Vooraftrede-begeleiding binne die plaaslike gemeente : ’n pastorale studie

Abstract

Demographic trends in aging show that the life expectancy of people in developing countries is increasing worldwide. This results in more people having a longer and healthier life period in retirement, for which they often do not plan or prepare properly to live it in a meaningful and purposeful way. The focus of this research was to determine whether a holistic pre-retirement coaching model that is modeled on perspectives from Scripture and practical-theoretical pastoral guidelines can be applied to guide a person approaching retirement to be better equipped for the planning and preparation of a purposeful retirement. The study answers the question through four tasks for practical-theological interpretation, as outlined by Osmer, namely the descriptive-empirical task, which seeks to find out what is going on; the interpretative task, which examines why it is happening; the normative task, which endeavours to find out what ought to be happening, and the pragmatic task, which attempts to find guidelines for a pastoral model of how we might respond. During the performance of the descriptive-empirical task, data were collected using Likert scale self-assessment questionnaires, open-ended questions as well as one-on-one interviews with interviewees. From the collected data, it could be determined that there is a need for coaching in the preparation for the life phase of retirement. From the interpretative task regarding retirement, it was established that retirement is a concept that is undergoing vast changes, while various perceptions regarding retirement are being upheld. Furthermore, it was also established that life coaching can be effectively utilised as a method to assist individuals to set and achieve goals as well as to facilitate change at personal and spiritual levels. The normative task was carried out using appropriate Scripture passages from the Old and New Testament to obtain normative guidelines regarding planning. From the actions of Nehemiah, it was possible to identify steps of planning and its implementation to achieve his objective in rebuilding the city walls of Jerusalem. From the book of Proverbs, it became clear that planning needs the insight of many advisers. From Paul’s life, it was established that human plans sometimes need to be changed and adapted due to unforeseen circumstances. James directs an admonishment to the believer to do planning within God’s will. Therefore, one should always consider your plans to be temporary and subject to the will of God.

During the pragmatic task it was attempted by way of a hermeneutic interaction between the descriptive-empirical, the interpretative and normative perspectives, to propose and implement a holistic multidisciplinary approach to facilitate a possible pre-retirement coaching model the equipment of those in the congregation and elsewhere in the preparation, planning and adaptation process regarding retirement.