Missiology

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Open Access
Aspects of the coming of the Kingdom of God in the ministry of deliverance from the occult and idolatry: a perspective from the RCA
(University of the Free State, 2013) Denysschen, Gregory Hilton; Verster, Pieter; Sukdaven, Maniraj
𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 People converted from polytheistic religions face spiritual and physical challenges that impact adversely on the quality of their Christian experience in their new-found faith, as found within the ambit of the Reformed Church in Africa (RCA) and its ministry. Is this due to the inadequate attention given to addressing and dealing with the possible spiritual bondage suffered by converts from these religions? What are the implications of reference to bondages brought about by the influence of spirit entities, called demons in the Christian scriptures, and which manifests itself in the form of physical, emotional and spiritual affliction perpetuating their suffering? What is the meaning of the hope of deliverance the Gospel hold out to them? This research thesis has an introduction followed by six chapters. The introduction broadly spells out the challenge the research faces in terms of the nature of the subject matter. The first chapter serves to clarify the purpose, research questions and define terms as used in the study. It deals with question-problem statement, the field to be focussed on in terms of what it hopes to achieve and the state of research. My hypothesis is that the purpose of the Gospel in the coming of Christ amounts to the restoration of the Kingdom of God among the nations on earth. The kingdoms of this world, represented by the idols, stand in direct antithesis to the kingdom of heaven. Emerging from a world saturated in animism and idolatry has had certain specific social and physical consequences for the members of such a community, which can be shown to have impacted adversely on the quality of their Christian experience in their new found faith. A ministry tailored to effectively address trauma experienced directly as a result of the spiritual implications of idolatry is desperately needed. In order to test this hypothesis, certain questions were raised: Will developing a comprehensive counselling and prayer therapy in ministry to deal specifically with this unique challenge, effectively solve the problem of meeting the need for each new believer to fully experience the actual physical and spiritual liberty that are theirs in Christ in real terms? Can a specialised approach be developed and presented to clergy and related counsellors, to equip the church to minister to the new believers from animistic and polytheistic religions, and would this dramatically impact on the quality of Christian life experienced in the RCA? Would equipping the ministers of the gospel with the findings of this research render them more capable to effectively serve this community in the way envisioned? The second chapter is dedicated to my methodology and research mode. Chapter three covers hermeneutical and theological perspectives and chapter four examines Biblical passages illustrating the broad spectrum of spirit influence and consequences. Chapter five deals with case histories phenomenological observed and analysed. I propose a responsible and appropriate counselling and prayer therapy in Chapter six and then conclude with final remarks, a summary of insight and present an aspect of transforming mission celebrating the triumph of Christ over the forces of darkness.
Open Access
Die bemagtiging van die amp van die gelowige in missionêre konteks
(University of the Free State, 2006-11) Pienaar, Roelof Johannes; Verster, P.
English: In chapter one the thesis is that the church, in a time of change and paradigm shift, can maintain its identity as a missionary faith community if it focus on the role that believers who do not serve in a special office of the church, play. The church must enable believers to live in a missionary way in every sphere of life. To be able to do this more is needed than just the equipping of believers. A more comprehensive approach is needed to enable the local congregation to reach out to the community and fallen world of which it is part. This more comprehensive approach is described by the term “empowerment”. In chapter two the missionary context in which the church finds itself is formulated as the church’s involvement in the Missio Dei. Missions happens where the church crosses boundaries, visible and invisible, between the gospel and the lost world in such a way that the world may share in the hope that is in Jesus Christ. The third chapter is devoted to the contribution that reformed theology makes to the definition of what missions is. Mission is Missio Trinitatis and must be a dimension of all the activities of the church. The fourth chapter focus on the role of the special offices in the church. These offices works mostly within the borders of the congregation and has a missionary function in the way that it equips believers for their missionary call. The term “office of the believer” is not used in the three Creeds of Unity and yet the call that rests on every believer is connected by these creeds to the official work of Jesus Christ. The Biblical content of the vocation of every believer in the Missio Trinitatis is the field of study of chapter five, as well as the interaction between the special and general offices of the church. The focus of the latter is mainly outside the borders of the congregation. Before general science is utilized in chapter seven to obtain a definition of the term “empowerment”, chapter six asks the question whether Missiology may use these general sciences and what they may contribute to the formation of theology. From a study of the use of the term “empowerment” in different fields, within and outside of the church, the conclusion is reached that the most basic meaning of empowerment is to give a new sense of belonging to anybody who was excluded by one or another structure or system. The church must empower believers in such a way through a new sense of belonging that they may be encouraged to enter the world with all its challenges and make a difference through their participation in the message of hope on all terrains of life.
