Pastoral ministry on the confession of guilt and reconciliation through liturgical acts]]>
God se gawe, naamlik sy Seun, deur Wie verlossing van sonde en versoening met die mens bewerk is, staan sentraal in die Christelike belydenis. In die bediening van pastorale sorg en in die liturgiese handelinge is die gemeenskaplike doel die herstel van verhoudings, die versoening met God, met mekaar en met die self. Dit lei tot die vraag wat in hierdie artikel ondersoek word, naamlik wat die verhouding tussen die pastorale bediening van skuldbelydenis en versoening en die liturgiese handelinge daarvan is. Die aspekte wat aandag kry, is die pastorale sorg wat die gemeenskap aan mekaar behoort te bied, die verhouding tussen die pastorale sorg en die liturgie, die krag van rituele en 'n oorsig oor die ritueel van skuldbelydenis en versoening, enkele voorbeelde van sonde wat 'n gemeente kan bely en daarna die pastorale bediening deur rituele van berou en verootmoediging, sonde- en skuldbelydenis, vergifnis, absolusie en versoening. Die konklusie is dat die kommunikatiewe handeling van skuldbelydenis en versoening as 'n selfstandige handeling in die liturgie van die gemeente 'n kragtige pastorale bediening vir die gemeente as 'n geheel en vir die lidmate afsonderlik kan wees.<hr/>God's gift of his Son, through Whom he established redemption of sins and reconciliation with man, is central to the Christian confessions. In the ministry of pastoral care and in the liturgical acts the common goal is to re-establish relationships, reconcile with God, the other and the self. This leads to the question examined in this article, viz. what the relation between the pastoral ministry of confession or guilt and reconciliation and the performing of liturgical acts is. Attention is given to the following aspects: the pastoral care the community should give to each other, the relationship between pastoral care and liturgy, the power of rituals and an overview of the ritual of the confession of guilt and reconciliation, a few examples of sins a congregation may confess and subsequently the pastoral ministry through rituals of contrition and humiliation, confession of sin and guilt, forgiveness, absolution and reconciliation. The conclusion of this article is that the communicative act of confession of guilt and reconciliation as an independent act in the liturgy of the congregation, could be a powerful pastoral tool to the congregation as a whole and to members individually.
Wisdom as outcome of the pastoral process: Reflections on a positive pastoral narrative approach]]>
From a South African perspective, pastoral care is typically concerned with the solving or resolving of critical issues such as marital crises or depression. It represents an approach that is based on a medical or disease model, addressing deficits rather than strengths in the lives of counselees. Therapeutic developments in the fields of the narrative approach and positive psychology have shifted the attention to the therapeutic nurturing of liberating stories and the strengthening of virtues. Thus, the quality of the human experience by capitalising on what is healthy and intact is enhanced. This article will explore the notion that the pastoral process should aim at understanding and nurturing emotional and spiritual strengths with wisdom as the outcome, rather than trying to unravel spiritual deficits as strategy for healing. Such a positive approach relies on wisdom as a foundational virtue. By cultivating wisdom, counselees become fit for a well-lived life. In light of this, the necessity for widening our traditional pastoral horizons is discussed. Scripture and positive psychology are considered as sources to inform the pastoral process on wisdom and the narrative is discussed as a means to uncover and cultivate wisdom in the lives of counselees. Markers for a positive pastoral narrative approach, aimed at the cultivation of wisdom, are suggested. This article endeavours to contribute to the enrichment of pastoral practitioners' frame of reference by drawing on the insights of neighbouring helping-disciplines, like the narrative and positive psychology employed within a practical theological paradigm, hence contributing to the ongoing call (semper reformanda) to always renew our theological endeavours.<hr/>Vanuit 'n Suid Afrikaanse perspektief is pastorale sorg tipies op die oplossing van probleme soos huwelikskonflik of depressie gerig. As sodanig verteenwoordig dit 'n benadering wat op 'n mediese of siektemodel gegrond is en op gebreke eerder as deugde van persone gerig is. Terapeutiese ontwikkelings op die terreine van die narratief en positiewe sielkunde het egter die aandag op die gebruik van bevrydende verhale en die versterking van deugde gevestig. Sodoende word die kwaliteit van die menslike bestaan verbeter deur voort te bou op dít wat gesond en ongeskonde in mense se lewens is. In hierdie artikel word die opvatting ondersoek dat die pastorale proses op die verstaan en kweek van geestelike en emosionele deugde gerig moet wees eerder as op die verstaan en ontknoping van probleme as strategie vir genesing - spesifiek met die deug van wysheid in gedagte. Só 'n benadering berus op die aanname dat wysheid 'n deug is wat persone vir die lewe bemagtig. Die versterking van wysheid rus mense vir 'n vervulde lewe toe. In die lig hiervan word die noodsaaklikheid om bestaande pastorale verwysingsraamwerke te verbreed, bespreek. Die Skrif en die positiewe sielkunde word as bronne van kennis oor wysheid oorweeg en die narratief as 'n metode om wysheid in die lewens van die beradenes bloot te lê en verder te ontwikkel. Aanwysings vir 'n positiewe pastoraal-narratiewe benadering wat op die ontwikkeling van wysheid gemik is, word gegee. Die artikel poog om die verwysingsraamwerk van pastorale versorgers te verbreed deur binne 'n prakties-teologiese raamwerk uit die insigte van die positiewe sielkunde en die narratief te put. Op dié wyse word daarna gestreef om erns te maak van die oproep om voortdurend in die teologiese arbeid te vernuwe (semper reformanda).
