Thèses sur le sujet « Prisoners – Religious life – Germany »

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Bachelors
Arts and Sciences
Psychology

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A questão penitenciária é amplamente discutida na sociedade atual, seja por aspectos relacionados à segurança pública, pela (in)eficiência do sistema penitenciário na recuperação de apenados ou por suas condições estruturais. A realidade brasileira nos mostra um universo prisional deficitário e carente de políticas que efetivem a garantia dos direitos dos detentos. Nesse contexto, atividades religiosas têm assegurado espaço nos presídios, que são vistos como um campo fértil de atuação. Acredita-se que o discurso religioso seja o discurso com o qual o detento mais tenha contato e que dentre os tipos de assistência, a religiosa seja a que mais se cumpra na prisão. O objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar os significados da vida prisional e religiosa entre internos de um presídio e voluntários que realizam a assistência religiosa na instituição. A pesquisa foi organizada em duas etapas e desenvolvida no Instituto de Readaptação Social (IRS), Vila Velha, Espírito Santo. Em um primeiro momento, que durou cerca de dois meses, foi realizada a observação das práticas religiosas na unidade. Após esse período foram entrevistados individualmente, com auxílio de um de roteiro semiestruturado, seis agentes religiosos e 11 internos do IRS. Todas as entrevistas foram gravadas em áudio mediante autorização dos participantes, que assinaram um termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido, e posteriormente foram transcritas integralmente, para serem submetidas à análise por meio do software Alceste. Utilizou-se também o recurso de diário de campo, onde foram registrados todos os dias de visita a unidade prisional. Pressupostos teóricos de Michel Foucault e Erving Goffman orientaram as discussões desta pesquisa. No estudo realizado com os voluntários religiosos, foi possível perceber singularidades entre as práticas dos diferentes grupos religiosos. A assistência religiosa prestada pelos grupos católico e espírita apresenta semelhanças e parece mais voltada ao coletivo carcerário, sendo a religiosidade menos enfatizada, embora seja um aspecto presente. Católicos e espíritas entendem que a assistência religiosa tem o objetivo de garantir melhores condições de vida aos detentos, pela busca do respeito aos seus direitos. A ressocialização é um objetivo presente, mas é vista a partir da transformação das condições de vida na prisão. O principal objetivo da assistência religiosa evangélica é a conversão, portanto o foco das atividades é no indivíduo e na sua transformação pessoal. A ressocialização, entre os evangélicos, é vista como uma transformação íntima na vida do detento por meio da assimilação de uma doutrina religiosa. No estudo realizado com os internos do presídio foi possível observar algumas estratégias de vida que os detentos criam para viver na prisão. Embora o universo prisional possa ser considerado um espaço de mortificação, os internos não se entregam a esse processo de despotencialização da vida. Na busca de alternativas possíveis para lidar com o encarceramento, criam modos de vida que rompem com essa ideia de sujeição ao sistema penitenciário. O tempo de prisão pode estar associado a determinadas formas de lidar com o encarceramento. As análises indicaram que quanto maior o período de prisão, mais intenso parece ser o processo de mortificação do eu. O encontro com o mundo religioso na prisão também é uma via possível para lidar com o encarceramento. A religiosidade permite aos internos significar as suas vidas, além de ser um recurso para enfrentar situações adversas na prisão. Por meio dessa vivência os detentos parecem sentir certa autonomia, embora estejam submetidos a um regime de controle. As práticas religiosas funcionam, dessa maneira, como ajustamentos secundários, que permitem aos detentos certo conforto psíquico, uma satisfação que seria difícil de ser atingida por outros meios, nas circunstâncias em que eles se encontram. Enfatiza-se a importância de se construir na prisão espaços que não tenham efeitos mortificadores, mas que potencializem os modos de vida. É fundamental que o detento tenha a possibilidade de cumprir sua pena em melhores condições e de compreender a sua vida por distintas vias discursivas. Transformar o sistema penal é urgente, para que o universo penitenciário não seja um mecanismo de aplicação de práticas punitivas, coercitivas e moralistas. É preciso romper com a visão do presídio como uma instituição custodial
The penitentiary issue is broadly discussed in today s society for the aspects related to public security, the (in)efficiency of the system in recuperating the prisoners, or because of its structural conditions. The Brazilian reality shows us a deficient prison universe which lacks policies that can provide prisoners rights. In such context, religious activities have secured some space inside the penitentiaries, which are seen as a fertile ground for their actuation. It is believed that the religious speech is the one with which the prisoner has more contact and, among the various types of assistance, it is the most effective in prisons. The objective of this study was to investigate the meaning of prison and religious life for the interns of a prison and the voluntaries who give religious assistance inside the institution. The research was done in two steps and performed at Instituto de Reablitação Social (IRS), in Vila Velha, Espirito Santo. At the first moment, which lasted about two months, the religious practice inside the institution was observed. After this period, six religious agents and 11 inmates were interviewed with the help of a semi-structured script. All the interviews were recorded with the authorization of the subjects, who signed a clear term of agreement. Later, they were thoroughly transcribed in order to be analyzed by Alceste software. A journal was also used and every day of visitation was registered. Theories by Michel Foucault and Erving Goffman guided the discussions in this work. In the study with the religious group, it was possible to notice singularities between the practices of different groups. The religious assistance given by Catholics and Spiritists present similarities and seem to care more about the prison collective than about religion, although this element is present. Catholics and Spiritists understand that religious assistance has the objective of guarantying better conditions of life for the detents, and respect for their rights. Resocialization is a goal, but it is seen from the perspective of changing life conditions in prison. The main objective of the Evangelical assistance is conversion, so the focus of activities in on the individual and their personal transformation. Resocialization, for the Evangelicals, is seen as an intimate transformation in the life of the inmate by the assimilation of a religious doctrine. In the study done with the prisoners, it was possible to notice some strategies that they create to live inside the prisons. Although the prison universe is considered a space for mortification, the incarcerated do not give in to such process of depotentiation of life. In the search for possible alternatives to deal with imprisonment, they find ways of living that refuse this idea of submission to the prison system. The time of sentence may be associated with certain ways to deal with imprisonment. The analysis indicates that the longer the period, the more intense seems the process of mortification of the self. The meeting with the religious world inside the prison is also a viable way to endure sentence time. Religiosity allows the interns to find meaning for their lives, besides being a resource to help facing adverse situations in prison. Such way of living seems to give the detents some autonomy, although submitted to control. Religious practices work, this way, as secondary adjustments that give the inmates some kind of psychological comfort; a satisfaction that would be hard to find due to the circumstances they are experiencing. It is necessary to emphasize the need to build, inside the prisons, spaces that do not impose mortification; spaces that promote vitalization. It is fundamental that the prisoner have the possibility of serving his sentence in better conditions and understanding their life through distinct discursive ways. The transformation of the prison system is an urgent need so that the prison universe does not become a mechanism for punitive, coercive, and moralist practices. It is necessary to stop seeing the prison as a custodial institution

Early modern Lutherans, as is well known, worshipped in decorated churches. They adopted a path of reform that neither disposed of all ornament nor retained all the material trappings of the Catholic church. This thesis studies the fortunes of ecclesiastical art in the Duchy of Württemberg after its Reformation in 1534 and the place images found for themselves in the devotional lives of Lutherans up to c. 1700. The territory was shaped not just by Lutheranism, but initially by Zwinglianism too. The early years of reform thus saw moments of iconoclasm. The Zwinglian influence was responsible for a simple liturgy that distinguished Württemberg Lutheranism from its confessional allies in the north. This study considers the variety of uses to which Lutheran art was put in this context. It addresses the different ways in which Lutherans used the visual setting of the church to define their relationships with their God, their church, and each other. The Dukes of Württemberg used their stance on images to communicate their political and confessional allegiances; pastors used images to define the parameters of worship and of the church space itself; parishioners used images, funerary monuments, and church adornment to express their Lutheran identity and establish their position within social hierarchies. As Lutheranism developed in the seventeenth century, so too did Lutheran art, becoming more suited to fostering contemplative devotion. While diverse in their aims, many Lutherans appreciated the importance of regular investment in the visual. Ducal pronouncements, archives held centrally and locally, surviving artefacts and decoration in churches, and printed sources enable the distinctive visual character of Lutheranism in Württemberg to be identified here.