Open Access
The church of faith, love, hope, and mission
(Sun Media, 2022) Verster, Pieter
Open Access
A church with the poor – lessons from scripture and from congregations in informal settlements
(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2012) Verster, P.
The church has an essential role to play in communities riddled with poverty, disease, and despair. Communities in informal-settlement areas suffer a great deal. Churches in these communities are often small and have few means for alleviating poverty. In the Bible, the community of God is a community of love. Although there are instances of retribution in the Old Testament, there are clear instances where the community of God experiences the implications of love for one’s neighbour. In the New Testament, the essence of the church is to be the community of love. Congregations in Mangaung’s informal settlements bring a message of hope by being the community of love in their area. The church can become the true messenger of God’s hope in informal areas.
Open Access
The common critical success factors determining the mission impact of the local church : an analytical study
(University of the Free State, 2001-11) Hancke, Frans Johannes Van Heerden; Verster, P.
English: From research referred to in this study it is clear that a growing missions awareness and involvement is developing across the globe. This statement is supported by the recent publication of growth figures in the Christendom. In apparent contrast, church .leaders and Missiologists indicate that a vast number of local churches are not involved in the proclamation of the Gospel in the world. This situation gives birth to the research problem which is addressed by this study: "What are the common critical success factors enabling churches, involved in mission, to mobilise people for the Kingdom of God?" The goals of the study therefore are: o to analyse and identify common critical success factors lil congregations who are effectively involved in mission; o to develop a conceptual model of such factors for the church-on-mission; and, o to identify specific areas for further research, as a follow-up on this exploratory research. The research approach can therefore be described as follows: 1. The founding of the Church's missionary task. Is it Scripturally sound to describe mission as the essential calling of the local church? Can we accept that mission is not just a New Testament phenomenon but that it finds its roots in the whole Scripture? Does the whole Scripture support God's involvement with humankind, or do we find uniquely new attributes of God in the New Testament? Is God exclusively concerned with Israel in the Old Testament? The study accentuates that God's plan of redemption is already made known early during Old Testament times. God calls Abraham in Genesis 12:3 and consistently promises His blessing in order for Abraham to be a blessing unto the riations - through Abraham all the families on the earth were to be blessed. It is indicated that the Great Commission is not a surprising, isolated New Testament phenomenon, but that God is truly the God of the Nations! The whole Scripture testifies about His involvement with His creation. 2. The development of a biblical paradigm for the church-on-mission. With the mission mandate of the local church firmly based on Scripture this study proceeds to develop a biblical paradigm for the church. Various perspectives are reviewed in this process. Charles van Engen's book, God's missionary people - Rethinking the purpose of the local church, is used as essential reference in developing a biblical paradigm for the church-on-mission. A series of other sources are utilised to evaluate Van Engen's views. 3. Empirical research determine the critical success factors in the local church. Five churches were selected and are reviewed in the study. Through qualitative research, supported by quantitative data, the critical factors in these churches are isolated and described. The study concludes by evaluating the empirical research against the created biblical paradigm. Through this evaluation ten critical success factors are integrated in a model supported by the biblical perspective of the missional church. This research re-affirms the essential commission of the Church. It integrates the biblical being and essence of the local church with those factors detectable in churches impacting creation. Eventually, this study should contribute towards the whole Church taking the whole gospel to the whole world.
Open Access
Conceptualising the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ in the Africa Pentecostal Independent Churches: a Bethesda Apostolic Faith Mission Church case study
(University of the Free State, 2013-12) Tsiane, Modisatoli Motseokae Petrus; Verster, Pieter
Abstract not available.
