Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Covenant Family Community Church'

This paper examines the Army Community Covenant, a formal document intended to strengthen the official and unofficial relationships between U.S. Army posts in the United States with their surrounding civilian communities. Critical Discourse Analysis is applied to trace the genealogy of the verbal and visual constructs and semiotics of the document, from the rhetoric of George Washington that acculturated the Continental Army to the present day, and considering the perspectives of nationalism and familial relationships in the deliberate selection of key terminologies. This research concludes with the recognition of the documents' potential effects, both positive and negative, upon its intended participants and audience, and proposes extensions for further research in the areas of the U.S. Army and army families, as well as the perceptions of identity and struggles for representation that exist.
Master of Arts

The question I address is: how might a theology of authority be conceived in the light of questions raised by what is termed 'post-modernity'? Is it possible to articulate a theology of authority coming to the church community 'from God' that avoids an oppressive and alienating heteronomy? The thesis explores the question of authority as of vital importance in the sociological dimension of religion, calling for legitimisation (in light of claims made for itself) and as obligatory in the theological sphere. For this reason the project involves two methodologies (theological and sociological/ethnographic). While this investigation is relevant to all sections of the Christian church, particular attention is paid to Baptist churches in the UK, since they hold a concept in their tradition that I suggest is valuable in answering the question of the thesis, namely that of covenant. Within the Christian tradition there is an inner 'problematic' relating the personal authority of Christ to the forms of institution (church) and text (scripture). I explore this with a brief survey of theological authority as found in the fourfold foundation of scripture, tradition, reason and experience. From this is developed a brief theological and Christological reflection on divine authority and covenant theology as found in Karl Barth and his response to the 'inner problematic'. Within contemporary culture I view authority through the lens of so-called 'postmodernism', identifying four challenges to the notion of 'external authority' (all of which exemplify a move from the external to internal, and objective to subjective approaches to authority). This is further explored by means of qualitative research with one-to-one interviews conducted in a Baptist church in York. This data is reflected upon by means of ethnography and 'judicious narratives', especially in dialogue with material from Guest ('congregational study'), Heelas and Woodhead ('subjectivised-self') and Healy ('theodramatic horizon' and 'practical-prophetic ecclesiology'), providing an intersection between the language of theology and sociology. The concept of church as covenant community is explored in Baptist and (more briefly) Anglican traditions, leading to a constructive proposal that both the inner-church 'problematic' and the 'postmodern' challenge to authority might begin to be resolved with the notion of covenant. It is within this context of relationship, human and divine, that the authoritative and revelatory Word of God, the story that is Christ, is found in community and praxis. Here is a 'triangulating' relationship between authority, story and covenant revealing divine authority in a non-coercive way and relevant to contemporary culture.

Increasing rates of obesity across all race, ethnic, gender, and age groups over the past thirty years have generated significant public health concern. Black children face disproportionately higher risk for overweight and obesity compared with their White peers. Substantial evidence suggests that parent involvement improves pediatric obesity treatment outcomes. Moreover, churches are feasible and culturally congruent places to host health promotion interventions within the Black community. The current study examined the feasibility of disseminating an existing pediatric obesity intervention, NOURISH, in Black church communities. Twenty-five families participated in baseline assessment of the NOURISH-C. Five churches hosted the intervention and eight individuals were trained to lead the sessions. It was hypothesized that parent participation in NOURISH-C would be associated with improvements in child dietary intake, quality of life, and physical activity. Significant increases in quality of life were found, but no other hypotheses related to child health outcomes were supported. Nonetheless, this study offers a unique contribution to the pediatric obesity literature through its focus on implementing a community based intervention in a primarily Black sample. Outcomes from the primary aim, which assessed feasibility, provide important guidance for future research. Specifically, barriers to and facilitators of the implementation of NOURISH-C are reviewed to inform future church based health promotion interventions. Additionally, current findings provide a framework for future community based iterations of NOURISH.