Defence date: 4 March 2006
Examining board: Peter Wagner (supervisor, European University Institute, Florence, I) ; James A. Beckford (co-supervisor, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK) ; Gianfranco Poggi (Università degli Studi di Trento, I) ; Emilio Santoro (Università degli Studi di Firenze, I)
PDF of thesis uploaded from the Library digitised archive of EUI PhD theses completed between 2013 and 2017

In this research study, the correlation between culture and gospel is investigated by examining changes in the interpretation of the cross of Christ from Early Christianity up to present times, using the method of paradigmatic analysis designed by David J. Bosch. Following the concept of the Missio Dei within mission theology, this study aims to find a perspective on the event of the cross which is relevant for today's practice. With reference to the topics of cultural context, sin, sacrifice, vicariousness, cross and mission, this study shows that in every paradigm the diverse perspectives of the interpretation of Jesus' death were explicable and helpful within their relevant contexts. It can also be seen that in its objectives, message and practice, mission correlates with the respective motifs prevalent at the time. In conclusion, after determining the proper place of the results within the concept of Missio Dei in mission theology, the study examines the relevance of these results for the Missio Christi, in order to offer a contribution to the debate and a potential perspective for explaining the significance of Jesus' death in the current German-speaking cultural context.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

In this research the use of the Lions-Quest programme “Skills for Adolescence“ at an intermediate secondary school level is examined qualitatively. It is investigated how pupils at a German intermediate secondary school perceive the social skills training and how that training affects the social competencies of the pupils. It is also explored if the pupils can relate their acquired competencies with their values and beliefs. Based on the empirical-theological praxis cycle, the planning, carrying out and the results of thirteen one-to-one interviews and three group interviews are presented. Five types of adolescents can be distinguished in terms of knowing and applying social skills as result of different grounded theory coding strategies: the power-conscious, the autonomous, the ambivalent, the self-confident and the competent. This study wants to contribute to a better evaluation of the implementation of social skills programmes at schools and particularly in religious education.
Practical Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

In many cultures and religions of the world the belief in transcendental realities, like God, the Devil and other benevolent and malevolent spirits are widespread. These realities are constructed in different ways, depending upon context. In light of the development Western industrial societies have undergone, it follows that the belief in transcendental realities may have given way to beliefs that are steeped more, in empiricism. However, understanding the belief in transcendental realities seems to be gaining renewed interest in various social science disciplines in light of the fact that claims of experiences of spirit possession are escalating. The implication this understanding has on the treatment a patient receives is likely to depend upon the training of the practitioner consulted. It follows that the experiences of patients who believe they are possessed by a spirit is as equally important to practitioners of psychology as it is to theologians. Psychologists would likely ascribe a spirit possession to a psychological experience; while theologians will attest to the presence of a spiritual illness. This project focussed on Free Church pastors in Germany and their perceptions of spirit possession and mental illness. To explore Free Church pastors understanding of spirit possession and mental illness is critical in light of the overlap of symptoms. Misdiagnosis may result in a client receiving treatment which may not be appropriate. Interviews with Free Church pastors were conducted. The results were analysed and 4 themes were identified. Based on these interviews conclusions could be drawn which ultimately made it clear that the German free church pastors’ theological training needs to be supplemented in the area of psychology and that the pastors are unable to cope in the area of ‘spirit possession or mental illness’
Psychology
D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

As youngsters become adults, the development of their personality becomes the focus of their attention. However, neither Christian youthwork nor adult education within the Protestant Church in Germany is geared towards accompanying and advising them in the midst of their religious questions and changes. There is virtually no scholarly or church literature that would focus on the age group of 18 to 30 year olds. Thus far, the Protestant Church has not yet published non-commercial programs for personality development. This dissertation focuses on evaluating a personality training program that was specially developed for young adults. The structures and the content are analyzed in order to gain insights into how such a training can be implemented in the local church. The empirical results will be complemented by insights from different studies on youth, theological and anthropological perspectives on personality and personhood, and two popular models of courses on the Christian faith.
An der Schwelle zum Erwachsenwerden steht die Entwicklung der eigenen Persönlichkeit im Mittelpunkt des Denkens von jungen Menschen. Aber weder die Jugendarbeit noch die Erwachsenenbildung sieht eine Aufgabe darin, junge Erwachsene in ihren religiösen Fragen und Veränderungen zu begleiten und zu beraten. Wissenschaftliche und gemeindepädagogische Literatur, speziell für die Altersgruppe der 18- bis 30-Jährigen, liegt kaum vor und innerhalb der evangelischen Kirche gibt es bislang keine nichtkommerziellen Persönlichkeitsprogramme für diese Personengruppe. Der Fokus dieser Arbeit ist auf die Dokumentation und die qualitative Evaluation eines Persönlichkeitstrainings gerichtet, das speziell für junge Erwachsene entwickelt wurde. Untersucht werden die Strukturen und die Inhalte des Programms, um konkrete Gestaltungshinweise für die Durchführung in einer örtlichen Kirchengemeinde zu gewinnen. Die empirischen Ergebnisse werden durch Exzerpte aus verschiedenen Jugendstudien, aus theologisch-anthropologischen Erörterungen zu Persönlichkeit und Person sein und die Bewertung von zwei christlich populären Glaubenskursen ergänzt.
Practical Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

The basis for the work at hand is a look at current and future societal challenges in living together in communities. Public Theology claims to offer an important contribution as far as the overcoming of societal issues is concerned. The aim of this research is to shed light on this theoretical claim by relating it to a practically applied project while asking the question how the existing challenges can be dealt with. It is explicitly about participatory structures and their advancement. Participation is considered a key element for functioning communities in society. The advancement of participation for young people contains an element of activation, support and care. This research investigates which access paths the young people chose for their participatory engagement, how these are designed and experienced, and finally, how these paths can be strengthened and developed. The response to these questions resulted in concrete courses of action for the research project STC-Bremen, and furthermore, in generalized interpretations which can aid the development of other fields of action.
Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

