Die kerk as verteenwoordiger van God in die plaaslike gemeenskap in Suid-Afrika : 'n praktiese-teologiese studie

Abstract

Gemeenskappe in Suid-Afrika ervaar tans geweldige uitdagings. Die kerk, as gemeenskap van gelowiges, is kragtens haar wese veronderstel om ʼn groot bydrae tot die hantering van die uitdagings te lewer, maar dit gebeur nie altyd nie. In die praktiese teologie is heelwat navorsing gedoen oor die samelewing wat deur die kerk verwaarloos word. Die kerk het ʼn Bybelse opdrag as verteenwoordiger van God om die lig van die wêreld te wees en hoop te gee in hopelose situasies. In hierdie postmoderne, globale tydperk het die kerk, as ʼn gemeenskap van gelowiges, se rol dramaties verander. Die lidmate van die kerk en die lede van die gemeenskap beskou hierdie rol verskillend. Dίt is nadelig vir die doeltreffende funksionering van die kerk. Postmodernisme en globalisasie stel nuwe uitdagings aan leierskap in die kerk. Die kerk moet haar herposisioneer, opnuut op haar missionale roeping fokus en haar leierskapstyl verander sodat dit tot voordeel van die kerk, sowel as die gemeenskap, kan strek. As dit nie verander nie, kan dit vir albei groepe nadelige gevolge hê. In Suid-Afrika is daar voorbeelde van kerke wat doeltreffende rolspelers in hul plaaslike gemeenskappe is. In hierdie gevalle het die vennootskappe tussen kerkleiers en gemeenskapsleiers ʼn positiewe impak wat tot voordeel van albei groepe strek. Hul samewerking maak dit moontlik om spesifieke uitdagings in die plaaslike gemeenskap te hanteer. Die kerkleier tree dan op as instrument in die ontginning van die kerk se hulpbronne tot voordeel van die samelewing en die kerk self. Communities in South Africa are currently experiencing tremendous challenges. The church, as a community of believers and in terms of its being, is supposed to greatly contribute in dealing with these challenges, but it does not always happen. In practical theology a lot of research has been done on society being neglected by the church. The church has a biblical mandate and duty to be the light of the world and to give hope in hopeless situations. The role of the church, as a community of believers, has changed dramatically in this postmodern, global period. Members of the church and the community have a sometimes totally different view of this role, which can be detrimental to the efficient functioning of the church. Postmodernism and globalisation manifests a challenge to leadership in the church. The church must reposition itself, focus once again on its missional calling and change its leadership style in order to benefit both the community and itself. If it does not change, it could have adverse effects on both groups. In South Africa there are examples of churches that are effective role-players in their local communities. In these cases, collaboration between church leaders and community leaders has a positive impact on both groups. This collaboration makes it possible to deal with specific challenges in the local community. The church leader then serves as an instrument in developing the church's resources to the benefit of both the community and the church itself.