The aim of this study was to investigate the specific role that the nuclear family as a primary faith unit has to play in a postmodern context, and the challenges that confront it, as well as the ways in which the church can support the family in this. The study was done through a basis-theoretical investigation of Biblical evidence about the family and about its destiny as well as about the historical development and vicissitudes of the family over the past two millennia, through a meta-theoretical investigation into and analysis of sociological and psychological evidence and views about the relationship between the family and value transfer and faith formation, and through a qualitative empirical investigation into the situation of a number of families in a suburban reformed church, the latter part being informed by the insights derived from the basis- and meta-theoretical study. On the basis of the aforesaid a practice theory was formulated that aims to support the ministry to families. In the basis-theoretical study of Biblical evidence it was indicated that, in spite of widely divergent family forms and situations over many centuries, there were a number of basic functions always common to families, among which the most important is that of the family as the conduit of salvation, as well as its role of nurturance and education. Strong emphasis was also put on the interactive relationship between the church and the family, not only in the family being a part of the church but also in it being a metaphor for the church. On the basis of an analysis of the history of the family over centuries, certain basic aspects of the family were again identified. In this part of the study specific attention was paid to the postmodernism as phenomenon and its implications for the experience of community and for the family. In the empirical study interviews were conducted with six families on the basis of a number of essential themes identified from the study thus far, to determine what their experience of and problems with those facets of their family life are. An interview with a focus group about the same themes was also conducted. On the basis of these conversations the basic themes were further reduced to six in number, and a variety of common concerns or problems, or merely ways of handling certain matters, were identified. In the development of a practice theory emphasis was put on the fact that the address of such a theory or model cannot be in the first place only the church as it performs its work through its offices, but it needs also be the faithful, with the family itself as the autonomous body. Without running the risk of making to rigid a distinction between the various responsibilities of these three, recommendations were made about a number of fields in which the ministry to families can concentrate to counteract the growing danger of privatisation and isolation of families, and again to make families viable building blocks of the church of Christ.
Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The aim of this study was to look at the vocation of the Afrikaans-speaking male between 30 and 40 years within the family, church and society. The following procedure was followed: A base theoretical investigation was undertaken to establish Scriptural perspectives on the subject. The model of Zerfass was used. It was found: The male as representative of God on earth must live in an intimate personal relationship with God. He should therefore be peacemaker, acting in love towards all, even his enemies. A man should accompany his wife as his equal with unconditional sacrificial love so that she is able to grow spiritually. His family should be the highest priority in his daily programme. Metatheoretical perspectives were subsequently obtained from the two disciplines, namely Psychology and Sociology. An empirical study was simultaneously undertaken in order to determine the shortcomings in a man's life. The following conclusions were made: The male between 30 and 40 years-old is in a phase where he critically evaluates certain religious systems and values. The male between 30 and 40 years regards his marriage and family as one of his four "enemies" because it feels as if his family expects too much of him. The male between 30 en 40 years also struggles to maintain a balance between time at work and time with his family. Theoretical guidelines from practice were subsequently established by synthesising the above information in an hermeneutical way. The following guidelines were set: Through the love of Christ a man should be "the salt of lie" to counteract perdition and a "light for this world" to indicate direction in life. A husband should make time for his family in order to spend quality time with them. His behaviour and the way that he communicates with them will show them that he loves them, appreciates them and understands them. A man should do his work as if were doing it for Christ, and not for people. This, however, means that he should work in such a way that he does not lose valuable time that he could have spent with his family. A man must be aware of his own sinful nature and continuously profess his sins before God and his neighbour. This study aimed to give men a vision so that they would have a conception of what it means to be a man of God in a troubled world.
Thesis (M.Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

This exploratory reseach study involved the members of fifteen multi-problem, low income families. These families were part of a community social work project sponsored by the Catholic church in western Sydney. Key members of these families were interviewed on eight separate occasions between 1979 and 1987. A critical analysis of the social and political contexts in which this community project operated was also undertaken. Certain constraints that mitigate against empowerment for devalued people were identified. Specific constraints were noted within the social work profession and within the Catholic church's social welfare practice. Consciousness of these social and political constraints had an influence on the nature of the interventions that were made with the participants in the project. These interventions created a " sense of belonging or collectivity amongst the participants. The interventions also endeavoured to help them to understand the ‘ true nature of the social and political constraints that were mitigating against their well being. The participants were encouraged to act on their new consciousness. The study identified certain changes in the attitudes, behaviours and the use language of the member of the fifteen families who were selected for observation. These observations may help the managers of social work progress to come to a better understanding of the process of empowerment for devalued people.

The dissertation starts from the premise that we are living in an increasingly individualistic and secular society. The church is seen as a worshipping community, where mutual care emanating from true Christian community could serve as a corrective to current fragmentation. A theory is developed of the church as a caring and worshipping faith community which exists alongside other communities. The church therefore exists to enable people to embody the gospel ideals in their lives. The whole Christian community must thus be seen to be offering the love, compassion and acceptance that is needed today. This role can be enhanced by encouraging training in caring skills. The faith community exercises its nurturing support system through the fusion of horizons as members seek to give expression to their faith. This faith community functions against the background of the myriad of relationships and different communities in which its members find themselves in.
Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This dissertation studies the role of preaching in the Christian Brethren Church from a practical theological perspective. I commence by setting up a practical theological theory that draws from both revelatory and anthropological models to develop a preaching model that considers preaching as a Revelatory Covenantal Conversation involving divine revelation, community dialogue and intended response, and has ecclesiological focus and impact. In this dissertation I propose a theological theory on the role of preaching in the church which asserts that: Preaching stands, in the line of the self revelation of God, as his continuing action to both reveal himself, and be present with his covenant people of promise. Therefore preaching within the church must conform to this revelation in: event – the covenantal conversation itself; message – the content of the preaching; interpretation/response – the preacher’s intended response by the hearers; the intention - the intended shaping of the community of faith through the preaching event. Preaching is a continuing Revelatory Covenantal Conversation between God and his people to create, transform, and continue his community of faith – the preaching community. Following a discussion of the above preaching theory a Revelatory Covenantal Conversational preaching model is presented. An examination of the preaching praxis within the Christian Brethren denomination is then undertaken. The praxis study gives specific consideration to the place and role of preaching in the historical development of the Brethren, as well as within the current Christian Brethren praxis. In addition a qualitative analysis of the praxis within the local Christian Brethren church that I attend is considered. According to Zerfass “practical theology has the task to lead in... [the] process of change in a way that is responsible from the perspective of both theology and the social sciences” (Heitink 1993: 113). To this end the final chapter suggests possible aspects of change, theological and practical, that can move the praxis forward toward an alternative praxis – to create a preaching community which incorporates the above theological theory and critical reflection on the praxis, and thereby participating fully in the Revelatory Covenantal Conversation.
Dissertation (MA (Theology) : Practical Theology)--University of Pretoria, 2008.
Practical Theology
unrestricted

This dissertation provides a biblical theology of the good deeds mission of the New Covenant community, with a particular focus on how one’s conception of the overall covenantal structure of Scripture affects one’s conclusions concerning the good deeds mission. Chapter 1 introduces the debate over the good deeds mission of the church, whether good deeds out to the world have equal priority with evangelism or whether evangelism retains operational priority. Chapter 2 provides an in-depth review of the relevant literature since 1974, covering the (overlapping) categories of missiology and biblical theology. The review is divided into literature supporting either the equal priority or the evangelistic priority position, highlighting the different biblical-theological arguments offered. Chapter 3 surveys the good deeds responsibility given to all humanity, including the initial responsibilities of Genesis 1-2, the impact of sin upon this mission as displayed in Genesis 3-7, and the partial renewal of humanity’s good deeds mandate in Genesis 8-11. Chapter 4 explores the good deeds mission given to Abraham and his descendants until the time of Christ, distinguishing the good deeds mission of Abraham and his descendants until possession of the covenant land, the good deeds mission of Abraham’s descendants from possession of the covenant land until the exile, and the good deeds mission of Abraham’s descendants from the exile until Christ. Chapter 5 studies the good deeds mission of God’s covenant people in the Gospels before New Covenant inauguration, divided into two categories: the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and the pre-New Covenant ministry of his disciples, giving careful attention to the unique transitional period of Christ’s earthly ministry. Chapter 6 analyzes the good deeds mission in the New Covenant in three distinct categories: the inaugurated New Covenant ministry of Christ, the inaugurated New Covenant ministry of disciples, and the consummated New Covenant ministry of Christ and his disciples. Chapter 7 summarizes the biblical-theological conclusions which emerge from the research of the dissertation, recapping the main elements of a biblical theology of the good deeds mission of the New Covenant community and providing practical applications.

Text in Afrikaans
Die samelewing heleef tans groot veranderinge. Die kerk en gesinslewe word heide daardeur geraak. Al meer druk word op gesinslewe geplaas en daardeur verander gesinne se hehoeftes. Een van die grootste hehoeftes van gesinne is 'n hehoefte aan diepteverhoudings, medemenslike erkenning, emosionele sekuriteit en interpersoonlike intimiteit. Die kerk moet hierdie hehoeftes kan raaksien en aanspreek. Vir 'n hediening aan gesinne en deur gesinne, is dit noodsaaklik dat die gemeente opnuut weer God se plan met die gesin herontdek; die gemeente moet die gesin as 'n ekosistemiese eenheid verstaan en die ontwikkelingsfases en emosionele prosesse binne 'n gesinsisteem moet in ag geneem word. In hierdie studie word die selgemeente gehruik om moontlike antwoorde te hied vir die hehoeftes van gesinne. Die hevinding van hierdie studie is dat die selgemeente oor die potensiaal heskik om vir die gesin 'n ware tuiste te hied waar gelowige gesinne toegerus en opgehou kan word vir hulle roeping in die gemeente, die samelewing en die wereld. Die selgemeente kan 'n moontlike model vir 'n gesinshediening wees.