German text
Seit dem Fall der DDR arbeiteten Kirchen jeder Couleur daran, unter der atheistischen Bevölkerung der neuen Bundesländer Gemeinde zu bauen, aber das erhoffte Gemeindewachstum blieb aus. Trotz vieler Fortschritte ist die Kirche nach wie vor lediglich eine Nische der ostdeutschen Gesellschaft. Auch freikirchliche Bemühungen sind bisher weitgehend erfolglos geblieben (Schröder 2007:2). Die Menschen im Postsozialismus scheinen gegen das Evangelium immun zu sein. Weil aber Gemeinde Jesu dazu gesandt ist, Menschen jeder Kultur und jeden Milieus mit dem Evangelium zu erreichen, muss sich Missiologie darüber Gedanken machen, wie Gemeinde dieser Sendung auch in Ostdeutschland gerecht wird. Wie kann es gelingen, das Evangelium im speziellen Kontext Ostdeutschlands zu beheimaten? Westliche Gemeindemodelle können in der kulturellen Prägung Ostdeutschlands nicht greifen. Der Besonderheit des ostdeutschen Kontextes muss im Gemeindebau Rechnung getragen werden. Die neuen Bundesländer brauchen einen kontextuellen Gemeindebau. Ausgehend von einem missionalen Gemeindeverständnis, das eingebettet ist in die missio dei (Reimer 2009:170), ist es deshalb Ziel dieser Studie einen kontextuellen Gemeindebau für die neuen Bundesländer zu entwickeln, der die Fragen und Nöte der Menschen im Osten kennt und das Evangelium für ihre Lebenswelt kontextualisiert. Mit Hilfe des bei der Unisa gebräuchlichen Praxiszyklus soll es dabei nicht nur um Theoriebildung gehen. Die vorliegende Studie mündet in Handlungsempfehlungen für die ostdeutsche Gemeindepraxis allgemein und ganz konkret für Magdeburg-Sudenburg. Diese Handlungsempfehlungen versuchen, sowohl dem ostdeutschen Kontext als auch den biblischen Leitlinien für missionale Gemeinde gerecht zu werden.
Since the fall of the GDR, churches have worked hard in the new German states. Despite that, the church is still only a niche in East German society. East Germans seem to be immune to the gospel. But how can Jesus' church fulfill her mission in East Germany, where western models of church planting have been largely unsuccessful. East Germany needs a contextual church planting. Starting from a missional church understanding that is embedded in the missio dei, this study develops a contextual church planting stratagy for the new states, that takes the uniqueness of East-Germany into account and contextualizes the gospel. This study should not end in theory. It leads to recommendations for the East German church in general practice and more specifically for Magdeburg-Sudenburg. These recommendations seek to meet the needs of both the East-German context and the biblical guidelines for missional church.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

In this research study, the correlation between culture and gospel is investigated by examining changes in the interpretation of the cross of Christ from Early Christianity up to present times, using the method of paradigmatic analysis designed by David J. Bosch. Following the concept of the Missio Dei within mission theology, this study aims to find a perspective on the event of the cross which is relevant for today's practice. With reference to the topics of cultural context, sin, sacrifice, vicariousness, cross and mission, this study shows that in every paradigm the diverse perspectives of the interpretation of Jesus' death were explicable and helpful within their relevant contexts. It can also be seen that in its objectives, message and practice, mission correlates with the respective motifs prevalent at the time. In conclusion, after determining the proper place of the results within the concept of Missio Dei in mission theology, the study examines the relevance of these results for the Missio Christi, in order to offer a contribution to the debate and a potential perspective for explaining the significance of Jesus' death in the current German-speaking cultural context.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

In formal statements, the international organization Youth With A Mission (YWAM) clearly endorses female leaders. In YWAM Germany, however, women are underrepresented in leadership positions. This dissertation seeks to explain this dearth, especially in terms of the role played by Scripture. By means of interviews with leaders in YWAM Germany, possible answers were explored. Surprising for an evangelical organization, the interpretation of Scripture proved not to be a significant factor. Other factors that emerged are church background, the lack of female role models, lower self-confidence of women, and the role of incumbent leadership. The latter appeared to be the most crucial factor, since incumbent leaders, mostly men, select and appoint new leaders. It is likely that in this they are influenced by stereotypical conceptions of the leader as male and inclined to prefer those like themselves.
Systematic Theology & Theological Ethics
M. Th. (Theological Ethics)

Text in German, summaries in German and English
Rund 70% aller Ostdeutschen gehoren keiner Kirche oder Religionsgemeinschaft an, und sind somit uberwiegend konfessionslos. Die Konfessionslosen sind jedoch keine homogene Gruppe. Zudem ist Konfessionslosigkeit ein Negationsbegriff, der lediglich besagt, was jemand nicht glaubt. Um die konfessionslosen Ostdeutschen besser mit dem Evangelium zu erreichen, ist es jedoch hilfreich zu wissen was sie glauben. Denn in dieser Untersuchung wird davon ausgegangen, dass auch Konfessionslose an etwas glauben. Der Fokus dieser Studie, richtet sich auf die Glaubensvorstellungen der ostdeutschen jungen Erwachsenen, im Alter von 18-26 Jahren, die nach der Wende 1989 geboren und sozialisiert wurden und somit ,,postsozialistisch" sind. Von Interesse ist die inhaltliche Fullung, die sinnstiftenden Elemente, die Pragung, sowie die Lebens- und Alltagsrelevanz des Glaubens dieser jungen Erwachsenen, als auch die missionarische Ansprechbarkeit auf der Grundlage dieser Ergebnisse. Dazu wurde in der brandenburgischen Stadt Cottbus, auf die sich diese Studie beschrankt, eine qualitative Studie mit halbstandardisierten Leitfadeninterviews durchgefuhrt.
Approximately 70% of Germans living in East Germany (the former German Democratic Republic) belong neither to a church, nor to a religious fellowship. These "confession-less" are, however, not a homogenous people group. To describe people as confession-less is negative terminology, which says simply that they do not believe. In order to better reach the confessionless East Germans with the Gospel, it is helpful, of course, to know what they believe. This study proceeds from the assumption, that every person believes on something. The focus of this study is on young adults in eastern Germany from 18-26 years of age, who were born and received their socialization after the peaceful revolution of 1989 and who are therefore "post-socialistic''. The belief of these young adults is analyzed in regard to its content, the elements that give it meaning, its characteristics and its relevance for their lives in general, as well as for their everyday life. In addition, of concern is their level of missional responsiveness, based on the results of this analysis. In this study, quality-based, partially standardized, guided interviews were employed in the city of Cottbus (Brandenburg, Germany), to which this study is limited.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

Buddhist prison outreach is a relatively recent development, in the United States of America and elsewhere, and has yet to be chronicled satisfactorily. This thesis traces the physical, legal and social environment in which such activities take place and describes the history of Buddhist prison outreach in the USA from its earliest indications in the 1960s to the present day. The mechanics of Buddhist prison outreach are also examined. Motivations for participating in Buddhist prison outreach are discussed, including Buddhist textual supports, role models and personal benefits. This paper then proposes that volunteers active in this area are members of a liminal communitas as per Victor Turner and benefit from ‘non-player’ status, as defined by Ashis Nandy. The experiences of the inmates themselves is beyond the scope of this thesis.
Religious Studies and Arabic
M.A. (Religious Studies)

