Missional metanoia: Missional spirituality in holistic theological education

Abstract Theological education is in crisis having lost an important dimension with its main focus on quality academics often abstracted from real life. This study aimed to propose that the formation of spirituality is fundamental to theological education and that theological education should be a holistic formation. The setting of this study is re-imaging theological education in the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), a denomination in the process of missional transformation, but it is also applicable to theological education in general. This study focused on the relation between theology and spirituality, the significance of missional spirituality in theological education and a probable model for the formation of a missional spirituality. The study found that theology and spirituality are interdependent, and theological education should thus focus on all the different areas of learning and formation, that is, minimum knowledge base, pass-on-able habits and skills, and attitudes and beliefs. Theological education should ultimately cultivate a missional spirituality, forming missional leaders for the church. Leaders who are equipped are able to equip others for God’s mission. Theological education is not about obtaining a degree but in essence a process of formation and transformation. Wright asks: if the gospel is not transforming you, will it transform anything else? Transformation to be able to transform – a missional metanoia. Contribution: This study provides a probable model for holistic theological education and the formation of a missional spirituality

Spirituele vorming om ’n missionale karakter in gemeentes in die praktyk te bewerkstellig

Spiritual formation to bring about a missional character in congregations in practice. This study applied literature review to focus on missional ecclesiology and, more specifically, on the important role and impact of spirituality in supporting a missional church. Although the research originated in reformed churches in South Africa, the reflection on the relation between the concept of missional church and a Christian spirituality, and the practical examples that illustrate such a missional spirituality, transcend the context and is applicable to most contexts. The conclusion of the research affirmed a Trinitarian approach to spirituality and the indispensable place of a missional spirituality for Christian congregations. A life in the Trinity forms and informs everyday life. It encourages disciples of Christ to participate in God’s mission. There is no difference between Christian spirituality and missional spirituality. One of the key findings was the important role of habits: believers should change their habits in their everyday life in order to change their thoughts, and not the other way around. Practical examples of habits are as follows: systematic reading of God’s Word; to see what God sees; kenosis shown through hospitality; faith discernment with other believers; associating the everyday normalities as spiritual; finding rest in God; and eating together. Intradisciplinary and/or Interdisciplinary implications: This article was written from the perspective of mission studies. The contextual challenge was to emphasise the importance of habits in Christian spirituality, and the reciprocal relationship between spirituality and being a missional church. This article has challenged the culture of church-organised mission projects

Spiritual formation to bring about a missional character in congregations in practice

This study applied literature review to focus on missional ecclesiology and, more specifically, on the important role and impact of spirituality in supporting a missional church. Although the research originated in reformed churches in South Africa, the reflection on the relation between the concept of missional church and a Christian spirituality, and the practical examples that illustrate such a missional spirituality, transcend the context and is applicable to most contexts. The conclusion of the research affirmed a Trinitarian approach to spirituality and the indispensable place of a missional spirituality for Christian congregations. A life in the Trinity forms and informs everyday life. It encourages disciples of Christ to participate in God’s mission. There is no difference between Christian spirituality and missional spirituality. One of the key findings was the important role of habits: believers should change their habits in their everyday life in order to change their thoughts, and not the other way around. Practical examples of habits are as follows: systematic reading of God’s Word; to see what God sees; kenosis shown through hospitality; faith discernment with other believers; associating the everyday normalities as spiritual; finding rest in God; and eating together. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : This article was written from the perspective of mission studies. The contextual challenge was to emphasise the importance of habits in Christian spirituality, and the reciprocal relationship between spirituality and being a missional church. This article has challenged the culture of church-organised mission projects.P.C.P het die meerderheid van die navorsing gedoen as deel vir die MTh in Teologie in die Departement van Religiestudies. C.J.N. was toesighouer en het bygedra tot die ontwerp van die navorsing, gedeeltes van die finale kopie geskryf en het redigering en voorbereiding van die finale kopie gedoen.http://www.ve.org.zaam2019Science of Religion and Missiolog

