Verantwoordelike vernuwing in die Evangelies-Gereformeerde Kerk van Suid-Afrika

English: Responsible renewal in the Christian church is a subject that has been debated widely for the past few decades and the debate takes on various forms. In some circles renewal means the implementation of new styles of service (ministry), resulting in a change in the character and spirituality of the church. It would, however, seem that most of the renewal movements simply have in mind numerical growth as a paradigm. For proponents of the Emerging Church the word “renewal” seems outdated, as it simply links to a forced adaptation from an old obsolete paradigm of being church. The Evangelies-Gereformeerde Kerk van Suid-Afrika (EGK) has as one of its aims the continuous focus on renewal with regards to a new breeze in witness, experience and message. In doing so, the church declares that a dead formalism and cold orthodoxy (teaching without life) are not welcome. On the one hand, the EGK assumes a strong conservative character, in all aspects obedient to the Bible as the Word of God, whilst, on the other hand, campaigning for spiritual renewal so that the lives of members will be in line with the holiness doctrine of the church. This research is aimed at establishing how practical and meaningful renewal can be achieved within the EGK, without the church compromising its Biblical convictions and conservative character. It is shown how the EGK was founded in 1944 from the ranks of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) to answer to the need for spiritual renewal amongst evangelical members within the NGK. In this regard, the establishment of the EGK itself can be regarded as a renewal church. After six decades since its founding, there is a dire need for spiritual renewal, which will bring the lives of members of the church in line with its doctrine. Such renewal is eminently the work of God, but obedient men are the agents in realising renewal. As a starting point a theoretical basis investigation was done with regard to a Practical Theological ecclesiology in order to reach a meaningful practice theory for responsible renewal within the EGK. The Bible is the basis for establishing what the calling and task of the church ought to be, and the principles for being church are confirmed anew. This theoretical basis investigation is expanded in order to establish what responsible renewal involves according to the Bible. In both chapters contributions from leading local Practical theologians and those worldwide were researched, and data was tested against the Scriptural accuracy thereof. Furthermore, research was done with regard to contemporary renewal tendencies within the Church of Christ. The “Church Growth Movement”, “Seeker Sensitive Movement”, “Emerging Church”, “Jesus Seminar”, and the “New Reform Network” are critically judged from the diaconiological paradigm. For an empirical study qualitative interviews were conducted with leaders in the church regarding their experience of the status quo within the EGK, and to acquire proposals towards responsible renewal. This qualitative research was done in accordance with an interpretative approach in which initial concepts are validated and configurations done towards forming a theory which results in a more effective praxis. In accordance with the nature of a diaconiological epistemology, Scriptural principles are supplemented with knowledge from the human sciences and a new practice theory is suggested regarding responsible renewal within the EGK.