Community development and the church : a public practical theology inquiry

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa's underdevelopment raises questions about why this region remains mired in challenges that impede human progress. There are different responses to the question, but no significant regional changes indicate something is wrong. The study examined how churches interact with communities to address the challenge of underdevelopment. Specifically, the study examined the church's role in responding to community development within its social and ministerial spaces. The study recommended constructive and meaningful church and community engagement to address community underdevelopment. In response, a public practical theology was proposed as an integrated approach to church and society in addressing people’s challenges. This study examined Weltevreden Chapel Family Bible Church and Christ Revival Centre in Lenasia as case studies whose community interventions could indicate other ecclesial-community relationships. In focusing on the church's role as a public pastoral care provider, the study emphasised the need for the church to be the salt of the earth and light for the world (Matthew 5:13-14). Churches are subsystems of society, placed by God in the world to represent Him. They must take an active role in addressing critical societal issues as ambassadors of God. The church must move away from closed-minded ministries and institutionalised theology to make a real difference in humanity. The study stressed the importance of using public theology as a theoretical lens to frame pastoral care ministries in the church. Furthermore, it noted that public pastoral care should be a congregational responsibility characterised by holistic cooperation among congregants. The research proposes a church-focused community development model in South Africa in response to this need. In real contextual ministry, the church should systematically create synergies with community structures to broaden its human web of public pastoral care. The study used Osmer’s (2008) framework for practical theological interpretation to answer the research questions and meet the objectives. Osmer (2008:4) develops a framework for practical theological interpretation in congregations by focusing on four key questions: 1. What is going on in a given context? 2. Why is this going on? 3. What ought to be going on? 4. How might the leader shape the context to better embody Christian witness and mission? Based on the first question of the framework, the researcher examined the challenges people face in South African communities and the extent to which these challenges hamper people from iv living better lives. The study found that inequality, unemployment, poverty, gender-based violence (GBV) and racism are the significant challenges people are battling with. These persistent challenges affect people a big deal despite the government and other organisations’ efforts to combat these challenges. An empirical study was conducted on how churches view community development and their involvement. The study results showed a need for church leaders to undergo training where they would have a comprehensive education on what community development entails and how they can effectively transform their communities. This was due to leaders not having a thorough knowledge of community development. The study looked into the theological and biblical basis for community development. It was found that development is God’s idea. He is the One who created people in His image, and His intention from the beginning is that man enjoys fellowship with Him and lives a fruitful life in all aspects of His being. This can be achieved by churches actively participating in public pastoral care where people’s needs are met holistically. In light of this, the research set out to find a model for public pastoral care that is sensitive to community needs and is based on potential church engagement. The concept highlights the church's essential function as a microcosm of society with a significant role to play. The recommendations given in this study were based on the information provided by the respondents regarding what they thought would help churches to be engaged with their communities effectively. The principles from the Bible that were found through careful exegesis were integrated with the respondents’ recommendations and literature to come up with practical suggestions that the church can follow to enhance its involvement in community development.