Where is the church on Monday? Awakening the church to the theology and practice of ministry and mission in the marketplace]]>
Recent research by the Call42 group has shown that South African Christians experience that they are not adequately prepared or equipped for Christian living and discipleship in the world of work - here called the marketplace. This article has argued for the importance of a rediscovery of a theology of work that can empower and equip the church and individual Christians for ministry in the marketplace. The article traces why such a theological deficiency exists in the South African church by considering areas such as an inadequate theology of work and mission, a dualism between faith and work, and an unbalanced emphasis on the role of clergy and a lesser focus on the role of the laity in the missio Dei. Having considered these challenges to the mission and theological identity of the church, the article discusses the three general theological views of the church in South Africa as presented by Smit and adapted by Forster. It considers how the church could become an agent of mission and transformation in the marketplace in each of these three forms. The article comes to the conclusion that the church will need to revisit its missional theology, refocuses its efforts on broader society, and empowers and equips its members for ministry in the marketplace in order to be faithful in partnering with God in the missio Dei.<hr/>Onlangse navorsing deur die Call42 groep het bevind dat Suid-Afrikaanse Christene ervaar dat hulle nie voldoende voorbereid en toegerus is vir die Christelike lewe en dissipelskap in die arbeidsmark - hier genoem die markplein - nie. Hierdie artikel poog om aan te toon dat 'n herontdekking van 'n teologie van werk belangrik is ten einde die kerk in die algemeen asook individuele Christene te bemagtig en toe te rus vir die bediening in die markplein. Hierdie artikel poog dus om die kwessie van die sodanige teologiese leemte in die Suid-Afrikaanse kerk na te vors. Terreine soos onvoldoende teologie van werk en sending word ondersoek, 'n dualisme tussen geloof en werk word uitgewys, en daar word aangetoon dat 'n oorspeling van die predikant se rol en 'n onderspeling van gewone kerklidmate se rol die kerk se betrokkenheid by die missio Dei benadeel. Met inagneming van hierdie uitdagings aan sending en die kerk se teologiese identiteit, bespreek die artikel drie algemene teologiese standpunte van die kerk in Suid-Afrika, soos deur Smit aangebied en deur Forster aangepas. Die artikel besin hoe die kerk in elk van hierdie drie bestaansvorme 'n agent van sending en transformasie in die markplein kan wees. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die kerk die missionale of sendingteologie moet heroorweeg, opnuut moet fokus op die uitreik na die breër gemeenskap en lidmate vir bediening in die markplein moet bemagtig en toerus. Sodoende sal die kerk getrou wees aan die medewerking met God in die missio Dei.