Text in German, summaries in English and German
Alter und Altern gilt in Deutschland derzeit als eines der wichtigsten Zukunftsfelder wissenschaftlicher Forschung. Dabei liegt ein besonderes Augenmerk auf der nachberuflichen Lebensphase, dem so genannten dritten Lebensalter. Eine Gesellschaft des um 20-30 Jahre verlängerten Lebens bei meist guter Gesundheit ist kulturgeschichtlich ein neues Phänomen für das es keine Vorbilder gibt, so dass der jetzigen Generation der „jungen Alten“ eine gestalterische Aufgabe für sich und die Nachfolgegenerationen zukommt. Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit dem Thema Altern zunächst aus humanistischer und daran anschließend aus biblisch-theologischer Sicht. Diese beiden Kapitel enthalten grundlegende Aussagen zum Thema Altern aus unterschiedlichen Disziplinen und beziehen diese, wo möglich, aufeinander. Sie bilden die Grundlage und Voraussetzung für das Folgekapitel, in dem Bedeutung, Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von Biografiearbeit als praktisch-theologisches Bildungsangebot in der pastoralen Begleitung von Menschen in der nachberuflichen Lebensphase untersucht werden. Dabei wird offensichtlich, dass sowohl gerontologische Literatur als auch biblische Texte Biografiearbeit an einschneidenden Wendepunkten des Lebens als eine wichtige Voraussetzung für gelingendes Leben darstellen. Der Person und der Professionalität der Anleiterin kommen in dem Prozess biografischer Selbstreflexion mit älteren Menschen eine tragende Rolle zu.
Old age and the process of aging is currently one of the most important fields for future scientific study and research. Special focus is centered on the post-career phase. A society where life is prolonged for an extra 20 to 30 years, most of which are spent in reasonably good health, is culturally speaking a recent phenomenon for which there are no historical models. It follows, that the current generation bears a great responsibility in shaping and moulding this stage in their lives not only for themselves but also for future generations. This dissertation concentrates on the theme of aging, first from a humanistic point of view, and secondly by focusing on biblical and theological aspects. Both of these chapters contain fundamental and important statements regarding the subject of aging as seen from different disciplines, and, wherever possible, with reference to each other. They build the basis and prerequisite for the following chapter in which the significance and possibilities as well as the limits of biography work is researched in view of pastoral care and training for elderly people in the post employment phase of their life. It becomes obvious, that not only gerontological literature but also biblical texts depict biographical work as an important prerequisite for a life experienced as being successful, especially at drastic turning points in life. A vital part in biographical reflection with elderly people is played by the person and professionalism of the instructor.
Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

In dieser Forschungsarbeit wurde die Auswirkung von christlicher Freizeitarbeit auf die Glaubensgenese von Jugendlichen erforscht. Die Umsetzung erfolgte mithilfe einer empirisch-theologischen Untersuchung am Beispiel eines SOLAs. Es wurden qualitative Interviews mit Jugendlichen durchgefuhrt, die uber die SOLA-Arbeit eine Glaubensgenese erlebt haben. Die erhobenen Daten wurden mit der Grounded-Theory-Methodik nach Breuer (2009) ausgewertet und mit den Theorien zur Glaubensgenese von Engel (1989), Grom (1992) und Zulehner (2008) in Beziehung gesetzt. Die Ergebnisse wurden auf die einzelnen Elemente angewendet, die bei der Gestaltung einer Freizeit zur Verfugung stehen. Damit ist eine Hilfestellung entstanden, die Veranstaltern von Freizeiten eine Orientierung geben kann, auf welche Elemente einer Freizeit besonders zu achten ist, wenn eine Glaubensgenese erwunscht ist.
This research paper analyzes the impact Christian recreational activities have on the emergence of young people’s faith. Using the example of SOLA, the analysis is based on empiric-theological research. Young people, whose faith has emerged through SOLA were interviewed qualitatively. The data retrieved was analyzed using the grounded theory method by Breuer (2009) and put into relation to the theories of Engel (1989), Grom (1992) and Zulehner (2008) about how faith emerges. Furthermore, these results were applied to the individual elements available through the organization of camps. The outcomes the author has established are of assistance to all parties involved in the organization of christian recreational activities, who want to improve their programs toward impacting the emergence of faith in their participants.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