The church and family are both affected by the immense changes in society. Family needs change under the pressure of these changes. Among the greatest family needs are a relationship with depth, acknowledgement from fellow-man, emotional security and interpersonal intimacy. The church must recognise these needs and address them. A ministry to families must firstly rediscover God's plan for the family; secondly the family must be seen as an ecosystemic unity; thirdly development and emotional phases in the family must be understood and managed. I used the cell church model as a basis to develop a structure for family ministry. I found the cell church model to be essentially a relationship model. I came to the conclusion that the cell church model has the potential to be a genuine home for family; to be a basis from which the family can be built up and from which the family can be equipped for their calling. Thus, I found the cell church model to be a possible model for family ministry.
Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This is a study of the family, church and market in the history of a small Mennonite group that migrated from Russia to North America in 1874 and settled in the vicinity of Steinbach, Manitoba and Jansen, Nebraska. It examines the manner in which the group's social structure and its members' life goals accommodated an increasingly urban, industrial world. This representative Mennonite sub-group, the "Kleine Gemeinde", is an especially valuable subject of study: it was sufficiently small to allow for a reconstruction of its social structure and networks; its members were articulate conservatives who have left a rich array of primary material; and this group settled in both Canada and the United States, thus enabling a comparative study of a single ethnic group in two countries. The examination of the Kleine Gemeinde and their descendants during the three generations between 1850 and 1930 illuminates the manner in which conservative, agrarian people pursued various strategies to reproduce their lifeworlds. The everyday lives of the Kleine Gemeinde reveal that the family, which included the kinship networks, the household economic units, and the domestic sphere of women, was their primary social unit. On the community level these families were tied together by the lay-oriented, church congregation; it encouraged a deep piety, ordered social relationships and defined social boundaries. This closely-knit community and the exigencies of its reproduction called for a judicious interaction with the market economy and the outside world. The factors of family, church and market thus worked together to ensure a measure of continuity in a changing environment. It was apparent throughout these years that differing national policies on minority groups were not crucial factors in distinguishing Canadian and American Mennonite adaptation. Far more important were the social forces that accompanied, the rise of an urban, industrial society. By 1930 rising wealth, land shortages, urbanization and closer integration with the wider society had divided the one-time homogeneous community into urban and rural factions; as some Kleine Gemeinde descendants opted for a more individualistic, differentiated urban existence others developed new strategies to reproduce their communal-oriented, ascetic lifeworlds in agrarian communities.

Vatican II provided the Catholic Church with an opportunity for deep reflection and to align its theological teachings with modern times. This reflection resulted in a resurgence of the importance of Christian marriage and family living. Beyond Vatican II, the Christian family has been described as a ‘domestic’ church. This description defines the family founded on marriage as a cornerstone for the church and society. The Church has realised that if she has to succeed in her mission of evangelisation, she needs to strengthen the families founded on the sacrament of marriage and also to take care of broken families. The theme of a ‘domestic church’ was further explored and discussed in the 1994 Special Synod for the Bishops of Africa. This synod strongly used the image of the family as an effective tool for evangelisation in Africa. The rationale for this emphasis was that the institution of the family founded on marriage is held in high esteem in Africa and it is one of the most important custodians of cultural values. This institution, the bishops argued, can now be used as a custodian for Christian values. Hence, the family founded on marriage will become a school where these values are cherished and taught to offspring. The family founded on marriage is celebrated across the global cultural spectrum. It is through the family that the age old wisdom of ancestors is propagated. This ensures the survival and the development of the different communities. Communities develop because they are built upon strong ethical, religious and cultural values which are safeguarded by the institution of the family founded on marriage. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is the custodian of life. Marriage is about life. Hence, the respect of human life is safeguarded by the family. The collapse of such a pivotal institution has serious implications for the community. The institution of the family founded on marriage is presented in this thesis as a turn around strategy to the challenge of moral permissiveness in our country. It is a commonly accepted theory that development can only take place where there is stability. The lack of infrastructural development in most African countries is due to lack of political stability. Instability often results in chaos and anarchy. Marriage promises stability which is rooted in the self giving of the couples. Such an environment becomes conducive for human life to be propagated, nurtured and developed. It further creates a sense of being loved and belonging to the child. These qualities are essential for proper and integral human development. Furthermore, marriage ties together the goals of parenting, namely, procreation and parenthood and they are inseparable. They prepare children for social integration.The purpose of this research is to demonstrate how the institution of the family founded on marriage can help us develop a coherent moral vision in South Africa. This turn around strategy is proposed by systematically analysing the causes and consequences of family breakdown. The thesis establishes that the institution of the family founded on marriage is undergoing a crisis. This crisis manifests itself through single-parenthood, high rate of divorce, fatherlessness, etc. The consequences of this crisis are not favourable for individuals and the society.