Pastoral care of grieving children]]>
In die literatuur word dikwels na kinders as die sogenaamde 'forgotten grievers' verwys. Wat pastorale berading betref is daar in die verlede tydens sterfgevalle in 'n gesin soms meer op die volwassenes as op die kinders gefokus. Verliese wat egter nie tydens die kinderjare verwerk word nie, het 'n impak op die res van so 'n persoon se lewe. In hierdie artikel word die belangrikheid van kinders as volle lede van die geloofsgemeenskap (ook wat hulle emosies betref) beklemtoon. Aspekte soos die sinvraag, die beskermende- en helende effek van spiritualiteit en geloof, asook die belangrikheid van 'n Skrifgedeelte soos Lukas 18:15-17 met betrekking tot kleiner kinders kom vervolgens aan die orde. Die belangrikheid van die integrering van spiritualiteit en kreatiewe, ekspressiewe tegnieke en strategieë word ook uitgelig. Voorbeelde van laasgenoemde tegnieke word vervolgens aan die orde gestel terwyl 'n aantal praktiese riglyne ten opsigte van geloofsaspekte ter begeleiding van die kind wat 'n verlies ervaar het, ook daarna aandag geniet.<hr/>Literature often refers to children as the so called forgotten grievers. In the past, during deaths in a family, pastoral counselling was sometimes more focused on the adults than on children. However, losses that are not processed during childhood will have an impact on the rest of such a person's life. In this article, the importance of children as full members of the community of faith (also regarding their emotions) is emphasised. Aspects such as the question on meaning, the protective and healing effect of spirituality and faith, and the importance of a passage like Luke 18:15-17 with respect to smaller children are discussed. The importance of the integration of spirituality and creative expressive techniques and strategies are also explored. Examples of the latter techniques are discussed, while a number of practical guidelines on religious issues for the guidance of the child who has experienced a loss also receive attention.
Effective Youth Ministry: Theology-driven in a Cultural Context]]>
Recently Youth Ministry finds itself mostly in a crisis as it is wrongly presented. In a nutshell the crisis can be described as falling short of leading young people to become mature Christian adults. Research shows that there are a variety of contributing factors to this crisis. This article focuses on two of these contributing factors. Firstly, Youth Ministry today is skill and socially driven, rather than theology or spiritually driven. The discussion commences by indicating the importance of establishing theology as the foundation of Youth Ministry. A Christ-centric theological framework as foundation for effective Youth Ministry is proposed. The article emphasises the meaning and essence of theology, with the Sola Scriptura approach being followed throughout. The second contributing factor discussed is the issue that cultural relevance is wrongly being made the heartbeat and foundation of Youth Ministry instead of theology. The article gives culture its rightful and relevant place in Youth Ministry, without it overshadowing the foundation of effective Youth Ministry, namely theology. Postmodernism and subculture also receive attention and in the conclusion the emphasis falls on a call to return to a Youth Ministry that is theology driven in a cultural context.<hr/>Tans verkeer Jeugbediening grootliks in 'n krisis, aangesien dit verkeerd aangebied word. Kortliks behels hierdie krisis dat Jeugbediening daarin te kort skiet om jongmense tot volwasse Christenskap te lei. Navorsing toon verskeie faktore wat tot hierdie krisis bydra. Die artikel fokus op twee van hierdie bydraende faktore. Eerstens val die soeklig op die feit dat Jeugbediening tans metode- en sosiaal-gedrewe eerder as teologies- of spiritueel-gedrewe is. Die bespreking toon die belangrikheid daarvan om teologie en die behoefte daaraan as fondament in Jeugbediening te vestig. Die aanbeveling is dat daar 'n Christelik-teologiese raamwerk as fondament vir effektiewe Jeugbediening moet wees. Die fokus is op die betekenis en essensie van teologie met die Sola Scriptura benadering as deurgaans sentraal. Die tweede bydraende faktor tot die krisis is die feit dat kulturele relevansie in plaas van teologie verkeerdelik die hartklop en fondament van Jeugbediening gemaak word. Die artikel bied aan kultuur sy regverdige en relevante plek in Jeugbediening gebied sonder dat dit die fondament van Jeugbediening, naamlik teologie oorskadu. Postmodernisme en subkultuur geniet ook aandag. Ten slotte word die waarde vandie artikel uitgelig deur die oproep tot die terugkeer na Jeugbediening wat teologies vanuit 'n kulturele konteks gedryf word.