Open Access
Contextualization and the Ovahimba Christian youth
(University of the Free State, 2006-01) Petersen, Gideon Phillip; Verster, Pieter
As a missionary to the Ovahimba, in north Kunene Region (Namibia), this researcher has discovered that although the Christian Church has had a presence for five decades it has not been able to establish roots in the Ovahimba community. In these five decades of ministry the Christian mission concentrated on teaching the children and/or youth about the gospel. This implied uprooting the children from their cultural moorings and introducing new and different moorings. Yet when family and friends challenged their Christian allegiance they returned to their traditional life experience. Jesus became an appendage to their ancestor-mediators. Jesus was just another helper. The underlying worldview of the person remained the same. The premise of this study suggests that mission belongs to God (Missio Dei). It starts with God and it ends with Him. He desires to have humanity in His presence. Based upon this premise it becomes imperative that the Christian community find a way to share the Biblical message so as to draw the Ovahimba into that mindset. To achieve this the thesis recommends the principle of critical contextualization that will enable the Bible to remain the focal point of a localized Christian community. However, such localization would need to remain within the local community yet be part of the universal Church. This is not a dilemma but represents the oneness of the body of Christ. It is not a unity in diversity but unity despite diversity. This study therefore proposes that contextualization is vital to planting a Christian Church within this community. To achieve a deep-rooted transformation the study suggests a model of understanding culture. This model is then recommended to the Christian community to help identify the Ovahimba worldview so effective transformation can take place.
Open Access
The contextualization of the gospel of Jesus Christ in Christian churches in Maseru, Lesotho
(University of the Free State, 2004-11) Tabi, Lefa Issac; Verster, Pieter
English: The main issue in this dissertation is to establish what the different ways of contextualization among Christian churches in Maseru, Lesotho are. To reach this objective, church leaders from various churches were interviewed, with the aim of establishing their different approaches to contextualization. Their approaches to the main concepts of Church service were evaluated namely kerugma and leiturgia, diakonia, koinonia and marturia. Persons from the following churches were interviewed: The African Methodist Episcopal Church in Maseru, Lesotho Evangelical Church, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in Maseru, St. John Apostolic Faith Mission Church and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. Views on contextualization of three main theologians were then also evaluated namely, Turaki, Sanneh and Bediako. After this evaluation the churches' position were reassessed. In the final instance the way forward for the churches in Maseru is discussed.
Open Access
Cultural sensitivity in Christian mission to resistant people: an historical perspective: the link between mission praxis and theological presupposition
(University of the Free State, 2007-10) Coleman, Marc; Verster, P.
A thesis of approximately 73,000 words that deals with subject of historical approaches to the mission of the church. The title is indicative of the often-sensitive nature of theological discussions concerning culture in missions. It is also indicative of the fact that missionaries throughout the history of Christian mission have each had to decide how to be sensitive to the culture of the evangelized. The main thesis of this research is that in the history of Christian mission to resistant people theology predisposes to a particular set of mission principles and methodologies. Stated otherwise, there is a link between what one believes about the Bible and other Christian doctrines and how one goes about the task of doing mission. I argue that history bears out this assertion and that the link is more than as casual one. In this study, I take a descriptive look at the factors leading up to, facilitating, and hampering a variety of mission movements in Christian history. The progress of the study follows, in a general way, the timeline of church history. The goal is to find possible trends and links between the three Mission Praxis Paradigms (MPP) and theology. For that reason, a selection of prominent mission movements in the history of the church is employed for study. I hypothesize that there are a variety of theological variables that underpin mission methodology. These are weighed for each mission movement in light of the MPP adopted by the missionaries. Questions about how much one should include pagan or non-Christian elements in mission, what one believes about eschatology, soteriology and the Bible are all examined. This study demonstrates that the responses to these questions have manifested themselves in three broad-based approaches which I call mission praxis paradigms (MPP). These MPP’s are practical approaches to cross-cultural mission that encompass almost all mission endeavors (with a few exceptions) since the beginning of the Christian Church. These three approaches; the authoritative MPP, the inclusivist MPP, and the Neo-inclusivist MPP hold many ideologies in common while concurrently holding many conflicting theological positions. This study demonstrates that mission approach or methodology in its broadest sense throughout history has been a function of theological orientation. It is not a critique of any one approach but rather demonstrative of the tendencies to one’s approach or particular theological leanings Among other things, the study reveals several trends in several keys areas of belief that may useful indicators of one’s likely mission methodology. It ends with recommendations for more detailed study of the finding that views of inspiration and place of the Bible in Christian mission is the factor most likely to determine mission methodology.
