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 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.

The “Poor” in Ancient Israel – and in Contemporary African Biblical Studies

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-221
Author(s):  
Knut Holter
Keyword(s):  
Human Dignity ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Biblical Studies ◽  
Systematic Theology ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Ancient Israel ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Do So

The academic discipline of biblical studies experiences an increasing tendency to engage in burning issues of our own time. The contemporary globalization of the subject – with more and stronger exponents outside its traditional Western habitat – challenges a discipline that used to be defined as a purely historical enterprise whose only purpose was that of providing textual and historical raw materials for others, such as the supposedly “real” theologians of systematic theology, practical theology, or missiology. Using examples provided by African biblical scholars who interpret biblical concepts of poverty, the article argues that the academic discipline of biblical studies has a mandate to participate in the current struggle for justice and human dignity, and to do so with its particular insights and tools vis-à-vis the biblical texts.

scholarly journals Ubuntu as care: Deconstructing the gendered Ubuntu

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinenhlanhla S. Chisale
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Care Ethics ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Systematic Theology ◽  
African Women ◽  
Feminist Studies ◽  
Anthropological Perspective ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
African Context

In this article, I explore the concept of Ubuntu in a context of caregiving with the aim of deconstructing the gendering of caregiving in a context of pastoral care. Using a qualitative approach, this article draws from the empirical findings of primeval praxis of Ubuntu from a study conducted on the KwaZulu-Natal chapter of South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) funded ‘Archaeology of Ubuntu’ project. Empirical findings were evaluated through African women theology. Findings of this article highlight that Ubuntu in a context of caregiving is not exclusively feminine because men also display strong tendencies of care in African traditional communities. This suggests that pastoral care in an African context should not be gendered because findings of the article confirm that the Zulu elders from KwaZulu-Natal generally linked Ubuntu to communal care where men and women partnered in extending caregiving to those in need.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Although the article is written from a socio-anthropological perspective, it integrates African traditional presumptions of gender and care ethics that are significant in extending pastoral care by reviewing literature from sociology, anthropology, gender, feminist studies, practical theology and systematic theology.

scholarly journals Die implikasies van ’n nadere Skrifgefundeerde definisie van dissipel en dissipelmaking vir gemeentebou

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Spiritual Growth ◽  
Congregational Development ◽  
Church Development ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Correct Understanding

The implications of a closer Scriptural definition of disciple and discipling for church development In the field of Practical Theology the term “discipling” is often used as a synonym for both spiritual growth and for teaching. To define the term as such can contribute to a dilution of the term “disciple” and to an inaccurate understanding of the process of discipling. In this article the concept of “disciple” is critically analysed. The following conclusion is arrived at: “Discipling” entails the lifelong process by which people are guided and encouraged to progressively become followers and pupils (disciples) of Jesus. The purpose of such a process implies that a person will become more and more like Jesus and will live according to the spirit of Jesus. A correct understanding of the concept of discipleship as a process has far-reaching implications for strategising congregational development.

Studying Systematic Theology

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
David Kirwa Tarus
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Systematic Theology ◽  
Historical Theology ◽  
Definition Of

This article explores historical, theological, hermeneutical, and personal approaches of doing systematic theology. It suggests the place of systematic theology in relation to other theological disciplines such as exegesis, historical theology, and practical theology. The article begins with a definition of systematic theology, then traces the development of systematic theology as a theological and academic discipline. Next, it examines the various sources of systematic theology and provides how the disciplines relate to systematizing doctrine. Finally, using the metaphor of cross-currents in African holistic spirituality, the article suggests how systematic theology relates to other disciplines. 

scholarly journals Do Mark 7:1–23 and Matthew 15:1–20 condone the unusual practices of New Prophetic Pentecostal Churches?

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vuyisile Qiki ◽  
Llewellyn Howes
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Testament ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Systematic Theology ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Traditional Church ◽  
New Testament Studies ◽  
Pentecostal Churches ◽  
Parallel Texts

The leaders of certain New Prophetic Pentecostal Churches (NPPCs) perform rituals that are very unusual when compared with traditional church rituals and practices. These practices include eating grass, rats or snakes, drinking petrol and spraying Doom on people so that they would be healed and be closer to God. The trend to perform these unusual rituals has spread throughout South Africa. Leaders from NPPCs often quote Mark 7:14–19 and Matthew 15:10–11, 16–18 to justify their actions. In this study, these parallel texts will be considered in their literary and socio-cultural contexts to determine whether or not they can be taken to condone the activities of these church leaders.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The study will find that Mark 7:14–19 and Matthew 15:10–11, 16–18 either condone or do not condone the unusual activities of NPPCs and their leaders. Either way, the findings will be relevant for New Testament studies, practical theology, religion studies and systematic theology.

scholarly journals Improving the lack of missional effectiveness of congregations with small satellite meetings from an interdisciplinary practical theological perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur R. Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Church History ◽  
Small Satellite ◽  
Congregational Life ◽  
Small Church ◽  
Dual Structure ◽  
Cell Groups ◽  
Perception Theory ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
Group Structures

There is much literature concerning small church groups. We are swamped with articles and blogs about what to do to make your small group succeed. Many of these are purely pragmatic, with a smattering of theology or ecclesiology. I believe it is time to take a fresh practical theological look at their place in congregational life and their ecclesiological role. One aim of the missional concept is that congregations transform the communities in the contemporary worlds in which they exist. Whilst many churches now have a dual structure of small satellite groups attached around the main larger worship meeting variously known as cell groups, life groups, etc., it would appear from research that they are not using this dual combination effectively from a missional perspective and thus are not being as effective as they could be in fulfilling the missio Dei. This article attempts to learn how this may be improved using an interdisciplinary practical theology approach combining what may be learnt about this dual structure from the sociology of groups, church history, ecclesiology, and contemporary contextual studies. It concludes by making appropriate recommendations.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article suggests how their effectiveness may be significantly improved using an intra/interdisciplinary practical theology approach combining what may be learnt about this dual structure from the sociology of groups, church history, perception theory in the area of ecclesial paradigms, missional and Trinitarian ecclesiology, and contemporary contextual studies. It concludes by making appropriate recommendations.Keywords: Dual group structures; contemporary developments;actional analysis; improving missional effectiveness; contextual importance

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