Text in German with abstracts in German, English and Xhosa
In dieser Foschungsarbeit werden zwei theologische Ansätze auf Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede zueinander untersucht. Hierfür wird zunächst die täuferisch-mennonitische Gemeindearbeit auf ihre zugrundeliegende Theologie und Ekklesiologie untersucht. Als nächstes wendet sich der Fokus dem zweiten Ansatz, der Missionalen Theologie zu. Auch hier wird die zugrundeliegende Theologie und Ekklesiologie untersucht. Die notwendige Zuspitzung erfolgt durch die Eingrenzung auf die Entwicklungen in Deutschland. Nach dieser synchronen Herangehensweise können beide entfalteten theologischen Ansätze miteinander verglichen werden. Anschließend werden praktische Folgerungen gezogen, ob und inwiefern beide theologischen Ansätze miteinander kompartibel sind und welche Integrationsmöglichkeiten lohnenswert erscheinen. Hierbei wird die inhaltliche Nähe beider Ansätze deutlich. Die Missionale Theologie scheint der täuferisch-mennonitischen Gemeindearbeit eine Chance zu bieten, durch Ganzheitlichkeit und Kontextualisierung mehr Relevanz für die Gesellschaft zu entwickeln.
In this research, two theological approaches are examined for commonalities and differences. For this purpose, the Anabaptist-Mennonite church work is first examined for their underlying theology and ecclesiology. Next, the focus turns to the second approach, the missional theology. Again, the underlying theology and ecclesiology is examined. The necessary aggravation is achieved by limiting it to developments in Germany. Following this synchronic approach, both unfolded theological approaches can be compared. Subsequently, practical conclusions are drawn as to whether and to what extent both theological approaches are compatible with each other and which integration options seem worthwhile. The content of both approaches becomes clear. Missionary theology seems to offer Anabaptist-Mennonite church work a chance to develop more relevance for society through holistic and contextualization.
Kolu phando, iindlela ezimbini zakwalizwi ziyavavanywa kwizinto eziqhelekileyo kunye nokwahluka. Ukulungiselela le njongo, umsebenzi wecawe yama-Anabaptist-Mennonite kuqala uvavanyelwa isiseko sabo semfundiso yenkolo kunye ne-ecclesiology. Emva koko, ukugxila kugxila kwindlela yesibini, i-theology yobufundisi. Kwakhona, kuyaxilongwa ubuxhakaxhaka besayensi kunye ne-ecclesiology. Ukongezwa okufanelekileyo kufezekiswa ngokunciphisa umda kuphuhliso lwaseJamani. Ukulandela le ndlela ye-synchronic, zombini iindlela ezingachazwanga zenkolo zingathelekiswa. Emva koko, izigqibo ezisebenzayo ziyatsalwa malunga nokuba ingaba iindlela zombini ezi ndlela zenkolo ziyahambelana kwaye yeyiphi indlela yokudibanisa ebonakala iluncedo. Umxholo wezi ndlela zombini ucacile. I-Theology yabefundisi ibonakala ngathi inika icawe yama-Anabaptist-Mennonite ithuba lokuphuhlisa ukubaluleka koluntu ngokubhala izinto nangomxholo.
Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in German, summaries in German and English
In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird empirisch-theologisch der Frage nachgegangen, welche Relevanz Partizipation in der kirchlichen Praxis für beteiligte Ehrenamtliche besitzt. Dazu wurden qualitative, halb-standardisierte Interviews mit jungen Erwachsenen aus partizipativen Jugendarbeiten in Köln geführt und diese anschließend methodisch ausgewertet. Ziel war es, einen Eindruck zu gewinnen, warum sich junge Menschen partizipativen Gemeindeformen anschließen und dort mitarbeiten- und welche Rolle dabei die partizipativen Elemente tatsächlich einnehmen. Dies geschieht vor dem Hintergrund aktueller und historischer kirchlicher Praxis, vor dem die Ergebnisse betrachtet, reflektiert und nutzbar gemacht werden.
This research paper examines how important participation is for volunteers at church. The goal of this study is to gain insights into why young adults join participatory forms of church youth work and participate actively in the programs as well as to determine how important participatory elements really are to them. The study is carried out with empirical-theological methods. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adults in participatory clerical youth organizations in Cologne. Subsequently, these interviews were examined methodologically. Against the backdrop of current and historical ecclesiastical practice, these results were considered, reflected upon and made useable.
Practical Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in German; abstract in German and English
In dieser Studie werden die Auswirkungen von Mentoring zur Förderung von Glaube und Kompetenzen innerhalb des einjährigen Jüngerschaftsprogrammes „Missions Discipleship Training“ von OM Deutschland untersucht. Zum einen wird erforscht, mit welchen Erwartungen die Teilnehmenden zum MDT kommen, zum anderen ihre Wahrnehmung der Mentoringtreffen, deren Inhalte und die Auswirkungen auf die Entwicklung von Glaube und Kompetenzen. Anhand des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus wird sowohl die Planung und Durchführung sowie die Ergebnisse der qualitativen Interviews dargestellt, die mit sieben ehemaligen Teilnehmenden des MDTs geführt wurden. Als Ergebnis des mehrmaligen Kodierens unter Anwendung der „Grounded Theory“ lassen sich fünf Typologien von Teilnehmenden herausarbeiten. Auf der Grundlage der Forschungsergebnisse wurden Praxiskonsequenzen für Mentoring erarbeitet. Die Studie will einen Beitrag zur besseren Umsetzung von Mentoring zur Förderung von Glaube und Kompetenzen in einjährigen Jüngerschaftsprogrammen leisten.
This research project examines the impact of mentoring in a one year discipleship programme, Missions Discipleship Training (MDT) from OM Germany. First, it looks at the expectations of participants at the outset of the programme. Secondly, it explores how participants evaluate mentoring sessions, specifically the content of the sessions and the impact on the development of the faith and competence of participants. Consistent with the empirical-theological praxis cycle the planning, implementation and results of the qualitative interviews of seven former MDT participants are included. A „Grounded Theory“ methodology is employed, resulting in the creation of multiple codes and the classification of the interviewees into five categories. A best practice approach to mentoring is developed based on these research results. This project aims to improve the implementation of mentoring in one year discipleship programs, so that through mentoring participants are encouraged to grow in both faith and competence.
Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Abstracts in German and English
In dieser empirisch-theologischen Untersuchung werden ExpertInnen missionaler Jugendarbeiten in ostdeutschen Städten befragt. Es soll herausgefunden werden, welche Vorgehensweisen im Blick auf die missionarische Erreichbarkeit Jugendlicher wirksam sind. Der Aufbau der Masterthesis orientiert sich am Forschungsprozess des empirisch- theologischen Praxiszyklus. (Faix 2007:64ff) Im ersten Teil befindet sich die Einleitung, welche Forschungsmotivation und -Ziel erläutert und einen Überblick über die Methodologie und Vorgehensweise gibt. Dem folgt eine Einführung anhand der Schlüsselbegriffe, welche die soziologischen und theologischen Bedingungen des Praxisfeldes darlegt. Im dritten Teil befindet sich die missiologische Problem- und Zielentwicklung. Die methodologische Grundlegung schließt sich an: Der empirisch-theologische Praxiszyklus, die Vorgehensweise bei den ExpertInneninterviews und die Auswertung anhand der Grounded Theory. Dieser folgt die qualitative Erhebung. Die ExpertInnen werden nach ihren Sichtweisen befragt und diese werden nach der Grounded Theory ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse werden im fünften Teil zusammengefasst und anhand der Frage nach wirksamen Vorgehensweisen für missionale Jugendarbeiten reflektiert.
This empirical theological study surveys experts in missional youth work in east German towns. The aim is to discover which approaches constitute effective means for missionaries to reach out to young people. The work is structured in line with the research process found in the praxis cycle of empirical theology. (Faix 2007: 64ff) The Master’s thesis thus starts with a preamble explaining the motivation and goal of research, and an overview of the methodology and approach used in the work. This is followed by an introduction, setting out the sociological and theological conditions of this field of practice based on the key terms. The third section contains the missiological problem statement and formulates objectives. After this, the methodological basis of the Master’s thesis is formed, with a description of the praxis cycle based on empirical theology, the procedure used in interviews and the analysis following grounded theory. The qualitative survey follows in the fourth section. Experts in missional youth work in east German towns are asked about their subjective views on how missionaries can reach out to young people in their projects, and their answers are analysed using grounded theory. The fifth part summarises the findings of this analysis, and reflects on means of effective practice for missional youth work, based on the research question.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)
M. Th. (Missiology)

German text
Diese Masterarbeit untersucht die mit der Predigtarbeit verbundene Stressbewältigung evangelischer Gemeindepfarrer der Region Karlsruhe (Deutschland). Zuerst werden an Hand der Literatur Möglichkeiten der Stressbewältigung in Forschung und Beratung sowie im Pfarrberuf reflektiert. Es folgt die Erfassung der empirischen Situation mit Hilfe teilstrukturierter Interviews und deren Bewertung in Anlehnung an Mayrings Qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Abschließend werden aus der theoretischen Reflexion und der empirischen Forschung konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen abgeleitet. Im Zentrum der Untersuchung steht die persönliche Praxis der Stressbewältigung im Rahmen der Predigtvorbereitung und des Predigtvortrages, wobei die Einbindung des geistlichen Lebens des Pfarrers interessiert. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung geben Anlass, insgesamt von einer stressreduzierenden Wirkung der Predigtarbeit auszugehen. Die berufsbedingt meditative Beschäftigung mit dem Predigttext fördert die Spiritualität. In Kombination mit autodidaktisch erworbenen Stressbewältigungskompetenzen ergibt sich daraus ein erstaunlich effektives Stressmanagement. Die Studie ist im Fachbereich der Praktischen Theologie verortet, steht aber interdisziplinär mit den Sozialwissenschaften in Verbindung und bedient sich deren Methodik.
Practical Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

German text
Ausgehend von dem konkreten mehrdimensionalen missionalen Kirchenprojekt REFOmoabit ist es Ziel dieser Masterarbeit, eine Antwort auf die Frage zu geben, wie eine fruchtbare Integration von (1) gemeinschaftlichem Leben, (2) gesellschaftsrelevantem Gemeindebau und (3) Immobilienmanagement gelingen kann. Die aktuelle ekklesiologische Praxis und Erfahrung zeigt jedoch, dass es zu Spannungen zwischen dem Prinzip des gaben- und konsensbasierten Miteinanders, einerseits und der Entwicklung eines gesellschaftsrelevanten Gemeindebaus und einem die ersten beiden Bereiche unterstützenden Immobilienmanagements andererseits kommt. Infolgedessen soll im Rahmen dieser Arbeit die Frage nach der genauen Art und Ausprägung dieser Spannungen, ihren Ursachen und möglichen Lösungen, die eine wirklich fruchtbare Integration dieser drei Bereiche ermöglichen, untersucht und beantwortet werden. Dies erfolgt mit einem interdisziplinären Dreischritt, indem (a) soziologisch Art, Ausprägung und Ursache der vorfindlichen Spannungen analysiert werden, diese (b) theologisch reflektiert werden und abschließend (c) praktisch-theologische Handlungsmöglichkeiten als ekklesiologische Hilfestellungen für eine fruchtbare Integration entwickelt werden.
Based on the multidimensional church planting project REFOmoabit this dissertation aims to answer the question how a fruitful integration of (1) communal life, (2) societal relevant congregational development and (3) property estate management is possible. Current ecclesiological practice and experience has shown that tensions arise between the principle of gift- and consensus-based cooperation and transformative church planting as well as the real estate management that is supposed to support the other two areas. Therefore this dissertation aims to examine and answer questions about the exact nature and extent of these tensions, their causes and possible solutions that make a truly fruitful integration of these three areas possible. This takes place within an interdisciplinary approach by (a) analyzing the nature, extent and reason of the tensions sociologically, (b) examining them from a theological viewpoint and (c) offering practical theological courses of action as an ecclesiological aid for a fruitful integration.
Practical Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