Theology at the University of Pretoria - 100 years: (1917-2017) Past, present and future

In this scholarly book, a century’s theology presented by the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria, is celebrated. All authors are academics or research associates of the University of Pretoria. A historical and futuristic overview with perspectives from the past, present and future, are examined. The past is not only portrayed by means of societal and scientific contributions and achievements, but the authors also reflect on malfunctions, ill behaviour and disappointments of church and theology, presented at the University of Pretoria within the South African context over 100 years. The book commences with a chapter in which institutional transformation is discussed, as well as the changes that demonstrate the role of the Faculty of Theology within a secular state university. It includes an explanation of the importance of research impact, research productivity and research reputation. Among various discipline indicators, the category Theology and Religion Studies plays a significant role in the measurement of world university rankings of universities. With regard to scientific and encyclopaedic content, the book focuses on the theological disciplines presented in the academic curricula: first the biblical sciences (Old and New Testament Studies), then the historical disciplines (Systematic Theology, Church History and Church Polity), and finally the practical disciplines (Practical Theology, Science of Religion and Missiology). The role of Religion Studies in a newly established Faculty of Theology and Religion not only enhances the diversity of interreligious tolerance and an atmosphere of dialogue, but it serves as platform to interconnect with the fields of Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences and other academic disciplines. In the conclusive part of the book, contributions highlight the role of the centres in the Faculty (Centre for Contextual Ministry and Centre for Sustainable Communities), as well as the continental and international footprints of the two theological journals whose title ownership is attached to the Faculty of Theology of the University of Pretoria, namely HTS Theological Studies and Verbum et Ecclesia. The methodology comprised in all the chapters amounts to a literature and contextual study. Since the book describes the histories of formal academic departments, these texts are of a descriptive, interpretative and critical character. Reference is made in some chapters to exegetical methods, like the historical critical methods. The target audience of the book is academic scholars and theologians, who specialise in the different fields of Theology, the Humanities and other Social Sciences. The book is also accessible to scholars of other academic disciplines outside these disciplines. The book comprises original research by several authors and is not plagiarised from other scientific publications of this nature

Together towards new life for missiology? Mission and missiology in the light of the World Council of Churches 2013 policy statement

Any meaningful discussion of the various understandings of mission and Missiology needs to take cognizance of the important policy document accepted by the World Council of Churches at its 10th Assembly in Busan, South-Korea, in October 2013: “Together towards life – mission and evangelism in changing landscapes”. This is the first new mission affirmation by the WCC in 30 years,  and presents a compelling new vision of Christian mission, namely its rootedness in God and its present role in the strengthening/consolidation/reinforcement of the reign of God. This research explores the relevance of the aforementioned policy document for mission and Missiology in terms of three themes: “Where do we come from?”; “What is happening now?”, and “What could the future look like?

�n Stormkompas in tye van aanpasbare verandering � kontoere van mission�re leierskap

A compass in the storms of adaptive change - outlines on missional leadership.The article describes outlines of and elaborates on missional leadership in the challenging times of adaptive change. The insights of Roxburg & Romanuk (2006) and Van Gelder (2007), especially in terms of their contributions on Spirit-led missional leadership, serves as partners for the discussion. This is enriched by other publications and highlighted by the influence of prof Piet Meiring�s life as missional leader. The article describes missional leadership as:� a journey directed by spiritual discernment,� Biblical imagination to discern God�s preferred future,� the art of listening,� the cultivation of an environment that discerns God�s activities among the congregation and in its context,� communally orientated and network-leadership,� cultural transformation,� storytelling, and� taking risks.<br /

Ontluikende kerke � �n nuwe mission�re beweging. Deel 2: Kernpraktyke van Ontluikende Mission�re Kerke

This article describes and elaborates on the nine core practices of emerging missional churches, identified in the research of Gibbs and Bolger which presents these practices as innovative answers that can assist mainline churches to discover new possibilities and to change cultural as well as organisational aspects. The article represents a theological reflection on the core practices of emerging churches