Philosophy & Systematic Theology
D. Th. (Theological ethics)

A Família, o tema “Família” é por si só um tema difícil de se tratar nos dias que correm, não apenas para os adultos, mas sobretudo para as crianças e jovens. É extremamente complicado trabalhar este assunto quando temos tantas realidades familiares diferentes à nossa volta. Precisamos constantemente de ponderar muito bem as palavras que utilizamos, pois podemos fazer os discentes recordarem experiências menos positivas no que toca ao ambiente familiar ou à falta do mesmo. A escolha do tema “Família Comunidade de Amor” na Prática de Ensino Supervisionada, surgiu, para mim, como um desafio. Desafio porquê? Porque ao longo deste percurso, enquanto filho, pai, neto e professor de EMRC, tenho constatado uma mudança na realidade das vivências familiares, na forma como estas são vistas, sentidas e tratadas na sociedade. Deste modo pensamos em analisar o tema da “Família Comunidade de Amor”, partindo dos filmes/contos das histórias das Princesas da Disney que todos conhecemos e que ainda hoje fazem sonhar pequenos e graúdos. Perceber se podemos aprender com a realidade familiar das Princesas da Disney, bem como estas são apresentadas, se são diferentes da realidade atual ou se, de alguma forma, seguem o mesmo pensamento da Família cristã veiculado nos documentos do Magistério da Igreja, as Exortações Apostólicas “Familiaris Consortio” e “Amoris Laetitia” Seguiremos neste trabalho a ordem cronológica da realização dos filmes das Princesas da Disney. Como poderá um livro/filme ajudar alguém? A realidade familiar destas Princesas é muito diferente das famílias cristãs? Para que servem estas histórias clássicas? Na verdade, a realidade mistura-se com a ficção e há uma razão para todos conhecermos estas histórias baseadas em contos, adaptadas posteriormente em desenhos animados. Estes contos são uma forma de, por vezes, lidarmos com o nosso mundo, ainda que nem sempre este faça sentido!
The Family, the theme "Family" is in itself a difficult topic to deal with these days, not only for adults, but especially for children and young people. It is extremely complicated to work on this issue when we have so many different family realities around us. We constantly need to think very carefully about the words we use, because we can make the students remember less positive experiences with regard to the family environment or the lack of family members. The choice of the theme "Family Community of Love" in the practice of supervised teaching, emerged for me as a challenge. Why a challenge? Because throughout this journey, as a son, father, grandson and EMRC teacher, I have seen a change in the reality of family experiences, in the way they are seen, felt and treated in society. In this way, we thought of analysing the theme of the "Family Community of Love", starting from the films/fairy tales of the Disney Princesses that we all know and that still today make us dream small and big. To understand if we can learn from the family reality of the Disney Princesses, as well as how they are presented, if they are different from the current reality or if, in some way, they follow the same thought of the Christian Family conveyed in the documents of the Magisterium of the Church, the Apostolic Exhortations "Familiaris Consortio" and "Amoris Laetitia". In this work we will follow the chronological order of the making of the films of the Princesses of Disney. How can a book/film help someone? Is the family reality of these Princesses very different from the Christian families? What are these classic stories for? In fact, reality mixes with fiction and there is a reason for all of us to know these fairy tales based on tales, adapted later into cartoons. These tales are a way to sometimes deal with our world, a world that doesn't always make sense!

Este trabalho procura fazer uma reflexão acerca da família, no âmbito sociológico, teológico e pastoral, sublinhando aquilo que são as suas principais incidências. Através de um percurso por alguns Sociólogos contemporâneos, permite compreender a forma como é interpretado o conceito de família fora do cristianismo, e também numa perspetiva bíblica, onde se recorre a algumas passagens do Antigo e do Novo Testamento que se referem ao casal e à família. Numa segunda etapa, é feita a análise dos documentos preparatórios dos Sínodos de 1980 e de 2014 e 2015, e os documentos que resultaram desses Sínodos: a Exortação Familiaris Consortio e a Amoris Laetitia, com um trabalho posterior de receção na Igreja e na sociedade. Na terceira parte, o texto centra a atenção na pastoral familiar, dando enfoque à pastoral familiar e as suas implicações, quer como preparação para o matrimónio, quer depois da realização do sacramento, na vivência concreta, e também os desafios que hoje se colocam à família inserida numa sociedade plural e diversificada; e, por fim, apresentamos alguns movimentos e grupos que se ocupam da pastoral familiar.
