Diaconate and youth in Afrikaans-speaking Reformed congregations in South Africa

South Africa is characterised by various socio-economic and socio-political challenges (fractures) not easily met (or healed). ‘Fractures’ refer to social, economic, religious, spatial, ecological, environmental, and economic injustices and other issues. Within this context, the church is confronted with her vocation. The unique vocation of a congregation is that the members become a ‘new community’ (koinonia) in which they not only care for one another but also develop relationships featuring care for, and mercy and solidarity (diakonia) with the weak, poor, and marginalised in society. Several researchers prove that the current South African youth could be classified as vulnerable and marginalised. Since the church does not preach the gospel in a vacuum but in relation to specific human realities, the theme of the youth and diaconate in the Afrikaans-speaking Reformed churches in South Africa is examined in this study, based on Osmer’s Practical Theological Interpretation. INTERDISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTRADISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The interdisciplinary nature of this contribution is spread across the two fields of youth ministry and diaconate. The sub-disciplines of both the youth in general, and youth ministry and youth work within the academic discourse of the diaconate are studied, specifically in the Afrikaans-speaking Reformed denomination.http://www.ve.org.zaPractical Theolog

“I can’t breathe” : Mary-Anne Elizabeth Plaatjies-Van Huffel and the Belhar Confession as a beacon of light for denouncing racism

Racism continues to divide, separate, oppress and hurt—as was seen by recent global events. The church, because of the very nature of the Gospel of Christ, is called to bring unity, reconciliation, justice, healing and peace. The current crisis and threat of racism call for a time of new opportunity and new resurrections, forged from resistances that breathe a new life, of which the Belhar Confession can be a beacon of light. This article focuses on how the theological framework of Mary-Anne Elizabeth Plaatjies-Van Huffel and the Belhar Confession provide a historic opportunity to stand in solidarity with the voices of those who are suffocating (“can’t breathe”). It is an emphatic call for the church to denounce and address all forms of racism and injustice.https://upjournals.co.za/index.php/SHE/indexdm2022Practical Theolog

Youth, faith and environmental consciousness in Africa : a practical theology research imperative

Climate change and environmental degradation are arguably among the most significant concerns for humanity and environmental sustainability on a worldwide scale. Today’s youth are at the epicentre of discussions about ecological (in) justice, environmental consciousness, and climate change discourses and practices. This is illustrated by international protests, including the Fridays for the Future and Extinction Rebellion campaigns, to highlight a few. However, both of the aforementioned youth movements are western illustrations of youth who are participating in these discourses. This article first argues that the African youth should be at the forefront of the environmental discourse due to the impact this phenomenon has on Africa. Secondly, this article focuses on why the environmental discourse should be prioritised in the practical theological subject field of youth ministry. Within the practical theology discipline, the tripartite concern with the link between youth, faith, and environmental consciousness has been under-researched.https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stj/indexdm2022Practical Theolog

Authentic African community development practices in a diverse society: A transdisciplinary approach

The South African people continuously engage in social actions characterised by intolerance, pointing to frustrations and disillusionment in a post-apartheid era. A need to find creative ways to engage diverse communities to work together to participate in their own development and well-being was identified. This article is based on long-term transdisciplinary discourse and work. The aim is to explore how the disciplines of social work, theology and the arts could contribute together towards the development of communities where participation, collaboration and cooperation as key principles of authentic community development are actively implemented. Within a transdisciplinary framework, the disciplines engaged in participatory research projects that resulted in findings that informed the development of a process where people at grassroots level become aware and more tolerant of each other, begin to work together and as such become involved in their own futures. It is concluded that by encouraging participation, collaboration and cooperation in social change processes, the South African people can be empowered towards working together and becoming involved in their own futures

Youth, faith, climate change and environmental consciousness: A case for sustainable development

Climate change and environmental destruction are amongst the most threatening challenges to humanity and sustainable development globally. Young people find themselves right in the centre of debates about ecological (in)justice, environmental awareness, and climate change discourses and practices. Youth movements worldwide, such as ‘Extinction Rebellion’ and ‘Fridays for Future,’ demonstrate that youths are concerned about environmental problems and ready to become active in climate movements. Their willingness to act on their own behalf makes them one of the most important and interesting groups to learn more about in relation to the challenge of building a deeper awareness of environmental issues. Exploring and learning how youths are engaged with these discourses, how they contribute to a wider social consciousness of environmental issues and how such awareness is affected by different factors, such as the role and the contribution of young people’s own religious beliefs, are, therefore, of paramount importance

Youth, faith, climate change and environmental consciousness : a case for sustainable development