Open Access
Developing a church planting movement in India
(University of the Free State, 2004-11) Fowlkes, Dane Winstead; Verster, Pieter
English: This dissertation acknowledges the need for Church Planting Movements among the unreached peoples of India. Of particular concern to this study is the application of Church Planting Movement strategy to forward caste Hindus of India. It traces the historical development of group or people movement strategy and then compares that strategy with traditional missionary approaches in India. It shows that evangelizing households is the primary strategy of the New Testament and the most appropriate strategy for initiating Church Planting Movements. The thesis carefully examines salvation understanding in the Hindu context and its relationship to the caste system. All of this lays a foundation for a proper approach to evangelization of forward caste Hindus in light of the fact that there have been no documented Church Planting Movements among forward caste Hindus in all of India. The paper concludes that the best approach to facilitating a Church Planting Movement among forward caste Hindus is by not planting churches. As contradictory as this sounds, the paper shows that Christian disciples remaining within Hindu culture and familial systems holds the potential for the most indigenous approach to establishing multiplying churches among forward caste Hindus.
Open Access
Die wonderbare Heilige Gees én die Vader van liefde: 'n Missionêre teologie
(Sunbonani Scholar, 2020) Verster, Pieter
Die Heilige Gees, as die Gees van Christus, bring die volheid van die heil in Christus na ons. Hy verheerlik Jesus Christus, Hy maak geloof moontlik en Hy vestig die kerk. Die Heilige Gees is daarom totaal uniek en wonderbaar. Dit is vir die sending essensieel om vanuit die Gees te lewe en so Jesus Christus as Here te erken. Daarmee saam hang natuurlik die getuienis dat die Vader oneindige liefde in sy Seun Jesus Christus betoon. Juis nou dat die teologie die tydsgees navolg, moet onomwonde in die krag van die Gees getuig word dat Jesus die Here is en dat die Vader die Vader van liefde is. Sentraal hierin staan die kruisdood en opstanding van Jesus Christus wat deur die Heilige Gees bevestig word. Daarmee word dikwels teen die stroom ingeswem, maar hierdie getuienis moet onomwonde gelewer word. Daarvan moet die sending steeds en meer en meer getuig.
Open Access
God's missional people: reflecting God's love in the midst of suffering and affliction
(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2012) Hancke, Frans. J. van H.
The title of this article reflects a deep and personal conviction founded on the belief that a major solution to lessen the suffering of people living in poverty and in the midst of pandemics such as AIDS, lies within the body of Christ. The focus therefore is on God’s people being called to participate in God’s mission in God’s world. Reflecting on those people, his church, in which he is incarnating himself through his Holy Spirit in an extraordinary and empowering way in order for them to reflect his love on the highways and byways of life – to transform the lives and circumstances of people in order for him to receive glory and honour. The title of this article clearly indicates a fundamental characteristic of God’s people – they are being sent to participate in his mission (missio Dei).
Open Access
The impact of media programmes in evangelising Sunni Islam in West Africa
(University of the Free State, 2014-12) Kassoule, Z.; Verster, Pieter
English: It is a big challenge to present Jesus through the impact of media programs to Muslims in general and Hausa Sunni Muslims of West Africa in particular. The goal of this project is to design a strategy for using media in the cross-cultural context to accomplish mission among Hausa Sunni Muslims of West Africa. The dissertation presents an analysis of mission challenges on the reaction of Muslims when they hear the gospel message in their context. This analysis focuses firstly on the premise that mission is from God. God as first missionary reached out to people in the garden and later to them who believe in Him and accept His plan through ages, and then to share this initiative. The study traces the development of that mission from creation to the present time. It shows that through history each people group needs a special strategy in a cross-cultural context to accept and adapt the gospel message in their life without yielding to syncretism. The project examines, secondly, the history of Sunni Muslims from the foundation of the religion to the present time, as well as their key doctrines and worldview. It also establishes some determinant factors, as culture and worldview, for an effective communication, that can influence positively the conversion of Sunni to the true gospel. Historical, social context and cultural analyses of Hausa Sunni Muslims were then undertaken and the influence of media is ascertained in the project. After exploring the contextual and audience analysis of Hausa Sunni Muslims, this study suggests that a bridge be built by using the Qur’an, especially the first chapter called Al fatiha (opening), when presenting the message. This strategy can break many existing barriers and can provide opportunities to facilitate the gospel penetration and expansion among this people group. The result of this study can be used by any church member who has the desire to preach the Gospel through media among Hausa Sunni Muslims or wherever it can be useful. Such work can be established by well-trained teamwork composed by volunteer members, full of the Holy Spirit and totally engaged for mission. These strategies can maintain Hausa Sunni Muslims in the church despite persecution.