This work seeks to make a reflection about Family on a sociological, theological and pastoral context, emphasizing what are the main incidences in each of the areas. Through a course by some contemporary Sociologists, allows to understand the way it is interpreted the concept of family outside the Christianism, and also in a biblical perspective, turning to some passages from the Old Testament and from the new Testament that refer to couple and family. In a second step, the course goes through the analysis of the preparatory documents of the church synods and the documents that resulted from them: Exhortation Familiaris Consortio and Amoris Laetitia, as well as their reception in the Church and in the society. In the third part, the text gives attention on familiar pastoral, giving focus to what it is in itself and what it implies, whether as preparation for marriage, whether after the realization of the sacrament, in the concrete experience, and as well, the challenges that are posed today to the family inserted in a plural and diversified society; and at last, we present some movements and groups that take care of the family's pastoral.

German text
Die Forschungsarbeit evaluiert den Projektstatus des sozial-missionarischen Familienzent-rums FACE in Berlin, Märkisches Viertel. Dafür wurde in der Dissertation zunächst der theo-logische und sozialwissenschaftliche Rahmen, in dem die Forschung geschieht, umrissen. Dabei nehmen das Konzept der Gemeinwesendiakonie, sowie die Korrelation zwischen Dia-konie und Mission einen besonderen Raum ein. Die Projektentwicklung basiert auf Idee des gesellschaftsrelevanten Gemeindebaus (Zyklus gesellschaftsrelevanter Gemeindearbeit; ZGG), dessen Anwendung in einem nächsten Schritt dokumentiert und daraufhin anhand des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus (ETP) analy-siert wird. Das Ziel der qualitativen Untersuchung ist es herauszufinden, ob FACE eine ge-sellschaftliche Relevanz hat. Wie haben Nachbarn des FACE, das Familienzentrum persön-lich wahrgenommen und hat der Kontakt mit FACE zu Veränderungen in ihrem Leben ge-führt? Die abschließende missiologische Interpretation der Forschungsarbeit erfolgt mit Hilfe des Entwurfs der „trialogischen Interaktion des missionalen Gesprächs“ zwischen Evangelium, Kirche und Kultur.
This research study evaluates the project status of the family centre for social and missionary work FACE in Berlin, Märkisches Viertel. The dissertation starts out with an outline of the theological and social-scientific framework which determines the research work. Within this framework, the concept of community diaconia as well as the correlation between diaconia and mission are dominant. The project is based on the idea of socially-relevant church devel-opment (Zyklus gesellschaftsrelevanter Gemeindearbeit; ZGG), which in a following step is documented in its application and then analysed using the empirical-theological practice cy-cle. It is the objective of this qualitative study to determine whether FACE has social rele-vance. How did neighbours perceive FACE? Did contact with FACE lead to changes in their lives? The concluding missiological interpretation of the research study is conducted follow-ing the structure of the „trialogical interaction of missional conversation“ between the gospel, church and culture.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 292-313) : illustrations
This thesis examines the Experience of God in the Fourth Gospel (in this research, it is also called the Johannine Experience of God) by perceiving it from the perspective of the metaphoric Familia Dei, found in this Gospel. This examination is done in a three-step process: The first step consists of a literary review and a presentation of the methodology and approach employed in this research. It intends to set the thesis within the Johannine studies. The second step involves the articulation of essential considerations on Religious Experience, the Johannine Community, and the Fourth Gospel. This articulation has two aims: First, to acquire a deeper understanding of the background of the Johannine Experience of God, and second, to point out the functionality of this Gospel’s narrative in constituting this experience. The third step comprises the following suggestion and the elaboration on its constituents: - The Johannine Experience of God consists of two components: the first one is the initiative of God the Father conveyed by Jesus Christ, perpetuated by the Holy Spirit, and as it is recorded in the Fourth Gospel. And the second one is the response of the believers (John’s readers) to this initiative by accepting the Son and journeying spiritually under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. - The Johannine Experience of God can be perceived from the perspective of the Familia Dei metaphoric found in the Fourth Gospel. - The narrative of the Fourth Gospel has the ability to constitute an experience of God and accordingly creates spirituality, once it is read or heard. This thesis aims to generate a deeper understanding of the spirituality of the Fourth Gospel at one level, and to offer an acceptable general insight about the Johannine Spirituality at another, hoping that its findings become an inspiration for future studies.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
D. Th. (Christian spirituality)

Globalization has turned the world into one ”huge village”. Various nations and cultures have integrated during this process and multiculturalism has resulted. Yet, many people are struggling to accept one another as members of one ”global village”. The difference in culture, race and ethnicity are creating barriers amongst the various nations. These hurdles prevent many communities from living in peace and harmony. Religious community are also facing similar struggles. The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FIC) and other international congregations are called by the Bible and the church to give hope of unity in a diverse cultural context. These congregations are challenged on a continuous basis to search for processes that will assist them to take up their prophetic dimension in witnessing the possibility of living multicultural life in unity.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M.Th. (Missiology)