Climate change and environmental destruction are amongst the most threatening challenges to humanity and sustainable development globally. Young people find themselves right in the centre of debates about ecological (in)justice, environmental awareness, and climate change discourses and practices. Youth movements worldwide, such as ‘Extinction Rebellion’ and ‘Fridays for Future,’ demonstrate that youths are concerned about environmental problems and ready to become active in climate movements. Their willingness to act on their own behalf makes them one of the most important and interesting groups to learn more about in relation to the challenge of building a deeper awareness of environmental issues. Exploring and learning how youths are engaged with these discourses, how they contribute to a wider social consciousness of environmental issues and how such awareness is affected by different factors, such as the role and the contribution of young people’s own religious beliefs, are, therefore, of paramount importance.Special Collection: Youth, Faith, Climate Change and Environmental Consciousness: A Case for Sustainable Development, sub-edited by Jacques Beukes (University of Pretoria), Juliane Stork (Humboldt University, Berlin) and Ignatius Swart (University of the Western Cape).http://www.hts.org.za/am2022Practical Theolog

Authentic African community development practices in a diverse society : a transdisciplinary approach

The South African people continuously engage in social actions characterised by intolerance, pointing to frustrations and disillusionment in a post-apartheid era. A need to find creative ways to engage diverse communities to work together to participate in their own development and well-being was identified. This article is based on long-term transdisciplinary discourse and work. The aim is to explore how the disciplines of social work, theology and the arts could contribute together towards the development of communities where participation, collaboration and cooperation as key principles of authentic community development are actively implemented. Within a transdisciplinary framework, the disciplines engaged in participatory research projects that resulted in findings that informed the development of a process where people at grassroots level become aware and more tolerant of each other, begin to work together and as such become involved in their own futures. It is concluded that by encouraging participation, collaboration and cooperation in social change processes, the South African people can be empowered towards working together and becoming involved in their own futures. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS: The disciplines of social work, theology and the arts entered into a transdisciplinary dialogue and work over the past years. The transdisciplinary team engaged in four participatory research projects to include input from grassroots levels to inform their understanding of how the different disciplines can better contribute towards a process of authentic community development in the diverse South African society. This resulted in the process proposed in this article.http://www.hts.org.zapm2021Practical Theolog

Exploring the social function of congregations: Acommunity development approach to develop ‘hub-and-spill’ early childhood development centres

This article reflects on the findings of a research study that investigated a community development project by CARITAS, a welfare organisation of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). The said organisation, together with local DRC congregations, and in a quest to address societal issues such as poverty and child neglect in the Northern Cape, developed early childhood development (ECD) centres in rural towns. The aim was to provide young children with quality care and to provide congregations with a platform to become active participants in community development projects. The study was conducted 5 years after the start of the project to explore the nature and value thereof. The outcomes of the study provide valuable insights regarding how such centres served as a tool to work towards ECD and a sense of community in these towns, while also addressing socio-economic issues. This article is aimed at presenting the findings as an example to be explored in other contexts

Seen and heard : the youth as game-changing roleplayers in climate change and environmental consciousness

The environmental crisis, ecological injustice and climate change are some of the biggest challenges to humanity and sustainable development worldwide. The youth are at the centre of the ecological (in)justice, environmental consciousness and climate change discourse. For the youth to participate and influence development with regard to the climate crisis in a favourable way, they must understand their role and the issues and challenges that they face in this regard. CONTRINUTION : The aim of this explorative article is twofold. It highlights the involvement of the South African youth in ecological matters. It also offers insights on why the youth can be regarded as game-changing role-players with regard to the climate crisis and being environmentally conscious.Special Collection: Youth, Faith, Climate Change and Environmental Consciousness: A Case for Sustainable Development, subedited by Jacques Beukes (University of Pretoria), Juliane Stork (Humboldt University, Berlin) and Ignatius Swart (University of the Western Cape).http://www.hts.org.zaam2022Practical Theolog

To be or not to be? A missional and practical theological perspective on being Church without walls amidst coronavirus disease 2019 : a challenge or an opportunity?

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread globally. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak to be a global pandemic. Millions of people have been diagnosed globally; and at the time of publishing this article, more than a million people died because of the virus. South Africa reported its first official COVID-19 case on 05 March 2020, and since then the figures dramatically increased. On 15 March 2020 and the week thereafter on 23 March 2020, South Africans were waiting in anticipation as they learned from various (social) media platforms that the President would make a crucial announcement regarding the impact of COVID-19 and the drastic effect it will have on their country. Immediately drastic and tremendous measures were announced to safeguard South Africans and to contain the spread of the virus that was impacting communities of all faiths. Does this situation of crisis and global pandemic pose a challenge or a new opportunity for the church to be church with integrity? This article explores this question by engaging with the missional and practical theological perspectives such as the church being missional, relevant and contextual. This situation both challenges and provides opportunities to revisit and redefine being church outside the traditional walls of the church as missional describes being a missionary everywhere you are. This article engages with the missional perspective that the church is called to be church everywhere as well as being church in a time of the fourth industrial revolution. CONTRIBUTION: This research challenges the traditional discourse and believers’ current understanding and praxis of being church. This research invites the church to embrace new (old forgotten) ways of being church because of a medical global pandemic (health sciences). It brings together insights from missional ecclesiology and practical theology and engages with social and human sciences.http://www.hts.org.zapm2021Practical Theolog