Open Access
Leadership in African context: a missiological approach
(University of the Free State, 2002-06) Afeke, Bright; Verster, Pieter
English: Good leadership is of utmost importance for the people of Africa and the political future of the continent. In the African context it is clear that important new directives for sound leadership is needed. From the missiological perspective an overview of leadership and biblical guidelines are given. In chapter one an outline of the context, scope and purpose of the thesis is given In chapter two leadership is defined in the secular literature and given theories on leadership is discussed. In chapter three a biblical overview of leadership is put forward. The Old Testament’s view of king, prophet and priest is discussed. According to the New Testament Jesus replied to the environmental problems of his time and age. Jesus himself was a shepherd of his people, servant and steward. Paul’s views are also discussed. In chapter four the context of Africa is reviewed. Africa is a continent with as terrible past and important aspects of the pre-colonial and colonial rule is discussed. However, the problems of Africa are not only as a result of its colonial past. Leadership is often lacking and dictators and military leaders often bring about disaster to their people. In chapter five the socio-economic an political stance of the church is discussed. The church has an important role to play in Africa to help the continent on a new way. In chapter six the churches’ involvement in Africa’s revolution is defined and discussed. The church must influence the leadership of Africa. The way in which the worldview must be influenced is also important. Chapter seven ends of with a short evaluation.
Open Access
Marketplace missiology
(University of the Free State, 2011-11) Carstens, Johan; Verster, P.
Abstract not available
Open Access
Ministry to nomads: a comprehensive missiological approach
(University of the Free State, 2011-05) Petersen, Gideon Phillip; Verster, Pieter
English: Immanuel, our God is with us. Somehow Christianity has struggled with this very basic Christian belief. There has not been a theological struggle. The struggle has been the application among a people different from those influenced by the Graeco-Roman thinking of the West. In so doing it became easy for the Western missionary to impose his/her own understanding of God upon others and hence they were able to impose doctrines that would outline such thinking. This thesis argues that this application of Christian teaching did not coincide with the belief that God comes to all humanity. A group that was isolated by this kind of practice are the nomads of the world. Nomads have not rejected Christianity per se, however, they have questioned the need to change to something they are not in order to be Christian. Thus this thesis proposes that Christians enter a nomadic environment with the goal of allowing God to be one with nomads by using their communication styles and lifestyle. This requires a deep study of the people before embarking on such a journey. It also requires that the mission practitioner learn to become a learner and respect the people. In the end the mission practitioner will not dictate what and how the new believer ought to understand God. To achieve the stated goal this thesis suggests an incarnational approach that would connect the nomads to God through a demonstration of God’s presence in the life of the missionary. Such an approach will address the heart issues of the people and demonstrate a coming of God to humanity.
Open Access
’n Missiologiese ondersoek na die rol van vaders in die morele agteruitgang van jongmense in die Dwarsrivier Vallei
(University of the Free State, 2023) Keet, Eugene Elmar; Baron, Eugene
Die afwesigheid van ’n vader of vaderfiguur binne die gesinsisteem is ’n groot probleem aangesien dit ’n vakuum in die ouerskapsrol laat ontstaan en ’n negatiewe invloed het op ’n gesin se vermoë om doeltreffend te funksioneer. Die navorsing fokus eerstens op die rol van biologiese vaders van jongmense tussen die ouderdomme van 12 tot 23 jaar. Die navorsing maak gebruik van ’n World Café navorsingsmetode, asook persoonlike onderhoude wat met leiers van vyf gemeentes gevoer is om die data vir die studie in te samel. Tydens die navorsing het die navorser ook vaderfigure ingesluit (moeders, voogde, ander agente wat die rol vertolk), wat toegelaat word binne ’n kritiese realis paradigma, en probeer vasstel hoe vyf gemeentes in die Dwarsrivier Vallei (DRV) vaders en vadersfigure bemagtig om hulle taak as missionale leiers en die bekamping van die morele verval van jongmense aan te spreek. Die bevinding van die studie sluit in: dat gemeentes ’n rol kan speel in die bemagtiging van vaders en vaderfigure deur onder andere die prediking, liturgie, en in wese ’n missionale gemeente te wees wat as ’n transformasieruimte vir vaders en vaderfigure kan dien.
Open Access
New hope for the poor: a perspective on the church in informal settlements in Africa
(Sun Media Bloemfontein, 2012) Verster, Pieter
Abstract not available
Open Access
Obedience and servant leadership: Apollis, Appies, Buti, Buys
(Sun Media Bloemfontein, 2020) Botha, Nico Adam; Baron, Eugene
Abstract not available
Restricted
Preface
(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2012) Verster, Pieter
Abstract not available