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu
In this study, social exclusion in an independent, faith-based girl’s school in South Africa was investigated. Bullying is widely recognised as being unacceptable and is addressed by many schools in the form of anti-bullying policies. However, on ongoing basis, girls are being socially excluded from relationships and because this behaviour is often so subtle, it is neither recognised as a form of bullying nor is it being addressed within schools. Theologians argue that educational institutions ought to evaluate the ethical dimension of knowledge construction and that a focus on moral norms, values and virtues need to be a fundamental part of such communities, so that the well-being of its members is fostered. Unless problems such as social exclusion are understood from a theological-ethical perspective, it is unlikely that there will be a permanent change in girls’ behaviour. Changing societies that accommodate bullying requires changes in perspectives, attitudes and behaviour, and schools can make a significant contribution in providing a community in which every child feels accepted and is afforded dignity. This study offers a theoretical-ethical perspective of social exclusion and draws on insights from the fields of theological ethics, sociology, psychology and anthropology. The reasons why girls are socially excluded, the girls’ and the school’s systemic patterns of behaviour and what educators can do to develop an inclusive community are identified. To determine to what extent the theory was supported, alumnae were asked to complete the questionnaires and be interviewed. Some staff members also completed questionnaires and agreed to be interviewed. The findings of the empirical research indicated that the theoretical research was largely supported. Some interesting observations emerged from the questionnaires and interviews that expanded the understanding of social exclusion. One important finding was that the girls who are being excluded from social relationships feel that they are to blame and that they somehow deserve to be excluded. They experience strong feelings of shame as well as loss of self-esteem. This prevents them from discussing or reporting the problem and therefore the structures that are in place for such reporting are not effective. Another important finding was that there is a disconnection between the girls and the staff regarding the effectiveness of current interventions. Therefore, based on the theoretical research and the findings of the empirical data, this dissertation makes recommendations for establishing a community that promotes the well-being and dignity of all.
In hierdie studie is ondersoek ingestel na sosiale uitsluiting in ’n onafhanklike, geloofsgebaseerde meisieskool in Suid-Afrika. Treitering word wyd as onaanvaarbaar erken en word deur baie skole in die vorm van anti-treiterbeleide aangeroer. Dit is egter so dat baie meisies voortdurend op sosiale vlak uit verhoudings gesluit word en omdat hierdie gedrag so subtiel is, word dit nie as ’n vorm van treitering erken nie en dit word ook nie in skole aangespreek nie. Teoloё voer aan dat opvoedkundige instellings die etiese dimensie van kenniskonstruksie behoort te evalueer en dat ’n fokus op morele norme, waardes en deugde noodwendig ’n fundamentele deel van sodanige gemeenskappe behoort te wees sodat die welsyn van gemeenskapslede bevorder kan word. Tensy probleme soos sosiale uitsluiting vanuit ’n teologies-etiese perspektief hanteer gaan word, is dit onwaarskynlik dat daar enige permanente verandering in die meisies se gedrag sal wees. Om samelewings wat treitering akkommodeer te verander, vereis verandering in perspektiewe, houdings en gedrag en skole kan ’n aansienlike bydrae lewer om ’n gemeenskap te vestig waarin elke kind aanvaarding en waardigheid ervaar. Hierdie studie bied ’n teoreties-etiese perspektief ten opsigte van sosiale uitsluiting en steun op insigte uit velde soos sosiologie, sielkunde en antropologie. Die studie identifiseer redes waarom meisies sosiaal uitgesluit word, die meisies sowel as die skool se sistemiese gedragspatrone, en wat opvoeders kan doen om ’n inklusiewe gemeenskap te ontwikkel. Om te bepaal tot watter mate die teorie ondersteun word, is oudleerders gevra om vraelyste te voltooi en om aan onderhoude deel te neem. Sommige personeellede het ook vraelyste voltooi en tot onderhoude ingestem. Die bevindinge van die empiriese navorsing het getoon dat die teoretiese navorsing grotendeels ondersteun word. ’n Paar interessante waarnemings het uit die vraelyste en onderhoude geblyk. Hierdie waarnemings het die verstaan van sosiale uitsluiting heelwat verbreed. Een belangrike bevinding is dat meisies wat van sosiale verhoudings uitgesluit word, voel dat hulle die blaam daarvoor moet dra en dat hulle om een of ander rede verdien om uitgesluit te word. Hulle ervaar sterk gevoelens van skaamte sowel as verlies aan selfwaarde. Dit weerhou hulle daarvan om die probleem te bespreek of te rapporteer en daarom is sodanige rapporteringstrukture nie doeltreffend nie. ’n Ander belangrike bevinding is dat daar nie ’n uniforme begrip is tussen die meisies en die personeel ten opsigte van die doeltreffendheid van huidige intervensies nie. Daarom, gebaseer op die teoretiese navorsing en die bevindinge van die empiriese data, maak hierdie dissertasie aanbevelings ten opsigte van die skep van ’n gemeenskap wat die welstand en waardigheid van almal bevorder.
