| dc.description.abstract | The phenomenon of the decline in numbers in traditionally Afrikaans “sister
churches” - in the midst of the complex South African society of the first decade of
the 21st century - was researched in the light of the command that Jesus himself gave
to his church (Math 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8). The Great Commission directed the aim
of the research to evaluate this phenomenon hermeneutically and empirically in order
to develop a reformed strategy in a practical theological way. The grounding of the
investigation was the communicative action theory, which simultaneously integrates
with a basic theoretical model developed from a combination of basic theoretical
models as suggested by Dingemans, Heitink en Zerfass. To reinforce the
exegetical/hermeneutical perspective of the basic theory, a historical study was
conducted regarding the growth and decline of power basises since the Jesus
movement until now. The interaction between perspectives was subsequently
extended by metatheoretical perspectives, based on the research regarding the
influence of schools of thought, as well as the influence of circumstances in the
country, which determine the “sister church” praxis of the 21st century. The
traditionally Afrikaans “sister churches” as a problematic ecclesiastical community of
practice was further examined as part of the empirical perspective. On this basis an
attempt was made to gauge the thinking of the “sister churches” in the intricate and
problematic ecclesiastical praxis. The gauging was executed by means of a random
test in one of the “sister churches”, namely the Reformed Church of South Africa
(GKSA). It was found that this problematic church praxis is directed by strong
institutional thinking. An adjusted practice theory, as well as a supporting practical
theoretical model, were formulated in order to realise a reformed strategy for church
growth as opposed to the decline in numbers. Considering the above mentioned
interactive perspectives, the conclusion was reached that the praxis in the “sister
churches” at the beginning of the 21st century, functions in an ecclesiastically
imbalanced way. The imbalance lies in the fact that Christ-centred thinking, and thus
also Christ-centred ecclesiology (as balancing thinking and balancing ecclesiology),
does not manifest in “sister church” thinking. The unbalanced thinking as an all-encompassing factor in the church praxis, confirms and promotes the tendency of the
decline in numbers. The proposed strategic perspective as the adjusted practice theory
is thus a contribution to formulating an obedient, covenant-centred and reformed
answer to declining numbers. This adjusted strategy can bring about the wonder of
revival and growth in the “sister churches” by means of the basic theoretical truth
elements, which were pointed out in this research. | |