Leadership as an enabling function: Towards a new paradigm for local church leadership in the 21st century]]>
Ministry leadership presents unanticipated challenges to those seeking to serve the church. Whilst formal theological programmes provide essential education in Christianity and ministry, they do not equip new ministry leaders to navigate the complex adaptive system that is 'The church'. Upon completion of a formal educational programme, new church leaders are expected to be a leader without having the benefit of ongoing support for their leadership development process. To address this gap, and with the use of Osmer's heuristic, this article presents a framework of leadership development that draws primary from the business literature and can be adapted to ministry. Given the rough terrain inherent in the 21st century church, the authors of this article hope that this work provides a framework that will increase leadership effectiveness, prolong leadership tenure, and empower church leaders to foster the Christian worldview both within and outside their flock. Firstly, this article introduces a new framework for leadership development in the 21st century church. Next, we articulate the model and directly apply it to church leadership. We discuss not only issues that currently exist in the church, but also propose interventions that could improve the functionality and effectiveness of the church. We conclude with a list of theory-based activities that, if undertaken, will equip church leaders to utilise the framework proposed in this article.<hr/>Kerkleierskap bied onverwagte uitdagings vir diegene wat tot die bediening toetree. Terwyl formele teologiese programme wel noodsaaklike opleiding in die Christelike godsdiens en teologie bied, word nuwe toetreders tot die bediening van die komplekse veranderende stelsel van 'die kerk' nie na behore toegerus om leiers in die kerk te wees nie. Na die voltooiing van 'n formele opleidingsprogram word van nuwe kerkleiers verwag om 'n leier te wees sonder die hulp van voortgesette ondersteuning vir hulle leierskapsontwikkelingsproses. Om hierdie gaping te oorbrug, bied hierdie artikel 'n raamwerk vir leierskapsontwikkeling. Hierdie raamwerk is hoofsaaklik uit besigheidsliteratuur ontwikkel, maar kan vir die bediening aangepas word. Aangesien die een-en-twintigste-eeuse kerk in 'n onstuimige wêreld moet oorleef, hoop die skrywers van hierdie artikel dat genoemde raamwerk leierskapsdoeltreffendheid sal verhoog, die duur van leierskap sal verleng en kerkleiers sal bemagtig om die Christelike wêreldbeskouing te bevorder, binne sowel as buite hulle gemeentes. Die artikel stel eerstens 'n nuwe raamwerk vir die ontwikkeling van leierskap in die een-en-twintigste-eeuse kerk voor. Vervolgens word die model ontleed en direk op die kerklike leierskap toegepas. Die bespreking handel nie net oor kwessies wat tans in die kerk bestaan nie, maar bemiddelings word ook voorgestel om die funksionaliteit en doeltreffendheid van die kerk te verbeter. Ter afsluiting volg 'n lys teoreties-gebaseerde aktiwiteite wat, indien dit uitgevoer word, kerkleiers sal toerus om die voorgestelde raamwerk effektief te gebruik.
'n Prinsipiële diskoers oor die epistemologiese fundering van die Pastorale Teologie: 'n Oproep tot reformasie]]>
Hierdie artikel is as 'n huldeblyk aan prof. George Lotter by sy aftrede geskryf en uit erkenning vir sy bydrae tot die wetenskapsbeoefening van die Praktiese Teologie. Die artikel ondersoek die huidige konteks van die pastorale teologie. Aangesien epistemologiese keuses die metodiek en uitkoms van die pastoraat bepaal, is daar 'n dringende noodsaak om die epistemologiese invloede op die pastorale teologie te evalueer. Die artikel fokus op die epistemologiese dinamika wat die pastoraat verander het van 'n skriftuurlike fundering na 'n kommunikatiewe handelingsteoretiese en postmoderne narratiewe strategie. Die navorsingsvraag is: Is 'n reformatoriese terugkeer na 'n bybels-gefundeerde pastoraat teen die agtergrond van die epistemologiese invloede nog moontlik?<hr/>As a tribute to Prof. George Lotter on the occasion of his retirement and to his contribution to practical theology, this article focuses on the current situation of pastoral theology worldwide but mostly in South Africa. Since epistemological choices determine the method and content of research on pastoral theology, as well as the practical implementation thereof, there is an urgent need to evaluate the influences on pastoral theology and the results of these influences. The article focuses on the epistemological dynamics that have changed pastoral theology from a scriptural approach to a discipline of communicative acts and a postmodern strategy of narrative pastoral counselling. The research question is: Is it still possible to have a reformed pastoral theology and pastoral counselling against the backdrop of these epistemological changes?