Kwesi sifundo kuphandwe ngokubukulwa kwisikolo samantombazana esizimeleyo nesisekelwe elukholweni eMzantsi Afrika. Ububhovubhovu buthathwa jikelele njengento engamkelekanga kwaye kuyaliwa nabo kwizikolo ezininzi ngokusebenzisa imigaqo nkqubo yokulwa ububhovubhovu. Noxa kunjalo, kuyaqhubeka ukubukulwa kwamantombazana kubudlelwane obuthile. Ngenxa yokuba lo mkhwa usenzeka mayana kakhulu, awuqondwa njengobubhovubhovu kwaye akukho nto yenziwayo ezikolweni. Iingcali zakwaLizwi zithi amaziko emfundo kufuneka ayivavanye inkalo yolwazi lwesimilo esinyulu, agxininise kwiinqobo zokuziphatha, nezexabiso lobuntu ekufuneka zibe yinxalenye esisiseko kwabahlala kula maziko, ukwenzela ukuba baphatheke kakuhle bonke abahlala apho. Ukuba iingxaki ezifana nokubukulwa aziqondwa ngokwenkalo yezokholo nobunyulu, mhlawumbi akungekhe kubekho umahluko ekuziphatheni kwamantombazana. Ukuguqula uluntu olwamkela ububhovubhovu kufuna ukutshintshwa kweembono, izimvo nokuziphatha kwaye ke izikolo zingafaka igxalaba kakhulu ekumiseleni imiphakathi apho wonke umntwana eziva amkelekile, aphatheke ngesidima. Esi sifundo siveza inkalo yokucinga esekelwe kwingcingane yobunyulu yokubukulwa, kwaye ithabathela kwizimvo zezifundo zobunyulu bezokholo, ezentlalo, ezobume bomphefumlo nengqondo, nezeengcambu zoluntu nezizwe. Izizathu zokubukulwa kwamantombazana ekuhlaleni, imigaqo nkqubo yezikolo nokunokwenziwa ziititshala ekuphuhliseni imiphakathi edibanisayo yimiba echongiweyo. Ukuze kubonwe ukuba ingaba le ngcingane inenkxaso engakanani na, kwacelwa abafundi bakudala beli ziko ukuba baphendule uluhlu lwemibuzo, bavume nokudlana indlebe nabaphandi. Bakhona nabanye abasebenzi beziko abaluphendulayo uluhlu lwemibuzo, bavuma nokudlana indlebe nabaphandi. Okwafunyaniswayo kuphando olusekelwe kubungqina babonisa ukuba ngokwenene, ingcingane yophando yayinenkxaso kakhulu. Kwavela amanqaku anomdla kwiimpendulo zemibuzo nodliwano ndlebe, kwaye oko kwalwandisa ulwazi malunga nokubukulwa eluntwini lwendawo. Okunye okubalulekileyo phakathi kwezinto ezafunyaniswayo yaba kukuba amantombazana abukulwayo kubudlelwane nabanye babeziva ngathi banetyala, kwaye bafanele ukubukulwa. La mantombazana ayeziva engathi asehlazweni kwaye ayengazixabisanga. Le nto yenza ukuba angayixeli le mpatho, angafuni nokuba kuxoxwe ngayo. Ngoko ke imiqathango ebekelwe ukuxela lo mkhwa ayisebenzi. Kwaphinda kwafunyaniswa ukuba kukho ukungadibani phakathi kwamantombazana nabasebenzi malunga nempumelelo yemiqathango yokuwakhusela. Ngoko ke, ngokukhokelwa luphando lwengcingane nobungqina obufunyaniswe kuphando, le ngxelo yophando inika iingcebiso zokuseka umphakathi okhuthaza ukuphatheka kakuhle nangesidima komntu wonke.
Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Theological Ethics)