German text
In dieser Forschungsarbeit wird der Change Management Prozess des gesellschaftsrelevanten Gemeindebaus in der Evangelischen Gemeinschaft Rechtenbach untersucht. Das Ziel der Arbeit ist es, herauszufinden, wie dieser navigierte Wandlungsprozess von Gemeindegliedern bewertet, gedeutet und verinnerlicht wurde, um Handlungsstrategien für ähnliche Projekte ableiten zu können. Dazu werden zunächst die theoretischen Grundlagen des missionalen Change Managements und der diesbezügliche Praxisvollzug beschrieben. Anschließend werden anhand des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus sowohl Planung und Durchführung als auch die Ergebnisse qualitativer Interviews dargestellt, die mit zwölf Teilnehmern des oben genannten Prozesses geführt wurden. Als Ergebnis des mehrmaligen Kodierens unter Anwendung der Grounded Theory lassen sich vier Typologien der Akzeptanz des Prozesses herausarbeiten. Auf der Grundlage der Forschungsergebnisse werden Thesen bezüglich der weiteren Umsetzung des gesellschaftsrelevanten Gemeindebaus und dessen Reproduzierbarkeit aufgezeigt. Die vorliegende Studie will einen Beitrag zur missionalen Diskussion im besonderen Hinblick auf den gesellschaftsrelevanten Gemeindebau und dessen Umsetzung leisten.
This research examines the change management process of community-relevant church building in the Evangelical Community in Rechtenbach. The aim of the study is to ascertain how church members assessed, interpreted and internalized this navigated change process in order to derive strategies for similar projects. Firstly it describes the basis for missional change management and the related practice. Based on the empirical-theological practice cycle, it then presents the planning and execution as well as the results of qualitative interviews that were carried out with twelve participants in the process mentioned above. The study extracted four typologies of acceptance of this process through repeated coding using the Grounded Theory. Based on the research results it puts forward theses regarding further implementation of community-relevant church building and its reproducibility. This study is intended to contribute to the missional discussion, in particular to community-relevant church building and its implementation.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

Text in German
In dieser Forschungsarbeit wird der Zusammenhang von christlicher Gesellschaftsverantwortung und Schulentwicklung in dem sozialen Brennpunkt Berlin- Moabit untersucht. Aufgrund des anhaltenden Wegzugs bildungsorientierter Eltern mit schulpflichtigen Kindern und damit einer zunehmenden Entmischung (Segregation) der Schülerpopulation und damit des Ortsteils Moabit, möchte die qualitative Studie einen Beitrag dazu leisten, Wege aus dieser schulischen Krise, die Auswirkungen auf die Kirchen Moabits und den Ortsteil insgesamt hat, zu finden. Als Lösungsansatz wird dabei das Bleiben von bildungsorientierten Familien in Moabit mit einer aktiven Kirchenzugehörigkeit aus folgenden Gründen verfolgt: Bleiben bildungsorientierte Familien wieder verstärkt in Moabit wohnen und gehen ihre Kinder auf die ihnen zugewiesenen Grundschulen, so werden durch eine Aufhebung der Segregation die Bildungschancen erhöht, da schulisches Lernen bedeutend auf dem Prinzip des Voneinander Lernens basiert, wie dies zahlreiche Studien belegen. Bleiben Familien mit aktiver Kirchenzugehörigkeit in dem sozialen Brennpunkt Berlin- Moabit wohnen, so können sie in gegenseitiger Unterstützung durch eine missionalinkarnatorische Art zu leben, d.h. durch ein am Vorbild Jesu orientiertes Wohnen und Leben unter den Menschen, Transformation in dem sozial benachteiligten Ortsteil Moabit bewirken. Somit werden Eltern befragt, deren Kinder sich im schulpflichtigen Alter befinden und die das Ziel verfolgen, langfristig in Moabit wohnen zu bleiben, die bereits Moabit aufgrund der Schulsituation verlassen haben oder die vor dieser Entscheidung stehen. Durch diese qualitative Studie, die sich im Kontext der Missionswissenschaften bewegt und der empirischen Theologie zuzuordnen ist, werden Lösungsmöglichkeiten für die Situation in dem Ortsteil Moabit erwartet.
The Thesis explores the connection between Christian social responsibility and public school development in the social hot spot of Berlin-Moabit. Due to the ongoing move away of education-oriented parents with their school-aged children, Moabit suffers from an increasing segregation in its student population and consequently also in its overall population. The present qualitative study seeks to suggest a solution to this schooling crisis that impacts both the churches in Moabit as well as the entire community. The approach to the segregation dilemma in Moabit that this study proposes is for educationoriented families who are also active church members to deliberately remain living in Moabit. This approach is based on two rationales: (1) If education-oriented families increasingly remain in Moabit and send their children to the respectively assigned public schools, segregation can be halted and the overall educational opportunities of all school children will be raised, since school learning strongly draws upon the principle of mutual learning, as many studies have documented. (2) If families who are active church members deliberately remain living in the social hot spot of Moabit, they can support each other to live their lives in a missional incarnation-oriented way, following the pattern of Christ. That way they can eventually initiate a process of transformation in the socially disadvantaged community of Moabit. In accordance with the outlined approach parents of school-aged children are interviewed, who either intend to stay in Moabit, or who have already moved away from Moabit because of the schooling situation, or who are currently confronted with the decision to stay or move. The present qualitative study, that is situated in the missiological field and can be ascribed to the range of empirical Theology, expects to find specific solutions for the above outlined problem in Moabit.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

Text in German, summaries in English and German
In dieser Forschungsarbeit werden Aspekte für die Partizipation älterer Menschen in gemeinwesendiakonischer Jugendarbeit im Sozialen Brennpunkt erforscht, um Wege aufzuzeigen, wie Seniorinnen angesichts demografischer und gesellschaftlicher Her-ausforderungen (Interkulturalität, Generationskonflikte und Milieuunterschiede) Kir- che mitgestalten und das gemeinwesendiakonische Profil der Kirche stärken können. Aufbauend auf sozialwissenschaftlichen und missionswissenschaftlichen Vor-überlegungen bildet eine empirisch-theologische Studie unter engagierten älteren Menschenimgemeinwesendiakonischen Projekt Richtsberg Mobil in einem Sozialen Brennpunkt das Zentrum der Untersuchung. Es wurden zehn problemzentrierte quali- tative Interviews geführt, die auf Grundlagedertheoriegenerierenden Methode der Grounded Theory ausgewertet wurden. Als Ergebnis der Typenbildung nach Kelle und Kluge können sechs grundlegende Aspekte festgehalten werden. Daraus werden Handlungskonsequenzen für die missi- onarische Praxis und die Missionswissenschaft gezogen, die sowohl in die unmittel- bare Praxis des untersuchten Projektes als auch vergleichbare generationsübergrei- fende und gemeinwesendiakonische Projekte zurückgeführt werden.
The research topic of this thesis are aspects for the participation of elderly people in a welfare-oriented youth ministry in a deprived area in order to identify how elderly people can help shape church in the face of demographic and social challenges (in- terculturality, generation conflicts and milieu differences) and strengthen its profile of community diaconia. Based on social-scientific and missiological prolegomena the center of this re- search is an empirical-theological study on commited elderly people in the welfare- oriented youth ministry Richtsberg Mobil in a deprived area. Collecting data through ten qualitative, problem-centered interviews the phenomena are evaluated by using the Grounded Theory. As a result of the data analysis six basic variables can be assumed that have an impact on the participation. The study is then utilized regarding its implications for missionpractice and missiology that can both assist the studied project Richtsberg Mobil as well as comparable intergenerational and welfare-oriented projects.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