Ministry in the presence of God (coram Deo) according to Exodus]]>
This article describes ministry in the presence of God (coram Deo) as revealed in the Book of Exodus. At the outset, the structure of the Book of Exodus is analysed and the relevant results are given. Then a study is made of what it means, according to Exodus, to be in the presence of God. An effort is also made to describe the service of the people of God in light of the study of coram Deo. The results of the investigation are continuously applied to the practical work of the congregation. The article concludes that the ministry can be largely enriched when the congregation are purposefully guided to come together, serve and live consciously in the presence of God.<hr/>Hierdie artikel beskryf die lewe voor die aangesig van God (coram Deo) soos dit in die Eksodusboek geopenbaar is. Aanvanklik word die struktuur van die Eksodusboek ontleed en die tersaaklike resultate weergegee. Daarna word 'n studie gemaak van wat dit volgens Eksodus beteken om voor die aangesig van God te wees. Daar word ook gepoog om die dienswerk van God se volk te beskryf in die lig van die studie oor coram Deo. Die resultate van die ondersoek word deurlopend toegepas op die praktiese dienswerk van die gemeente. Die artikel kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die bediening grootliks verryk kan word wanneer die gemeente doelbewus begelei en toegerus word om bewustelik voor die aangesig van God saam te kom, te dien en te leef.
Coding and data analysis during qualitative empirical research in Practical Theology]]>
I dedicate this article to Prof. George Lotter, who has been instrumental in the formation of more than 90 postgraduate students in practical theological studies at the North-West University (NWU). Under his guidance, a significant amount of empirical research has been conducted. This is in line with a movement among scholars, both national and international, towards a more empirical approach in Practical Theology. It is therefore indispensable that both lecturers and students in Practical Theology should further develop their empirical research capacities. In this article, it is argued for a more systematic approach during the coding and data analysis phase of qualitative research and the article concludes with a proposed model for coding and data analysis in practical theological studies.<hr/>Hierdie artikel word aan prof. George Lotter opgedra. Deur die jare was hy instrumenteel in die vorming van meer as 90 nagraadse studente in Praktiese Teologie by die Noord-Wes Universiteit (NWU). Baie empiriese navorsing het onder sy leiding plaasgevind. Dit is in ooreenstemming met die nasionale en internasionale tendens van 'n meer empiriese benadering in Praktiese Teologie. Dit is dus van die uiterste belang dat Praktiese Teologie-dosente en -studente se vaardighede in empiriese navorsing verder ontwikkel moet word. In hierdie artikel word aangetoon dat 'n meer sistematiese benadering gevolg moet word tydens die kodering en die data-analisefase van kwalitatiewe navorsing. 'n Model vir die kodering en data-analise vir navorsing in Praktiese Teologie word ook voorgestel.
A pastoral investigation into some of the challenges associated with aging and retirement in the South African context]]>
This article is a contribution to a project that congratulates from the work of George Lotter, a pastor, pastoral counsellor and academic who wrote much on matters relating to pastoral care and counselling. Elderliness and retirement can be understood as a period in the lives of elderly people that allows them to rest after a long life of activity and service. From another point of view, old age is also a time that offers pastoral caregivers an opportunity to care for people who have contributed to their families and society. Pastoral caregivers have an important role to play in the lives of elderly people. This applies particularly to elderly black South Africans, who often find themselves confronted by poverty and other related problems. This article investigates the challenges and problems affecting retired and elderly black South Africans with particular focus on the economic impact of aging and its influence on family relationships in the lives of elderly people. To conclude: it is the duty of pastoral caregivers to search for and establish guidelines for the roles the church can play in improving elderly people's quality of life.<hr/>Hierdie artikel is 'n bydrae tot 'n projek wat voorspruit uit die werk van George Lotter, 'n pastor, pastorale berader en akademikus wat baie geskryf het oor kwessies wat met pastorale sorg en berading verband hou. Bejaardheid en aftrede kan verstaan word as 'n tyd in in ouer persone se lewe waartydens hulle kan rus na 'n lang aktiewe en diensbare lewe. Bejaardheid kan ook gesien word as 'n tyd wat aan pastorale versorgers die geleentheid gee om na die mense wat bygedra het tot hulle families en die gemeenskap se versorging, om te sien. Pastorale versorgers speel 'n belangrike rol in die lewens van bejaardes. Dit is spesifiek van toepassing op bejaarde swart Suid-Afrikaners wat dikwels gekonfronteer word met armoede en aanverwante probleme. Hierdie artikel ondersoek die uitdagings en probleme waarmee bejaarde swart Suid-Afrikaanse afgetredenes te kampe het. Dit fokus spesifiek op die ekonomiese uitwerking van veroudering en die invloed wat dit op familieverhoudinge in die lewens van bejaardes het. Die slotsom word gemaak dat dit die plig van pastorale versorgers is om riglyne te soek en te bied vir die rol wat die kerk kan speel ter verbetering van die lewensomstandighede van die bejaardes.
The men God created to be fathers and mentors]]>