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

Missional Leadership

The purpose and aim of this book is to develop an appropriate leadership model for missional churches. This implies a positioning of this book within the broader theology of mission and a consensus on the theology of the Missio Dei, originating at the 1952 conference of the International Missionary Council in Willingen, Germany. In this approach to the theology of mission, mission is understood as the work of the Trinitarian God, and the church is privileged to participate in God’s mission. It is against this background that the growing consensus on missional ecclesiology challenges leadership models developed for a different time and a different kind of church (with less or no emphasis on the missional character of the church). The aim is to reflect theologically on the role of leadership in the missional church. What kind of ideas about power, authority and leadership are appropriate for a missional church? New missional challenges demand new ideas about missional leadership. Church organisation and leadership reflects a theological position – there is a strong relation between ecclesiology and church organisation. The nature of the church provides the framework to understand the character of the church. What the church is determines what the church does. The church organises what it does and agrees on rules that regulate ministries and organisation. Issues such as the way the church organises and governs what it does, and thus church leadership, need to be answered against this background and understanding. Church polity and organisation, as well as leadership, must reflect the identity, calling, life and order of the church. This book, therefore, addresses life in the Trinity, participation in the Missio Dei and contours of the missional church as the point of entry to develop leadership insights. It contributes towards the development of an appropriate model of leadership for missional churches, because although recent developments in the theology of mission comprehensively addressed the area of missional ecclesiology, there is a gap in the development of a leadership model based on the concept of authority in the missional church

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?

Use and fit of filtering facepiece respirators in a department of anaesthesiology

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Anaesthesiology. Johannesburg, November 2016.Background: Reliable protection against nosocomial tuberculosis transmission in theatre depends on the appropriate use of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) with an N95 filter, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aim: To describe anaesthetist compliance and comfort with the use of FFRs, followed by donning technique and fit tests outcomes. Design: Prospective, contextual, descriptive, two part study. Setting: Part 1 was done in a university affiliated department of anaesthesiology. Part 2 was a pilot study in the theatre complex of a 1200-bed tertiary-level academic hospital. Participants: Part 1 – anaesthetists in the department selected by convenience sampling (n=140). Part 2 – anaesthetists selected by stratified random sampling (10 male and 10 female). Methods: In Part 1 a self-administered questionnaire was distributed. In Part 2 the donning technique was directly observed, corrected, then followed by qualitative fit testing with the single model and size FFR available. Results: Part 1 -Compliance with the use of the FFR was inadequate with a compliance score of 14.5 (SD 5.0) out of 25. FFRs are deemed to be uncomfortable (discomfort score of 9.9 (SD 4.0) out of 21.) Part 2 - Of the 20 anaesthetists, six (30%), five males and one female, passed the fit test. Conclusions: Compliance with FFR use was poor and anaesthetists at the research institution found the FFRs uncomfortable. FFR donning technique was observed to be lacking. Research with a larger study group is required. Poor fit test results were most likely due to the availability of only one size and model of FFR.LG201

Missional Leadership

The purpose and aim of this book is to develop an appropriate leadership model for missional churches. This implies a positioning of this book within the broader theology of mission and a consensus on the theology of the Missio Dei, originating at the 1952 conference of the International Missionary Council in Willingen, Germany. In this approach to the theology of mission, mission is understood as the work of the Trinitarian God, and the church is privileged to participate in God’s mission. It is against this background that the growing consensus on missional ecclesiology challenges leadership models developed for a different time and a different kind of church (with less or no emphasis on the missional character of the church). The aim is to reflect theologically on the role of leadership in the missional church. What kind of ideas about power, authority and leadership are appropriate for a missional church? New missional challenges demand new ideas about missional leadership. Church organisation and leadership reflects a theological position – there is a strong relation between ecclesiology and church organisation. The nature of the church provides the framework to understand the character of the church. What the church is determines what the church does. The church organises what it does and agrees on rules that regulate ministries and organisation. Issues such as the way the church organises and governs what it does, and thus church leadership, need to be answered against this background and understanding. Church polity and organisation, as well as leadership, must reflect the identity, calling, life and order of the church. This book, therefore, addresses life in the Trinity, participation in the Missio Dei and contours of the missional church as the point of entry to develop leadership insights. It contributes towards the development of an appropriate model of leadership for missional churches, because although recent developments in the theology of mission comprehensively addressed the area of missional ecclesiology, there is a gap in the development of a leadership model based on the concept of authority in the missional church