German text
In dieser Forschungsarbeit wird die Glaubenspraxis von Studierenden empirisch-theologisch auf Aspekte von Mission untersucht um heraus zu finden, inwiefern ein Zusammenhang zwischen gelebter Jüngerschaft und dem subjektiven, laientheologischen Verständnis von Mission besteht. Dazu wurden mittels qualitativer Interviews Studierende aus den drei christlichen Hochschulgruppen Bambergs (Studentenmission Deutschland, Evangelischen Studierendengemeinde und Katholischen Hochschulgemeinde) zu ihrer Glaubenspraxis und ihrem Glaubensverständnis befragt. Auf Basis der Grounded Theory wurden die Daten ausgewertet, in verschiedene Dimensionen des Glaubens eingeordnet und vor dem Hintergrund missionstheologischer Aspekte eines ganzheitlichen Verständnisses von Mission interpretiert. Auf dieser Grundlage konnten Schlussfolgerungen zum laientheologischen Verständnis von Mission bei christlichen Studierenden gezogen werden. Diese empirisch-theologische Arbeit zielt darauf, den Diskurs über ganzheitliche Mission im studentischen Kontext anzuregen, sowie konkrete Hilfestellungen zur Überwindung der Diskrepanz zwischen wissenschaftlicher und Laientheologie im studentischen Kontext bzw. der Arbeit in den Hochschulgruppen zu erarbeiten.
In this research study, the faith praxis of students is examined according to empiricaltheological principles for aspects of mission in order to ascertain potential connections between discipliship in practice and the subjective, lay theological understanding of mission. For this purpose, students from the three Christian groups at Bamberg University, the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Germany (Studentenmission Deutschland), and the Evangelical and Catholic student communities (Evangelische Studierendengemeinde and Katholische Hochschulgemeinde), were asked to participate in qualitative interviews about their faith praxis and their understanding of the faith. The data collected were evaluated using Grounded Theory, classified into diverse categories of faith dimensions and interpreted with a view towards a wholistic understanding of mission incorporating mission theology. On this basis, conclusions about the lay theological understanding of mission among Christian students could be drawn. This empirical-theological study aims to stimulate the debate about wholistic mission within the context of students, as well as develop guidelines to overcome the discrepancy between academic and lay theology and between the ministry of respective student groups
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

Summaries in German and English
Die Zielgruppe der jungen Erwachsenen erhalt in evangelischen Kirchengemeinden und Jugendverbanden wenig Aufmerksamkeit. Zudem liegt kaum wissenschaftliche oder gemeindliche Literatur vor - noch weniger im direktem Bezug auf Mitarbeiterforderung der Altersgruppe 18- bis 22-Jahriger. Folglich hat die vorliegende Arbeit sich der Aufgabe gewidmet, eine Theorie der Mitarbeiterforderung zu entwickeln. Sie wird in Form von Prinzipien abgebildet, die eigens auf die Bedurfnisse von Nachwuchsmitarbeitern innerhalb der Teenagerarbeit eingehen. Die zu entwickelnden Leitlinien bilden sich zunachst aus zwei Quellen. Sie ergeben sich zum einen aus dem neutestamentlichen Befund zu 2Tim 2,2, zum anderen aus der Untersuchung von Literatur aus Gemeindepadagogik, CVJM und evangelischer Landeskirche sowie der Personalfuhrungslehre. Die durch Synopse gebildeten Prinzipien werden an der Empirie gepruft und erganzt. Das geschieht durch eine qualitative Vergleichsstudie innerhalb eines CVJM Ortsvereins in Baden. Auf der Basis der erarbeiteten Prinzipien der Mitarbeiterforderung entwickelt die Miterarbeit Anstosse fur die Praxis.
The target group of young adults (18-22 years) receives little attention in protestant churches and youth associations. Hardly any literature at all is available, even less on the training and support of voluntary leaders. Therefore, this dissertation attempts to develop a theory for training and supporting voluntary workers, portrayed in the form of principles aiming at the needs of upcoming junior leaders in teenage work. The developed guidelines originate from two sources, namely the New Testament findings around 2Tim 2,2 and the research literature in the areas of theory and methodology of Christian education, YMCA work, state church publications and personnel management and leadership. These principles, worked out through a textual comparison, are verified and complemented by empirical knowledge gathered from a qualitative study within a local YMCA group in Baden. Based on the theoretical findings, this dissertation offers practical help for the training and support of voluntary workers.
Practical Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in German
Die vorliegende Forschungsarbeit beschäftigt sich mit der erlebnisorientierten Ausrichtung des geistlichen Lebensstils als Herausforderung für den Gemeindeaufbau in der Postmoderne. Die zunehmende Erlebnisorientierung der postmodernen Gesellschaft hat auch vor den Türen der Glaubensgemeinschaften in Deutschland und in der Schweiz nicht Halt gemacht. Die Folgen fordern von den Verantwortlichen der Gemeinden und Kirchen neue Überlegungen im Hinblick auf die bisherige Gemeindeaufbaupraxis. In diesem Prozess fällt auf, dass in Deutschland und in der Schweiz vor allem die Impulse der Church Growth Movement (CGM), insbesondere das Gemeindemodell der Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC) und der Saddleback Valley Community Church (SVCC), große Aufmerksamkeit erlangt haben. Einerseits werden die Gemeindemodelle vielerorts mit Begeisterung nachgeahmt, andererseits werden sie aber unter anderem wegen ihres Verhältnisses zur Erlebnisorientierung und wegen ihres Umgangs damit stark kritisiert. In der vorliegenden Forschungsarbeit wurden deshalb die Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede bezüglich der erlebnisorientierten Ausrichtung des geistlichen Lebensstils der Gläubigen in den Partnergemeinden der Willow Creek Community Church und in den Nichtpartnergemeinden empirisch untersucht. Außerdem wurde geprüft, inwiefern soziostrukturelle Faktoren, insbesondere das Gemeindeumfeld, zur Generierung des erlebnisorientierten geistlichen Lebensstil beitragen und, inwiefern eine Wechselwirkung zwischen den Bestandteilen des geistlichen Lebensstils vorhanden ist. Die Ergebnisse der Forschungsarbeit ermöglichen eine empirisch-oikodomische Beurteilung der Gemeindeaufbaumodelle der CGM und die Entwicklung einer Vorgehensweise im Gemeindeaufbau in der Postmoderne, wodurch auf die zunehmende Erlebnisorientierung der Gesellschaft als Herausforderung in der Gemeindeaufbaupraxis entsprechend reagiert werden kann. The present research investigates the justification of an experience-orientated alignment of a spiritual lifestyle as a challenge for churchbuilding in postmodernity. The increasing experience-orientated behaviour in post-modern society did not stop at the gates of the churches in Germany and Switzerland. The results require, from those persons responsible in the congregations and churches, new deliberation and reflection with regard to the present practice of the promotion and development of church growth. When one looks at this process, it becomes apparent, that above all the stimuli from the Church Growth Movement (CGM), especially the church models of the Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC) and the Saddleback Valley Community Church (SVCC) gained huge attention in Germany and Switzerland. On the one hand the church models are emulated with great enthusiasm, on the other hand they are strongly criticised for their relationship with and handling of experience-orientated behaviour. The present research empirically examines and investigates the communalities and differences regarding the experience-orientated alignment of the spiritual lifestyle of the faithful believers from partner churches of the Willow Creek Community Church and non-partner churches. It was also examined and investigated to what degree socio-structural factors contributed to, particularly the congregational environment, with regards to the creation of the experience-orientated spiritual life style, and in how far an interaction exists between the various components of the spiritual lifestyle. The research findings facilitate an empirical-theological evaluation and assessment of the models of churchbuilding of the CGM and the development of an approach to churchbuilding in postmodernity. It is therefore possible to react to the increasing experience-orientation of the societal as a challenge in the churchbuilding.
Practical and Systematic Theology
D.Th. (Practical Theology)

Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Forschungsarbeit unternimmt den Versuch, einen konzeptionellen Entwurf einer empirischen Missionswissenschaft als Grundlagenforschung zu entwickeln, der im Praxisfeld durchgeführt wird. Dabei soll die intradisziplinäre Vorgehensweise einen methodologischen Zugang sozialwissenschaftlicher Methoden zur Missionswissenschaft möglich machen. Als Grundlage wird ein Einblick in die sozialwissenschaftliche und missionswissenschaftliche Forschung gegeben und daraus ein eigener, empirisch-theologischer Praxiszyklus entwickelt, der die Methodologie der Untersuchung darstellt. Die inhaltliche Forschungsarbeit fragt nach Gottesvorstellungen von Jugendlichen aus missionswissenschaftlicher Sicht. Dabei wird die Möglichkeit missionarischer Begegnung und Ansprechbarkeit von Jugendlichen im Kontext der kulturellen Veränderungen des postmodernen Paradigmemwechsels beleuchtet. Die Frage, wie Gottesvorstellungen von Jugendlichen gesellschaftlich geprägt und wie sich dies auf ihre Religiosität in ihrem Alltag auswirkt, spielt in diesem Zusammenhang eine wichtige Rolle. Deshalb wird nicht nur der aktuelle Forschungsstand zur Thematik untersucht, sondern 18 Jugendliche werden in Form von halbstandardisierten Interviews qualitativ befragt und ihre Aussagen empirisch-missiologisch ausgewertet. Die Thesis hat somit zweierlei Zielsetzungen: Zum einen geht es um eine empirisch-theologische Studie zur Erforschung von Gottesvorstellung bei Jugendlichen im Hinblick auf ihre missionarische Ansprechbarkeit. Zum anderen zielt sie darauf ab, durch Umsetzung des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus einen Typus zu entwickeln, der auch künftig in der Missionswissenschaft für empirisch-theologische Erhebungen eingesetzt werden kann. Summary The intention of this research project is to evolve a concept for empirical missiology as a method of fundamental research and to apply it in practice. Through the usage of an intradisciplinary approach, access to missiology via the methodology of the social sciences is rendered possible. To establish a basis, an insight into social as well as missiological research will be given, and an inherent, empirical-theological praxis cycle will be developed. This praxis cycle is the methodology of this research paper. Concerning content, this research paper scrutinises the image of God held by juveniles from a missiological point of view. It considers the missionary receptiveness of juveniles in the context of cultural change in the postmodernist shift of paradigm. In how far are juvenile concepts of God marked by the correspondent social environment and does that have an impact on their everyday religious behaviour? Consequently not only the current state of research will be evaluated but, furthermore, the half-standardised qualitative interviews of 18 juveniles will be enclosed and their answers analysed on an empirical- missiological basis. Hence, this thesis has a twofold aim; one considers empirical-theological research as a way of evaluating concepts of God among juveniles with regard to their missionary receptiveness. The other implements the empirical-theological praxis cycle aiming to develop a type which enables further empirical-theological investigation in missilogy.
Missiology
D.Th.

Summaries in German and English
Text in German
Angestoßen durch ein vom evangelischen Jugendwerk getragenes Projekt hat sich eine zu-nehmende Zahl von Jugendgemeinden in Orten und Bezirken der württembergischen Lan-deskirche etabliert. Diese Jugendgemeinden zielen auf verbindliche gottesdienstliche Ge-meinschaft und verstehen sich nicht nur als Jugendarbeit, sondern wollen ein eigenes Ge-meindebewusstsein entwickeln. Da sich Jugendgemeinden naturgemäß besonders auf das Jugendalter konzentrieren, werden sich junge Erwachsene eine andere geistliche Heimat suchen müssen, sobald sie sich zu sehr vom Jugendalter entfernen. Diese Masterarbeit setzt sich zum Ziel, Faktoren zu ermitteln, die zu einem gelingenden Wechsel ehemaliger Mitglieder von Jugendgemeinden in landeskirchliche Ortsgemeinden beitragen, bzw. Faktoren zu finden, die zu einer Abwanderungsbewegung derselben führen. Dafür werden Leitfadeninterviews mit ehemaligen Mitgliedern von Jugendgemeinden durch-geführt und entsprechend der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Philipp Mayring ausgewertet. Auf Basis dieser ermittelten Faktoren sollen Handlungsempfehlungen zur Erneuerung der Praxis entwickelt werden sowie die Faktoren mit der praktisch-theologischen sowie inner-kirchlichen Diskussion in Verbindung gebracht werden.
Initiated by a project of the youth division of the protestant church in Württemberg, an in-creasing number of youth churches (“Jugendgemeinden”) have been formed in different parishes and districts of the protestant church in Württemberg (“Evangelische Kirche in Würt-temberg”). These youth churches view themselves as more than the current understanding of normal youth ministry. They conduct regular youth worship services, have a congregation of committed members and develop the self-understanding of an actual church. Because youth churches target a teenage demographic, its members are placed in the position of needing to search for another church home once they become too old for the youth church. This dissertation aims to find factors which aid the transition of former members of youth churches into protestant local church congregations (“landeskirchliche Ortsgemeinden”) and respectively find factors which lead to migration outside these protestant church congregations. To that end, guided interviews are conducted with former members of youth churches and are analyzed by employing the qualitative content analysis method by Philipp Mayring. These determined factors form the basis for recommendations for action and a renewed church practice. They are discussed within the practical-theological and church context.
Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This ethnographic project delves into the spheres of life of three autistic adults and their families. This thesis analyzes their experiences, current routines, and personal and family narratives about what it means to be an autistic adult across different identities and geographies. This thesis also identifies forms of knowledge that arise in these life experiences and shape strategies, decisions, or attitudes taken to navigate through life or overcome possible difficulties in their present and futures. This research takes place in Colombia, a diverse country and engages with anthropology of the everyday, sensory anthropology and disability studies.