgeërfde ekklesiologiese tradisies en gebruike en ’n herbesinning oor Bybelse beginsels. In die lig van hierdie ontwikkelings is die doel van hierdie artikel om Nuwe-Testamentiese beginsels op te som en te onderstreep en as boustene aan te bied om die profiel van ’n missionêre kerk te skets. Grave concerns are expressed about the decline of mainline reformed churches in South Africa, especially the Reformed Churches in South Africa. At the same time fears are expressed that efforts to facilitate renewal in churches in order to become healthy and more effective missional churches, are making too many compromises with the gospel, so that the church is in danger of losing its very character as God’s holy people in the world. There is also an international phenomenon of reformed and evangelical type churches in North America, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and Australia endeavouring to outgrow their ingrown vision and become part of God’s mission to reach unreached people groups in every corner of the world. There are lively debates on reviewing and rethinking inherited ecclesiological theological traditions and practices in churches. This article endeavours to gather basic building bricks by summarising and emphasising the most basic New Testament principles for outlining the profile of a missional church.

scholarly journals An assessment of the management skills required of ministers in the Reformed Churches of South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Grobler ◽  
J. L. Van der Walt
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Major Part ◽  
Business Administration ◽  
Specific Training ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Mba Students ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
Good Order ◽  
The Church ◽  
And Training

A congregation is not a business, and to manage it as such would be inappropriated. Although the church is primarily invis- ible and spiritual by nature, in this world it is functioning as an institution which must be managed efficiently and effectively to ensure that everything is done successfully and in good order. A major part of the responsibility to ensure order and effective- ness rests on the shoulders of the minister. The training of as- piring ministers in the Reformed Churches of South Africa does not involve specific training in managing and leading an organi- sation. This fact might leave them vulnerable, especially in the earlier stages of their careers.  Although some people are blessed with natural skills and ta- lents regarding management and leadership, it has been pro- ven that management skills required to manage an organisation successfully can be acquired by means of study and training.  An empirical study was performed to determine whether training in management could assist ministers in the execution of their calling. A questionnaire was sent to all the ministers of the Re- formed Churches of South Africa regarding the scope of circum- stances in a congregation which can be compared with other organisations, as well as the minister’s role in managing the situations.  The research concludes with a recommendation that considera- tion should be given to include a course on management in the training syllabus of aspiring ministers. Furthermore, it is sugges- ted that this course be developed specifically taking into ac- count the background and circumstances of the Reformed Churches of South Africa, and should not be generic like the course which is included for Baccalaureus Commercii or Mas- ters of Business Administration (MBA) students.

scholarly journals ’n Waarskynlike bedieningsmilieu vir die GKSA in die dekades na 2000

1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Vorster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Future ◽  
Broad Framework ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
Biblical Principles ◽  
The Church

This article focuses on the possible milieu for the ministry of the Reformed Churches in South Africa in the decades beyond 2000. From a church- historical and futurological point of view the paradigm shift from modernism to postmodernism is investigated. The effect of the paradigm shift as well as the emerging megatrends is analysed and proposals for the focus of the future ministry of these churches are formulated. These proposals are outlined within the broad framework of Biblical principles for the ministry of the church.

scholarly journals Church and government in Reformed perspective

2005 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
W.A. Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
16Th Century ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

The new political dispensation since 1994 requires the Reformed churches in South Africa to redefine their role in society and their relationship with the government. This short journey through history helps us to understand the complexity of the relationship between the Church and the government. This article focuses on the concepts formulated by the Reformers in the 16th century, presenting the view that the revolutionary and radical way in which the Reformed concepts changed society and the government is still relevant to South Africa and opens up meaningful dialogue.

scholarly journals Sending in die kerk: ’n Gevallestudie

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-55
Author(s):  
J. J. Kritzinger
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Church Members ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The World ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Church ◽  
Significant Factors

Mission in the church: A case study Based on an enquiry into mission interest in the NG Church. Although there can be no doubt that mission is the essential task to which God called the church into being, to be his witness in the world, the empirical church often shows very little awareness of this. This article relates some results of research done in the Dutch Reformed Church in the Republic of South Africa on the church members’ interest in and involvement with mission. Some of the significant factors influencing the missionary interest of the members were (a) their personal spirituality and activities within the church, (b) their political leanings, and (c) the missionary preaching and enthusiasm of the ministers. A few aspects of the ministry are highlighted as worthy of attention.

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