The Chinese House Church Movement in South Africa

Die Chinese huiskerkbeweging in Suid-AfrikaDie doel van hierdienavorsing is om die Chinese huiskerkbeweging in Suid-Afrika by wyse van akademieseondersoekaan die ordetestel en ‘n inleidendebesprekingtebied van hierdiebelangrikegebeurtenis in sendingwetenskap.  Hierdie navorsing behels van die heel eerstebeskrywings en navorsingoorhierdiehaasonbekendeverskynsel. Die besprekinggeskiedaan die hand van Alan Hirsch se konsep van apostolieseimpak en die sogenaamde ‘Jesus People’-beweging, toegepas op Chinese huiskerkein China en Suid-Afrika. Die navorsingskets ‘n kortoorsigoor die kerk in China om sodoendekontekste skep vir die gebeure in Suid-Afrika. Die inleidendebespreking van die Chinese huiskerkegeskiedaan die hand van ‘deelnemendewaarneming.’ Die navorsingvervolg met voorstellevir die verdereontwikkeling van die huiskerke in Suid-Afrika. The Chinese House Church Movement in South AfricaThe purpose of the research is to provide an academic introduction to the Chinese House Church Movement in South Africa, and to give a brief description of the importance of this new missiological event – for, even though the presence of these churches is well known, little is known about the churches themselves. This research represents some of the very first explorations and missiological reflections on this phenomenon in South Africa. Therefore, in this article Alan Hirsch’s idea of ‘apostolic genius’ and its connection to ‘Jesus People’ Movements and their impact is explored within the context of the Chinese church, both in mainland China and in South Africa. A brief history of the church in China is provided as background and context for an exploration of the Chinese House Church Movement in South Africa – through ‘participant observation’. Consequently, suggestions are made as to ways in which one can more effectively assist already existing Chinese house churches, as well as with the establishment of more Chinese house churches. As this is a previously mostly ‘unknown’ and/or closed-off community, the research undertaken in this article is of great importance as an initial exploration and missiological reflection on this phenomenon.https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.80.2.222

“Lewe vir die stad” – life/live for the city : a case study of reimagining congregational culture and its relationship with the city as a first step towards establishing a new social contract

In this paper, the researcher aims to reflect on the role of the church and local congregations in changing the congregational culture to contribute towards a missional ecclesiology focussed on the public space with the aim to establish a social contract between congregation and context (in the City of Tshwane in this case). The paper utilises a case study of the Valleisig congregation in Tshwane to reimagine its relationship with the city as the first step towards establishing a new social contract between the congregation and the city. The paper will attend to: 1) the importance of reimagining congregational culture with a focus on being faithfully present in its context and a faithful presence in the commons; 2) a brief overview of the Valleisig congregation and the challenge to change the congregational culture from inward and attractional to outward and missional; and 3) action in hope – the dream of a congregation that contributes towards a new social contract for a new Tshwane.am2023Practical Theolog

Reformed theological education and formation

This article will hold up a mirror to the Reformed tradition’s theological education past and present, specifically in the context of the DRC. This paper will also make proposals for the future, peering through the window towards possibilities for theological education and formation and the reformation of Reformed spirituality. The Reformed tradition has always maintained a high academic standard when it comes to theological education and the formation of its clergy. The curriculum used by the DRC, modelled on the European system, still to a great extent reflects the needs of the church decades ago and is challenged by the DRC’s current ecclesiological understanding. A missional church, as portrayed by the DRC’s policy document, requires missional clergy, or missional leadership, and thus theological education that supports this type of formation. This article proposes a more holistic spiritual formation programme that cultivates a sound Reformed spirituality and enables the formation of these missional leaders.https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/Practical TheologyNon

The ministry of Beyers Naude to the victims of oppression 1960�1994: A challenge to Christian mission in post-apartheid South Africa

Dr Beyers Naud�s ministry to the victims of apartheid between 1960�1994 was of missionary significance. His mission challenged the conservative or stereotype mission approaches of the church which were in line with the thinking of Edinburgh 1910. Dr Beyers Naud� in contrast, applied the spirit of Tambaram 1938 supporting what Saayman termed a �comprehensive ministry�. His ministry challenged the mission of the church in post-apartheid South Africa during which the prophetic voice of the church has diminished and Ministers of Religion who were vocal against government injustices during Beyers Naud�s ministry are supporting the current post-apartheid South African government

Rediscovering joy in costly and radical discipleship in mission

The research attended to the call by the World Council of Churches in the mission affirmation Together towards life to renew methods of evangelism and to communicate the good news with persuasion, inspiration and conviction, by providing a theological framework for reflection on joy and flourishing life, and its place in mission studies. The link between mission, evangelism and discipleship was developed as a basis to expand the understanding of evangelism as an invitation to personal conversion and discipleship. Discipleship was defined as participating in the Triune God’s life-giving mission and as being on a journey towards flourishing life. It showed that the gospel message of joy, good news and life in fullness serves as a counterculture against the prevailing rhetoric of religious and secular prosperity gospels, consumerism and individualism. It also warned that discipleship in mission is costly and radical. Discipleship is a life of generosity and service, where the true disciple delights in justice, gives generously and cares for the weak. The research concluded with a discussion of practical holistic practices of embodied discipleship – practices that will form habits where disciples will live a flourishing life.http://www.hts.org.zaam2017Science of Religion and Missiolog